When it comes to party food, there’s no better dish to share with family and friends than a delicious dip like this Jalapeno Popper Dip. It’s warm, cheesy, and has just the right kick of spice to keep things interesting.
If you like the taste of a jalapeno popper, you are going to love this appetizer. It takes everything that makes a jalapeno popper great—the creaminess, the spice, and with the addition of bacon it turns into a dip that’s perfect for sharing.
Best of all, it is so much easier to make this dip than individually stuffed poppers. All you have to do is combine the ingredients together, add a little crunchy topping and let it bake until it is warm and gooey.
Add a few extra garnishes of diced green onion and bacon on top and it is ready to serve. All that is left to do is to dip a tortilla chip or celery stick in it and enjoy.
The Base of Jalapeno Popper Dip
Just like when making traditional jalapeno poppers, cream cheese is the base that holds it all together. It gives the dip that rich, creamy texture everyone loves.
However, to add even more creaminess, mayonnaise is mixed in with the cream cheese. Some people might think mayonnaise is just for sandwiches, but in this dip, it adds a smooth texture and a bit of tanginess that helps everything come together.
The Heat and Flavor
Of course, it wouldn’t be jalapeno popper dip without at least a little heat. For this, you’ll use both diced jalapeños and green chiles.
Don’t worry if you’re not a fan of super spicy food—these canned jalapeños have a mild heat that’s just enough to brighten your taste buds without overwhelming them. The green chiles bring a subtle flavor that compliments the jalapeños, making sure the dip is flavorful without being too spicy.
To bring out even more flavor, cumin is added. Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor that pairs well with the peppers, giving the dip a little extra depth. It’s a small addition, but it makes a big difference in the taste.
Cheese, Cheese, and More Cheese
However cheese is really the star of this dip. In addition to the cream cheese you will use a mix of shredded Mexican cheese and mozzarella. The Mexican cheese melts beautifully and adds a nice, mild flavor.
Mozzarella, on the other hand, is all about the stretch. When you scoop up the dip, you want those long, cheesy strands that make it hard to resist going back for more.
Bacon Makes Everything Better
Although, if there’s one thing that takes this dip over the top, it’s the bacon. Bacon adds a salty, smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with the cream cheese and peppers.
It also adds a bit of crunch, which is a nice contrast to the creamy dip. You’ll want to cook the bacon until it’s nice and crispy, then crumble it up and mix it in. Just be sure to save a little bit to sprinkle on top for extra crunch, flavor and of course for a beautiful presentation.
The Jalapeno Popper Dip Topping
One of the best parts about jalapeno popper dip is the crunchy topping. It gives you all the flavor and texture of deep fried poppers, but without the extra fat and calories.
To make this topping, you’ll mix Panko breadcrumbs with some grated Parmesan cheese and melted butter. Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and crispier than regular breadcrumbs, so they give the dip a nice, airy crunch.
When you bake the dip, the topping turns golden brown and crispy. It’s the perfect finishing touch and adds that slight crunch to every bite.
How to Serve Jalapeno Popper Dip
There are plenty of options for what to serve with this dip. Tortilla chips are a classic choice, but you can also use crackers or pita chips.
And even those who are watching their carbohydrate intake can enjoy this dip with fresh vegetable slices like celery, carrots, or bell peppers. This creamy dip pairs well with the crunch of both the chips and veggies, making it a versatile dish that everyone can enjoy.
Making Ahead and Storing Leftovers
One of the best things about jalapeno popper dip is that it’s easy to make ahead of time. If you’re planning for a party, you can mix everything together, cover the dish, and pop it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.
Just remember to take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature. This helps it bake evenly and ensures the center is warm and gooey.
If you happen to have leftovers, it is easy to store so you can enjoy it later. Just cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge.
Then when you’re ready to serve, you can reheat it in the oven until it’s warmed through. The topping might not be as crispy the second time around, but the dip will still taste great.
Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe
*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.
INGREDIENTS
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz can diced jalapenos, drained
- 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled & divided
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
- 1 green onion, sliced for garnish
- 1 jalapeno, diced for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8 inch pie dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
In a mixing bowl add room temperature cream cheese and mayo and beat until smooth.
Add jalapenos, green chiles, and Mexican and mozzarella cheese and ½ of the bacon to the bowl and mix well until combined. Spread the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth until even.
In a small bowl add the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Pour melted butter on top and mix well. Sprinkle mixture over the top of the dip.
Sprinkle remaining bacon crumbles on top. Bake for 25 minutes, until panko is beginning to brown and dip is bubbling. Add green onions and fresh jalapenos on top for garnish as desired.
Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers or sliced veggies.
A Versatile Dish for Any Occasion
Whether you’re hosting a big game day party, having friends over for a casual get-together, or just looking for something to snack on while watching a movie, this jalapeno popper dip is sure to be a hit. It’s got everything you want in a party dish—creaminess, cheesiness, a bit of spice, and that irresistible crunch.
Enjoy! Mary
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Baked Jalapeno Popper Dip
Creamy and cheesy jalapeno popper dip – gives you all of the flavor of jalapeno poppers in an easy to eat dip.
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 4 oz can diced jalapenos, drained
- 4 oz can diced green chiles, drained
- 1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
- 1/3 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
- 1 green onion, sliced for garnish
- 1 jalapeno, diced for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 8 inch pie dish with non-stick cooking spray, set aside.
- In a mixing bowl add room temperature cream cheese and mayo and beat until smooth.
- Add jalapeños, green chiles, and mexican and mozzarella cheeses and ½ of the bacon to the bowl and mix well until combined.
- Spread the mixture into the prepared dish and smooth until even.
- In a small bowl add the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Pour melted butter on top and mix well.
- Sprinkle mixture over the top of the dip. Sprinkle remaining bacon crumbles on top.
- Bake for 25 minutes, until panko is beginning to brown and dip is bubbling.
- Add green onions and fresh jalapeños on top for garnish as desired. Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers or sliced veggies.
Notes
Recipe provided by Make Your Meals
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
16Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 276Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 14gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 343mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 2gProtein: 6g
Nutritional Information is to be used as a general guideline only . Nutritional calculations will vary from the types and brands of the products used.