Jalapeño Popper Dip

My Jalapeño Popper Dip is a hot and cheesy appetizer loaded with crispy bacon, fresh jalapeños, sharp cheddar, and creamy Colby Jack, then finished with a drizzle of hot honey for the perfect sweet-and-spicy bite. The inspiration comes from classic jalapeño poppers with that creamy, smoky, spicy flavor but without all the work of stuffing peppers. It's perfect for game day, parties, holidays, or anytime you need an easy appetizer that takes less than 30 minutes to make.

What Is Jalapeño Popper Dip?

I love setting up a table full of appetizers for football season, but sometimes stuffing 50 to 100 peppers just isn't feasible. That's why I created this baked dip! It is full of the smokey creamy filling we love and it has has that sizzling bacon dripping with hot honey. My version is baked and that means each bite is smothered in melted cheese.

If you are looking for other game day favorites don't forget to check out my Honey Buffalo Wings and my Lemon Pepper Honey Wings. They are perfect for making sure everyone at the party has a flavor they enjoy. This recipe also shares many of ingredients with my Tater Tot Cups with Chicken and Bacon so you can get a full buffet of food without having to buy tons of ingredients.

No party is complete without dessert! My new Pecan and Chocolate Chip Cookies are perfect for a little extra crunch. Make sure you whip up a batch of Slutty Brownies for your chocolate lovers. They are always a talker around our living room on game day!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Sweet Heat: This recipe has the perfect mix of hot honey and fresh jalapeños.
• Loaded with Bacon: The salty bacon makes for a perfect contrast with the smokey flavors of the dip.
• Extra Cheesy: I love watching the cheese pull apart as you try to fight the amazing trio of cream cheese, Colby Jack, and cheddar.
• Ready Before Kickoff: This recipe takes 30 minutes to make. Make it in a pinch or make it ahead of time before putting it in the oven.

Key Ingredients

Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the page for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.

Cream Cheese

Softened cream cheese is key for getting a smooth texture and even melt in the dip. This can also help prevent it from getting a grainy texture.  

Cooked Bacon

Everything is better with bacon! Make sure you cook it until it is very crispy. You want it to be firm to the touch so that the texture stands out in the cheesy mix.

Fresh Jalapeños

The star of the show. I use fresh peppers because I like extra spice. You can adjust the amount of spice you want by removing the veins and seeds of the pepper. Leave some or all of it in if you want the full heat. You can use pickled jalapeños but I stick to fresh.

Cheese Blend

After testing this recipe almost every weekend of football season I learned Colby jack cheese melts the best. Cheddar is also key for that famous sharp cheddar flavor we love on any appetizer table.

Hot Honey

A drizzle of hot honey goes a long way but is perfect for giving this baked dip the balance of sweetness and heat. You can omit this or use regular honey if you want a more mild dip.

Fresh vs. Pickled Jalapeños

I prefer fresh jalapeños for this dip because they add a bright pepper flavor and a little texture that stands up to the rich, creamy cheese. For a milder dip, remove the white ribs and membranes before dicing the peppers; if you like more heat, leave some intact.

Pickled jalapeños are a great substitute if you prefer a softer pepper with a tangy, slightly acidic flavor. Make sure to drain and pat them dry before adding them to the dip so the extra liquid doesn't thin out the creamy base. You can substitute them for the fresh jalapeños, but expect a tangier, less fresh pepper flavor.

What to Serve With Jalapeño Popper Dip

I love New York Bakery® Gluten Free Texas Toast Five Cheese! It is bursting with Parmesan cheese and the perfect bite when topped with my jalapeño popper dip. It's gluten-free too.

You can also serve this dip with tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels, celery, carrots, or bell pepper strips.

How To Make Jalapeño Popper Dip

Step 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix until they are well combined and have a smooth texture.

Step 2. Next, stir in hot honey, ¾ of both cheeses, diced jalapeños, shallots, chives, garlic powder, bacon, and salt. Mix until the mixture takes on a slightly yellow color and the ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3. Pour the dip into an 11x9 or 10x10 baking dish. Smooth with a spatula. Create an even layer before adding the rest of the cheese on top of the dip.

Step 4. Add extra bacon, chives or green onions that are left over but save some of those toppings for the final touch. Bake it in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and sides of the dip are golden brown.

Step 5. Carefully remove the dish from the oven when the full layer of cheese is on top is melted and you can smell the jalapeño peppers. Then, drizzle extra hot honey on top and sprinkle green onion, and jalapeños slices for decoration. 

Step 6. I served this with New York Bakery 5 Cheese Texas Toast for a perfect bite. You can dip chips, pretzels or fresh veggies. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

• Serve it Warm: To keep it warm, serve it straight from the oven or keep it on the warm setting in a slow cooker.
• Avoid Hard Cheese: If you do not want the cheese to harden while it is being served, add all the cheese to the dip before baking.
• Dairy Free: If you are dairy-free, you can use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free cheese to make this dip completely dairy-free.
• Make it Ahead of Time: If you want to prep this dish ahead of time, you can make it the day before and bake just before serving.

Jalapeño Popper Dip FAQs

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📖 Recipe

Jalapeño Popper Dip

1x2x3x

This jalapeño popper dip is creamy, cheesy, and packed with just the right amount of heat. It's perfect for parties and game day.

5 from 11 votes

Nicole Kendrick

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Video

1x2x3x

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine American, TexMex

Servings 6

Calories 830 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  1 9x13 baking dish
• ▢
  1 Mixing Bowl
• ▢
  Measuring cups
• ▢
  Measuring spoons

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 box New York Bakery 5 Cheese Texas Toast
• ▢ 12 oz cream cheese softened
• ▢ ¾ cup Mayo
• ▢ 10 pieces Bacon cooked and chopped
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup Cheddar cheese shredded
• ▢ 1 ¼ cup Colby Jack cheese shredded
• ▢ 1 jalapeño diced small
• ▢ 4 green onions only the green parts, diced small
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 tablespoon dried shallots fresh Is fine also
• ▢ 2 teaspoon dried chives
• ▢ 3 tablespoon hot honey

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise. Mix until smooth and creamy
• Next, stir in hot honey, ¾ of both cheeses, diced jalapeños, shallots, chives, garlic powder, bacon, and salt. Mix until well combined.
• Pour the dip into an 11x9 or 10x10 baking dish. Smooth with a spatula. Add the rest of the cheese to the top of the dip. Add in any extra bacon, chives or green onions that are left.
• Bake in the oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and sides are golden brown.
• Carefully remove the dish from the oven and drizzle extra hot honey, green onion, and jalapeños on top.
• I served this with New York Bakery 5 Cheese Texas Toast.

Notes

Tips:

• To keep the dip warm, serve it straight from the oven or keep it on the warm setting in a slow cooker.
• If you do not want the cheese to harden while it is being served, add all the cheese to the dip before baking.
• If you are dairy-free, you can use dairy-free cream cheese and dairy-free cheese to make this dip completely dairy-free.
• If you want to prep this dish ahead of time, you can make it the day before and bake just before serving.

Storage:

• You can store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
• To warm the leftovers, heat them uncovered in the oven at 355 degrees until heated throughout or place in the microwave and heat for 30-second intervals while stirring in between until the dip is warm.
• Want to freeze this dip? Simply store it in a freezer-safe container, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the freezer for up to one month. Thaw the dip in the refrigerator overnight and then reheat with the directions above.

Nutrition

Calories: 830kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 21gFat: 67gSaturated Fat: 28gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 119mgSodium: 1218mgPotassium: 233mgFiber: 2gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 2533IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 435mgIron: 9mg

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