Creamy Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip is sure to be the star of your next party! This recipe is super easy to make, and it can be served hot or cold. Spinach dip is the perfect snack or appetizer. Serve it with crackers or cut vegetables. It’s nut-free (no cashews needed!), oil-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free, but it’s totally loaded with flavor!
Spinach Artichoke Dip
Traditionally, spinach artichoke dip is loaded with dairy products. Cream cheese, mayonnaise, and cheese can almost always be found on the ingredients list. In this vegan recipe, I’ve replaced all of the dairy products with silken tofu and nutritional yeast. Not only is it tasty, it’s rather healthy, too!
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu can replace dairy products in just about any creamy recipe. (It can sometimes replace eggs, too!) I’ve been using it a lot in salad dressings and dips lately. It also gives “cream” pies a velvety smooth texture.
I like to buy silken tofu by the case. Unlike water-packed tubs, the aseptic packages can be safely kept at room temperature, so I store them in my little pantry.
Soaked raw cashews will also make foods creamy, but I’ve been hearing more and more from readers who are looking for nut-free recipes. While I do love cooking with cashews, I want to make sure that people with food allergies can most of my recipes, especially at parties and holiday get-togethers. Tofu is way less fattening that cashews, so you can eat more!
If you do prefer to use cashews, take a look at the Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites recipe I created last year. It’s cashew based, and the dip is served in little bite-sized cups made with puff pastry.
What You Need
- Silken tofu
- Nutritional yeast flakes
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Dried basil
- Dried parsley
- Onion powder
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne pepper
- Frozen spinach
- Artichoke hearts
See the recipe card for exact amounts.
Working with frozen spinach
I use frozen greens in recipes like this, because once they’ve thawed, they’re wilted, so they don’t need to be steamed to sautéed. Just make sure you get as much water out of them as you can. I like to use my TofuXpress. If you prefer to use fresh greens, you’ll need to cook them before using them in the recipe.
How to Make Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
This Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip comes together in a flash! Just mix the ingredients together in food processor, pour into in a dish, bake for 15 to 20 minutes, and you’re done!
- First you preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Then you mix together the tofu, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, basil, parsley, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper a food processer until smooth and creamy.
- Next you add the artichoke hearts and spinach to the food processor, and pulse until thoroughly incorporated.
- Now you pour the mixture into a small casserole dish, and smooth the top with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- You bake your dip for 15-20 minutes, or until it’s lightly browned on top.
Recipe Note
This recipe is called Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip, but pretty much any leafy green veggie can be used. I’ve actually used frozen kale for the dip in these photos. Dennis has gout, and spinach can cause flare-ups, so I’ve been cooking more with kale and arugula. Whatever kind of frozen greens you decide to use in this recipe, make sure you thaw them thoroughly and squeeze out any excess water.
Serving your dip
Serve this dip warm with warm with crackers, bread, or cut vegetables. It’s a terrific appetizer before dinner, and it’s a fun snack to serve at parties. It’s a great choice for game night!
Although it’s a dip, since it’s pretty much just vegetables, tofu, and seasonings, Dennis and I have actually made a meal out of this recipe! Just chop up some veggies and dig in! It also makes a terrific sandwich spread or baked potato topper. I've been known to slather it on pizza, too!
If you have leftover dip, use it to stuff potato skins!
Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce package silken tofu drained
- ½ cup nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 12-ounce package frozen chopped spinach thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
- 1 14-ounce can artichoke hearts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix together tofu, nutritional yeast, garlic, lemon juice, basil, parsley, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper a food processer until smooth and creamy.
- Add the artichoke hearts and spinach, and pulse until thoroughly incorporated.
- Pour the mixture into a small casserole dish, and smooth the top with a spatula or wooden spoon.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly browned on top.
- Serve warm with crackers, bread, or cut vegetables.
More recipes made with spinach and artichokes include
- Mediterranean Salad
- Greek Frittata
- Spinach Artichoke Dip Bites
- Potato Skins Stuffed with Spinach Artichoke Dip
Tanya A
Seriously, you read my mind. I was just coming to your site to see if you had ever posted an artichoke/spinach dip ripe nd there it was right on top!! Love the tofu press but it might ave to wait awhile at that price. . Thanks!!
Dianne
That’s so funny! I hope you enjoy it!
Becky
Ooh I love that you've cracked the nut-free code with this recipe! It looks so good, Dianne!
Kathy Hester
Oh this will be great at a holiday get together. I plan to make it.
Dianne
Thank you, Kathy! I hope everyone enjoys it!
Dianne
Thank you, Becky!
Elizabeth Humphrey
First time making the recipe and it was a hit with everyone, including the men! It was silky smooth and great flavor. Couldn’t tell the difference at all. Thank you!
Dianne
That's so wonderful, Elizabeth! Thank you for letting me know!
Shelby
Tried this out at my "friendsgiving" party and it was a hit with both the vegans and non-vegans! This is definitely going in my holiday cookbook! And thanks for making it nut-free! I have no health issues with nuts, they're just so darn expensive and tofu is much more economical 🙂
Dianne
I'm so glad everyone enjoyed it, Shelby!
Sandra
Getting ready to make this recipe. Can it be made and frozen in advance or is it best served shortly after making?
Dianne
I've never frozen it, so I don't know how freezing it would affect it.
Kirby
Thank you so much for making this but free! I’m allergic to nuts and dairy so but-free alternative recipes are usually difficult to find.
Dianne
You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
Alison
Can I make this with out the tofu?
Thank you?
Dianne
No, tofu is the base of the dip.
Theresa Boland
Can i use firm tofu instead of silken ?
Dianne
No. Silken tofu give the dip a smooth and creamy texture. If you use firm it'll come out more like a frittata than a dip.