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Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe

/ Side Dishes / By

Jalapeno popper dip transforms beloved appetizer into creamy, shareable format combining cream cheese, cheddar, jalapenos, and crispy bacon in one addictive dish. This party favorite delivers the signature spicy-creamy-crunchy combination without labor-intensive stuffing and frying individual peppers. The key to exceptional jalapeno popper dip lies in balancing heat levels, achieving smooth creamy texture, and creating appealing golden-brown top that invites digging in immediately.

How to Make Jalapeno Popper Dip

how to make jalapeno popper dip

Essential Ingredients

For Jalapeno Popper Dip (Serves 8-10):

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 4-6 fresh jalapenos, seeded and diced
  • 8 slices bacon, cooked crispy and crumbled
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • Chopped fresh chives for garnish

For Serving:

  • Tortilla chips
  • Crackers or pita chips
  • Sliced baguette
  • Fresh vegetable sticks

Preparation and Baking Instructions

jalapeno popper dip steps

Mixing process (15 minutes):

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  2. Beat softened cream cheese in large bowl until smooth and fluffy
  3. Add sour cream and mayonnaise, mixing until well combined
  4. Fold in 1 1/2 cups cheddar, Monterey Jack, and 3/4 cup Parmesan
  5. Stir in diced jalapenos, half the bacon, garlic, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper
  6. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients distribute evenly
  7. Taste and adjust heat level or seasoning as desired

Assembly and baking:

  1. Grease 9×13 inch baking dish or 2-quart oven-safe dish
  2. Spread mixture evenly in prepared dish
  3. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and Parmesan over top
  4. Combine panko breadcrumbs with melted butter
  5. Scatter breadcrumb mixture over cheese layer
  6. Top with remaining crumbled bacon
  7. Bake 25-30 minutes until edges bubble and top turns golden brown
  8. For extra-crispy top, broil 1-2 minutes watching carefully
  9. Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving
  10. Garnish with fresh chives and serve hot with dippers

Topping Variations

Breadcrumb crunch: Panko provides superior crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs creating appealing textured top.

Cheese crust: Skip breadcrumbs and use only cheese for simpler preparation with pure cheesy top.

Jalapeno garnish: Slice additional jalapenos into rings placing on top before baking for visual appeal.

Fried onion topping: Add French fried onions creating extra-crunchy alternative to breadcrumbs.

Conclusion

Jalapeno popper dip delivers beloved appetizer flavors in convenient, shareable format perfect for gatherings of any size. The combination of creamy cheese base, spicy jalapenos, crispy bacon, and golden topping creates irresistible dip that disappears quickly at parties. Success depends on proper heat balance, achieving smooth texture through room temperature ingredients, and baking until bubbly with appealing browned top. Master this crowd-pleasing recipe to add reliable party appetizer that consistently earns requests for the recipe.

Jennifer Glover
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