This Apple Dip is sweet, creamy and has all the flavors of apple pie in a light and creamy dip. It’s high in protein and easy to make with dairy-free yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, vegan protein powder and cozy fall spices. Takes just 5 minutes to make and is dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free with paleo, low carb and keto-friendly sweetener options.
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Updated September 2023
Irresistible Apple Dip Recipe
Looking for a fun and easy appetizer or snack for apple season? This Apple Dip is a mouthwatering concoction of sautéed apples, creamy yogurt, and nut butter, all brought together with a hint of sweetness and warm and cozy spices. All you need are just 5 minutes plus a few simple ingredients and you can easily customize the ingredients with what you have in your kitchen.
It has added protein powder so it makes a great high protein snack that you can enjoy as a pre or post-workout snack or dessert. Whether you’re dipping fruit, cookies, or crackers, this versatile treat will satisfy your cravings. The best part is that it tastes just like apple pie so you can also serve it as an appetizer or dessert at your next game day or Halloween party!
Recipe Ingredients You’ll Need
For the dip
- Chopped Apples: Sautéed in a delightful mix of coconut oil, maple syrup, and cinnamon, these apples provide a burst of natural sweetness and a lovely texture.
- Dairy-Free Greek-Style Yogurt: We recommend options like Culina’s Plain & Simple coconut cream based yogurt or Kite Hill Plant-based Greek-style yogurt. However, you can customize it with regular Greek yogurt or canned coconut cream if dairy-free isn’t a concern. Yogurt adds creaminess and a touch of tanginess.
- Nut Butter: A crucial element for creaminess and nutty flavor. Opt for drippy unsalted cashew butter or your preferred nut or seed butter, ensuring it’s not too thick.
- Applesauce: Unsweetened applesauce enhances the apple flavor and contributes to the dip’s smooth consistency. You can use our homemade applesauce or buy your favorite brand.
- Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener that complements the apple’s sweetness. Adjust the quantity based on your preference and dietary needs, with options like Lakanto Sugar-free maple syrup, liquid monk fruit or stevia for low carb or keto. May also sub with coconut nectar syrup, date syrup or Yacon Syrup for paleo.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a delightful aroma and subtle sweetness to the dip.
- Plant-Based Protein Powder: For an added nutritional boost, we recommend NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Simple Sunflower Seed Protein. Feel free to choose your favorite plant-based or whey protein powder, depending on your dietary preferences.
- Cinnamon and Allspice: These spices infuse the dip with warm, cozy flavors.
- Chopped Walnuts: Provide a satisfying crunch and a hint of earthy richness to the dip.
- Cashew butter: to add creaminess, flavor and extra protein and healthy fats. You can also sub with almond butter, peanut butter (not paleo), sunflower seed butter or any nut butter of you choice. For a caramel apple dip, you can add our Easy Caramel Sauce instead.
- Unsweetened applesauce: you can use our homemade applesauce recipe or buy your favorite brand.
- Maple syrup: or sub any sticky liquid sweetener of choice. Use Lakanto Sugar-free maple syrup, liquid monk fruit or stevia for low carb or keto. May also sub with coconut nectar syrup, date syrup or Yacon Syrup for paleo.
- Pure vanilla extract
Optional add-ins:
- Dairy-free mini chocolate chips + more for topping: we like Lily’s Sweets or Pascha’s Chocolate
- Dried fruit: you can also add some no sugar-added raisins or dried cranberries to keep this recipe nut-free.
Instructions: How to make Apple Dip
- Sauté the Apples: Heat 1 teaspoon of coconut oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat. Add chopped apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Dip Base: In a large bowl, whisk together nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Add Yogurt and Spices: Incorporate dairy-free Greek-style yogurt, cinnamon, allspice, and plant-based protein powder into the mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Fold in Apples and Walnuts: Add ¾ of the sautéed apples and chopped walnuts to the dip mixture. Mix gently.
- Garnish: Top the dip with the remaining sautéed apples and extra chopped nuts.
- Serve: Present the Apple Dip with a variety of dipping options, such as sliced fruit, grain-free cookies, crackers, or pretzels.
Tips for Success:
- Use a nonstick pan for sautéing apples to prevent sticking.
- Ensure your nut butter is easily pourable for a smoother dip.
- Adjust sweetness to your liking with various syrup options.
- Experiment with different fruit and dippers for a personalized experience.
Serving Suggestions:
Our Apple Dip pairs perfectly with:
- Fruit: Sliced apples, bananas, or strawberries for a fruity twist.
- Cookies: We like Simple Mills Grain-Free Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins, Simple Mills Crunchy Cinnamon Cookies or Hu’s Kitchen Grain-Free Snickerdoodles to keep this recipe grain-free, vegan and paleo-friendly. For a low carb / keto version, use High Key Snickerdoodles or my keto shortbread cookie recipe.
- Crackers: Your favorite gluten-free or grain-free crackers. We like Simple Mills Crackers or Hu’s Kitchen Grain-Free Crackers. You can also use regular or gluten-free graham crackers if not paleo.
- Pretzels or rice cakes: We like Fitjoy or Quinn.
Variations and Substitutions:
- Create a caramel apple dip by using our Easy Caramel Sauce instead of nut butter.
- Customize the dip with your favorite nut or seed butter.
- Tailor the sweetness with different liquid sweeteners.
- Experiment with various protein powders or collagen if preferred.
Why you’ll love this healthy fall dip recipe
- This healthy apple dip is simple to customize and packed with protein and
- Filled with sautéed caramel apples and warm fall spices
- A light and fluffy snack or appetizer for autumn
- Easy to make in just 5 minutes
- Kid-friendly and naturally vegan, dairy-free with paleo, low carb and keto options
Storage and Freezer Instructions:
How to store: This creamy caramel apple dip works great for meal prep and can be made ahead of time. If you have leftovers, simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
void freezing as it can alter the dip’s texture.
More delicious dip recipes you will love:
More easy apple recipes for fall:
This Apple Dip is sweet, creamy and has all the flavors of apple pie in a light and creamy dip. It's high in protein and easy to make with dairy-free yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, vegan protein powder and cozy fall spices. Takes just 5 minutes to make and is dairy-free, gluten-free, refined sugar-free with paleo, low carb and keto-friendly sweetener options.
- 1/2 cup chopped apples , sautéed in a pan over medium heat in 1 teaspoon coconut oil, 1 teaspoon maple syrup and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, until slightly softened
- 1 cup dairy-free thick Greek-style yogurt , We like Culina's Plain & Simple coconut cream based yogurt or Kite Hill Plant-based Greek-style yogurt for an almond milk based yogurt. You can sub with canned coconut cream or regular Greek yogurt if not dairy-free.
- 1/3 cup drippy unsalted cashew butter OR sub any other nut butter or seed butter you like, be sure not to use near the bottom of the jar. For a caramel apple dip, you can use our Easy Caramel Sauce instead.
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
- 2-3 tbsps maple syrup , or sub any sticky liquid sweetener of choice. Use Lakanto Sugar-free maple syrup, liquid monk fruit or stevia for low carb or keto. May also sub with coconut nectar syrup, date syrup or Yacon Syrup for paleo.
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons of plant-based protein powder , We use NuZest Just Clean or Sprout Living Simple Sunflower Seed Protein which are our favorite plant-based protein powder but you can use your favorite. We have not tested this with a Whey protein powder since we wanted to keep this dip recipe vegan but feel free to do so if it fits with your dietary preference or use your favorite Collagen powder.
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts + more for topping
- Your favorite fruit , sliced apples, bananas or strawberries
- grain-free cookies , we like Simple Mills Grain-Free Honey Cinnamon Sweet Thins, Simple Mills Crunchy Cinnamon Cookies or Hu's Kitchen Grain-Free Snickerdoodles to keep this recipe grain-free, vegan and paleo-friendly. For a low carb / keto version, use High Key Snickerdoodles or my keto shortbread cookie recipe.
- grain-free crackers , we like Simple Mills Crackers or Hu's Kitchen Grain-Free Crackers. You can also use regular or gluten-free graham crackers if not paleo.
- grain-free pretzels , we like Fitjoy or Quinn.
- Saute the apples: Heat 1 teaspoon of oil in a small nonstick pan over medium heat. Add the apples, maple syrup and cinnamon and saute for 2-3 minutes, or until the apples are softened. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl, whisk together the nut butter, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla until smooth.
Add the yogurt, cinnamon, allspice and protein powder and mix again until combined. Stir in ¾ of the sauteed apples with the chopped walnuts. Then top with remaining apples along with some more chopped nuts.
- Serve with a mix of fruit, grain-free graham crackers, pretzels or rice cakes of choice.
Recipe Video
How to store: This creamy apple dip works great for meal prep and can be made ahead of time. If you have leftovers, simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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