Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip – High Protein (+ NO Mayo!)

High protein and low calorie, this healthy spinach artichoke dip recipe has no mayo or cream cheese required!

Why you’ll love this healthy spinach artichoke dip

Creamy, cheesy taste. It tastes just as rich and comforting as your favorite savory classic artichoke dip, without all the extra saturated fat.

Fewer calories. This homemade version contains under half the calories of typical restaurant or store bought packaged artichoke dips.

Perfect for entertaining. Serve as an appetizer or high fiber side dish for football watch parties, family potlucks, Super Bowl Sunday, summer barbecues, or holiday picnics.

Easy to make. Throw the entire recipe together in under five minutes, then bake in the oven or microwave until hot, bubbly, and delicious.

Also try this lightened up Cannoli Dip

Step by step spinach artichoke dip recipe video

Creamy Artichoke Spread With Toasted Baguette (Football Party Snack)

What makes it healthier than traditional recipes?

Uses high protein Greek yogurt or dairy free yogurt instead of mayonnaise.
No cream cheese, sour cream, or mozzarella.
More vitamin and antioxidant packed spinach than similar recipes.
Even healthier if you use the nutritional yeast option, with more protein too.
Low carb and under 40 calories per serving, with dairy free, gluten free, and sugar free options included.

High protein baked artichoke dip ingredients

Artichoke hearts – The recipe calls for one standard fourteen ounce can of artichoke hearts, drained but not rinsed. You can use frozen or raw artichoke hearts if you prefer.

If substituting frozen artichokes, thaw fully and squeeze out excess water. Raw artichokes should be trimmed and boiled or steamed before use.

Spinach – You will need one cup of frozen spinach or kale, or one cup of cooked fresh spinach (start with two cups raw spinach). After measuring, squeeze out excess moisture to avoid a watery artichoke spread.

For those who want artichoke dip without spinach, feel free to omit the green vegetable.

Cheese – Add in two thirds cup of grated Parmesan cheese or vegan Parmesan. I also love using nutritional yeast as a nondairy cheese free option.

Yogurt – Swap high fat mayo for half a cup of plain Greek yogurt or dairy free Greek yogurt. Readers have written in to let me know that cottage cheese works as well.

Spices – Season with salt and garlic powder. If you like a spicy dip, stir in a pinch of crushed red pepper chili flakes or ground cayenne pepper.

How to make healthy spinach artichoke dip

If you will be baking the recipe, start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, or 177 degrees Celsius.
Measure out all of your ingredients, and drain the artichoke hearts but do not rinse.
Squeeze excess moisture out of the spinach with cloth or paper towels. Then roughly chop both the spinach and the artichokes.
In a medium heat safe bowl or dish, combine the chopped vegetables with the yogurt, salt, garlic powder, and Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast. Stir until well combined.
Enjoy right away as a cold dip, or proceed to the baking step below.
For oven baked spinach artichoke dip, cook on the center rack of the preheated oven for twenty minutes or until hot and lightly browned on top. Or microwave five minutes or until evenly heated, stirring halfway through.
Alternatively, you can prepare the recipe in a Crock-Pot. Add everything to your slow cooker and heat on high for one and a half to two hours (or on low for about three hours), until hot and bubbly.
Serve the dip hot from the oven, topped with chopped jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
If you somehow happen to find yourself with leftovers at the end of the night, store them in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Serving suggestions

The savory healthy appetizer is equally enjoyable served warm or cold.

It is easy to transport and can be left out on the counter for a few hours, making this a great recipe for game day gatherings, dinner parties, or brunch.

Foods that pair well with the dip include pita or tortilla chips, toasted baguette, or a crudité veggie tray with raw bell peppers, celery, carrots, cauliflower, and broccoli.

If you want to be really fancy, serve the healthy dip in a bread bowl alongside whole grain crackers, cherry tomatoes, or dippers of choice. Or use it as a spread for pizza or sandwiches.

Trust me, no one will ever miss the Costco or Trader Joe’s artichoke dip.

Does it taste like packaged artichoke spread?

This healthier artichoke dip appetizer or side dish can hold its own at parties, and many guests would never guess it’s good for you!

The first time I served the recipe a few months ago, I set it down at a large family event and did not mention its health benefits.

The entire bowl was gone by the end of the night, with multiple people commenting while eating that they love artichoke dip.

When I did reveal the secret, everyone was surprised. And I got numerous requests for the recipe. People were especially thrilled with the high protein and low calorie count.

I will not go as far as to say this tastes exactly like store bought artichoke dip or a homemade version loaded with cream cheese and mayo. But it is absolutely just as tasty.

Baked Artichoke Dip (Cheesy & Delicious Party Snack)

1. If baking the healthy spinach artichoke dip, preheat your oven to 350° Fahrenheit (177° Celsius).
2. Drain artichoke hearts but do not rinse. Squeeze excess moisture from the frozen spinach, then roughly chop the artichokes and spinach.
3. Add all ingredients to a heat safe bowl, and stir until well combined.
4. Enjoy as a cold dish now. Or bake on the center rack of the oven for 20 minutes or until hot, bubbly, and lightly browned on top. Alternatively, microwave 5 minutes (stirring halfway through) or until evenly heated.
5. Serve the healthy appetizer hot from the oven, alongside toasted baguette, tortilla chips, or an array of raw vegetables.
6. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight covered container for up to five days.