White Bean Beer Fondue, taken from the cookbook Vegan Bowl Attack!, is a light, creamy appetizer perfect for sharing at dinner parties or game nights. This low-fat, dairy-free fondue carries a subtle beer aroma and is a reliable crowd-pleaser when served with an assortment of dippers.

This recipe is straightforward: blend the ingredients, heat them on the stove until the mixture thickens, then transfer to a serving vessel and offer vegetables, bread, and fruit for dipping. It’s quick to prepare and works well for holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers. Many people—vegans and non-vegans alike—enjoy this fondue for its savory, slightly tangy flavor and smooth texture.

Substitutions & Tips

• Raw cashews – add body and creaminess. If you need a nut-free option, substitute 1/4 cup firm tofu plus 2 teaspoons olive oil.
• White beans – Northern or cannellini beans work best for a mild, creamy base. Chickpeas are more assertive in flavor and less creamy, so they’re not recommended as a primary substitute.
• Ale or lager – for a gluten-free option choose a certified GF lager. A dry white wine can also be used if you prefer.
• Tapioca starch – gives the fondue a pleasant stretchiness. If unavailable, 1 tablespoon of arrowroot or cornstarch can be used instead.
• Nutritional yeast – adds a savory, cheesy note. Find it in many supermarkets, natural foods stores, or the bulk/vitamins section.
• Coconut vinegar – if you can’t find it, replace both vinegars in the recipe with 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar total.
• Dijon mustard – stoneground or yellow mustard can be substituted in a pinch, but expect a slight change in flavor.
• Dippers – classic options include sourdough cubes, apples, broccoli, pretzel bites, sliced vegan sausage, or breaded mushrooms.

If you’re still finishing holiday shopping, check the blogger’s holiday gift guide for cookbook and gift ideas. There’s also a video demonstration available on YouTube for a visual walk-through of the recipe.

Yield: 4 servings

White Bean Beer Fondue

Fondue makes for a fun, shareable appetizer whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a casual night with friends. This creamy, low-fat fondue has a pleasant beer note and pairs well with a variety of dippers. Reprinted from Vegan Bowl Attack, with permission. Copyright 2016.

Prep Time
5 minutes

Cook Time
7 minutes

Total Time
12 minutes

Ingredients

For the fondue

• 1/4 cup (35 g) raw cashews, soaked in warm water for 30 minutes
• 1 can (15 ounces, or 425 g) white beans, with liquid
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) unsweetened, soy-free non-dairy milk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) ale or lager (gluten-free if needed)
• 1/4 cup (15 g) nutritional yeast
• 2 tablespoons (15 g) tapioca starch
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons coconut vinegar
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon salt

For dipping

• 1 1/2 cups (107 g) broccoli florets
• 1 1/2 cups (195 g) carrot sticks
• 1 1/2 cups (75 g) toasted cubed bread (gluten-free if needed)
• 1 cup (150 g) cubed green apple
• 1 cup (60 g) pretzels (gluten-free if needed)

Instructions

1. Drain and rinse the soaked cashews. In a blender, combine the cashews, white beans with their liquid, non-dairy milk, beer, nutritional yeast, tapioca starch, garlic, both vinegars, Dijon mustard, and half of the salt. Puree until very smooth. Transfer the blended mixture to a saucepan set over medium-low heat.
2. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking frequently so the bottom does not scorch. Continue cooking until the fondue thickens and the tapioca starch fully dissolves. The fondue is ready when it coats the back of a spoon or leaves a thick film on a whisk. Taste and adjust seasoning with the remaining salt.
3. Transfer the hot fondue to a small crock pot, fondue pot, or serving bowl. Arrange broccoli, carrot sticks, toast cubes, apple, and pretzels on a platter with skewers for dipping.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1 grams

Amount Per Serving:
Unsaturated Fat: 0g

Did you make this recipe?

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Tools used for the White Bean Beer Fondue:

• Blendtec Blender
• Vegan Bowl Attack! (cookbook)
• Barnivore.com (for beer info)

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