Jalapeno Popper Dip Easy Recipe

If you’re looking for the perfect party appetizer, you’re looking right at it. A rich cream cheese and mayo base is tossed with jalapenos, bacon, and lots of cheeses. It’s then topped with a crunchy, buttery cracker crust. It’s basically jalapeno poppers, served in dip form. I’ll give you a moment to let all of that gloriousness sink in. Whether you’re hosting a party or attending one, be sure you have this jalapeno popper dip on hand!

Best Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe

If you consider yourself a cheese addict, this dip will drive your taste buds insane. Here’s why. This dip is a heavenly mix of cream cheese, cheddar, and mozzarella. Mayo, bacon, jalapenos, and green onion also join the party to create even more fun colors, flavors, and textures. To cap it off, a crunchy and buttery cracker crust is sprinkled on top, giving the dip the perfect textural contrast. It’s the richest, creamiest, most delectable appetizer ever!

Ingredients

Cream Cheese – It serves as the base of the dip. Soften it to room temperature so that it’s easy to mix.Mayonnaise – Its fluffiness counterbalances the heaviness of the cream cheese. It also adds some tanginess. Cheddar and Mozzarella – Is it even a dip without cheese? These two are my combo of choice, but feel free to use yours. I just love the saltiness of cheddar and the ooey-gooeyness of the mozzarella. Green Onion – For a lively green pop of color. Its peppery flavor enhances the dip’s flavor, as well.Jalapenos – This is a jalapeno popper dip, after all. I use fresh jalapenos, but canned ones will work, too. Remove the seeds if you don’t like a spicy dip. Bacon – Jalapeno poppers are often wrapped in or topped with bacon. So it only makes sense that the dip version should have bacon in it, too.

Topping

Crushed Buttery Round Crackers – Ritz, in short. These crackers are key to the dip’s wonderfully crunchy topping!Parmesan – The nuttiness of the parmesan pairs well with the buttery crackers. Also, in case you already lost count, we’re already on queso numero quatro. Hurray for cheese for days! Melted Butter – It adds even more richness to the topping and helps it crisp up even more.

How to Make Jalapeno Popper Dip

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cook the bacon. Preheat the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the bacon and stir until it’s brown and crisp. That’ll take about 10 minutes. Important note: be sure to drain the bacon grease! That extra fat will make the dip greasy. Transfer the bacon to a dish lined with paper towels and set aside.
Make the cream cheese mixture. Beat the cream cheese until it’s smooth and spreadable. If the cream cheese is soft enough, you don’t need an electric mixer to do this. A spatula will do. Add the mayo, cheddar, mozzarella, green onion, jalapenos, and bacon and mix to combine. Spread the mixture into the bottom of a baking dish.
Make the topping. Mix the crushed crackers, parmesan, and butter, until well combined. Sprinkle the topping over the cream cheese mixture.
Bake the dip. Pop the dish in the oven and in just 20 to 30 minutes, your rich, creamy, and bubbly dip is done. Enjoy!

Tips for Making Jalapeno Popper Dip

Be sure the cream cheese has completely softened. When I say softened, it has to be soft enough that you’ll be able to smoothen and spread it out easily with a spoon. If you forget to take the cream cheese out of the fridge, speed up the process by giving it a quick spin in the microwave. A few seconds should do the trick.Drain the bacon well. Otherwise, its excess oil will make the dip greasy.To ensure you’ll get that crunchy topping in every bite, bake the dip in a bigger dish, such as a 9×13-inch dish. That way, there’ll be a wider surface to sprinkle the topping on.

Recipe Variations and Additions

One of the great things about this dip is that it’s so easy to customize. So while you can certainly follow my recipe to a tee, you’re also free to follow what your heart tells you to do! If you need ideas on how to elevate this dip or make it your own, I have a few for you:

The measurements below are just a guide. Add more or less of the ingredients to suit your taste.Roasted red peppers will give the dip some heat and a bright pop of color. Together with the green onion, they’ll give your dip a Christmas-y look.You can use or add French fried onions for extra crunch.Mix in some minced garlic to brighten up your dip. Got no time to chop? Opt for garlic powder.Swap half of the mayo for sour cream to give the rich and savory dip a bit of a tangy contrast. For a healthier option, use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.Use whatever cheese you like. Monterey Jack, Italian blend, muenster, white cheddar – seriously, all cheeses work. As long as you like the taste, go for it.

Can I Make Jalapeno Pepper Dip Ahead of Time?

Absolutely. In fact, I prefer preparing the dip in advance because it gives the flavors time to marry. And I love a beautiful combination of flavors. Don’t add the topping yet, though. Prepare the cream cheese mixture and topping separately. Put the cream cheese mixture in the baking dish and cover it with plastic wrap. Place the topping in a separate, air-tight container or Ziploc bag. Refrigerate both the cream cheese mixture and topping for up to 3 days in advance. On the day you plan to serve it, sprinkle the topping over the cream cheese mixture and bake, adding 10 minutes to the total baking time.

How to Store Leftovers

To Store Cover the dish with its lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Serve the dip cold or reheat it in the microwave until warmed through.

Can I Freeze Jalapeno Popper Dip?

Yes, but there’s a caveat. This dip freezes well, as long as you haven’t added the topping yet. That said, you can freeze this dip before baking it, but before you add the topping. The topping will lose its crunch when frozen and thawed, so I don’t recommend freezing leftover dip. To freeze the pre-baked dip, wrap just the cream cheese mixture with plastic wrap and foil. You can freeze the dip for up to a month. When you’re ready to bake it, take the dip out and sprinkle the topping over it. You can bake it right away without thawing it first. Just add 10 to 15 minutes to the total time.

What to Serve with Jalapeno Popper Dip

I usually serve this dip with tortilla chips and crackers. It’s also great with wheat thins, toasted bread, pita chips, and basically, anything flat and crunchy works. You can also use wonton cups or Fritos Scoops. Those guys have major scooping powers! This dip isn’t just for dipping, though. Feel free to use it as a sandwich spread or a filling for crescent rolls.