By Megan Edwards,
Last Updated:You’ll be the life of the party the next time you serve up one of these delicious vegan dips. Whether you’re hosting a holiday open house or Super Bowl shindig, throwing a plant-based birthday celebration, or are simply having pals over to hangout, you can keep rumbling tummies at bay by pairing one of these dips with a crudités platter. From classics like French Onion Dip and Queso Sauce to inventive new recipes such as Green Pea Guacamole, your guests will love noshing on these healthy vegan dips the next time you throw a group gathering.
Curried Roasted Carrot Hummus
With its rich roasted carrot flavor and mild curry warmth, this colorful hummus is a hit with kids and adults alike. Lime and cilantro add a fresh, zesty note, making for a fun change from the usual hummus flavor.
“Took it to my Sketch and Social group for a picnic. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe.” —Allison
“Took it to my Sketch and Social group for a picnic. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe.” —Allison
Jackie Akerberg’s Cranberry Salsa
This bright, tangy cranberry salsa from Jackfruitful’s Jackie Akerberg combines cranberries, beets (optional), jalapeño, lime, and maple syrup for a perfectly balanced holiday dip. Fresh, colorful, and extra flavorful after a chill in the fridge, it’s delicious served with crackers and vegan ricotta.
“Wow, wow, wow! I would have never dreamed this could be sooo yummy… My guests loved it, too. Just fantastic with vegan cream cheese and crackers. And it looks sooo pretty!” —Gisele
“Wow, wow, wow! I would have never dreamed this could be sooo yummy… My guests loved it, too. Just fantastic with vegan cream cheese and crackers. And it looks sooo pretty!” —Gisele
Lentil-Walnut Pâté
If you’re hosting a swanky soirée, this lentil-walnut pâté is the perfect vegan dip to showcase among your appetizer spread. The scrumptious blend of savory onions, hearty lentils, warming walnuts, and aromatic herbs tastes incredibly indulgent without using any unhealthy ingredients. Just be warned that once you impress your guests with this sophisticated recipe, they’ll request that you make it every time you host!
Smashed Chickpea Avocado Dip
Enjoy this chunky chickpea dip as an appetizer or even serve it over a bed of greens if you’re looking for light and refreshing lunch. Creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeño, and zesty herbs transform a standard can of garbanzo beans into a delightful dip that’s a lighter alternative to regular guacamole. Serve with fresh whole wheat pita triangles when you have friends coming over!
Cranberry Hummus Vegan Cheese Ball
Kiki Nelson’s vegan answer to the party cheese ball comes together in minutes, combining creamy hummus, dried cranberries, smoky spices, and pretzels for big holiday flavor. Rolled in pecans, it’s a stunning centerpiece for crackers, veggies, or fruit.
Baked Kale and Artichoke Dip
Featuring a creamy cashew-and-bean base and hearty kale, Ashley Madden’s baked artichoke dip is a lighter, dairy-free take on the classic. It’s simple to prepare and irresistibly warm from the oven—ideal to serve with crackers or crusty bread.
“Very easy and yummy!” —Sam
“Very easy and yummy!” —Sam
Oil-Free Baba Ghanoush
Baba ghanoush is a favorite the world over, and this oil-free twist on the classic Lebanese dip has a lush, smoky flavor and silky texture. If you’ve never made it before, you’ll be amazed at how simple, not to mention satisfying, it is to turn an eggplant into this scrumptious dip!
Healthy Chocolate Hummus
Beloved by kids and adults alike, this dessert-style hummus is ideal for dipping bananas, strawberries, or apple slices into a chocolate sauce that isn’t packed full of sugar and fat. The creamy chickpea base is sweetened with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract while a spoonful of almond butter adds lovely nutty undertones. As one satisfied reader says, “This is insanely good.”
Chipotle Black Bean Dip
“I LOVE this recipe. Everyplace I take it, it's a huge hit!” raves one happy reader. This hearty black bean dip is everything you want in a party snack: Simple to make, full of flavor, and easy to pair with a plate of crudités. The creamy black beans get a hit of spice from chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and a nice citrus kick from a squeeze of lemon. Sprinkle with fresh cilantro before serving, and you’ll have an instant winner on your hands.
Fresh Spinach Hummus
This vibrant dip combines classic hummus flavors such as lemon juice, tahini, and garlic with a heap of fresh spinach, with delicious results. Add an ice cube when blending; this handy trick will make it light and fluffy! Excellent in everything from kids' lunches to picnics, this versatile dip is fancy enough to serve guests. A fan writes, "This is yummy! My garlic cloves were huge, so mine turned out super garlicky."
Vegan Queso Sauce
This is nacho-average queso! Oats, nutritional yeast, roasted red peppers, onions, and hot sauce are blended together into a luscious dip that’s ideal for drizzling over chips, dunking fresh veggies, or spooning on as the top layer of a bean dip. Be sure to use a high-speed blender if you want to achieve a velvety smooth texture that will steal the hearts of all your party guests.
Low-Fat Hummus
What’s creamy, crowd-pleasing, and totally oil-free? This amazing homemade hummus! You’ll never go back to the store-bought version again after tasting the tangy flavors and decadent texture of this drool-worthy dip. Simply blend up a can of chickpeas, some garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and a sprinkling of spices until you have the perfect dipping consistency. Serve with your favorite accouterments, and enjoy!
Green Pea Hummus with Fresh Mint
“This is possibly the best hummus I've ever had,” says one happy reader. And we agree—the finger-licking combination of sweet green peas and refreshing mint turns your average chickpea dip into something truly special. A little lemon zest and parsley punch up the flavors to a whole new level of yum, ensuring that each bite is more delicious than the last.
Dairy-Free Spinach and Artichoke Dip
What’s more classic than a spinach and artichoke dip? This vegan version uses a clever combo of oat flour and plant milk to create a creamy consistency that will satisfy even the most ardent of dairy lovers. Chopped spinach and artichoke hearts form a perfect dynamic duo, while a few teaspoons of savory spices turn this dip into a crowd-pleasing treat. The one problem? It’ll be hard to resist digging into this dip with a spoon before the party starts!
Harissa Hummus
Give your standard hummus a makeover with the lip-smacking flavors of harissa! Here, you can learn how to make a homemade version of the North African chile paste that gives this vegan dip its signature orange hue. Caraway, coriander, cumin, cayenne, and more tasty spices join together to deliver an explosion of seasonings that will delight everyone in attendance. Pro tip: You can use extra harissa as a veggie marinade or as a flavor bomb in a brothy soup.
Pinto Bean Spread
Calling all garlic lovers! This hearty bean dip from New Mexico–based chefs Lois Ellen Frank and Walter Whitewater has a complex flavor thanks to a generous amount of blackened garlic. Blackening the garlic takes a few minutes and is well worth the time as it mellows the tang of raw garlic and adds a dreamy earthiness to the blended beans.
Blueberry Salsa
Serve up this red, white, and blue salsa at your next Fourth of July gathering, or anytime you need an appetizer that will create a visually stunning centerpiece. Equal parts fruity and spicy, the sweet blueberries pair perfectly with hot jalapeño, juicy tomato, and fresh cilantro. The end result is a refreshing dip that will tickle the taste buds of everyone who attends your plant-based party.
Easy Beet Wonderdip
Turn heads with a vibrant vegan dip that highlights the earthy sweetness of beets like you’ve never tasted before. Parsley, lemon juice, garlic, and Dijon mustard add bright bursts of flavor to the root veggie while cashews bring their subtly sweet creaminess to the mix. The key is to first blend the beets into a purée and then mix in the chopped ingredients so you achieve the right balance between smooth and chunky.
Green Pea Guacamole
When avocados are out of season (or out of your budget), make this bright green dip instead—it mimics all your favorite guacamole flavors without breaking the bank! Puréed green peas soak up the savory flavors of garlic, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro to create a guac taste-a-like that is sure to garner pleasantly surprised “oohs” and “aahs” from party guests. Add as much hot sauce as your taste buds like, and get dipping!
Fresh Tomato Salsa
Chunky tomato salsa—also known as pico de gallo—is a must-have vegan dip when you’re hosting a summer cookout and a zesty addition to a party spread any time of year. Tangy red onions and spicy jalapeño peppers combine with the juicy tomatoes to create a trifecta of fresh produce that will tantalize your taste buds. Garlic, lime juice, and cilantro zhuzh everything up so each bite is like a fiesta in your mouth. Serve with tortilla chips for the perfect party snack!
Roasted Cauliflower Hummus
It may look a little plain, but this cauliflower dip is far from your average hummus. Here, cauliflower florets are roasted to draw out their natural sweetness and then blended with creamy cannellini beans, nutty tahini, and savory garlic. Fresh herbs and toasted pine nuts make for a crunchy and satisfying garnish, while a sprinkle of red pepper flakes adds a hit of spice. You could even make this vegan dip with purple cauliflower for added visual intrigue.
Green Goddess Dip
This creamy green dip is as divine as its name suggests. Parsley, chives, basil, and dill create a powerhouse quartet that’s made even more heavenly with the addition of lemon juice and garlic. The secret to a super smooth dip? Peeled zucchini. The neutral-tasting veggie adds the right amount of heft and moisture to the herbs so they can blend into a velvety smooth sauce that’s ideal for dipping veggies, dressing salads, or slathering onto sandwiches.
Pesto Artichoke Spread
This verdant spread, which is like a mashup of pesto and a creamy artichoke dip, is great for dipping and a breeze to prepare. Just simmer cashews for 10 minutes, then blend with thawed frozen artichoke hearts, fresh basil, and garlic. Voilà, you’re ready to dip! Serve with pita bread squares, crackers, or fresh-cut crudités for a winning appetizer or tasty snack.
Spicy Buffalo Hummus
Jarred roasted red bell peppers add sweetness and an elegant red hue to this velvety hummus, which features Great Northern beans as a base. Smoky Buffalo-style hot sauce adds a real kick—feel free to add more or less to suit your tastes.
Red Onion Confit
Is there anything better than a bowl full of jammy, caramelized onions? We sure don’t think so! This confit simmers chopped red onion in pomegranate juice, balsamic vinegar, and maple syrup to create a tangy and sweet reduction that is ideal for spooning onto whole grain mini toasts during your hors d'oeuvres hour. Top the bowl with pomegranate seeds and fresh thyme for a classy (and tasty) finishing touch.
Tahini Dipping Sauce
The serving options are endless when it comes to this creamy tahini dipping sauce. Four simple ingredients create a velvety smooth concoction that is great for pouring over grain bowls or swirling into soups when you aren’t serving it up as a centerpiece for your crudités board. Be sure to buy high-quality tahini to avoid any bitter flavors, and feel free to add more garlic or lemon juice to your liking.
Vegan French Onion Dip
A veganized version of a traditional party staple, our French onion dip relies on silken tofu to create a creamy base for the sweet caramelized onions swirled throughout. A killer combination of fresh thyme, chives, garlic, and mustard adds rich flavor that’s equal parts herbaceous and savory. Serve with toasted pita bread triangles and watch how quickly this dip disappears!
About the Author
About the Author
Megan Edwards
Megan Edwards is a staff writer and content producer for Forks Over Knives. She is also a certified RYT-500 yoga teacher who is passionate about cultivating holistic wellness through plant-based eating, mindful movement, and meditation. With a background in journalism and marketing, she supports both the online presence and quarterly print magazine for Forks Over Knives.
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