Vegan Chili Cheese Dip
Hands down the best dairy-free cheese sauce I’ve ever tasted. Spicy, meaty and cheesy, this is a dip to win over even the biggest chili cheese dip fans. Vegan, gluten-free and soy-free.
I take my role of “football snacks creator” very seriously. This dip, along with my air fryer cauliflower wings, mango salsa, vegan nachos, and air fryer black bean taquitos are some of my husband’s most requested items.
The proof is in the pudding on this one– I’ve served with vegan chili cheese dip recipe to hundreds and hundreds of people. At cooking demos, parties, game-day celebrations. It’s one of my go-to appetizers to please everyone.
Naturally vegan, incredibly cheesy and packed with flavor. You are going to love this recipe.
Table of Contents
Inspiration for this Vegan Chili Cheese Dip
If you’re looking for something a bit cheesier than traditional chips and salsa, then this dip is for you.
This dip was everything I wanted it to be and more. Sure, it’s gluten-free, vegan, and soy free, but it doesn’t taste like it– you know what I mean? It’s perfectly spicy, meaty, and creamy- without the usual suspects.
Instead of making a traditional vegan queso dip, we start with a base of blended cashews, peppers, and nutritional yeast. If this is your first time having a cashew-base sauce, let me first assure you that a.) it will not taste like cashews and b.) the results are mind-blowing.
Key Ingredient Notes
- Cashews: This is what makes the chili cheese dip so incredibly creamy, without using any sour cream, cream cheese, or other traditional dairy ingredients. Raw cashews are my preferred option here and if you use toasted or roasted cashews, then you may need to adjust final salt amounts.
- Orange bell pepper: Yellow bell pepper will also work, but do NOT use red or green, as they will change the color of this chili cheese dip.
- Nutritional yeast: If you are new to vegan cooking, then this ingredient may also be new to you. Also called “nooch” it’s what gives the dip a cheesy flavor without using and cheddar cheese.
- Fresh pico de gallo: I like the texture of pico de gallo, but you can use regular salsa here in a pinch.
How to Make This Vegan Chili Cheese Dip
Make your vegan cheese sauce
Puree the cashews, bell pepper, chili seasoning, salt and milk together in a blender until creamy and smooth. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides depending on the power of your blender.
Season the black beans
Warm the black beans in a skillet with fresh pico de gallo and taco seasoning. Add in the cheese sauce and warm through.
Now be prepared for the temptation of wanting to pour this sauce on just about everything you can get your hands on… chips, bowls of vegan chili, veggie burgers. No judgement for wanting to convert this into a cheesy chili soup and indulge with only a spoon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh salsa, like a pico de gallo, is best for this chili cheese dip. I have used my canning salsa in this recipe in a pinch and while it’s good, I prefer the texture of fresh salsa with this chili cheese dip.
We love this chili cheese dip with chips, but it’s also great with taquitos, tacos and burrito bowls.
How do I soak cashews?
Soaking cashews makes them softer and easier to blend, but I know that’s not always possible when you want this dip ASAP. For a quick soak, I usually cover cashews in boiling water for 10 minutes, then drain and blend.
Nutritionally, this dip is a total game changer compared to regular cheese dips. Zero cholesterol, low in saturated fat, and high in protein, fiber, and zinc. Sorry, Ro*tel.
No hard feelings, but we totally upped the ante. Can’t wait for you to try it!
More Dip Recipes:
More Appetizer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Black Bean Taquitos
- Vegan Lentil Nachos
- Sourdough Cheeze-Its
- Crispy Buffalo Potatoes
- Tofu Spring Rolls
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag your Instagram photos with #delishknowledge . I absolutely love seeing your creations. Happy cooking!
Video
Dairy-Free Chili Cheese Dip
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups cashews, soaked for at least an 1 hour, drained
- 1 orange bell pepper, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened dairy-free milk, I used almond
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning, I make this recipe and store it in a airtight jar
- 2 15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed and drained
- 12 oz. fresh salsa, I use fresh homestyle salsa container or pico de gallo. Jarred salsa won’t be quite the same, but can work in a pinch
- Optional garnishes: cilantro, sliced green onions.
Instructions
- Make the Cheese Sauce: Drain and rinse the soaked cashews, then place the cashews, orange bell pepper, milk, chili powder, salt and nutritional yeast in a blender and puree until thick and creamy.
- In a large saucepan, over medium heat, add the taco seasoning, black beans, and fresh salsa Stir constantly until heated through, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add in the pureed cheese sauce and stir to combine.
- Season to taste with salt/pepper if needed. Garnish as desired and serve.
The flavor is GREAT! I have to make it again, I used a food processor vs. a blender, and it didn’t get as smooth. Oops! It was delicious though, used the leftovers on top of French Fries. For breakfast. Yep, it was one of those days 🙂
Thanks for the recipe!
I totally approve of using this on top of french fries!
I rarely comment on recipes, but this one was so good! I made it for a baked potato bar and LOVED it.
This recipe is superior to all other vegan nacho cheese recipes! Easy to make. If you have a kiddo who doesn’t like food mixed, just set some queso aside before you add it to the black bean mix.
Made this with ground beyond beef instead of beans and went the lazy route and used jarred salsa. Very good! I’m sure using beans like the recipe calls for is good too. A cup of the dip had 20 g protein (who is eating only a fourth a cup of dip) which is really great for a side. The dip gets very thick very fast, especially if you’re keeping it warm in a crock pot, so I used quite a bit of extra oat milk to thin it out. I brought it to a gathering and everyone loved it. If you’re making this for a party definitely double the recipe because it goes fast.
Oh i LOVE the idea of using beyond beef– my husband would enjoy that one too. I’ve got a similar recipe for cheesy chorizo dip using the soyrizo that’s really good. And yes, thanks for the reminder– the cashews thicken as it sits and will need to be thinned in a crockpot/making ahead of time.
Would it be okay to use a red pepper, if I don’t have an orange one?
YUM! And simple to make!! How long will this stay good for?
Will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days
Hi!, I’m planning on making this for the Big Game on Sunday. Just curious, what is your favorite taco seasoning? Do you have your recipe available?
Thanks! Joy
Hi Joy, I usually use the Trader Joe’s taco seasoning, but it’s got some kick! Otherwise, I really love Penzey’s
Hi Alex!
Can you keep this warm throughout the day in a small crockpot? Or will it get clumpy? Thanks in advance!
Hi Jessica– yes! I’ve done that before for a game. It doesn’t necessarily get clumpy, but if you’ve ever had cashew-based sauces before, it will thicken as it sits. Therefore, I just kept a spoon near the crock pot and stirred it occasionally!
Can I substitute anything else for the salsa? My daughter has tomato issues. This dip sounds good and definitely easy.
The salsa gives it the tex-mex flavor, but I bet you could omit it all together and just saute the onion and beans, then add in the “queso” I make this queso as a dip on it’s own often and it’s great!
quick question: which chili powder do you reccomend for this recipe to make it mild/kid friendly?
Thank you! Love all your recipes>
Hi Maria– I usually use Penzey’s or Simply Organic’s mild chili powder. You can also use less chili powder here to make it more kid-friendly. I’d also recommend going with a mild taco seasoning.