Description
Spicy and creamy jalapeno popper dip delivers classic appetizer flavors in a crowd-pleasing party dish. Melted cheese, crispy bacon, and zesty peppers combine for an irresistible starter that keeps guests coming back for more.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby jack cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese
- 10 slices bacon
- 3 jalapeños finely diced
- 1 poblano pepper finely diced
Binding Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Seasoning Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Scallions for garnish
Instructions
- Crisp bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium heat until perfectly golden and crunchy. Transfer to a paper towel to drain excess grease, then crumble into small pieces.
- Combine cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large mixing bowl. Incorporate most of the crumbled bacon, poblano peppers, and jalapeños, reserving some for garnishing.
- Fold in cheddar, Monterey jack, and feta cheeses. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the creamy mixture to an oven-safe baking dish, spreading it smoothly and evenly. Sprinkle the remaining cheese, bacon bits, and jalapeño slices across the top for a vibrant presentation.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake the dip for 15-20 minutes until the edges turn golden and the center becomes bubbly. For an extra crispy top, broil for an additional 3 minutes to achieve a beautiful caramelized cheese layer.
- Remove from the oven and garnish with freshly chopped scallions. Serve hot with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Notes
- Swap bacon for vegetarian bacon bits or smoked tempeh to create a meat-free version that maintains the smoky flavor profile.
- Reduce heat by removing jalapeño seeds and membranes, making the dip milder for sensitive palates while preserving the pepper’s bright taste.
- Use low-fat cream cheese and Greek yogurt instead of full-fat ingredients to create a lighter, healthier alternative without sacrificing creamy texture.
- Prepare dip ahead of time and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and intensify before baking, resulting in a more complex and delicious appetizer.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 233 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 342 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0.7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg