Can You Have Dairy Free Cheese on a Paleo Diet?

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 65% of the human population has a reduced ability to digest lactose after infancy, a key reason many follow a dairy-free diet. For those on the paleo diet, which strictly excludes all dairy products, finding suitable cheese substitutes can be a challenge. While store-bought dairy-free cheeses are often off-limits due to additives, compliant, whole-food alternatives can be made at home.

Quick Summary

The paleo diet excludes all dairy, meaning most processed store-bought dairy-free cheeses with additives are not compliant. Acceptable substitutes include homemade cheeses crafted from nuts, seeds, and vegetables, using whole-food ingredients to mimic cheesy flavor and texture.

Key Points

Strict Paleo Excludes All Dairy: The paleo diet historically and fundamentally excludes all forms of dairy, including cheese, due to historical context and potential digestive issues.
Processed Dairy-Free Cheeses are Not Paleo: Most commercially produced dairy-free cheeses are not paleo-compliant because they contain additives, gums, and refined oils.
Homemade is the Compliant Solution: The best approach is to make your own dairy-free cheese at home using whole, unprocessed, paleo-approved ingredients.
Whole-Food Bases are Key: Acceptable homemade cheeses are typically based on cashews, macadamia nuts, coconut milk, or pureed vegetables.
Nutritional Yeast for a Cheesy Flavor: Nutritional yeast is a staple for replicating a savory, cheese-like flavor in homemade paleo recipes.
Customize Texture with Thickeners: Ingredients like gelatin or agar agar can be used to create firm, sliceable cheeses, while tapioca starch can add a meltable, stretchy quality.

The Paleo Stance on Dairy and Dairy-Free Alternatives

In its purest form, the paleo diet is modeled on the eating habits of Paleolithic humans, who were hunter-gatherers and did not consume dairy products. The exclusion of dairy is rooted in several principles:

Lactose Intolerance: Many people lack the lactase enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk.
Casein Protein: The casein protein in dairy can cause inflammation and other digestive issues for some individuals, which the paleo diet aims to avoid.
Processing: The domestication of animals for milk production and the subsequent creation of cheese is a post-Paleolithic agricultural development.

Given this strict stance, it follows that not all dairy-free cheeses are created equal in the eyes of the paleo framework. The key distinction lies in the ingredients and processing methods, which separate compliant, homemade versions from most store-bought products.

The Problem with Most Store-Bought Dairy-Free Cheeses

Most commercial dairy-free cheeses are highly processed and contain ingredients that are not paleo-compliant. These typically include:

Refined Oils: Many store-bought vegan cheeses are based on refined oils like canola or safflower oil.
Additives and Thickeners: Ingredients like carrageenan, xanthan gum, or tapioca starch are often used for texture and stability but are not allowed on a strict paleo diet.
Artificial Flavors and Preservatives: These processed foods often contain flavor enhancers and preservatives to extend shelf life, contradicting the paleo emphasis on whole, natural foods.

Homemade: The Paleo-Friendly Dairy-Free Cheese Solution

The most reliable way to enjoy "cheese" on a paleo diet is to make it yourself from whole, unprocessed ingredients. These homemade versions offer a rich, savory flavor and a range of textures, from creamy spreads to sliceable blocks.

Basic Ingredients for Paleo Dairy-Free Cheese

Nuts: Raw cashews are a popular base for their creamy consistency when blended. Macadamia nuts can also be used for a rich, buttery flavor.
Seeds: Hemp seeds and sunflower seeds offer a nut-free alternative.
Vegetables: Steamed cauliflower, zucchini, or pumpkin can be pureed to form a creamy base for sauces or solid cheeses.
Coconut Milk/Cream: Full-fat coconut milk adds richness and is a staple in many recipes.
Nutritional Yeast: This inactive yeast is the secret to a savory, cheesy flavor without dairy.
Thickeners: For a firmer, sliceable texture, paleo-approved thickeners like beef gelatin or agar agar (a vegan alternative) are used. Tapioca flour or starch can also create a stretchy, meltable quality.

Comparing Store-Bought vs. Homemade Dairy-Free Cheese


Feature	Store-Bought Dairy-Free Cheese	Homemade Paleo Dairy-Free Cheese
Ingredients	Often contain refined oils, modified starches, preservatives, and flavorings.	Made with whole foods like nuts, vegetables, coconut milk, and natural seasonings.
Paleo Compliance	Generally not compliant due to processed additives and ingredients.	Fully compliant, as ingredients are whole and unprocessed.
Nutrition	Can be high in saturated fat from oils and offer little protein or fiber unless fortified.	Nutrient-dense, providing healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins from whole-food sources.
Taste & Texture	Consistency can vary greatly; some melt and stretch, while others have a different mouthfeel.	Can be customized for different textures (spreadable, sauce, firm block) and flavor profiles.
Cost	Generally more expensive than dairy cheese.	More cost-effective in the long run, as it uses common pantry staples.

How to Get Started with Homemade Paleo "Cheese"

Making your own paleo-compliant cheese is a straightforward process. A simple recipe often involves soaking nuts (like cashews) to soften them, blending them with flavorings such as nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and seasonings, and then refrigerating the mixture to set. For a firm, sliceable cheese, ingredients like gelatin or agar agar are added to help it solidify. This method gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring everything aligns with paleo principles. For a variety of recipe ideas, consider exploring dedicated paleo food blogs that specialize in dairy alternatives. A good starting point is researching recipes for "cashew cheese" or "tapioca cheese" specifically tailored for paleo diets.

Conclusion: The Final Verdict

So, can you have dairy free cheese on a paleo diet? The answer is a definitive yes, with a crucial caveat: it depends on the cheese. Processed, store-bought dairy-free cheeses are typically off-limits due to their non-compliant ingredients. The true paleo-friendly option is homemade, whole-food-based "cheese" made from simple ingredients like cashews, vegetables, and nutritional yeast. Embracing the DIY approach allows you to control the quality of your food and enjoy a delicious, creamy substitute that is perfectly in line with the paleo lifestyle. This not only satisfies a craving for cheese but also supports the fundamental tenets of the diet: eating whole, unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most store-bought dairy-free cheeses contain refined oils, gums, and processed starches that are not allowed on a strict paleo diet. These products are often highly processed, going against the core paleo principle of eating whole, unprocessed foods.

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast that is often fortified with B vitamins. It has a savory, cheesy flavor and is generally accepted as paleo because it is not a processed grain or dairy product. It's widely used in homemade paleo recipes for flavor.

Homemade options are the best choice. You can make creamy sauces from blended cashews or cauliflower, or firmer blocks using coconut milk and gelatin or agar agar.

Some homemade recipes are specifically designed to melt. For example, recipes that incorporate tapioca starch can achieve a stretchy, meltable texture suitable for dishes like paleo-friendly pizza or nachos.

Fermented nut cheeses are a compliant, paleo-friendly option. They typically use a nut base (like cashews or macadamia) and a probiotic culture to achieve a tangy, complex flavor profile similar to traditional aged cheeses.

Good base ingredients include soaked cashews, macadamia nuts, hemp seeds, or puréed vegetables like cauliflower and zucchini. Coconut milk is also a common ingredient for richness.

While all paleo dairy-free cheese is vegan, not all vegan cheese is paleo. Vegan cheese can include processed ingredients, soy, and legumes, which are excluded from the paleo diet. Paleo versions specifically use only whole, unprocessed ingredients.