The classic game-day recipe that has you coming back for more! Only this time, it's a dairy free version!

I like to serve this with tostones (they're also dairy and gluten free!), or alongside other gluten free game day recipes.
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Ingredients Needed for Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip is a classic game day recipe! However, it's usually full of dairy and soy, which doesn't work for everyone. This Buffalo chicken dip is Whole30 compatible, paleo and keto friendly, and dairy free!
Typically it has cream cheese, but we're going to make a vegan, dairy free version.
Here's what you'll need for the cream cheese and dip:
- Cashews
- Palm Shortening
- Yeast
- Salt
- Nutritional Yeast
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Lemon Juice
- Buffalo Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
First make your dairy free cream cheese. Soften the cashews via boiling, then blend them with the other cream cheese ingredients.
Tip-if needed, add small amounts of hot water to help achieve the smooth consistency.
Next, combine all the blended vegan cream cheese with the remining ingredients, and mix together.
Bake it all in a 1 or 1.5 quart oven safe dish. The oven should be pre-heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Serve and enjoy!
Substitutions and Variations
- Cream Cheese-If you're reintroducing dairy on the Whole30, you can try real cream cheese in place of the dairy free version. Use a regular 8 oz. package and let it sit out for a bit to soften first.
- Blue Cheese-On that same note of reintroducing dairy, toss some bleu cheese crumbles on top, or place alongside to please both dairy eaters and non dairy eaters alike!
- Homemade Ranch-this dairy free ranch dressing is completely Whole30 compatible and Paleo friendly, and tastes so fresh!
- Premade Ranch-Try this ranch from The New Primal (affiliate link). Use code THECLEANHAPPYLIFE for 15% off your entire purchase! They also have 3 levels of buffalo sauce and nutritional yeast too!
FAQ's
The best way to reheat this dip is in the oven. Put the oven on 350 degrees Farhenheit and heat it until your desired temperature. You could also add more ranch or buffalo sauce before reheating to keep it moist.
Celery sticks and baby carrots are great options, and Whole30 compatible too! You could also try tostones as mentioned above, or tortilla chips!
You absolutely can! Store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Dairy Free Buffalo Chicken Dip (Paleo, Whole30)
Equipment
- Measuring spoons
- measuring cups
- Mixing Spoon
- 1-1.5 quart baking dish
Ingredients
Vegan Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Cashews
- 2 Tbsp. Palm Shortening coconut oil works too
- ½ Tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
- ¼ tsp. Salt
- 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1 tsp. Lemon Juice
Remaining Dip Ingredients
- 2 cups Chopped Chicken
- ¼ cup Buffalo Sauce see above
- ½ cup Ranch Dressing Whole30 recipe link above
- ½ Tbsp. Nutritional Yeast
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
- To make the cream cheese, boil the cashews for 10 minutes, until softened. Reserve a bit of the water on the side.
- Place the softened cashews in a blender along with the rest of the vegan cream cheese ingredients. Blend until a smooth consistency is reached, stopping to push down the sides as needed. If needed, add the hot water to reach the smooth consistency.
- In the baking dish, mix together the vegan cream cheese with the remaining ingredients.
- Bake for 20 minutes until hot. Serve and enjoy!
Other Dairy Free Appetizers to Try:
Did you try this recipe? Let me know in the comments below what you served it with!
Also feel free to share a picture and tag me on Instagram @thecleanhappylife.
Vi Ho says
This looks so yummy and totally doable! I love that cashews are in the recipe. I will have to try out this recipe soon. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel Rivera says
Yes! The cashews make it so creamy without the dairy! Hope you enjoy it!
Sher says
That recipe looks amazing! Cashews!? I never would have thought of that. I make a buffalo dip every Superbowl. Will try this next!
Rachel Rivera says
Isn't it crazy? Cashews plus nutritional yeast make a great dairy free substitute! Hope you enjoy it!
Walk Along With US says
I love anything buffalo sauce related so definitely going to give this a try. Thanks for sharing!
Rachel Rivera says
Same here, I'm a huge fan of buffalo sauce! Hope you enjoy!