Jalapeño Popper Dip

Jalapeño poppers will always be a staple party app in my book, but let’s be honest—it’s the cheesy, creamy filling (plus the bacon, of course) that everyone’s really after. I decided to cut to the chase in this recipe by incorporating all of the best parts of the classic appetizer into a super cheesy, smoky party dip that’s so much easier to serve to a crowd. The creamy, cheesy dip and crispy bacon balances out the kick from the jalapeño—even the heat-averse will keep coming back for more. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s the perfect last-minute addition to complete your Super Bowl party. Here’s everything you need to know:

What People Are Saying:
“Even my kiddos ate this up!! So yummy! We just made it to have something different. So glad I found this recipe. Simple and oh so good.” - GoldTurtle

“I made this for a tailgating party and everyone loved it. This will definitely be added into the hot dip rotation!”- RedBox

How To Make Jalapeño Popper Dip

INGREDIENTS

• Bacon: Crispy bacon not only is added to our dip filling, but is sprinkled on top for a smoky, crispy bite. If you’re vegetarian, you can leave it out, but it will take out a layer of flavor from the dip.
• Cream Cheese: Like many of our hot dips, cream cheese creates the base in this recipe. It’s thick and tangy, and makes for a perfect rich base.
• Mayo & Sour Cream: These two not only add even more tang to our dip, but they also help balance out the cream cheese. If you’re not a mayo fan, don’t worry—it blends well in the dip, and you won’t taste it distinctly.
• Garlic Powder: A little bit of garlic powder adds another savory note to our dip, and blends better than adding raw minced garlic.
• Jalapeños: If you can’t take the heat, feel free to remove the seeds. Alternatively, you can try pickled jalapeños or pickled peppers instead.
• Cheese: Cheddar and Monterey Jack are my go-to cheeses for this dip. They melt well, and balance well together. Feel free to switch it up if you have another melty cheese you’d prefer to use.

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

You can make this dip in the Instant Pot or in the oven; I’m going to detail how to bake it in the oven here. If you want to make it in the Instant Pot, follow the steps down below! First, we’ll prep our bacon. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon in batches until crispy. Then, remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Once cool enough to touch, chop into pieces.

Before making our dip, make sure that your cream cheese is softened! Then, grab a large bowl, and mix together the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream, garlic powder, and most of the bacon and jalapeños (but not all), along with the majority of both of the cheeses. We’re reserving part of the bacon, jalapeños, and cheese for the top as well. Once mixed together, season with salt and pepper.

Once combined and seasoned, transfer to a small oven-proof skillet or baking dish. Make sure the dish is evenly filled, then add the rest of the cheese and the reserved bacon and jalapeños.

Add to your preheated 350º oven, and bake until the dip is golden and bubbly throughout. This should take around 15 to 20 minutes. If you’re looking for an extra golden top, then you can broil for an extra 3 minutes.

Once baked to your liking, serve alongside tortilla chips, veggies, and anything else you please.

The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Jalapeño Popper Dip Variations

• Add a crispy topping. For an easy upgrade, sprinkle with a crispy panko topping: Simply stir together 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and a pinch of salt and sprinkle on top of the dip before baking.
• Switch up the bacon. Swap out the bacon with your favorite fatty pork like chorizo, diced crispy pork belly, or crispy pancetta if you prefer. You can leave it out completely for a vegetarian app, but it will lose some of its signature smoky flavor.
  

Serving Ideas

I love to serve this dip with tortilla chips or toasted baguette slices, but you could also pair it with cut veggies, your favorite crackers, or even homemade pretzels.

Make Ahead

If you’d like to get a head start on this dish the day before, prepare this dish as directed, then wrap tightly and store in the fridge. When ready to serve, simply bake! Keep in mind that you may have to add a few minutes to your cook time if refrigerated.

Storage

If you have any dip leftovers, wrap tightly and store in the fridge for 3-4 days.