Creamy Jalapeño Bacon Dip
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Bring a little heat to your next party with this Creamy Jalapeño Bacon Dip. It’s a quick and flavorful appetizer made with cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and plenty of crispy bacon. You’ll love how easy it is to make and how fast it disappears.
You know me, I love a dip recipe, and this one is definitely a keeper. While I certainly have my favorites that I’ve shared with you here on the blog, I’m always looking for something new to try. A few weeks ago, my cousin shared this dip on Facebook, and I immediately knew I had to give it a try. Cheese, bacon, and jalapeños all in one bowl? That’s a combination I just couldn’t resist. Once I whipped it up, I was hooked. It’s creamy, a little smoky, and has just the right kick of heat. I have a feeling it will earn a spot alongside your favorite tried-and-true dips.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can have this dip ready in minutes, which makes it perfect for last-minute entertaining!
- The flavors hit all the right notes. You get the creaminess from the sour cream and cream cheese, the smoky crunch from the bacon, and a gentle heat from the pickled jalapeños.
- This dip fits right in at summer picnics, holiday parties, game day gatherings, or even a casual night in with friends.
Looking for more unique dip ideas? You’ve got it. Check out this collection of my best dip recipes that everyone will love!
Ingredients
Before we begin, let’s discuss the ingredients you’ll need for this party dip recipe. I’ll walk you through what I used below.
- Cream cheese – Gives the dip a smooth, rich base that blends beautifully with the other ingredients. Letting it soften before mixing ensures a creamy, lump-free texture.
- Sour cream – Adds a tangy flavor and lightness that balances the richness of the cheese and bacon. It also helps make the dip perfectly scoopable.
- Cheddar cheese – Provides a bold, cheesy flavor that stands out in every bite. A good-quality, sharp cheddar will give you the best flavor and a nice pop of color.
- Bacon – Adds a smoky, savory crunch that complements the creaminess of the dip. Cooking it until crisp ensures the perfect texture in every scoop.
- Pickled jalapeños – Bring a gentle heat and tangy brightness that keeps the dip from feeling heavy. Using pickled jalapeños also adds a little zing that fresh peppers can’t quite match.
- Garlic powder – A pantry staple that gives the dip an extra layer of savory flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
- Cayenne pepper – Adds a subtle heat that lingers in the background. It can be adjusted to make the dip milder or spicier to suit your taste.
- Kosher salt – Enhances all the flavors in the dip and ties everything together. Using kosher salt gives you more control over seasoning.
- Black pepper – Brings a mild, earthy spice that rounds out the flavors without making the dip too hot.
- Crackers, chips, and/or vegetables – Perfect for dipping and adding different textures. The variety of dippers makes this recipe easy to customize for any gathering.
How To Make
And with that, we’re ready to whip up this Creamy Jalapeño Bacon Dip. Let’s get to it. I’ll walk you through the steps below. I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.
- Whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream and whisk until combined. Fold in the cheddar, ¾ cup of the bacon, jalapeños, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the remaining bacon. Serve cold or at room temperature with crackers, chips, or vegetables.
And that’s it! All that’s left to do is serve and enjoy!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh jalapeños instead of pickled?
Yes, you can substitute fresh jalapeños if you prefer a more natural heat and crunch. Just keep in mind that fresh jalapeños are typically spicier, so you may want to start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
How far in advance can I make this dip?
You can prepare this dip up to 24 hours in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and give it a good stir before serving to refresh the texture.
Can I make this dip lighter?
Absolutely. You can use light cream cheese, reduced-fat sour cream, and turkey bacon to cut back on calories. The flavor and texture will still be delicious, though slightly less rich.
More Dip Recipes You’ll Love
If you’ve been looking for a new go-to party dip, I think this Creamy Jalapeño Bacon Dip might just be it. It’s quick to prepare, wonderfully delicious, and works for just about any occasion.
Once you give this dip a try, I’d love to know what you think. Please stop back and leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.
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Creamy Jalapeño Bacon Dip
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese softened
- 16- ounce sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped cooked bacon divided
- ¾ cup pickled diced jalapeño chiles drained
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Crackers chips, and/or vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream and whisk until combined. Fold in the cheddar, ¾ cup of the bacon, jalapeños, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the remaining bacon. Serve cold or at room temperature with crackers, chips, or vegetables.