So I’m bringing back an old old favorite of mine, just in time for Superbowl Sunday. To be honest, I don’t really care that much about the game, especially since the Broncos aren’t in it (they were so close…) but I’ll probably be rooting for the 49ers since I’ve actually been to San Fran and am definitely considering moving to the area at some point. Anyways, the Superbowl is all about the snacks anyway for us foodies–but what if you want healthier options than the typical chips and dip or buffalo wings? Being vegan also takes many of those traditional snacks out of the equation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t remake them to enjoy a healthy, plant-based option.
I used to love jalapeno poppers as a kid. I’ve been a huge fan of spicy foods for most of my life and the combo of a jalapeno and (fake) cheese was perfect for my picky tastebuds. I haven’t had them in years for obvious reasons but I still have a love for fresh jalapenos and have been wanting to remake them into a vegan version. I’m definitely not the first to think of this as there are plenty of other vegan poppers out there but I really wanted a whole foods-based option so I made my own…and they just so happen to be raw!
‘Nuff said!
Vegan Jalapeno Poppers (vegan, gluten free, grain free, can be raw)
4-5 large jalapeno peppers
1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked for 4-6 hours
raw apple cider vinegar, to taste (adds tangy, cream cheese-like flavor)
sea salt, to taste
1-2 tbsp nutritional yeast
1-2 tbsp almond meal or flour
Rinse off jalapenos and slice in half. You can reserve some of the seeds if you want the poppers to be hotter; if not, just discard the seeds. Remove the ribs from the peppers. In a food processor, blend cashews, ACV, salt and nutritional yeast. Add more nooch and ACV to taste, and add enough water to blend (but make sure it’s thick, like cream cheese). Spoon cashew cheese mixture into each jalapeno half, and top with enough almond flour to cover.
Raw Version: place jalapeno halves right side up in a dehydrator and dehydrate for 1-2 hours or until warm.
Baked Version: heat oven to lowest setting, place jalapeno halves on foil-lined baking sheet and cook until warmed and browned (keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t burn).
What’s your favorite game day snack? Do you like things spicy?
Recipe submitted to Healthy Vegan Friday #29.
almostveggirlie 
thats so creative! enjoy 🙂
Thanks, they were so tasty!
you are so good at making nuts into a creamy dip, I can’t seem to perfect it
It’s kind of a trial and error kind of thing. I try to start with the least amount of liquid as possible and then add from there to thin it out.
Such a great idea girl!:) Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome! Let me know if you try it out 🙂
My favorite game-day snack is usually any type of cheesy or spinach-artichoke dip 🙂 I’m not a spicy person at ALL, but then I look at recipes like your jalapeno poppers and I want to trick myself into thinking I’ll like them haha
Haha I’m such a spicy person it’s crazy! I think you could try this with sweet mini bell peppers, then it wouldn’t be spicy at all but it would be similar.
Now here is my excuse to stock up on nutritional yeast :)! Look like such a delish snack!!
Yes, stock up now! I love nooch anytime, but it’s really great in recipes.
While I personally am not vegan (and don’t think my training could support that) I do love when vegan food is made with cashews because that is my absolute FAVORITE nut…maybe even a favorite food.
Cashews are so good, I can’t believe I used to hate them before going vegan! They’re now a staple in my kitchen all the time.
These sound really delicious! I’m thinking they’d be a great healthy party snack and I may make them for an upcoming raw vegan potluck. Looking forward to making them. Thanks for posting.
Laura
These would be perfect for parties…and that potluck sounds so fun! Enjoy!