Today I want to share a quick review of the Babybel Plant-Based Mini Cheese (dairy free, coconut based) wheel with you. Before reading this review, I want to remind you that no two people are the same. No matter what my kids think, I’ll always encourage you to give something a try if it seems interesting to you.
Also know this: we’re living in a time where there are so many dairy free and vegan cheeses to choose from. If you find that you don’t like this one, there will be others to sample. Also, The Laughing Cow (sister brand) has another plant-based cheese to choose from.
A few other options
- Daiya Dairy Free Mozzarella Cheese Sticks
- Miyoko’s Creamery Cheese Sticks
- Feel Good Foods Gluten + Dairy Free Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (fried style, not quite the same, but worth a mention)
- Wholly Veggie Gluten + Dairy Free Mozzarella Cheese Sticks (also fried, and also worth mentioning)
Dairy Free Babybel Review
When I purchased the Babybel plant-based cheese, Original seemed to be the only option. However, I’ve now seen a white cheddar option, but strangely, the ingredients are identical. I’m not sure if they’ve rebranded the original, or if this really is something new. Either way, let’s take a further look.
My child with a milk allergy was the primary reviewer today, since the other taste testers are allergic to coconut (gotta love a mixed allergy household). In reviewing the cheese wheel, he said “It’s not very good. Do I have to finish it?”
It’s a bummer because we were both excited about this new option. The vegan Babybel cheeses comes in a green wax wrap, whereas the dairy line comes in red, white, brown, black, and blue. Growing up, this kid saw his siblings have these fun little red wax cheeses and thought his time had come. Apparently, it had not.
Now, does the white cheddar taste better? I think so. I’ve spoken with other dairy free folks who have had a positive experience with the new package that says white cheddar. I’m told that the texture is soft, creamy, and eats like a nice mini cheese wheel. They say it has the features you’d expect from a product like this.
What This Compares To
This is a plant-based alternative to The Laughing Cow Babybel mini cheese wheels. The cow’s milk versions come in original, light, white cheddar, mozzarella, and gouda options. For now, the dairy-free versions seem to come in original and white cheddar. Honestly, I don’t know that the brand will expand to cover the other options.
When we look at the world of dairy free cheeses, The Laughing Cow is entering an arena with some already established big names including Daiya, Follow Your Heart, Kite Hill, Nuts for Cheese, and Vio Life.
Each of these brands specializes in something a little different, yet, there’s also some overlap between them here and there. Daiya makes a cheese block product and in comparison, the dairy free Babybel would compare in texture and thickness. For taste, based on what I’ve heard, it’s going to be like one of the non-Parmesan “standard” white cheese other brands are making.
Product Information
If you ask me, the most important of all product details will be the ingredients, as they’ll determine if this is even a possibility for you, based on your needs. As I mentioned previously, I found it odd that the ingredient list for the original that I purchased matches the White Cheddar ingredients. Either way, here are the ingredients:
Original Dairy Free Babybel Ingredients
Water, Modified Food Starch, Coconut Oil, Calcium Citrate No More Than 2% Of Each: Salt, Natural Flavor, Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene (Color), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
White Cheddar Dairy Free Babybel Ingredients
Water, Modified Food Starch, Coconut Oil, Calcium Citrate, No More than 2% of Each: Salt, Natural Flavor, Lactic Acid, Beta-Carotene (Color), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12).
Additional Nutritional Information
On the front of the package, the company makes the claim that these dairy free cheese wheels are a good source of calcium and Vitamin B 12. The nutrition label lists that this contains 10% of your daily calcium (150mg) and 15% of Vitamin B 12 (0.3mcg).
There’s zero Vitamin D, potassium, protein, or added sugars. When we look at how this compares to a milk based cheese, the lack of protein is a huge talking point. My non-medical advise for you: if you opt to eat this dairy free cheese as a snack, pair it with a protein so you have a more complete and well rounded nutrition profile that will keep you fuller, longer.
Location Note
As a US writer, the information in this review refers to Bel brands USA products. The product details I’ve shared are for items sold in the United States, and it’s very possible that in other countries this information will be different, so be sure to check out what’s local to you.