Healthy Peanut Butter Caramel Dip

This healthy peanut butter caramel dip is perfect for apples, bananas, and more! (Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free)

It’s caramel apple season!

I love a traditional caramel apple in all its gooey splendor. They’re delicious, but also a lot more work than I’m up for most days. Enter: caramel sauce for apple slices!

Since not everyone at our house tolerates dairy well, traditional caramel sauce isn’t always on the table. When we need a great vegan peanut butter dip or caramel sauce, this dairy-free peanut butter caramel dip is our go-to recipe.

Here’s what you need to make our homemade caramel peanut butter dip…

simple Ingredients To Get Started

• Creamy Peanut Butter. This peanut butter caramel dip starts with natural creamy peanut butter. In the ingredients list, look for just peanuts or just peanuts and salt. We love PB&Co Old Fashioned Smooth.
• Pure Maple Syrup (Or Agave). Smooth and sweet, pure maple syrup helps us get that caramel-like taste. If you prefer, you can use agave instead.
• Melted Coconut Oil. Coconut oil helps smooth out the sauce and give it that lovely silky, pourable texture. I usually cook with virgin coconut oil, but refined coconut oil will give you a more neutral flavor here, since it tastes less like coconut.
• Vanilla Extract. I love a splash of vanilla with peanut butter!
• A Pinch Of Salt. Last, but not least, a little dash of salt helps balance the flavor.

How To MAke Peanut Butter Caramel Dip, Step By Step:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, gently melt coconut oil and pure maple syrup in 20-30 second increments, until the coconut oil is almost all the way melted. (The syrup may begin to bubble)
2. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add peanut butter, vanilla, and salt and whisk until totally combined. 
4. Serve with fresh fruit, pretzels, and more. 
5. Store in the fridge for up to 1 week. 

What To Serve With This Healthy Caramel Dip:

• Apples! Our go-to dipper for this vegan caramel dip is crunchy apple slices! I love a mix of red (Honeycrisp) and green (Granny Smith), and yellow Opal apples can be great too, when you can find them! Keep an eye out for colorful varieties like Lucy Glo, which are pink/red inside!
• Bananas. Next up is sliced bananas. I like to use bananas that are still slightly firm (not spotty yet). They hold their shape better in dip!
• Berries. Juicy red strawberries are a total delight with this caramel peanut butter dip!
• Graham Crackers. Or, add a satisfying crunch with some gluten-free graham crackers or
• Animal Crackers. Gluten-free animal crackers are another fun option. My kids love them!
• Ice Cream. Outside of using this yummy sauce as a dip, you can drizzle this healthy peanut butter caramel sauce on scoops of your favorite ice cream. It’s delicious!
• Brownies. Or, go big and top a yummy gluten-free brownie with a drizzle of peanut butter caramel sauce for a show-stopping finish!

FAQ + Tips And Tricks For The Best Peanut Butter Caramel Dip:

HOW TO STORE THIS CARAMEL DIP: Keep the peanut butter dip covered in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

CAN YOU MAKE DAIRY FREE CARAMEL DIP? Yes! It won’t be exactly the same as traditional caramel, but it’s still delicious! Try this cider caramel dip or our peanut butter caramel dip for a peanut butter-caramel style dip option!

WOULD ANOTHER NUT/SEED BUTTER WORK? Our favorite way to make this is with peanut butter, but if you have a peanut allergy, or are simply looking for a way to change things up, we’ve had great luck with cashew butter and almond butter. If you eat sunflower seed butter, that would be another option to try.

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