Jalapeño Popper Dip is a hot and creamy appetizer loaded with fresh jalapeños, crispy bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, and melted cheddar cheese. The jalapeños are sautéed in bacon fat with fresh garlic before everything is mixed together and baked until hot and bubbly.
I like making this dip when we have people over because I can put one hot, cheesy appetizer in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. It has all the flavors of jalapeño poppers without having to stuff and cook individual peppers.
Why I Love This Dip
Ingredients
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Cream Cheese: Use softened cream cheese so the dip mixes smoothly.
- Mayonnaise and Sour Cream: Make the dip creamy and give it a little tang.
- Jalapeños: Fresh jalapeños give the dip its signature flavor and heat.
- Bacon: Adds smoky, salty flavor throughout the dip and on top.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredded cheddar makes the dip extra cheesy.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds more flavor to the jalapeños.
- Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder season the dip.
- Green Onions or Cilantro: Optional for garnish.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How to Make Jalapeño Popper Dip
Cook the Bacon and Jalapeños: Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy, then remove it and set aside. Sauté the jalapeños in the bacon grease for 3–4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another 1–2 minutes.
Make the Dip: Mix the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder until smooth. Fold in the jalapeños, garlic, half of the bacon, and 1 cup cheddar cheese.
Assemble: Spread the mixture into an oven-safe baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup cheddar and reserved bacon.
Bake: Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Garnish with green onions or cilantro if desired and serve warm.
Tips I Found Helpful
- Soften the cream cheese. It will mix much more smoothly with the other ingredients.
- Adjust the heat. Remove the jalapeño seeds and membranes for a milder dip, or leave some in for more heat.
- Shred your own cheese. Freshly shredded cheddar melts more smoothly.
- Don’t overbake. Bake just until the dip is hot, melted, and bubbly.
Questions Readers Ask Most
More Dips I Love
Jalapeno Popper Dip
Jalapeño Popper Dip is a hot and creamy appetizer loaded with fresh jalapeños, crispy bacon, cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and melted cheddar cheese. Everything bakes together until hot and bubbly for an easy party dip with all the flavors of classic jalapeño poppers.
Ingredients
- 6 slices of bacon, chopped
- 4 fresh jalapenos, seeded and diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- Tortilla chips, for serving
- Optional garnish: sliced green onions or chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add the chopped bacon. Cook until crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the pan.
- In the same skillet with the bacon fat, add the diced jalapenos. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften. Add the minced garlic and sauté for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Fold in the sautéed jalapenos and garlic, ½ of the crispy bacon, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the dip mixture to an oven-safe baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese and reserved bacon on top.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with sliced green onions or chopped fresh cilantro if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
Cook the bacon until crisp and reserve the bacon fat for sautéing the jalapeños and garlic. Soften the cream cheese before mixing for a smooth, creamy dip. Let the sautéed jalapeños cool slightly before adding them to the cream cheese mixture. Reserve some of the bacon and cheddar for the top, and bake just until the dip is hot and bubbling around the edges. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1/4 CupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 277Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 12gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 338mgCarbohydrates: 4gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 8g
