Description
Creamy Buffalo Dip elevates classic game-day flavors with a vegetarian twist. Rich cream cheese and tangy hot sauce create an irresistible appetizer you’ll crave at every gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 (8 oz / 226 g) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup cooked and shredded jackfruit, lentils, or chickpeas
- ½ cup buffalo sauce (Franks RedHot or your favorite brand)
- ½ cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing for extra tang)
- ¼ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 2 tbsps green onions or fresh parsley, chopped
- Tortilla chips
- Celery sticks
- Carrot sticks
- Sliced baguette
Instructions
- Preparation: Calibrate oven to 375°F (190°C) with center rack placement. Lightly mist an 8×8-inch baking vessel with olive oil spray to prevent adhesion.
- Blending: Whisk cream cheese, Buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing in a generous mixing bowl until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture without any visible clumps.
- Mixing: Fold shredded cheddar cheese into the creamy foundation. Integrate plant-based protein (jackfruit, lentils, or chickpeas) and dust with smoked paprika to elevate flavor complexity.
- Assembly: Smoothly transfer the mixture into the prepared dish using a silicone spatula, ensuring an even, level distribution across the surface for consistent thermal penetration.
- Baking: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until edges transform to a golden hue and the center bubbles with heated intensity.
- Finishing: Extract from oven and allow a brief 5-minute rest period for structural stabilization. Embellish with finely chopped green onions or fresh parsley to introduce a vibrant flavor accent.
- Serving: Present immediately alongside crisp tortilla chips, raw vegetable crudités, or artisan bread points for an inviting communal appetizer experience.
Notes
- Maintain Protein Flexibility: Experiment with different plant-based proteins like jackfruit, lentils, or chickpeas to find your preferred texture and flavor profile.
- Prevent Watery Consistency: Drain canned proteins thoroughly and pat dry to avoid excess moisture that could make the dip runny.
- Boost Flavor Depth: Toast smoked paprika briefly in a dry pan before adding to enhance its smoky undertones and release more complex aromatics.
- Temperature Control: Let the dip rest for exactly 5 minutes after baking to allow proper setting and prevent potential mouth burns while maintaining optimal serving temperature.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg