Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip (Gluten Free!) ~ Veggie Inspired (2024)

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my Privacy Policy for more details.

Just want to let you know that this post is sponsored by my friends at Improved Nature. As always, I only recommend products that I use and enjoy. All opinions are my own.

This Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip is super creamy and tangy with the perfect amount of spicy heat and so incredibly delicious! It’s the best appetizer or snack for sharing!

Ingredients you need

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Cashews ~ Raw cashews are the base of many dairy-free sauce recipes because they are mild in flavor and blend up super creamy.

Do not substitute another nut.

If you are nut-free, you can try blending sunflower seeds or cooked cauliflower instead.

Yogurt ~ Unsweetened, plain dairy-free yogurt brings a cool, tangy flavor that balances the heat of the buffalo sauce and mimics the sour cream or ranch dressing that is found in traditional versions.

Buffalo sauce ~ You gotta have buffalo sauce for a buffalo dip! Be sure to check labels as not all brands may be vegan.

Love buffalo sauce? Don’t miss my Vegan Buffalo Cauliflower Bites and Buffalo Chicken Taquitos.

Nutritional yeast ~ Nooch, as it is often referred to, offers a nutty, savory flavor that brings depth of flavor to this dish.

Onion and garlic ~ In traditional versions of this dip, onion powder and garlic powder are used. I prefer to use the real thing for better flavor and a bit of extra texture.

Poultry seasoning ~ Poultry seasoning is key to getting the vegan shreds to taste like chicken. Most poultry seasoning contains sage, thyme and marjoram. You may find a few other herbs and/or spices, like rosemary or nutmeg, in certain brands. Use your favorite.

If you can’t find poultry seasoning, you can use Italian seasoning and sage. Sage is the key herb that will give that chicken-y taste.

Improved Nature’s PRIME Shreds ~ This magical ingredient has the perfect texture to stand in for meat. And they’re so easy to use!

Why I love Improved Nature PRIME products:

• ONE ingredient
• Zero cholesterol
• High in protein and fiber
• Low in sodium and fat
• Non-GMO and preservative free
• Shelf stable in packaging for up to 4 years!
• Sustainably sourced
• Vegan and gluten free

I use Improved Nature’s PRIME Filets to make my Vegan Chicken Cutlets that look and taste like the real thing! Also, try my Vegan Jambalaya using Nature’s PRIME Chunks and my Vegan Breakfast Casserole with PRIME Bits.

Learn more about Improved Nature. Order all of Improved Nature’s plant based protein products here.

How to make the recipe

The vegan shreds (1) need to be rehydrated before using. Boil them in water (2) for 10 minutes. Rinse them well under cold water (3) and drain (4).

I like to put a heavy pot on top of the shreds in the colander (make sure the bottom of your pot is clean!) and press down to squeeze all of the water out. The more water you squeeze out, the better.

While the shreds are draining, sauté the onions over medium heat until soft and translucent (5). Add the garlic and spices and sauté until fragrant (6). Add the vegan chicken shreds (7) and stir to combine, breaking up the shreds just a bit with the back of a wooden spoon as you go (8).

They will be very easy to break – no need to cut them. But don’t break them up too much, you want to retain the texture. I broke them up into roughly halves or thirds…just so they’re not quite so long.

Place the remaining ingredients in a high speed blender and blend until smooth and creamy (9). Pour the sauce into the skillet (10) and stir to combine (11, 12).

Pour the mixture into a baking dish (13) and bake until hot throughout (14).

Serve with baguette slices, pita chips, tortilla chips, carrots or celery sticks.

Storage and freezing

Make ahead: This dip can easily be made ahead. Follow the directions up to the point of baking. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, simply bake as instructed until hot.

Fridge: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days.

Freezer: You can also freeze this dip. Transfer to a freezer safe container or plastic bag. It should keep well for up to 3 months.

Pro tips and tricks

~ Boil Improved Nature’s PRIME Shreds in vegetable broth instead of water for even more flavor.

~ Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the vegan chicken shreds before adding to the skillet.

~ Sauté the vegan chicken shreds in the spices until well coated.

~ Break up the vegan chicken shreds with the back of a spoon as you sauté them for easier scooping later. They will break easily, no need to cut them.

~ If you don’t have a high speed blender, make sure to soak the cashews for several hours, or even overnight, to ensure they blend up smooth and creamy.

~ Don’t be shy with the buffalo sauce. Once it gets mixed with the cashews, yogurt, milk, and lemon juice, it will mellow out a bit.

~ On the other hand, if you are very sensitive to spicy heat, start with just ½ cup of buffalo sauce, taste and add more if desired.

~ Personally, I don’t think it needs it, but if you want an extra “cheesy” dip, stir in ½ – 1 cup of your favorite vegan shredded cheese.

FAQs

More vegan dip recipes

• The Best Guacamole
• Roasted Carrot Hummus
• Mexican Bean Dip
• Vegan French Onion Dip
• Smoky Roasted Red Pepper Dip
• Homemade Vegan Queso Dip

Don’t forget to order Improved Nature products today, so high protein, easy vegan meals are always at your fingertips!

Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip

This Vegan Buffalo Chicken Dip is super creamy and tangy with the perfect amount of spicy heat and so incredibly delicious! It's the best appetizer or snack for sharing!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizers and Light Bites

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 228kcal

Author: Jenn Sebestyen

Recommended Equipment

• ▢

  Large pot

• ▢

  Colander

• ▢

  Large deep skillet

• ▢

  Blender

• ▢

  8×8 baking dish

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup Improved Nature PRIME Shreds
• ▢ 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 1 onion diced
• ▢ 2 cloves garlic minced
• ▢ 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
• ▢ 1 ½ cups raw cashews
• ▢ 1 cup unsweetened, plain dairy free yogurt
• ▢ ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• ▢ 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ¾ cup buffalo sauce
• ▢ ¾ cup unsweetened, plain non-dairy milk
• ▢ 2 green onions diced

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F.

• Place the cashews in a bowl and pour hot water over them. Let them soak while you prepare the rest of the dish.

• Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the Improved Nature PRIME Shreds and boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.

• Press as much liquid out of the shreds as possible. I like to place a heavy pot on top the shreds in the colander and press down with force. You can also squeeze out the liquid using clean hands. Let sit in the colander continuing to drain while you prepare the remaining ingredients.

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté 5 to 6 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and poultry seasoning, stir and sauté for 1 minute.

• Add the well drained vegan chicken shreds and stir well to coat. Sauté for several minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed.

• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews and pour them in a blender. Add the yogurt, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, salt, buffalo sauce, and non-dairy milk. Blend well until smooth and creamy.

• Pour the sauce into the skillet with the shreds and stir well to combine.

• Pour the mixture into an 8×8 baking dish and bake for 20 minutes until hot throughout.

• Sprinkle green onions over the top.

• Serve hot with baguette slices, tortilla chips, pita chips, carrots or celery sticks.

Notes

Tips and Tricks

~ Boil Improved Nature’s PRIME Shreds in vegetable broth instead of water for even more flavor.

~ Be sure to squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the vegan chicken shreds before adding to the skillet.

~ Sauté the vegan chicken shreds in the spices until well coated.

~ Break up the vegan chicken shreds with the back of a spoon as you sauté them for easier scooping later. They will break easily, no need to cut them.

~ If you don’t have a high speed blender, make sure to soak the cashews for several hours, or even overnight, to ensure they blend up smooth and creamy.

~ Don’t be shy with the buffalo sauce. Once it gets mixed with the cashews, yogurt, milk, and lemon juice, it will mellow out a bit.

~ On the other hand, if you are very sensitive to spicy heat, start with just ½ cup of buffalo sauce, taste and add more if desired.

Prep/Storage/Freezing

This dip can easily be made ahead. Follow the directions up to the point of baking. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and place in the fridge for up to 2 days. When ready to serve, simply bake as instructed until hot.

Leftovers can be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container for 3 to 4 days.

You can also freeze this dip. Transfer to a freezer safe container or plastic bag. It should keep well for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 228kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 866mg | Potassium: 232mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g

Nutrition values are calculated using online calculators and are estimates only. Please verify using your own data.

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @Veggie_Inspired or tag #VeggieInspired!