Joy Bauer’s Protein-Packed Buffalo Cottage Cheese Dip Is the Easiest Party Appetizer

Nothing says “perfect party snack” like a good, cheesy buffalo dip. Whether you’re gearing up to watch college basketball or just need something to snack on while you binge your favorite show this fall, the spicy dish is a great go-to for any occasion, and Joy Bauer just made it healthier and creamier.

We can always count on the Today show wellness expert and registered dietitian for a creative array of health-conscious and flavor-forward recipes like her loaded bell pepper nachos and pumpkin donut holes. She regularly shares crowd pleasers that are easy to make and packed with nutrients, just like her recent Instagram post for a spicy Buffalo Cottage Cheese Dip.

Bauer's creamy protein-rich dip is made with cottage cheese, Greek-style yogurt, hot sauce, lemon juice and some spice-cabinet staples.

Of course, you can always make a classic, hearty buffalo chicken dip. The chicken adds some more protein and a delicious taste. But for something meat-free, cottage cheese makes a protein-packed stand in. According to Bauer, this smooth and creamy version is “a flavorful and fiery dip you can feel good about devouring,” so we can’t wait to try it ourselves.

Similar to our Easy Black Bean Dip, the ingredients for Bauer’s buffalo dip are all blended together in the same cup for super easy prep. And as an added bonus, this recipe uses ingredients you probably already have at home.

Bauer starts with the protein-rich ingredients which make up most of this dip: 1 cup of cottage cheese and a 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt. Both ingredients offer about 24 grams of protein per cup. The yogurt adds some tanginess, while the cottage cheese provides a creamy and salty flavor. If you’re watching your sodium intake or don’t like cottage cheese, Bauer suggests on her website that you swap for ricotta cheese.

After the cheese and yogurt, Bauer continues by adding three tablespoons of hot sauce. We’re personally and unapologetically fans of Frank’s RedHot, so that’s probably what we’d use. Then, you can add 2¼ teaspoons of lemon juice to the blender cup to help bring the flavors together and also help temper the heat a bit. Lastly, round everything off with some seasonings: Bauer uses a teaspoon of smoked paprika, followed by a 1/4 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, kosher salt and ground pepper.

When Bauer pours the dip into her bowl, you can see just how dreamy and velvety it is, and thanks to the hot sauce, it probably packs a spicy punch. Enjoy this dip the same way Joy Bauer does with slices of red bell pepper, or grab your favorite store-bought chips. Cucumbers, carrots or other sliced vegetables would also be a crunchy and refreshing complement to the flavor-packed dip. If you feel like going the extra mile, you may even want to make some chips of your own using ingredients like beets, sweet potatoes or zucchini. 

Keep Reading: What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Spicy Food