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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Side Dishes » Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip (Dairy Free!)

    ★★★★★ from 32 reviews

    Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip (Dairy Free!)

    Published Sep 16, 2019 · Modified Jan 27, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 94 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Dip is creamy, decadent, and amazing for parties! You'd never guess it was dairy free and packed with protein.

    I originally published this dip recipe in 2016. Jeff said, "Mmmmm. Good job, boo! Just don't tell people it's vegan. Or what's in it." No one is dying to know there's legumes hiding in the shadows, I get it.

    Remember my vegan queso? You'll want to dip chips and celery and carrots and fingers and toes in this too, I promise!

    Key Ingredients

    • Raw cashews: For that creamy, velvetty richness we all know and love.
    • Cauliflower: I steam a bag from frozen, making the prep a breeze. Cauliflower adds a wonderful thick texture here.
    • Chickpeas: Another textural sub for chicken in classic buffalo dip, chickpeas also add a hefty punch of fiber and plant protein. White beans would also work.
    • Hot sauce: I used Frank's red hot because is there really any other? Flavor town! Stick with a milk one versus tabasco or anything super strong or the dip will be crazy spicy.
    • Lemon juice: another bright acidic kick.
    • Nutritional yeast: This adds that quintessential cheezy flavor. You can find nooch at Kroger, Whole Foods, Amazon, etc.
    • Spices: garlic and onion for good measure.

    This addictive Healthy Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip is super creamy, decadent, and secretly healthy! You'd never guess it was vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein. Make it for the big game or as a party appetizer!

    How to make healthy buffalo dip

    The ingredient list is pretty simple, so let's talk execution. Three steps and BOOM, we're dipping.

    1. Soak your cashews. Even just 10 minutes in hot water will do in a pinch!
    2. Steam the cauliflower. The microwave works great.
    3. Blend cashews, cauliflower, hot sauce, water, lemon and spices in the food processor until smooth. Done!

    Storage

    Since there's a hefty amount of hot sauce in here, this dip will last up to a week in the fridge. I haven't tried freezing it!

    To reheat, simply nuke a portion in the microwave or warm it in the oven.

    How to serve this for a party

    You can serve this dip hot from the oven or cold out of the fridge, but I love it most warm. You could also keep it warm in a slow cooker for a gathering! You can easily double the recipe, too.

    This addictive Healthy Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip is super creamy, decadent, and secretly healthy! You'd never guess it was vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein. Make it for the big game or as a party appetizer!

    More party appetizers

    • Easy Vegan Queso
    • Baked Pumpkin Hummus Dip with Goat Cheese
    • Basil Hummus Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Bites
    • Baked Kale and Artichoke Dip

    The second people learn something is vegan, they automatically think it'll taste like socks. Let their innocent tastebuds relish in the sheer cheezy, buffalo-y glory that is this dip without knowing it's packed with good-for-you ingredients and all the flavor on planet earth.

    Laugh your evil laugh in the background as your guests gather around the TV shoveling cauliflower, chickpeas, and cashews down their traps thinking it's cheez whiz.

    This addictive Healthy Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip is super creamy, decadent, and secretly healthy! You'd never guess it was vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein. Make it for the big game or as a party appetizer!

    Healthy buffalo dip HEAVEN.

    Print
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    Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip Recipe

    ★★★★★ 4.9 from 32 reviews
    • Author: Alexis Joseph | Hummusapien
    • Prep Time: 10 mins
    • Cook Time: 30 mins
    • Total Time: 40 mins
    • Yield: 9-12 servings 1x
    • Category: Side Dishes
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Vegan
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    This addictive Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Dip is super creamy, decadent, and secretly healthy/ You'd never guess it was vegan, gluten-free, and packed with protein. Make it for the big game or as an appetizer for your next dinner party.


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1-12oz bag frozen cauliflower florets, steamed according to package directions
    • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
    • 1-15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
    • ¾ cup original Frank’s Red Hot sauce
    • ½ cup water
    • ½ tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
    • ½ tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp garlic powder

    Instructions

    1. Place cashews in a bowl of warm water for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
    2. Preheat oven to 375F. Spray an 8x8in baking dish with cooking spray.
    3. Add to the bowl of a large food processor the steamed cauliflower, cashews, chickpeas, hot sauce, water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, onion powder, and garlic powder. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy, which will take several minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
    4. Transfer dip to baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, turn the oven to broil, (keep the oven open) and cook for 5 minutes longer. Serve with chips or veggies for dipping. I like it hot or cold! Dip will last at least a week in the fridge.

    Keywords: healthy buffalo dip, vegan buffalo dip, buffalo cauliflower dip

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @hummusapien on Instagram. I love sharing what you make!

    Recipe by Alexis Joseph of Hummusapien™. Photos by Eat Love Eats. 

    About Alexis Joseph

    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food. Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Sarah G says

      January 06, 2023 at 12:39 am

      Love this recipe. A friend shared with us years ago and it’s a good too! Always yummy! Recently just started making it with black beans and Cholula instead of red hot, tastes just as great!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Mariella says

      June 27, 2022 at 1:09 pm

      Why cook in the oven??? All ingredients are already cooked

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        July 01, 2022 at 3:43 pm

        Because it's yummy hot but if you don't want to bake, that's cool too!

        Reply
    3. Emily says

      October 29, 2021 at 1:52 am

      "Serves 12"
      Me: *3/4 deep in 2 days just from snacking* Oh?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        November 03, 2021 at 11:20 am

        hahaha amazing!!

        Reply
    4. Chris says

      August 01, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      Hubby approved!! Cant tell its healthy!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Sarah says

      June 20, 2021 at 2:56 pm

      Made this last night and it was absolutely delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis says

        June 21, 2021 at 2:52 pm

        Yayyy so glad, thanks Sarah!!

        Reply
    6. Brooke says

      April 06, 2021 at 1:30 am

      Made this dip for a March Madness game and wow did it exceed my expectations! This dip was delicious and addicting. Everyone loved it (meat eaters included). I only used 1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce to lighten the spice and it was perfect for us.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    7. Pam says

      February 18, 2021 at 1:17 am

      Better than I could have imagined!!! Can't seem to leave it alone I keep walking back into the kitchen for another taste. Absolutely so delicious that I had to come back online and post

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 24, 2021 at 4:58 pm

        That means so much, Pam 🙂 Thank you!

        Reply
    8. Claudia M says

      December 09, 2020 at 1:33 am

      I make this almost weekly for bachelor nation viewing! It is so easy and so good! Always a crowd pleaser

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 09, 2020 at 12:16 pm

        Love love love! Thanks so much, Claudia.

        Reply
    9. Alex says

      May 10, 2020 at 5:20 pm

      When you say “keep the oven open” you mean literally let the door hang open for the last 5 minutes?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        May 11, 2020 at 2:26 am

        Yep--a couple of inches is ideal. A general rule of thumb is that you leave the oven door open when broiling in an electric oven, but closed to broil in a gas oven. For most models, the best results are achieved with the door left ajar a couple of inches.

        Reply
    10. Erin says

      February 26, 2020 at 1:46 pm

      No better game day dip!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    11. Jackie says

      February 03, 2020 at 8:20 pm

      Made this with great northern beans and 1/2 cup of tahini instead of the cashews (allergy) and it was so delicious. Thanks!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        February 04, 2020 at 2:07 pm

        I love those substitutions--great idea, Jackie! Thank you tons for taking the time to come back and let me know and leave a rating. It's so helpful!

        Reply
    12. Krista says

      February 21, 2019 at 12:16 am

      I found this recipe on pinterest a couple years ago and often make it for potlucks. Loved by all, including kids and meat eaters! I also just realized that you graduated from Ohio State too! I spent most of my days at Stillman Hall, Baker West, or Burritos Noches.
      And I went to Alchemy before!! Yum! Anyways, just thought I'd tell you how awesome this blog is. ?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    13. Faith says

      February 14, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      This turned out so good! My friend and I have a tradition of making buffalo dip every time we see each other, so I’ve missed out since going vegan. Not anymore! So happy this vegan recipe exists!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Faith says

      February 14, 2019 at 4:28 pm

      This turned out so good! My friend and I have a tradition of making buffalo dip every time we see each other, so I’ve missed out since going vegan. Not anymore! So happy this vegan recipe exists!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    15. Heather says

      February 04, 2019 at 7:20 pm

      This is delicious!! I made this tonight but subbed coconut milk for the cashews (I didn’t have any on hand) and it’s so creamy and tasty!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    16. Alison Nulty says

      February 04, 2019 at 8:55 am

      Made this last night before the Superbowl and loved it! It was delicious-will definitely make again!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    17. Jaime says

      February 03, 2019 at 8:06 pm

      This was so easy to make, I didn't even need to go out and buy any unusual ingredients. I had everything already and it came out great!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    18. Amy says

      November 28, 2018 at 5:58 pm

      Can you use almonds instead of cashews?

      Reply
    19. Alexis says

      November 28, 2018 at 6:52 pm

      Hmmm I don’t think it would be as smooth and creamy!

      Reply
    20. Coco says

      September 16, 2018 at 7:41 pm

      a this is amazing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    21. Louisa says

      June 28, 2018 at 12:30 pm

      WHAT DOES A BEAN MEAN?? ????

      Reply
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