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Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip | Oil-Free

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raw, vegan Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip served with corn chips

It’s perfectly possible to make a smooth, creamy cheese sauce with natural ingredients and without dairy. A strong statement, I know… but I speak the truth.

In addition to veggies, it’s also great to stir into zucchini noodle pasta, sprouted quinoa, rice, or even pour directly over crunchy tortilla chips for a little homemade nacho action!

What makes it cheesy?

The nutritional yeast is the key ingredient here to give it that cheesy flavor.  So my recommendation is to get a really good quality nutritional yeast.

I prefer Red Star brand and trust me, I have tried several other brands, and the flavor just doesn’t measure up.  Nutritional yeast is rich in vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins.

I made this “cheese” sauce today, and my husband was moaning with each bite. (happy moans, I should clarify hehe).  He stood at the counter and scooped up the cheese dip with some Chili Corn Crackers that I had just pulled out of the dehydrator. Perfect combo.

If you don’t care for heat in your foods, you can easily omit the crushed dried pepper, and it will still taste amazing. I have made this recipe countless times, and one thing I noticed was that you could alter the color of the sauce depending on what color of bell pepper you use. In the photo posted here, I used an orange bell pepper because that was all I had but to a more orange color, you will need to use a red bell pepper. The color really doesn’t alter the flavor.

I call this Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip because it reminds me of the perfect cheese dip to serve during the Superbowl and the other 364 days in between. I do hope you give this simple recipe a try and please comment below if you do. Have a blessed day, amie sue.

a spoonful of raw, vegan Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip served with corn chipsIngredients:

Preparation:

  1. Soak the cashew nuts for at least 2 hours; this will help to soften the nuts to make a smooth, creamy sauce.  Drain and rinse when ready to use.
  2. In a high-powered blender combine; lemon juice, water, and red bell pepper.  Blend till the pepper is well liquefied.
  3. Add the cashews, nutritional yeast, pepper, onion, garlic, and salt.  Blend until creamy, and no grit is detected.
  4. Store in the fridge in an airtight sealed container for up to 4-5 days.

46 thoughts on “Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip | Oil-Free

  1. Hayden says:

    How long will the dip keep?

  2. Debbie says:

    Can xanthan gum be used instead of Irish moss?

    • amie-sue says:

      Debbie,

      I haven’t tried myself, so I can promise the outcome… it should work but it will an experiment. This is how it is recommended to be used:

      Mix 1/8 tsp xanthan gum for each cup of liquid in your recipe. First, dissolve the xanthan gum in a little bit of water (or other liquid if your recipe does not call for water) and then mix it in with the larger batch. Do not try to mix it by hand, as it will “gum” almost instantly and form clumps. It must be in motion from the moment it is incorporated into the liquid.

      If it were me, I would use ground chia seeds to stay more natural and healthier. I would grind about 2 Tbsp worth nice and fine and add it to the cheese sauce. Good luck and let me know if you try any of these. amie sue

    • Robin says:

      Where does the recipe call for Irish moss?

    • maureen says:

      Irish Moss?

  3. Debbie says:

    Thank you!

  4. Elzbiea says:

    Hello again,

    Matter of fact I love your blog.. It is possible to use tofu instead of one cup raw cashews for touchdown spicy cheese dip?

    • amie-sue says:

      I would think so Elzbiea. I don’t every use tofu since I have to stay away from soy so I am not really familiar with working with it. Worth a try though. amie sue

    • Hollie says:

      I saw a recipe once using butternut squash as a base for a cheese dip but the butternut squash with baked I think butternut squash would be a good replacement for tofu if one was eating this recipe cooked

      • amie-sue says:

        Oh yes Hollie, butternut squash has a nice creamy texture when blended… would be a great alternative. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, amie sue

  5. Jennifer says:

    I just had to say how spectacular your site is! My goodness! I’m raving about it to my husband! =D I’ve been eating completely raw for the month of February. I was searching for some fresh and delicious ideas when I came across your beautiful site. Thank yo so much for sharing such remarkable recipes and information!

    • amie-sue says:

      Oh thank you Jennifer… I appreciate your kind words! I hope that you find great encouragement through my site. If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask. I do my best to respond as soon as I can. Many blessing on your journey… amie sue

  6. Adaria says:

    Hello Amie-Sue! thank you SO much for all of your delicious recipes… absolutely LOVE :) this spicy cheese dip – quite simply, incredibly delicious!! I made this exactly per your recipe and it turned out *purrrfect*.

    Just FYI, I served it on my “Almost Raw Tacos”: Canned Trader Joe’s non-fat refried beans (had these hanging around for emergency provisions, but normally I make my own from scratch – great in a pinch when inspiration hits!); a lettuce/greens mix of romaine, kale, and arugula; folded within a corn tortilla brushed with olive oil and gently warmed in the oven until nicely pliable (I used Trader Joe’s Corn Tortillas as they are white corn and do not have any additives). Then I added slices of avocado, some sliced black olives, and my own fresh/raw salsa. THEN, to top it all off: your awesome spicy cheese dip & voila! a quick and scrumptious meal!

    • amie-sue says:

      Well darn you Adaria! You got my stomach grumbling! haha That sounds deeeeliiiicious! Thank you for sharing… now I have to go to bed hungry hehe. Many blessings, amie sue

  7. Bonnie says:

    I had this dip at a branding meeting yesterday for Mrs. Green’s World. It blew me away. So spicy and wonderful. I’ve been struggling with fun, healthy snack items to compliment my nutritarian diet. This was absolutely perfect! And the crackers were AMAZING

  8. Bonnie says:

    I had this dip yesterday at a branding meeting for Mrs. Green’s World. It was absolutely fantastic! Great compliment to my sometimes uneventful nutritarian diet. Thanks, Amie Sue! And the crackers were divine!

    • amie-sue says:

      Thank you Bonnie…. so glad that you enjoyed it!! It was such an honor and blessing to make some raw treats for you all. Have a blessed day, amie sue

  9. Misty says:

    Oh my… wow! This recipe is to die for!! Thanks!! :-)

  10. BJ Kochendorfer says:

    I have made that several times and for Super Bowl. It is yummy!
    BJ

    • amie-sue says:

      I was told to bottle and sell it a few nights ago when I made it again. It is always a crowd pleasure, I just need to remember to make it more often. :) So nice to hear from you BJ, I hope all is well. Have a blessed and relaxing evening, amie sue

  11. Bambina says:

    This sounds soooo yummy! My husband can’t wait to try it! And we like your site sooo much. It’s awsome! May God bless you :) Many greetings from Croatia (see: Adriatic sea, Europe)!

    • amie-sue says:

      This cheese is always a hit when I make it. Can’t wait to hear what you two think of it. It always amazes me how we can all connect from all corners of the world! Thanks for commenting and keep in touch, amie sue

  12. Candace Carson says:

    This was indeed a delicious cheese sauce! I agree with many of the comments above. Your website and recipes are just a cut above the rest. Its so obvious how much time you put into this! Blessings.

    • amie-sue says:

      Thank you Candace, I really appreciate that you shared that with me. :) So happy that you enjoyed the cheese sauce. Have a glorious weekend! amie sue

  13. […] Raw Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip with Crudité         […]

  14. Kellie says:

    Hi, i was wondering if the soaked cashews (and flour) and almonds could be substituted in all of your recipes. I cant use nuts or seeds. Thanks :)

    • amie-sue says:

      Hello Kellie,

      It all depends on the recipes. Different substituions would require some experimentation as they will offer different flavors and textures to a recipe. Have a great weekend, amie sue

  15. Judy Groveman says:

    Touchdown! She’s a winner! From now on I’m listening up when there’s a comment that Bob likes one of the recipes!
    So versatile, and I also love that it looks different depending on whether I use red, yellow or orange peppers. Soon I will need to work on those crackers that match well with it. It is satisfying to have this easy to make recipe under my belt, and if I make it for guests it will keep people guessing as to what’s in it (unless they are already familiar with the cheezy kale chips).

    • amie-sue says:

      lol Judy… all my recipes have to pass Bob’s taste testing… as well as a few others. :) But so glad that you love this cheese dip. It is a keeper in our household too. I always make when we have gatherings at the house. It blows the minds of those who swear they can’t live without dairy. hehe

      Enjoy and eat up. Blessings, amie sue

      P.S. thanks for sharing, I love hearing from those who visit the site and specially when recipes are tried.

  16. NEWu says:

    TOUCHDOWN for sure! I don’t miss the dairy cheese at all. I made this a few days ago and just enjoyed eating some more. This was so easy to make too. Thanks Amie Sue

    • amie-sue says:

      lol Newu, I love this cheese sauce too. I always make this for any gathering. Whether my attendees are raw or not, everyone always loves it. Thanks for the feedback. Have a wonderful day, amie sue

  17. Opalwave says:

    Hi Amie Sue, do you have any ideas for substituting the Nutritional Yeast in recipes? Thanks

    • amie-sue says:

      Good morning Opalwave, there really isn’t anything in the raw vegan world. It offers up that “cheesy flavor” that we are looking for. Are you allergic to it?

      A few other options would use a little garlic, lemon, and even some spring onion to make up a slightly different but enjoyable flavor. Miso can give a recipe a little tang as well. Again the flavors will differ but can add that slight “cheesy tang” you are seeking.

      blessings, amie sue

  18. Azna Dharini says:

    I made this sauce! Oh my goodness! It was so incredibly delicious that I just wanted to eat all of the sauce as “soup,” in one gulp. I had to stop myself from devouring it all immediately so I could have it with the rest of the nachos ra-chos ingredients. Thank you so much!

    • amie-sue says:

      Good morning Azna,

      I can totally relate. haha We LOVE this “cheese” dip as well. You can use it in so many delicious ways. Thank you for leaving a comment, sharing your experience. It means a lot. Have a blessed day, amie sue

  19. Kelly Holden says:

    Hi Amie-Sue, I hope you and your lovely family are well. Missing seeing you and your posts on Facebook :(

    I have a favour to ask. I know we’ve had this conversation before in the past about some of your recipes, but I don’t like to take liberties and assume that covers all, so here’s my request: I’m just editing our latest Herbal journal for my Herbal Association and wondered if I could add your recipe for the Touchdown Spicy Cheese Dip? Obviously you would be credited and your website would be shown. I’m looking for quick and simple summer recipes, ideal for entertaining, and this one looks perfect. Thank you (hopefully!)

    • amie-sue says:

      Hello Kelly,

      Sooooo wonderful to hear from you! If you are still on FB, look me up – https://www.facebook.com/amie.oldfather. I would love to stay in contact. :)

      And to answer your question, the answer is YES :) You are more than welcome to share it. Thank you for thinking of me. I hope all is well on your side of the pond. Many blessings, amie sue

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