Description
This vegan and oil-free Buffalo Chickpea Dip is a creamy, spicy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Made with soaked cashews, vegan yogurt, chickpeas, and a kick of hot sauce, it’s a healthy, satisfying dip that also happens to be gluten-free and packed with plant-based protein.
Ingredients
Cashew Base
- ½ cup raw, unsalted cashews
- ½ cup unsweetened vegan yogurt
Buffalo Flavor
- ¼ cup hot sauce (Frank’s Red Hot Sauce recommended)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Chickpeas
- 15 oz can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
Toppings (Optional)
- nutritional yeast
- vegan cheese
- chives or green onion
Instructions
- Soften the cashews: Soak the cashews to soften them either by soaking overnight, boiling them for 10 minutes, or pouring boiling water over them and letting them sit for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the dip later.
- Blend base ingredients: Drain the cashews and add them to a blender or food processor along with the unsweetened vegan yogurt, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
- Add chickpeas: Drain and rinse the chickpeas well, then add them to the blender. Pulse about 5 to 10 times until the chickpeas are broken down but still provide some texture in the dip.
- Bake the dip: Transfer the blended dip mixture into a small baking dish. Optionally sprinkle with vegan cheese, nutritional yeast, or an extra drizzle of hot sauce on top. Bake for 20 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
- Cool and serve: Remove the dip from the oven and allow it to cool slightly. Garnish with chopped chives or green onions if desired, then serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Soaking cashews sufficiently is key to a creamy texture. Overnight soak works best but the hot water soak is faster.
- This dip can be customized with your preferred vegan cheese or extra hot sauce for more heat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use gluten-free hot sauce to keep the recipe gluten-free.
- Serve with fresh veggies, crackers, or gluten-free chips for a tasty appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
