Dairy allergies and intolerances are becoming increasingly common, which can make finding tasty dips that don’t contain milk, cheese, yogurt or other dairy products tricky. Thankfully, there are many delicious dairy-free dip options available that are just as flavorful as traditional dips made with sour cream, cream cheese or other dairy ingredients.
Quick Answers
Here are some quick answers to common questions about dairy-free dips:
What are some good dairy-free dip bases?
Good non-dairy bases for dips include avocado, hummus, bean dips, nut butters, olive oil, coconut milk, and silken tofu.
What spices can I use to add flavor?
Herbs and spices like garlic, onion, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, cilantro, basil, oregano, and black pepper can all amp up the flavor in dairy-free dips.
Which vegetables work well for dairy-free dips?
Many vegetables like carrots, celery, jicama, radishes, cucumbers, and bell peppers pair nicely with dairy-free dips.
What can I use for creaminess?
Silken tofu, avocado, cashews, coconut milk, olive oil, and starchy vegetables like potatoes can all add creaminess and richness to dips without dairy.
Dairy-Free Hummus Variations
Hummus makes a delicious, protein-packed dairy-free dip base. Try these tasty hummus variations:
Traditional Hummus
Made with chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon, and garlic. Serve with pita chips or fresh vegetables.
Red Pepper Hummus
Add roasted red peppers for a sweet, smoky flavor. Garnish with paprika.
Edamame Hummus
Use shelled edamame in place of chickpeas for a vivid green, nutty hummus.
White Bean Hummus
Great Northern or cannellini beans make for an ultra-smooth and creamy hummus.
Sweet Potato Hummus
Roast sweet potato with garlic, cumin, and olive oil, then blend into hummus for earthy flavor.
Beet Hummus
Add cooked, peeled beets to hummus for a vibrant pink dip.
Sun-dried Tomato Hummus
Include sun-dried tomatoes, basil, oregano, and garlic for a Mediterranean twist.
Chipotle Black Bean Hummus
Smoky chipotle chiles in adobo sauce amp up the heat.
Nut and Seed Butters
Nut and seed butters make simple, protein-packed dairy-free dip bases. Try these nutty dip ideas:
Classic Peanut Butter
Pair creamy peanut butter with apples, celery, banana slices, or graham crackers for dipping.
Almond Butter
Slightly sweeter than peanut butter. Serve with fresh berries or apple slices.
Sunflower Seed Butter
A great peanut allergy-friendly option. Dip strawberries, pretzel sticks, or rice cakes.
Cashew Butter
Blend smooth, creamy cashew butter with coconut milk, chili powder, lime juice, and cilantro for a southwestern-style dip.
Pistachio Butter
Mix pistachio butter with honey and cinnamon for a sweet dip for apple and pear slices.
Hazelnut Butter
Pair nutty hazelnut butter with strips of dried apricots or figs.
Pumpkin Seed Butter
Whisk pumpkin seed butter with maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice for an autumnal dip.
Guacamole
Creamy, bright guacamole can be whipped up dairy-free with ripe avocados, lime juice, cilantro, and salt. Spice it up with options like:
Tomato Guacamole
Diced tomato adds freshness.
Mango Guacamole
Add cubed mango for tropical flavor.
Pineapple Guacamole
Mix in crushed pineapple for tangy sweetness.
Strawberry Guacamole
Diced strawberries lend bright flavor.
Jalapeño Guacamole
Minced jalapeño brings on the heat.
Bacon Guacamole
Top with cooked, crumbled bacon for a smoky twist.
Queso Guacamole
Stir in pico de gallo and corn for a Tex-Mex vibe.
Refried Bean Dip
Beans make an easy, protein-rich base for dairy-free dips. Try these tasty refried bean dips:
Classic Refried Beans
Mash cooked pinto beans with onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder and olive oil.
Black Bean Dip
Purée cooked black beans with garlic, lime juice, cilantro, and smoked paprika.
White Bean Dip
Blend Great Northern beans with rosemary, sage, and olive oil.
Edamame Dip
Process shelled edamame, miso paste, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and ginger.
Lentil Dip
Mash cooked green or brown lentils with garlic, tahini, and tomato paste.
Chickpea Dip
Purée chickpeas with tahini, za’atar spice blend, and olive oil.
Sweet Potato and Black Bean Dip
Blend roasted sweet potato and black beans for sweetness.
Tofu-Based Dips
Silken tofu can be blended into rich, creamy dairy-free dips. Flavor it with:
Parsley and Chives
Fresh green herbs brighten up tofu dip.
Chipotle and Lime
Smoky chipotle and zesty lime add Tex-Mex flair.
Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
Umami-rich sun-dried tomatoes complement the basil.
Curry Powder and Garlic
Warm curry powder and savory garlic spice up tofu dip.
Turmeric and Black Pepper
Anti-inflammatory turmeric and crisp black pepper.
Beet and Dill
Shredded beet and fresh dill for earthy flavor.
Caramelized Onion
Sweet caramelized onions make this dip irresistible.
Olive Oil-Based Dips
Olive oil adds creamy richness to dairy-free dips like:
Artichoke Spinach Dip
Sautéed artichoke hearts and spinach in an olive oil base make a creamy, tangy dip.
Kalamata Olive Tapenade
Chopped Kalamata olives blended with olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and herbs.
White Bean Dip
Puréed cannellini beans whipped with olive oil and garlic.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Sweet caramelized onions blended with olive oil.
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Dip
Sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, and olive oil pulsed into a spread.
Red Pepper Walnut Dip
Roast red peppers and walnuts then process with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Zesty Feta Olive Oil Dip
Crumble feta-style dairy-free cheese and combine with olive oil, herbs, and spice.
Coconut Milk-Based Dips
Coconut milk adds creamy richness to dips like:
Coconut Curry Dip
Blend coconut milk with Thai red curry paste, ginger, garlic, lime, and cilantro.
Coconut Cashew Dip
Mix full-fat coconut milk with cashews, miso, and chili-garlic sauce.
Piña Colada Dip
Combine coconut milk, crushed pineapple, lime zest and juice.
Coconut Peanut Sauce
Whisk coconut milk with peanut butter, soy sauce, lime, ginger, and toasted sesame oil.
Creamy Coconut Hummus
Process chickpeas with coconut milk, garlic, tahini, and spices.
Coconut Pumpkin Dip
Blend coconut milk with roasted pumpkin, warm fall spices, and maple syrup.
Thai Coconut Dip
Coconut milk, red curry paste, fish sauce, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
Vegetable-Based Dips
Vegetables can star in dairy-free dips, like:
Baba Ghanoush
Charred eggplant dip flavored with lemon juice, garlic, tahini, and olive oil.
Buffalo Cauliflower Dip
Roast spicy buffalo cauliflower florets and blend into a thick, creamy dip.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Simmer sliced onions with olive oil, balsamic, thyme and rosemary.
Roasted Garlic Dip
Roast garlic cloves until caramelized then blend with olive oil and herbs.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Sautéed spinach, marinated artichokes, garlic, and spices puréed with olive oil or cashew cream.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Charred red bell peppers blended with tahini, garlic, and olive oil.
Sweet Potato Dip
Whip roasted sweet potato with coconut milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and ginger.
Conclusion
With so many delicious options using hummus, beans, nut butters, olive oil, avocado, coconut milk, tofu, and roasted vegetables, it’s easy to make dips completely dairy-free without sacrificing any flavor. Whether you have a dairy sensitivity or just want healthier options, you can make tasty dips to enjoy with crackers, chips, fresh vegetables, or other dippers. Be creative and come up with your own signature dairy-free dip!