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 Chocolate 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.
Stumbled on this recipe last week while searching for a low sugar substitute of apple dip. Made this last night. Ate some today. OMG! This is GOOD
Awww sooo glad to hear! We love it too! I hope to make another version soon but in the meantime, have you seen this one? https://wholenewmom.com/healthy-chocolate-fruit-dip/. I have a thing for dips ;).
This was a great recipe!
Thank you for sharing this! Looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Looks soooo creamy and yummy! Can’t wait to try this.
Thank you – we love it but I have to admit that I’m working on revamping this already :). Can’t leave some things alone!
OMG! Everything looks so good. I’m drooling just by looking at it!
Aww thank you!! We do love them!
Dipping does make everything taste better, especially when it’s as healthy as this almond butter fruit dip. This recipe looks amazing!
Thanks, Linda! I have been tinkering w/ this recipe this past week so it will either be updated or there will be a new similar version….so stay tuned :)!
Me encanto lo que compartiste, sobre Almond Butter Fruit Dip Dessert Sauce
(low carb, dairy and sugar free)lo voy a combinar con lo que estoy haciendo
para mejorar mis resultados. Muchas gracias por la receta, esto ayudara a mejor la salud de mi familia.
Thank you!
For Cindy I: The question regarding is glycerine safe and side effects….see
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/health-fitness/healthy-eating/is-glycerin-a-healthy-sweetener
about the use of glycerin in diabetics. There are also side effects that should be considered. As glycerine IS a sugar alcohol just like sorbitol and erythritol, and can be from GMO sources as well as petroleum sources and plant sources.
Just thought you might like to know. You should always research things before consuming, especially if you have health issues or dietary restrictions.
First of all sorry for the delay in responding to this. I have a backlog of comments I haven’t gotten to either because they needed some research or other reasons. Anyhow, I agree that it’s good to look up side effects for sure – interestingly, however, there is a lot of confusion about glycerine / glycerin and glycerol. I don’t know what make of it but this thread states that glycerine isn’t a sugar alcohol so really not sure. I did research this some, but I don’t know what to think.
If you have some input would love to hear. https://www.ifsqn.com/forum/index.php/topic/35416-sugar-alcohols-us-warning/. I see this information on other sites as well.
you are a genius! How do you have time to think of these things?? Just a question about using glycerine as a sweetener. I’m trying to follow an up and coming eating plan that keeps your glucose/insulin from spiking for weight loss. Any known side effects from using glycerin. I can’t believe i didn’t think of that. I really dislike Xylitol and I don’t think it’s good for my digestive issues (gut health) that I’ve been working to improve over the last 3 years…. Soooo, any negatives re the glycerin? It would really help me. I happened to buy a whole gallon from Azure a few months back and it’s been sitting in my garage collecting dust. The alcohol-free vanilla is a perfect use. I don’t like the idea of alcohol in the kids smoothies! Genius, I say!!! 🙂
I haven’t heard of any issues – thanks :)!
I love dips, too! This looks fabulous and we love almond butter here!! I wonder how using chocolate almond milk instead would taste? hmmm…..
Yum!! – Great idea!
Question! What exactly is 1 scoop (1/32 tsp) of Stevia in your recipe? I only have Stevia in packets. Thanks!
Stevia in packets has fillers to and typically natural flavors so I don’t really recommend that. One packet is supposed to be 2 scoops, but you will have to try and see if it works :-)!
YUM!! I just pinned this to make soon 🙂
I’m curious as to why and what the difference is between “healthy sweetener” and unhealthy sweetener is… Sucrose is sucrose. I haven’t been able to find any convincing research that one is different from the other in our bodies. Do you have any studies? I would love to know and find out!
Hi Mary Ellen. There are a lot of things out there about sweeteners and it really depends on your perspective. For me, the only “healthy sweetener” is one that doesn’t affect my glucose levels and doesn’t feed candida. If you are not concerned about those things than maple syrup or honey or sucanat would be better than white sugar. That is what I mean – does that help? I personally think that the “healthy sugars” aren’t really healthy at all – but I don’t want those not in the same camp to be “frightened away” from the other healthy info on my blog. Let me know if you would like more info :-).
yum
Natasha xx