Gluten-Free Cashew Cheese Dip
By the Gluten Free Recipes team ·
This luxuriously creamy and savory cashew cheese dip, boasting a rich, cheesy flavor without any dairy. Its smooth texture and satisfying umami notes make it the perfect accompaniment to your favorite gluten-free crackers or fresh vegetables.
At a glance: This easy snacks recipe yields 4 servings in about 25 minutes (5 min prep, 20 min cook). It uses 7 ingredients — including raw cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice — and walks through 5 steps. Updated . Browse more snacks recipes or return to all gluten-free recipes.
Cross-Contamination Warning for Gluten-Free Cashew Cheese Dip: When preparing this snacks recipe, always verify that all ingredients, especially packaged and processed items like nutritional yeast, are certified gluten-free. Be mindful of shared equipment that may have come into contact with gluten-containing ingredients In a shared kitchen, avoid porous materials — wooden spoons, wooden cutting boards, and scratched non-stick pans can harbor gluten proteins even after washing. Prefer glass, metal, or silicone tools.
Gluten-Free Notes for Gluten-Free Cashew Cheese Dip: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, relying on whole food ingredients. Ensure all purchased spices and nutritional yeast are certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
- 2-4 tbsp water, as needed for consistency
Instructions
- 1
Drain the soaked raw cashews thoroughly. Add the drained cashews to a high-speed blender or food processor. Include the nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic clove, salt, and smoked paprika in the blender.
- 2
Begin blending the ingredients on low speed, gradually increasing to high. While blending, slowly drizzle in 2 tablespoons of water. Continue to blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed, which should take about 3-5 minutes.
- 3
If the dip is too thick, add more water, one tablespoon at a time, blending after each addition until your desired consistency is reached. Aim for a thick but dippable texture, similar to a traditional cheese dip.
- 4
Taste the cashew cheese dip and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more salt, lemon juice, or smoked paprika to enhance the flavor profile. Blend for another 30 seconds to ensure all flavors are well incorporated.
- 5
Transfer the finished cashew cheese dip to a serving bowl. Serve immediately with your favorite gluten-free crackers, vegetable sticks, or as a spread on gluten-free bread. The dip can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition (per serving)
Tips & Notes
- Proof your yeast first: combine with warm water (105–115°F) and a pinch of sugar and wait 5–10 minutes until foamy before adding to the dough.
- Roll the lemon firmly on the counter before cutting to get significantly more juice.
- Roasted garlic (400°F, 30–40 min in foil) gives a sweet, mellow flavor ideal for soups and sauces.
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