The largest Oat Milk Company is back with a brand new dairy product derived from oats. Oatly’s plant-based cream cheese launched in the month of March across the country and is available it at grocery stores such as Albertsons, Wegmans, and Fresh Direct.
Cream cheese is available with two different flavors (plain and chive, as well as onion) and is said to be similar to dairy product.
However, we’ve heard this before. As a food writer who has tapped into the latest trends in this area I’ve seen several plant-based products that claim to taste like the dairy equivalents. However, I must admit, a lot of them do not meet the standards. When Oatly offered me two tubs I decided to give them an attempt for a look at how they compare.
I’m aware of the qualities of a good cream cheese. I went to college in New York and spent my undergrad years eating bags of bread slathered with cream cheese. I’m also a fervent baker and enjoy mixing the spread into frosting for carrot cakes and spreading it into freshly baked cinnamon rolls. I believe that good cream cheese has to taste great on its on its own and compliment my homemade desserts. I kept the same principles in mind while testing this plant-based substitute. Here are my general views on how it stacks against the competition.
The cream cheese line Oatly is spread and the taste
Regarding texture, Oatly did a great job in terms of emulating the creamy, yet smooth creamy schmear of cream cheese. I could slide my butter knife swiftly across the carton and make enough of a bagel. I’ve also tried other options made of plant matter in which it’s a struggle to get it out from the tub, making the spread difficult on the breads and pastries.
Many plant-based companies have made vegan food appear as if they are real however to me, this was not enough. It must also contain the tart, mild taste of cream cheese made with milk that a number of non-dairy alternatives struggle with. In reality, I frequently find them too tart.
What I was most impressed with about Oatly’s basic choice was how closely its flavor was to cream cheese from dairy. It resembled the soft, creamy flavor that spreads typically provide it, and even added the slight (but not overpowering) flavor of tang. It had a slight oat-y aftertaste, which was similar to that of its well-known non-dairy milk, however I was not averse to it. The onion and chive version made a great savory snack, packed with garlicky taste. While spreading it out I could see fresh pieces of herb on the bread (which I enjoyed! ).
After experimenting with the plant-based spread in its own way I was curious to know the flavor with additional ingredients. I love adding ingredients into my bagels, be it sauteed spinach or a sort of protein, like an egg that has been fried or smoke-smoked salmon. In my tests, I found that when I mixed the latter using the onion and chive Oatly shmear, the dish remained its flavor despite some intense seafood bites. The herb-based combination with a spicy fish was tasty, I’d be willing to ditch my vegan cream cheese in favor of this flavor.
However, before I decided on my conclusion, I wanted to test it on a baking endeavor. I used the KitchenAid stand mixer, and set about working on a batch of cinnamon rolls. I made the simple Oatly spread along with lemon zest and powdered sugar to create an icing made of cream cheese. Wow was it able to live up to expectations. The consistency was light and spreadable. It spread perfectly on hot rolls, without breaking. The flavor of the spread was delicious when paired with an added sweetness, which gave it a sweet and tart note.
Is there anything in Oatly Cheese?
While I was over myself in love with this creamy cheese I was compelled to pause and read the back label to be sure that I was not really drinking dairy. I was happy to discover that the two primary ingredients in the tub were water and oats. It’s the same base they use to make their infamous Oat Milk which is why If you drink it often you shouldn’t notice any differences with their Schmears. I noticed that both drinks and spreads had the familiar taste of creamy.
What does not contain? Similar to other spreads made from plants, Oatly nixes any traces of animal fats like dairy milk, which makes it an excellent cream cheese substitute for those who are vegetarian, lactose intolerant or just wanting to add more vegetarian-friendly alternatives. However, since these kinds of ingredients are crucial to keep texture and taste, Oatly opted to incorporate palm oil to fill in that gap. So that when you apply the schmear on hot foods, like toasty bagel or warm cinnamon rolls, it won’t melt off the edges. This was the case for me in both instances it was spreading, but it did not run off.
Final thoughts
If a vegan lifestyle is important to you, then you’re likely over the moon about the launch in this particular product. After a taste I can say with certainty that it’s a plant-based cheese that has the same flavor and appearance as the real product. It’s a win for those who aren’t able to process dairy milk, those seeking vegan alternatives, and for those like me who find satisfaction in baking with many different ingredients.
