Searching for a crowd-pleaser with a spicy twist? Look no further, friends! This vegan buffalo chicken dip has everything you love—creamy, tangy, and spicy—made even heartier with the addition of shredded jackfruit to mimic the classic chicken texture.
You won’t believe how simple and satisfying this plant-based version is! Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s as easy as blending and baking. This dip is perfect for game days, parties, or any occasion that calls for a crave-worthy vegan appetizer. With bold flavors and a velvety texture, it’s guaranteed to impress everyone—even the non-vegans at the table.
If you’re a huge buffalo-flavor fan, you’ve got to try these rich and spicy buffalo cauliflower wings and hot tofu wings with buffalo sauce recipes!

Get ready to be blown away by the simple ingredient list! It doesn’t take much to throw together this incredible dip. Here’s what you’ll need:

These key ingredients come together to create a delicious vegan buffalo queso dip that’s creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor. Scroll down to the recipe card for full measurements.
Here’s the step-by-step process to making this vegan buffalo dip.

Step 1: Soak the cashews (if needed). If you don’t have a high-speed blender, place the cashews in hot water and let them soak for at least 15 minutes to soften.


Step 2: Drain and rinse the canned jackfruit. Using your hands or a fork, shred it into “chicken-like” strands and set aside.

Step 3: In a blender, add the soaked cashews, silken tofu, nutritional yeast, hot sauce, non-dairy milk, olive oil, smoked paprika, and garlic. Blend until smooth and creamy. Taste, then season with salt and pepper as needed.
Step 4: Preheat the oven to 350℉ (175℃). Transfer the blended mixture into an oven-safe dish, stir in the shredded jackfruit, and spread evenly. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is lightly golden. Don’t have time to bake? It’s also great served cold!

Step 5: Garnish with sliced green onions, if desired. Serve hot with chips, crackers, or veggies for dipping.
This vegan buffalo chicken dip can be used as more than just a dip! Drizzle it over nachos, or use it as a sauce for various dishes. Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy it:

This recipe makes a large amount of dip—about 4 cups. If you are a huge fan of buffalo dip or planning to make this for a party, this is the perfect portion size. If this sauce is only for you, feel free to save whatever is left over in the fridge.
The dip will last up to 3 days, covered, in the refrigerator. To reheat, simply pour into a saucepan and heat over medium-low for 5 minutes or until the desired temperature. You could also heat the remaining vegan buffalo chicken dip in the microwave in one-minute intervals, stirring the sauce in between.
Keep in mind that overheating the sauce might cause a grainy texture to form. Luckily, this doesn’t affect the flavor at all. It will still be super tasty.

There are several fantastic substitutes for chicken that add texture and flavor while keeping the dish plant-based. Shredded jackfruit, soy curls, chickpeas, cauliflower, shredded tofu, seitan, or even artichokes all work well to replace chicken.
Buffalo sauce is a bold, tangy, and spicy condiment that originated in Buffalo, New York, where it was first used to coat chicken wings at the Anchor Bar in 1964. It’s a simple sauce made from a combination of hot sauce (usually cayenne pepper-based) and butter. A plant-based version is made from hot sauce and vegan butter.

We want to thank our amazing recipe testers J.J. Steele & Taylor Gillespie (@food.in.focus) for helping us perfect this recipe!
This recipe for vegan buffalo chicken dip was adapted from the Two Dollar Radio Guide to Vegan Cooking cookbook by Eric Obenauf, Jean-Claude van Randy, and Speed Dog (Two Dollar Radio, September 2020). Photo credit: Two Dollar Radio.
Leave a Comment
Hi! I’m allergic to cashews, could you recommend a replacement?
Thanks!
Steve
Sunflower seeds are a great substitute for cashews! Let us know how you end up liking it!
sooooooo good, omg
This buffalo queso has become a staple in our house! So good!
Love everything about this recipe!
This recipe is amazing!!! I love queso and buffalo sauce so I was super excited just wished it didn’t use cashews since I’m allergic 🙁 I have to find a good cashew substitute
OMG – super good! I love this combination of hot sauce and creamy vegan cheese. I love this so much on potatoes, roasted cauliflower or toasted tortilla chips. YUMMY!
YESSSS, everyone needs this vegan queso in their life!! It’s so fun trying recipes that are actually used in vegan restaurants—when they aren’t super complicated.
This recipe is SO easy and delicious! It’s great for so many things but especially pizza!