Vegan smoky cashew queso dip

Spice up your next snack session with this deliciously submersible Vegan Smoky Cashew Queso Dip!

Right now it's no secret that we're big fans of snacks here at NS. We also believe that the best healthy snacks have recipes that not only taste delicious, but also check out some of the nutrition boxes. The use of lightly toasted raw cashew nuts and almond milk gives this Smoky Cashew Queso Dip a protein boost.

Finding substitutes for dairy products is not always easy. Especially when it comes to mimicking the texture of a perfectly creamy cheese sauce. At home, we personally tried numerous store-bought options, most of which were filled with additional oil and preservatives.

When you add a few tablespoons of yeast you get a big boost in B vitamins while also giving you the perfect "cheesy" taste. The real trailblazer was a recipe by the chef and author Kenji López-Alt in which he used a potato to improve the texture. Once cooked, the natural starches of the potato give this dip a smooth "cheesy" texture without the use of dairy products.

Why Smoky Cashew Queso Dip is a nutritious snack option

Whenever you're making a snack, we always recommend including at least two elements of our Foundational Five system.

Our Foundational Five System is an easy way to determine if you are having a nutritious and balanced meal. It is made up of five elements: protein, starchy carbohydrates, non-starchy carbohydrates, fat, and flavor factor.

Picking two of these plus the flavor factor will always give you a balanced snack that will give you the energy you need and keep you full until your next meal.

The two main ingredients in this Vegan Smoky Cashew Queso Dip are cashew nuts, which are a healthy source of fat and vegetable protein, and potatoes, which are a starchy carbohydrate.

Cashew nuts also contain minerals like zinc, manganese, copper, and selenium, all of which are important for our immune systems and overall health.

With a side of veggies to dunk, this cashew queso dip is a great option for a snack or meal.