Are you on the lookout for a crowd-pleasing, vegan appetizer that will leave everyone asking for the recipe? Look no further! This easy dairy free spinach dip recipe is packed with flavor and boasts a creamy texture that rivals its dairy-based counterpart. By making a few simple swaps and using plant-based ingredients, you can create a scrumptious and nutritious spinach dip that will satisfy even the most discerning taste buds. Let's dive into the recipe and discover how to make this creamy dairy-free spinach dip, perfect for game days, parties, or your next gathering!

overhead shot of spinach dip with bread around it

Turning this traditional dip vegan

Classic spinach artichoke dip is pretty dairy-heavy. There is plenty of cheese and cream cheese, and sometimes even mayonnaise and sour cream are added. To make this recipe dairy-free, we will replace the cream cheese with vegan cream cheese. Luckily, it's pretty easy to find vegan cream cheese at grocery stores these days. Some of my favorite vegan cream cheese brands are Kite Hill, Miyokos, and Violife.

If you cannot find dairy-free cream cheese, you can make your own at home! I have a tofu-based vegan cream cheese recipe and this one is even high in protein.

While there are also plenty of great vegan mayonnaise and vegan sour cream options in stores these days, we are actually not going to use them in this recipe. I wanted to keep this recipe as simple as possible and not have you purchase a bunch of products. I tested this recipe both with and without those products, and this recipe tastes phenomenal without the vegan mayo and sour cream added!

To replace the cheesy flavor without dairy products, we are going to use a hefty amount of nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast has a delicious natural cheesy flavor and it's even packed with some nutrients. This is what nutritional yeast looks like, so you know what to look for when you go shopping at your local grocery store.

With these easy vegan swaps, you'll cook up a creamy dip that's a crowd pleaser, and no one will even miss the dairy products!

closeup of spinach dip on a piece of bread

What you'll need

olive oil
fresh garlic and onion: you can use garlic powder and onion powder to decrease the recipe time and make it easier, but the fresh sauteed garlic gives the recipe a more complex flavor and I highly recommend it.
fresh spinach: you can also use frozen spinach instead. I actually highly recommend it because frozen spinach is so much cheaper. However, it does have a lot of excess water, so make sure to microwave the spinach first, then squeeze out the excess water before adding it to the recipe.
canned artichoke hearts: make sure to drain the excess water from the can.
dairy-free cream cheese: see above for my favorite brands, as well as a homemade option.
lemon juice: squeezed from a fresh lemon, not from concentrate.
nutritional yeast: this, combined with the vegan cream cheese is what will give this dip the cheesy flavor without any dairy.
sea salt and black pepper
vegan parmesan cheese or another vegan cheese to top: this is optional but you can top the dip with it before baking it, for a nice crusty top.
If you want a little kick, you can top the finished dip with red pepper flakes.

ingredients for making spinach artichoke dip

What to dip in this dairy-free spinach artichoke dip

There are so many amazing options for what to dip in spinach dip! Here are some options:

fresh bread: I bought a fresh baguette, sliced it, drizzled it with olive oil, and toasted the bread in the oven for 10 minutes until golden and crispy. This is my favorite thing to dip in spinach dip, but there are so many other delicious ways to enjoy it.
tortilla chips
pita chips
fresh vegetables
Another absolutely delicious option is to make this dip inside of a bread bowl, instead of a baking dish. This way, you can actually use the bread bowl as a dip and a vessel to hold the dip!

Equipment needed

baking dish
large frying pan

dipping a piece of bread in a bowl of spinach dip

How to make this delicious appetizer

Start by chopping the garlic, onion, and artichoke into smaller pieces.

In a pan over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil and saute the garlic and onion until fragrant.

sautéing garlic and onion in olive oil on a pan

Add the spinach and chopped artichokes and cook them for several minutes, until the spinach has wilted. Add the vegan cream cheese, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper, and stir until fully combined.

fresh spinach in a pan — add the spinach

wilted spinach in a pan — add the spinach

Transfer the dip from the pan to an oven-safe bowl. Grate vegan parmesan on top, if you wish.

Bake the dip for 20-25 minutes at 400*F/ 200*C.

closeup of the texture of spinach dip — transfer the dip to a baking dish

spinach dip in a baking dish — transfer the dip to a baking dish

While the dip is baking, slice the fresh bread, drizzle some olive oil, and grate some parmesan on top. Bake the bread in the oven for 10-15 minutes, until golden and crispy.

When the dip has finished baking, allow for it to cool off at room temperature. Then dip the bread into it and enjoy!

With this easy vegan spinach dip recipe, you can satisfy your cravings for a creamy, cheesy, and dairy-free version of the classic spinach dip. By using plant-based ingredients and simple swaps, you can create a crowd-pleasing appetizer that will impress your family and friends. Whether it's for a Super Bowl party, Sunday football games, or casual get-togethers, this delicious dip will be the perfect appetizer.

So, gather your ingredients, follow the recipe card, and get ready to indulge in the creamy goodness of this dairy-free spinach dip at your next gathering. Your taste buds and family members will thank you for it!

How to store the dip

If you have any leftover dip, cover it in plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge.

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