The Latest Alt-Dairy Desserts and More

In anticipation of Veganuary, food companies have been experimenting with a range of dairy alternative launches both sweet and savory. From collabs between Chance the Rapper and Ben & Jerry’s to partnerships between animal-free food tech company Perfect Day and General Mills, consumers have a range of new vegan products to choose from in the new year.

Bold Cultr

General Mills is tapping into food tech for the launch of Bold Cultr, a new dairy-free cream cheese that uses Perfect Day’s animal-free whey protein. The brand was developed in General Mills’ internal accelerator and will replace Renegade Creamery, a non-dairy cheese brand introduced earlier this year. Perfect Day launched its own alt-dairy cream cheese, Modern Kitchen, earlier this year. Bold Cultr is available online and at select Hy-Vee locations in Minnesota with regional expansion to follow in 2022.

Ben & Jerry’s

Chance the Rapper and Ben & Jerry’s teamed up to debut dairy-free mint ice cream with brownie chunks, dubbed Mint Chocolate Chance. The collaboration is made with sunflower butter and is certified vegan, non-GMO and comes in “responsibly sourced packaging.” The flavor also comes in a traditional dairy-based variety and a portion of proceeds from the flavors will be donated to the Chicago rapper’s youth empowerment charity, SocialWorks.

Daiya

Plant-based food company Daiya relaunched its cheese blocks with a new recipe made from oats and chickpeas. The blocks come in four varieties – Medium Cheddar, Jalapeño Havarti, Monterey Jack and Smoked Gouda – and are dairy, gluten and soy-free. The blocks are available nationwide at retailers including Sprouts, Wegmans and Natural Grocers for a suggested retail price of $4.99.

Babybel

Babybel’s mini cheese wheels are going plant-based with the announcement of a new version of its signature cheese, now made from coconut oil and starch. The product will initially be available exclusively in the U.K. with additional regions to follow, according to the company. The vegan friendly wheels will be packaged in a green wax coating, straying from the brand’s distinct red seal. The announcement follows the launch of another vegan cheese from Baybel’s parent company Bel Group, which introduced a plant-based version of its Boursin line earlier this year.

Mauna Loa

Following the successful launch of a new Strawberry Guava flavor this summer, macadamia nut producer Mauna Loa is further expanding its non-dairy ice cream line to a total of eight SKUs with the introduction of Molokaʻi Sea Salt & Caramel. Mauna Loa’s ice creams are available at retailers including Safeway, Albertsons, Sprouts and Whole Foods for $9.99 per pint.

wildbrine

wildCREAMERY, the dairy arm of fermented food maker wildbrine, introduced a nut-free Oat Butter Alternative this month. The butter is made with ingredients including oat milk, starches and cabbage which are all fermented with the same cultures used to make the company’s dairy-based butters and cheeses. WildCREAMERY’s Oat Butter Alternative is available at select retailers nationwide for $7.99 per 11 oz. tub.

JD’s Vegan

Musician and vegan entrepreneur Jermaine Dupri launched JD’s Vegan, a plant-based ice cream brand, this month in three flavors: Strawberry Sweetheart, Welcome to Atlanta Peach Cobbler and Apple Butter. The line is already expanding, with three additional SKUs (Key Lime Pie, Chocolate My Way and (404) Cookies & Cream) to come early next year which include. The products were developed alongside “international dessert expert” Malcolm Stogo and feature a coconut cream base. JD’s Vegan has launched exclusively with Walmart online and in stores nationwide.

Oatly

Plant-based alt-dairy company Oatly is expanding on the success of its ice cream and froyo launches with the introduction of an ‘oatly on a stick,’ vegan dessert bar in four flavors: chocolate fudge, strawberry swirl, salted caramel and vanilla. The dessert bars are available in 3-count boxes at select Target, Wegmans, Harris Teeter stores as well as on Fresh Direct.

Violife

Greek plant-based cheese maker Violife has brought two new alternatives to the U.S.: ‘Grill Me,’ a Halloumi-style alt-cheese, and Smoked Gouda Slices. The former was previously available in select international markets and is made with a coconut oil and starch base, while the latter joins Violife’s smoked line which also includes a cheddar variety. Both new plant-based cheeses are available across the U.S. at Sprouts Farmers Market locations.