Almond Butter Dip (vegan, dairy free, sugar free)
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This Healthy Almond Butter Dip a clean-eating alternative to the HFCS-filled fruit dips in the store. It’s great not only as a dip, but also as a glaze or eaten right off the spoon.
Bonus–this dairy-free fruit dip also special-diet friendly–it’s vegan and low carb with a nut-free option.
I love dips of all kinds.
And there’s a good reason why.
Dipping makes everything taste better. Don’t you agree?
I’m sure all of the parents out there would agree that while it can be hard to get kids to eat a lot of veggies, when you pair those exact same veggies with a dip, the veggies are more apt to disappear.
And that goes for adults too.
I mean, I love vegetables, but I really don’t like eating them plain. And I very much dislike eating them raw and plain. But pair them with this delicious Avocado Dip or this Sesame-free Hummus, or this Vegan Ranch Dip, or some other delicious dip, then those same not-so-tempting vegetables will be gone in a flash.
Of course, there are those people who don’t like dips. Our oldest is one of those. I don’t understand it, but he doesn’t really like dips. Well, let’s qualify that–he doesn’t like dipping things into dips, and he doesn’t like dressing on his salads, but he will eat dips on rice, plain, or he’ll spread them on breads, wraps, and such.
I think it’s a texture thing, but that doesn’t totally make sense since he will eat the same texture in another context, he doesn’t like them.
So my non-dip-loving son, loves this dip, but he doesn’t like dipping things into it. But he’ll eat it with a spoon or he’ll drizzle it onto Buckwheat Pancakes or Teff Waffles, or he’ll even put it on Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream, but no way will you find him dipping any kind of fruit in it.
Come to think of it, he doesn’t like fresh fruit anyhow so…..
I digress.
Anyhow, no matter your dipping desires, this Dairy-free Fruit Dip is delicious. In fact, it’s almost always gone super fast whenever I make it.
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The Need for a Healthier Fruit Dip
I used to love those ooey gooey super sweet caramel apple dips when I was younger, but wow are they loaded with all kinds of things that I don’t want to or can’t eat anymore.
- high fructose corn syrup (linked to cancer!)
- partially hydrogenated oils
- disodium phosphate
- mono and diglycerides
- potassium sorbate
- white sugar (causes all sorts of issues)
Ick.
Since we’ve changed out lifestyle to be whole food and lower-carb, there was really no way I was going to be buying that for myself or my family. And truly, I never have. By the way, they are pricey too! And homemade dip is not. Frugal whole foodies, you will love this vegan fruit dip!
This dip, though it’s not a caramelly dip, is really tasty. And is made of only healthful ingredients.
And it’s super fast to make! My kind of busy mom–kids need something yummy to eat now–recipe.
How This Dip Came to Be
Most of the vegan fruit dips out here are loaded with dates. I love dates, but they are super high in carbohydrates (and sugars), something that is a no-no for those of us struggling with candida. So I wanted to develop a recipe for a fruit dip that would work for our family. Since our oldest has a life-threatening allergy to dairy, it needed to not only be low-carb, but it also needed to be a dairy-free fruit dip.
I found several versions of nut butter based dips on a few websites, thought about what I liked about each of them, and then made a number of versions until I found just the right flavor.
This is it. Just right sweetness with a touch of cinnamon to add the perfect extra something.
We even made a special trip to buy some apples to go with it since we didn’t have any in the house (what was I thinking–making a dairy-free fruit dip without apples???)
My youngest son was totally thrilled about the whole thing. First of all, he loves apples. Second, he had never had a fruit dip before (and he really liked this one), and the grocery store we went to has a really fun mechanical horse that kids can ride on for just 1 penny! He rode with dad and brother while mom shopped.
How nice to have extra blessings added to an otherwise mundane las minute apple-buying errand.
Ways to Use this Super Versatile Fruit Dip / Sauce:
- Fruit dip (of course) for apples, pears, bananas, strawberries. Please note that strawberries are loaded with pesticides. Choose organic or non-sprayed if possible.) Apples, pears, and bananas taste the best.
- Nut Snack Topping (use soaked and dehydrated, if possible)
- Oatmeal or Hot Cereal Drizzle or your favorite breakfast cereal like this Homemade Cream of Rice (see my post on soaking grains.)
- Syrup Alternative for pancakes or waffles like these Teff Waffles or these Buckwheat Pancakes
- Cake Drizzle–this would taste fantastic on cakes like this Oatmeal Cake (my husband likes this option since he’s not a frosting fan at all). A friend of mine told me that she added chopped pecans to this recipe to make a “German Chocolate Cake” type of frosting for her favorite gluten free cake and she said it was great. Sounds like a fantastic idea! It would make a great lite frosting on these Paleo Carob Cupcakes too.
- Popcorn Topping – how about dipping popcorn in this dip–or just drizzle it on top!
- Baked Good Topping–on recipes like Focaccia Flax Bread or Oat Bran Muffins or Paleo Gingerbread Cookies
- On a Spoon!
One nice thing about this Almond Butter Fruit Dip is that you get the wonderfully rich taste of almond butter with about half the calories and fat since you’re thinning out the almond butter. Of course, these are good fats, but all things in moderation and if you are needing to watch your caloric intake, this really helps.
Recipe Notes
- Nut substitution: You can substitute other nut or seed butter as desired or needed. See my post on Homemade Nut or Seed Butter. Pecan would be especially nice. Sunflower will add a more peanutty taste to the final product. Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter would make for a greenish dip with a rich deep taste.
- Coconut milk alternative: Any other non-dairy milk such as coconut milk can be used instead of almond milk. My Easiest Almond Milk and Easiest Coconut Milk are great make-your-own options. Coconut and cashew milk will yield a creamier final product.
- Sweetener alternative: You can use 2 tablespoons of any other healthy sweetener instead of stevia. However, if you use a liquid sweetener you may need to use a slightly different amount, so read this post for help with substituting sweeteners. Vegetable glycerine is a good option.
- Alcohol-free vanilla extract option: In case you need to avoid alcohol (since it’s not cooked off in this recipe, here is a link to an alcohol-free vanilla extract.
- Topping Tip: Feel free to add more non-dairy milk to the dip to make a thinner dip or sauce for topping pancakes, hot cereals, and more.
You can alter this recipe as you like.
Variations
- Use maple syrup for a more mapley taste (is that a word?)
- Add chocolate or carob for a chocolatey treat! Start with 2 tablespoons or carob or chocolate and go from there.
- Add shredded coconut for a coconutty / nutty blend.
- Add chopped nuts for a chunky topping / dip.
- Add cacao nibs or chocolate shaving for a chocolatey nutty dip or topping.
Of course, if you are REALLY into chocolate, then this Healthy Chocolate Fruit Dip is for you. Now, onto the recipe!
Almond Butter Dip | Dessert Sauce (low carb, dairy and sugar free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond butter (see notes for nut-free alternatives)
- 1 cup coconut milk (or other non-dairy milk)
- 1/16 teaspoon pure stevia extract powder
- 3 tablespoons low carb sweetener
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in food processor or blender.
- Mix until combined and smooth. (this is super quick in a Vitamix or other high-powered blender)
- Add additional non-dairy milk if desired.
- Serve with fruit or other dippers, or on top of desserts.
- Store whatever you don’t manage to polish off in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Nut substitution: You can substitute other nut or seed butter as desired or needed. See my post on Homemade Nut or Seed Butter. Pecan would be especially nice. Sunflower will add a more peanutty taste to the final product. Homemade Pumpkin Seed Butter would make for a greenish dip with a rich deep taste.
- Coconut milk alternative: Any other non-dairy milk such as coconut milk can be used instead of almond milk. My Easiest Almond Milk and Easiest Coconut Milk are great make-your-own options. Coconut and cashew milk will yield a creamier final product.
- Sweetener alternative: You can use 2 tablespoons of any other healthy sweetener instead of stevia. However, if you use a liquid sweetener you may need to use a slightly different amount, so read this post for help with substituting sweeteners. Vegetable glycerine is a good option.
- Alcohol-free vanilla extract option: In case you need to avoid alcohol (since it’s not cooked off in this recipe, here is a link to an alcohol-free vanilla extract.
- Topping Tip: Feel free to add more non-dairy milk to the dip to make a thinner dip or sauce for topping pancakes, hot cereals, and more.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is merely an approximation. Optional ingredients are not included and when there is an alternative, the primary ingredient is typically used. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site. Erythritol carbs are not included in carb counts since they have been shown not to impact blood sugar. Net carbs are the total carbs minus fiber.
I so hope you enjoy this healthy Almond Butter Fruit Dip as much as we do!
How will you most likely use this?
As Dip, Spread, Drizzle, or on a Spoon?
This post was updated with new images and text in April of 2019. This is the original image for reference.
Adrienne,
Thank you so much for sharing your great recipe on Allergy-Free Wednesdays! This fruit dip looks delightful. Be sure to check back next week for recipe highlights (including the top 3 reader choice submissions and hostess favorites).
Be Well!
This sounds like such a lovely, healthy dip! I really like the addition of the cinnamon too. Thank you for sharing this post.
I will definitely be making this with maple syrup – I love fruit dips, but my fiancee is lactose intolerant and can’t have refined sugars, and they usually have one or the other. My mouth is watering just thinking about this one!
So glad to have helped, Katie! By the way, on a side note, have you looked in to going GF for your fiancee? Lactose intolerance and gluten issues often go together. We found that to be true for my husband. And since he is having issues w/ refined sugars I would think that the likelihood is even greater. Let me know if you have more questions…I’d be glad to share.
Thanks Adrienne – it’s possible we’ll try that in the future. For now, we don’t do any refined flours, but we are still using whole wheat and other glutenous things. So far, things seem okay, but we’re not ruling that out for the future.
I would tend to assume you’re fine unless there are other health issues showing up. I’ll be sharing some of what happened to us in the future. Take care! And good for you on the refined flour issue. Us too :-).
Mmm! Sounds good, and healthy! Would you share it at my party?
https://oneartmama.blogspot.com/2012/02/shine-on-fridays-14-and-some-fabulous.html
Adrienne,
Thanks for linking this recipe at Allergy-Free Wednesdays. I think I’ll make it for a friend who has a lot of new food restrictions. This should do perfectly.
I so hope she enjoys it! Thanks!
I love this! We just posted our very first Kitchen Fun and Crafty Friday Link Party and we would LOVE for you to stop by and link this up! https://kitchenfunwithmy3sons.blogspot.com/2012/02/kitchen-fun-and-crafty-friday-link.html
Thanks Jill! Linked up tonight :-).
Come share this fabulous recipe at my Famous Linkz Party!! My boys will love this dip!!
-Heather
@ http://www.made-famous-by.com
Just hopped over – thanks and hope your boys love it!
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. This was very interesting and a great idea! Hope to see you next week!
Be sure to visit RealFoodForager.com on Sunday for Sunday Snippets – your post from Fat Tuesday may be featured there!
I did something similar this fall with cashews and made “caramel” dip – boys loved it – you’ve inspired me to try this one – perfect for lunches!
BLessings!
lib
top 10 dessert for b’fast post here:https://bit.ly/xabvOm
Hi Liberty! I’d love to try your caramel dip! I spent a lot of time working on a SF caramel, but haven’t been able to do it yet. And I’m working on chocolate candies. It’s so hard to do it w/o all the processed stuff! Take care!
Sounds yummy – my kiddos love dips!
Hope you like it, Laurel!
This looks delicious! thanks for joining Frugal Tuesday TIp.
You’re welcome!
Love fruit dips! Gonna have to try this. 🙂
That’s a yummy looking dip Adrienne! You always find such interesting foods!
Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
Hope you have a fabulous week!
Jill @ Creating my way to Success
https://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/
Thanks Jill! Have a great week yourself!
This sounds much better than the plain peanut butter or almond butter I normally spread on an apple. haha. No really! Also a little easier to eat since I could just dip instead of slowly spreading a 1/2 tsp on a slice. Kind of time consuming!
I’ll be hosting whole food wednesdays at beyondthepeel.net if you’d like to come over and share, we’d love to have you!
I will have the linky party up late Tuesday if you feel like sharing.
I agree, France! I love nut butters on apples. Though I’m not really eating fruit right now. But my son sure loved this! Hope to see you Wed!
I love dips! I think just the act of dipping makes food taste better.:)
I agree. Thanks for stopping by!
Quick question…instead of one of the sweeteners, could raw honey be used?
: )
Of course! I consider honey to be “healthy” but I can’t tolerate it due to blood sugar issues. Hope you enjoy it! It was gobbled up at our little gathering last night :-).
This looks so fabulous…I’m so happy you linked it up to Mop it Up Mondays (along with those awesome super bowl recipes). I adore your blog. I’m a cancer survivor and with that came a whole new look at the way food affects me (& my family). Your recipes are always so wonderful and easy to add into any meal planning rotation. Thank you again for sharing. Have a fabulous week, Adrienne!
{HUGS},
kristi
Thanks, Kristi! Sorry – I saw your other comment first :-). That’s wonderful about your surviving cancer. I’d love to help with any questions you may have along the way. I would (though you may not want to hear this – I sure didn’t want to) encourage you to think hard about the sugar thing. I am more and more convinced that it is a problem. I am learning a lot on my road out of adrenal burnout (which typically goes along with cancer, you might know). Thanks for your kind words and I wish you the best!
Thanks so much, Adrienne! Yes, I totally agree about the sugar thing (old habits die hard). I may definitely take you up on it and send some questions your way in the future!! Have a great week!
; )
As a reformed sugar aholic I can empathize. Hang in there!
Oh, this looks yummy, Adrienne!! 🙂 🙂
Hope you like it. My son gobbled some up on the way to hockey this morning – with apples :-).
Hi Adrienne,
I’m right there with you. LOVE dips. And it’s such fun way to mix things up at bit for the kids! This looks really tasty…and sweet without any sugar. Great job! Now this is a dip you can feel really good about giving your kids. And I’m loving the idea to drizzle on oatmeal. Thanks for a great recipe Adrienne!
Have a wonderful weekend,
–Amber
Thanks, Amber! It is really good. Youngest son had it for breakfast w/ apples. Dad had it last night on the oatmeal cake. :-). Take care!
I have made a similar nut butter dip with bananas and nut butter. Also sometimes with yogurt and applesauce. I find that I don’t need any extra sweeteners if I use the bananas or applesauce.
Yes, bananas are so sweet that no sugar is needed. Most people wouldn’t believe it if they knew how much sugar is in bananas. Sounds great though..:-). We currently aren’t eating many bananas due to sugar metabolism issues but we love them.