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Jalapeño Popper Dip – The Ultimate Party Favorite

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Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with spicy jalapeños, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, making it the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Ready in just minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone returning for more!

Jalapeño Popper Dip

This Jalapeño Popper Dip is a creamy, cheesy blend of spicy jalapeños, crispy bacon, and rich cream cheese, all topped with bacon. It’s everything you love about jalapeño poppers in an easy-to-make, scoopable dip that’s sure to be a hit at any party. Serve it with chips, crackers, or even veggies for a dish that will disappear in no time!

Jalepeno-popper-dip-in-a-pan

Ingredients for Jalapeno Popper Dip

  • 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
hot-Popper-dip-on-a-chip

Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

  • 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!
Fry-bacon-and-remove-from-pan
Cook-jalepenos-in-the-bacon-grease
add-spices-to-cream-cheese-mix.
Add-bacon-and-jalapenos-to-bowl
spread-dip-in-cast-iron-pan
Dip-mixed-in-large-bowl
add-cheddar-and-bacon-to-the-top
Remove-from-oven-and-serve

Tips & Tricks

  • Adjusting Heat: If you want more heat, leave some of the seeds in the jalapeños. For a milder version, you can use pickled jalapeños instead of fresh ones, or even substitute a portion with bell peppers.
  • Make it Extra Creamy: Ensure your cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to avoid lumps. You can also beat it with a hand mixer for a smoother texture.
  • Add a Smoky Flavor: For a deeper, smoky taste, try using smoked bacon or adding a few dashes of smoked paprika.
  • Cheese Variety: While cheddar is classic, feel free to mix in other cheeses like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack for extra flavor and melty goodness.
  • Make it Ahead: You can prepare the dip in advance and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge.
  • Serving Suggestions: While tortilla chips are perfect, you can also serve this dip with celery sticks, sliced bell peppers, or pita chips for a low-carb option.
  • Double the Batch for a Crowd: This dip is always a crowd-pleaser, so if you’re hosting a large group, consider doubling the recipe and baking it in a larger dish.
jalapeno-popper-dip-on-a-tortilla-chip

FAQs about Jalapeno Popper Dip

Yes! You can prepare the dip up to a day in advance. Assemble it, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the bake time if it’s coming straight from the fridge.

Absolutely! Canned or pickled jalapeños can be a great substitute if you prefer a tangy flavor or a more consistent level of heat. Just be sure to drain them well before adding them to the dip.

To kick up the heat, you can leave some of the seeds and membranes in the fresh jalapeños, add a dash of cayenne pepper, or even mix in some diced serrano peppers for extra spice.

Yes! If you’d prefer a vegetarian version, simply omit the bacon. You can substitute it with sautéed mushrooms or sun-dried tomatoes for added flavor and texture.

While cheddar is the go-to, you can switch it up by using Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a blend of cheeses like Colby or mozzarella for extra creaminess.

It’s not recommended to freeze this dip as cream cheese and mayonnaise can change texture when frozen. However, you can refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.

For a crunchy topping, you can sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top before baking. Mix the crumbs with a little melted butter for extra crispiness.

This dip is best served warm because the cheese melts and becomes gooey. However, it can be served at room temperature if needed. Just keep in mind that the texture will be different.

In addition to tortilla chips, try serving the dip with pita chips, crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies like celery, carrots, or bell pepper slices for a variety of textures.

More Party Dips

jalapeno-dip
Jalapeño Popper Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Yield: 10
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Jalapeño Popper Dip is creamy, cheesy, and loaded with spicy jalapeños, crispy bacon, and melty cheese, making it the perfect appetizer for any gathering. Ready in just minutes, it’s a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone returning for more!

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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Mix until smooth and well combined.
  4. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  5. Fold in the sautéed jalapenos and garlic, ½ of the crispy bacon, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
  6. 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.
  7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
  8. 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!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 364Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 461mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 3gProtein: 10g

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© Adventures of a Nurse
Cuisine: American / Category: Appetizers

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Welcome to the place where my two passions—healthcare and culinary arts—merge. I’m Carla Bushey, and I’ve transitioned from a dedicated nursing career of over 25 years into the dynamic world of food blogging. This space is dedicated to bringing you a treasure trove of recipes, each a testament to the tastes and traditions that resonate with my soul. My home, the beautiful Upstate New York, serves as the backdrop to my culinary creations, often inspired by the rich cultural heritage and the classic Italian cuisine of my hometown, Utica. Dishes like the beloved Chicken Riggies and the comforting Utica Greens are more than just recipes—they are stories, shared from my kitchen to yours.

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