I remember my favorite school snack as a child was a soft pretzel with warm nacho cheese. It cost $1, which was a good chunk of change for me at the time, and it was available almost every single day in the cafeteria of my elementary school.
In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the healthiest of snacks. However, it was absolutely delicious and lately I’ve been itching to recreate this treat in a healthier way.
An Affordable Dairy Substitute
With this dip, there is no need of going out of your way to find and pay for an overpriced vegan dairy substitute.
A substitute that, while delicious, may be much fattier, saltier, and processed than we want or need. There is no need because we now have the easiest, most delicious, unprocessed nacho dip in town!
One of my favorite things about this dip is that I get the nacho flavor I want without the fullness or bloat of dairy. Who needs a bloated dairy belly??
The Magic of Cashews
The key ingredient here is cashews.
Cashews are a great base ingredient for dairy substitute recipes. When combined with water, they provide a creamy texture and take on the flavor of the other ingredients in the recipe.
Here, the cashews are providing the creaminess and the nutritional yeast and spices give the smoky, nacho flavor.
All You Need Is 5 Minutes
This dip takes about five minutes to make and is filled with simple, wholesome ingredients that you can adjust to your preference. Cashews, nutritional yeast, and salsa are the main players in this nacho cheese game.
You may also adjust the texture and make it as thick or thin as you like! Bring this dip to a potluck, whip it up for some guests, or savor it all on your own.
My favorite way to enjoy this dip these days is warmed with unsalted tortilla chips. It’s also delicious with veggies, Buddha bowls, drizzled on tacos, and of course, with pretzels.
I challenge you to play around with the flavors and adjust this dip as your heart desires!
Vegan Nacho Cheese Dip (Simple, Creamy, and Healthy!)
A deliciously creamy and healthy plant-based version of nacho cheese made of cashews, nutritional yeast, salsa, and other seasonings. It only takes about 5 minutes to make and is best served warm with a side of tortilla chips.
Ingredients
- One cup raw, unsalted cashews
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1.5 tbsp salsa
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp chili seasoning
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
1) Put all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on high for at least 20 seconds. Continue blending until a rich, creamy texture is achieved
2) Taste and adjust as you prefer! Some helpful hints:
o Add more hot water, two tablespoons at a time, if the texture is too thick
o Add more chili seasoning and/or salsa for a bolder flavor
o Add more nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor
Notes
- Make sure the water is not boiling, as it might crack your blender!
- Can be stored in the fridge for up to one week
- You can always rewarm the sauce on the stove top or in the microwave
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 214Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 298mgCarbohydrates: 13gFiber: 2gSugar: 2gProtein: 7g