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20 Healthy Dip Recipes for the Perfect Quick and Easy Appetizer
Article posted in: Diet & Nutrition
You’re probably thinking, “Great, just what I need when I’m trying to lose weight, an irresistible calorie-and-fat-laden dip for calorie-and-fat-laden (and can’t stop at one) chips.” But you don’t have to despair over holiday appetizers when you have these guilt-free and healthy dip recipes!
We’re serving up 20 healthy dip recipes that are perfect for snacking and celebrating this holiday season. These healthy appetizer dips will calm all your fears. They’re all tasty but they’re totally diet-friendly. (A couple are even meant for dessert dipping!) Plus, they can help you eat more veggies.
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1. Everything Bagel Dip >
The secret to making low-cal delish is to spice it up. This dip has it all! Mix a tablespoon of “everything bagel” seasoning into a mixture of nonfat plain Greek yogurt (loads of filling protein), low-fat cream cheese and some spicy Dijon mustard to create this simple snack. Then bring on the sliced veggies and whole grain crackers! Two tablespoons equals one serving and clocks in at only 32 calories.
2. 4-Ingredient Avocado Chickpea Dip >
This simple dip is not only Nutrisystem-approved, but it was also developed by a Nutrisystem member! All you need is a food processor, one can of chickpeas, one avocado, a tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro, salt and pepper. Use it as a dip or spread it on whole wheat bread for diet-friendly avocado toast.
3. Mexican Street Corn Dip Recipe >
Do yourself a favor: Don’t save this one for Cinco de Mayo. Corn is available year-round so make it for any special event! It is the perfect family snack for watching football. You char two cups of corn in a skillet (or on a grill, also year-round now) and combine with jalapeno, cilantro, chopped red onion, diced avocado and crumbled cotija or feta cheese. Serve with a dressing made from lime juice, minced garlic, lime juice and black pepper. Scoop it with veggies or whole grain chips or use it to top tacos.
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Read More4. Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip >
This recipe makes dip for a crowd! With a few smart swaps, it becomes one of our favorite healthy dip recipes. Plus, it’s easy to make! Start with a cup of nonfat Greek yogurt, add some blue cheese crumbles, thinly sliced scallions, fresh chopped parsley and buffalo hot sauce. Serve with celery and carrot sticks. The recipe makes 10 servings at 24 calories each.
5. Skinny Chili Cheese Dip >
Made with lean ground turkey, a can of refried beans and fire-roasted diced green chilis right in your slow cooker, this dip is easy and filling. Spiced with chili powder, cumin, paprika and topped with low-fat cheddar, it’s as good as any Mexican dip you ever had but you won’t pay the same price when you weigh yourself. The recipe makes eight 221-calorie servings. Serve with Nutrisystem-approved chips, like our recipe for Air Fryer Tortilla Chips. Find that recipe here! >
6. Powerhouse Pumpkin Hummus >
Pumpkin is more than just pie and Halloween decor. It’s actually an edible squash and like other squashes, is high in vitamin A. In your supermarket, they’re sold as cooking pumpkins and they make the base of this interesting hummus that combines pumpkin cubes, garlic, salt and cumin which is roasted in the oven until golden. Blend with a little lemon juice and water until the mix is hummus consistency.
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Read More7. Black Bean Brownie Dessert Dip >
We had to include this sweet treat in this list of healthy dip recipes! Hold the veggies and bring out the strawberries or graham crackers! Even though a there’s a can of black beans in this dip recipe, which serves 18, it’s made sweet by the addition of medjool dates, Dutch processed cocoa powder, cashew butter and a smidge of maple syrup. At 81 calories per serving, it makes a light dessert dip that’s filled with fiber.
8. Roasted Garlic Hummus >
Garlic lovers, rejoice! This traditional chickpea-based hummus is flavored with aromatic garlic roasted in the oven with the usual olive oil, tahini, lemon juice and cumin. This recipe makes eight two-tablespoon servings for only 150 calories each. Serve with baby carrots, whole wheat crackers or sliced whole wheat pita.
9. Red Pepper Walnut Dip >
Get out your food processor and throw in walnuts, a cup of jarred roasted bell peppers, garlic, pomegranate molasses, whole wheat breadcrumbs, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, cumin and salt. Before you know it, you have a savory dip that you can use to serve a crowd! It also makes a healthy Flex snack for you and your family. It’s only 53 calories per serving.
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Read More10. Spicy Greek Yogurt Dip >
This is another recipe submitted by a Nutrisystem member and it’s a keeper! Mix nonfat Greek yogurt (loads of filling protein) with salsa. Add turmeric, cumin, coriander, garlic powder and cayenne and you have a Flex snack or party dip with a real kick. The recipe makes two servings, each clocking in at 153 calories.
11. Vegan Queso Dip >
Despite its name, this dip isn’t just for vegans. It’s animal-product-free but tastes and feels cheesy thanks to nutritional yeast, cashews, roasted cauliflower, jalapeno, onion and garlic. The dip is seasoned with cumin, onion powder and pureed with unsweetened soy milk and mixed with salsa. The recipe makes 10 servings, so it’s good for a crowd. However, you can also save it in the fridge for your daily snacks.
12. Easy Cheesy Pimento Dip >
Pimento cheese is a traditional Southern dish that’s made its way to all corners of the US because it is SO delicious. It’s great as a sandwich spread too. Plus, you gotta love a recipe that says, “mix all the ingredients in one bowl,” right? Those ingredients include jarred pimento, reduced fat shredded cheddar, chives, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder and cayenne pepper. Serve on whole wheat crackers or bread.
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Read More13. Skinny Cannoli Dessert Dip >
Healthy dip recipes don’t have to be savory! We’ve got another tasty idea to satisfy your sweet cravings. Snack, dip, go-to dessert—whatever you choose to call it, this is a heavenly treat. Plus, it’s so easy! Just mix creamy fat-free ricotta cheese with nonfat, plain Greek yogurt, vanilla extract and a packet of stevia and you have a 101-calorie sweet treat! Serve with sliced fruit, graham crackers or stuff it into strawberries!
14. 7-Layer Southwest Dip >
A few healthy, low-cal swaps and you can put seven-layer dip back on the menu. Start layering with mashed black beans, nonfat plain Greek yogurt, cumin and chili powder, then layer on mashed avocado, more nonfat yogurt, salsa, shredded low-fat Mexican cheese, diced tomatoes, green onions and chives. Serve with assorted sliced veggies or whole grain tortilla chips! The recipe makes one serving (yes, you can eat it all!) that contains 216 calories.
15. Low-Calorie Edamame Hummus >
If you love edamame, you’ll love this spreadable and dip-able hummus that’s a lovely emerald green. You simply blend a cup of deshelled edamame, tahini, lemon juice, water, cloves, olive oil, cumin, pepper and onion powder. One serving (one tablespoon) is only 64 calories.
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Read More16. 5-Star Low-Calorie Cucumber Dill Dip >
Scoop up this yummy veggie dip with a slice of red pepper or a chunk of celery. You can also use it as a spread for sandwiches, just like tzatziki sauce! It’s easy to make, too. Combine one cup of plain fat-free Greek yogurt with chopped cucumber, dill, garlic and lemon juice. This recipe makes two servings at 74 calories each.
17. Easy Spicy White Bean Hummus >
One serving of this hummus is only 67 calories. It’s one of our favorite health dip recipes because it’s beautiful and oh so simple to make! Simple combine a can of white beans with some tahini, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil and spices. We use a zesty combination of turmeric (which gives this dip its yellow color), cumin, paprika and cayenne pepper. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and start dipping!
18. Skinny Low-Calorie Spinach Dip >
It’s not a party without spinach dip! This holiday classic replaces most of the fat with herbaceous goodness. Combine nonfat Greek yogurt with steamed baby spinach, pine nuts, garlic, scallions, fresh dill, red bell pepper and lemon juice. Scoop it up with carrots, celery sticks, cucumber slices or sliced whole grain bagels.
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Read More19. Rosemary Tomato Feta Spread >
Rosemary, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh rosemary—what a flavorful combination! They’re mixed with creamy, thick low-fat cream cheese, feta, garlic and fresh lemon juice to create a delicious spread for whole grain crackers, bread, pretzels and even veggie slices. This recipe makes eight one-tablespoon servings. One serving clocks in at 89 calories.
20. Artichoke Basil Hummus >
After the first taste, you’ll agree that adding artichoke to basic hummus is a stroke of genius. It adds fiber to an already high-fiber food, making it ultra-satisfying. This dip is also easy to make. Blend together chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, tahini, cumin and olive oil in your food processor. Add water if it’s too thick, then stir in chopped artichokes and basil. Try this on thick slices of red pepper, celery, cucumber, whole wheat crackers or pita. A two-tablespoon serving is only 87 calories.
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