Upgrade your holiday dinner with this incredible dairy free apple walnut stuffing! Crisp on top and perfectly soft underneath, this dreamy side dish is loaded with flavor. Cozy, comforting and easy to make, it’s a MUST for thanksgiving and christmas. Vegetarian with a prep ahead option included.

At our house, no thanksgiving (or holiday) dinner is complete without a big ol’ tray of freshly baked stuffing. 

Between the crisp top and soft layer underneath, it’s a family favorite for sure.

And today’s dairy free apple walnut stuffing?

Hands down the BEST version I’ve ever made. It’s a bold statement, I know.

But hear me out.

Loaded up with fresh apples, crunchy walnuts, fresh herbs and a touch of dried cranberries, it’s classic yet different enough to make it interesting. 

And with the perfect texture and hint of sweetness from the fruit, it’s some serious turkey day carb love.

{PS – Looking for a no frills version? Then try my classic thanksgiving stuffing – also dairy free and delicious!}

How To Make Dairy Free Stuffing 

So, let’s talk about how this dreamy side goes down:

Prepare the filling. First up, we’ll start by cooking some onion, celery and apple in a skillet, before stirring in walnuts, cranberries, fresh herbs and spices.

Toss everything together. Next, we’ll add the filling to a large bowl, along with some bread cubes, broth and eggs, and give it all a good stir.

Bake until crisp. Finally, we’ll spread the mixture in a baking dish and pop in the oven for about 1 hour, until crunchy on top and soft underneath.

The hardest part? Giving it a few minutes to cool before diving on in. 

Tips & Tricks

1. Stale bread is key for achieving the perfect stuffing texture. So make sure that your bread is at least one day old (although a few days is better!). 
2. You can absolutely use dairy free butter in place of the olive oil. 
3. Now, as far as the apples, I like sweet and crisp varieties in this stuffing. BUT any kind will work – just try to use something a bit firmer so it doesn’t get too mushy in the final product. You could also use pears (or even a combo of the two). All delicious options. 
4. And last but certainly not least, raw pecans can be used instead of the raw walnuts. 

Prep Ahead Option

If you want to prep this dish in advance, here’s my go-to method:

• Cube up the bread and store in a baggie or container on the counter. 
• Cook the veggies / apple and stir in the nuts, herbs and spices as directed. Let the mixture cool to room temperature then store in a container in the fridge. 
• When ready to enjoy, assemble the dish and bake off in the oven. 

Makes it much easier on turkey day!

How To Store

Once baked, let the stuffing cool to room temperature. It will keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. 

Bonus tip? If you want to repurpose the leftovers – try serving for breakfast topped with one or two fried eggs. SO GOOD. 

Additional Dairy Free Side Dish Recipes:

• Dairy Free Mashed Potatoes
• Dairy Free Sweet Potato Casserole
• Roasted Green Beans and Carrots
• Maple Roasted Vegetables
• Dairy Free Biscuits
• Dairy Free Corn Casserole
• Dairy Free Broccoli Casserole

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.