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Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

Name: Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 medium red kuri squash (acorn or butternut squash also work well); 6 oz soft dairy-free cheese (ricotta, goat cheese, feta, or boursin); 2 tbsp maple syrup ( or hot honey); ½ tsp red pepper flakes (if using maple syrup); ½ tsp sea salt; ½ tsp garlic powder; 2 tbsp roasted pepitas

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Cozy, creamy, and completely dairy-free! This Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip is the perfect fall party appetizer. Roasted squash and vegan cheese come together to make a rich, velvety, and naturally sweet dip. Serve it with crackers or fresh veggies and watch it disappear!

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Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy fall appetizer, this Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip is it. It’s sweet, savory, spicy, creamy, and basically irresistible, pretty much everything you want in a dip when the temperature drops. You can use any squash you have on hand, but I used red kuri squash, which is my current obsession. It’s rich, nutty, and buttery smooth once roasted.

The best part about this squash is that you don’t need to peel it! Literally just slice, roast and scoop. You’ll want about 2 cups of roasted squash when it’s done. From there, it’s as easy as tossing everything into the blender. Adding dairy free cheese to squash might just be the best thing you’ll ever do! The combo of tangy, creamy cheese with that naturally sweet squash? Unreal. The final touch is a drizzle of hot “honey” for a little kick. If you want to keep it fully plant-based, just mix maple syrup with a pinch of red pepper flakes; it gives the same sticky-sweet heat that ties everything together. Serve it with fresh veggies, toasted gluten-free crackers, or warm pita. It’s one of those dips that disappears fast — perfect for game day, Friendsgiving, or any cozy night in.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

Red Kuri Squash: Naturally creamy and slightly nutty, red kuri squash adds warmth, texture, and a rich orange color to this dip. It’s also super easy to roast, but if you can’t find them, you can also use butternut or acorn squash.
Dairy-Free Cheese: For the cheezy part of this cheese dip, I went with dairy-free “cheeses”. Goat, boursin, feta, or ricotta all work beautifully, and you’ll want about 6 ounces total. They melt right into the roasted squash for that perfect “cheesy” finish.
Maple Syrup or Hot Honey: This subtle sweetness balances the richness of the squash. Go for maple syrup for a vegan option, or hot honey for a spicy-sweet kick.
Red Pepper Flakes: If you use maple syrup, a pinch of chili heat adds a lovely contrast. Optional, but highly encouraged!
Sea Salt & Garlic Powder: Simple seasoning that enhances every flavor and keeps the dip savory, not too sweet.
Roasted Pepitas: A crunchy garnish that adds texture and a nutty finish, perfect with creamy dips.

What is Cheese Dip?

It’s exactly as it sounds! Classic cheese dip is a creamy appetizer typically made with melted cheese, milk, and spices. This vegan cheese dip recipe skips the dairy entirely, blending roasted squash with dairy-free cheese to create a luscious, flavorful alternative. You won’t even miss the dairy; this version totally captures everything you love about cheese dip, like the smooth texture, the rich flavor, and the irresistible dip factor.

How to Make This Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

Making this squash dip is easier than you think. Simply start by preheating your oven to 450.

Roast the Squash

Slice your red kuri squash (or butternut) in half, scoop out the seeds, and place it cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for about 30 minutes, until fork-tender and lightly caramelized. Let it cool slightly before handling, and then scoop out the flesh.

Blend the Ingredients

In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted squash, dairy-free cheese, maple syrup or hot honey, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and sea salt. Blend until creamy, smooth, and irresistible. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Serve It Up

Spoon into a serving dish and top with a drizzle of hot honey or maple syrup, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and crunchy pepitas. Serve it with fresh-cut veggies, pita chips, or seeded crackers. If you want it extra warm and gooey, pop it back into the oven for a few minutes before serving.

How to Serve This Cheese Dip

This dip pretty much pairs with anything you dip into it! Think toasted baguette slices, pita chips, fresh veggies like cucumber, bell pepper, and carrots, or crunchy crackers, pretzels, and seeded flatbread. It’s the perfect fall party dip, a little fancy, totally cozy, and guaranteed to disappear fast!

How to Customize Your Dip

Make this vegan cheese dip your own! Here are a few ideas to switch things up:

Add spice: Mix in smoked paprika or chipotle powder for a smoky edge.
Make it herby: Blend in a handful of fresh sage, thyme, or rosemary.
Switch the squash: Try roasted pumpkin or acorn squash for a twist.

Why You’ll Love This Dairy Free Cheese Dip

Make this cheese dip, and you will absolutely know all the reasons to love it. With the perfect balance of savory, sweet and spicy, this dip also has the added layer of roasted goodness and texture. It’s totally dairy free and gluten free, making it approachable for everyone at the table, and it is elegant enough to serve for the holidays. With only five-ingredients, it’s a recipe that delivers big flavor with minimal effort.

Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip FAQ

Can I use a different squash? Yes! Butternut or acorn squash work beautifully in this recipe.

Can I make this ahead of time? Definitely. Store in an airtight container and chill until ready to serve.

Is this dip gluten-free? Yes, the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, just pair with gluten-free crackers or veggies for dipping.

Can I make this oil-free? Absolutely. Simply skip the oil during roasting; the squash will still caramelize beautifully.

The Best Dairy Free Dip Recipes

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to leave a rating and review below, and let me know what you served it with! Try these delicious dips next:

Roasted Red Pepper White Bean Dip

High Protein Dairy Free Ranch Dip

Vegan Spinach Artichoke Dip

Jackie Akerberg

Author of the Clean Vegan Cookbook, Food Blogger and Recipe Developer from Des Moines, Iowa.

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creamy squash dip topped with pepitas, served with crackers and mini sweet peppers

Jackie Akerberg

Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

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Cozy, creamy, and completely dairy-free! This Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip is the perfect fall party appetizer. Roasted squash and vegan cheese come together to make a rich, velvety, and naturally sweet dip. Serve it warm with crackers or fresh veggies and watch it disappear!

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Appetizer, Dip

Calories: 109

Equipment

Oven
Blender

Ingredients

1 medium red kuri squash, acorn or butternut squash also work well
6 oz soft dairy-free cheese, ricotta, goat cheese, feta, or boursin
2 tbsp maple syrup, or hot honey
½ tsp red pepper flakes, if using maple syrup
½ tsp sea salt
½ tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp roasted pepitas

Method

Preheat oven to 450.
Slice the squash in half and remove seeds. Season with salt and pepper, and brush with a little oil if desired (optional, if oil-free).
Place cut side down and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until very tender. Remove and let cool.
Once the squash is cool enough to handle. Scoop out 2 cups of the flesh and place in a blender.
Add in the cheese, honey or maple syrup, red pepper flakes, salt, and garlic. Puree until smooth and creamy. Season to taste.
Serve chilled, topped with an extra drizzle of hot honey or maple syrup with pepper flakes, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and roasted pepitas. Fresh veggies and crackers are great for dipping!

Nutrition

Serving 1servingCalories 109kcalCarbohydrates 19gProtein 4gFat 3gSaturated Fat 1gPolyunsaturated Fat 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 7mgSodium 185mgPotassium 647mgFiber 3gSugar 7gVitamin A 2443IUVitamin C 21mgCalcium 112mgIron 1mg

*Macros are provided as an estimate for convenience. Your final numbers will vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and how you portion the recipe.

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Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

Ingredients for Hot Honey Cheese Squash Dip

What is Cheese Dip?