Jalapeño Cheese Dip
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Holy jalapeño, have we got a dip for you! This crowd-pleasing jalapeño cheese dip is super cheesy and creamy with just the right touch of spice. It’s almost like a jalapeño popper in dip form. Enjoy it at gatherings, BBQs, or potlucks. Everyone will love the way the strings of cheese stretch out when they pull away their dipped bread, veggies, crackers, or chips – it’s the magical moment when flavor meets fun!
This hot jalapeño cheese dip is the kind of recipe that instantly makes you everyone’s favorite guest. It’s creamy, cheesy, and indulgent without feeling overly heavy — exactly what you want in a party dip.
I like to sprinkle crispy bacon over the top, which gives it all the vibes of a jalapeño popper dip in the best way. Serve it as an appetizer with chips or veggies, or keep it warm and let people dip away — it never lasts long.
Why you’ll love this jalapeño cheese dip
- It’s super creamy and light.
- Just like your fav jalapeño poppers in dip form.
- 100% no-fuss appetizer recipe.
- Totally do-ahead-able. Pour the cheese dip into an easy to grab, ovenproof container and bake it whenever you’re ready. It also transports really easily so you can bring it to your friend’s get together and pop it into the oven when you arrive.
Ingredients notes
If there is one thing you can expect from a jalapeno cheese dip, it’s CHEESE! We use three types, plus a few spices and such to bring this dip to life. This is what you need:
- Cheeses: Cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, and a sharp cheddar cheese.
- Other ingredients: Sour cream, green onions, chopped pimientos from a jar, jalapeños, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper, and jalapeños.
This jalapeño cheese dip recipe is as easy as 1-2-3.
We love it when something this delicious is this simple to make! You’ll look like a kitchen maestro with this cheesy, bubbly dip – no one needs to know that all you did was combine everything and then pop it in the oven to bake! These are the instructions:
- Gather: While the oven is heating up, pop all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
- Mix: Use an electric beater to cream everything together. If you don’t have an electric beater, use a wooden spoon; it’ll work out your arms!
- Bake: Spoon the dip into your baking dish and sprinkle some extra cheese on top before you pop it into the oven. Bake until it’s hot and bubbly! Serve with a few sliced jalapeños on top, and enjoy!
What to dip in jalapeño cheese dip
The vessel that transports this delicious jalapeño cream cheese dip from the dish to your mouth can change up the flavor and texture! Opting for something with a little crunch creates a pleasant contrast. Here are our top picks:
- Crackers: Rice crackers are great for a delicious crunch.
- Veggies: We all know that veggies covered in melted cheese are magical – this dip is kind of like a cheese sauce, but in dip form. Celery, cherry tomato, broccoli, cucumber, peppers, or carrot sticks work great.
- Chips: Tortilla chips provide a salty and crunchy contrast! Pita chips work well, too.
- Breads: Baguette slices, breadsticks, or pretzels are another good option, providing a doughy bite.
- Bread bowl: Instead of using a baking dish, serve this in a bread bowl for an edible vessel. Grab a boule, which means a round loaf of bread. Next, slice the top inch or so off, then hollow out the bread, keeping the bits you remove so you can serve them in bite-sized pieces for dipping. Spoon the cheesy mixture into the bread bowl, and bake for around 20 minutes.
- Get fruity: For a sweet contrast, use apple slices!
- Sausage bites: For a meaty bite, pop some chorizo or cooked sausage on a toothpick for a hearty and flavorful dip that adds protein!
Jalapeño Cheese Dip Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese (at room temperature )
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- ⅓ cup chopped green onions
- 4 ounces ¼ cup chopped pimientos (from a jar)
- 4 jalapeños (seeds removed and minced)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon EACH: paprika, salt, and pepper
- sliced jalapeños (serve)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, 1 ½ cups of mozzarella, 1 ½ cups of cheddar, pimientos, jalapeños, green onions, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl.2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, 2 cups sour cream, ⅓ cup chopped green onions, 4 ounces ¼ cup chopped pimientos, 4 jalapeños, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon EACH: paprika, salt, and pepper
- Use electric beaters to cream together the ingredients. You can use a wooden spoon, but it is a lot more work.
- Transfer the dip to a 9-inch baking dish or ovenproof pan. Smooth the top with a spatula and then sprinkle the remaining ½ of each mozzarella and cheddar cheese on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until it is hot and bubbly. If you'd like a little color on top, broil the dip for 5 minutes. Let the dip cool for a couple of minutes and then serve with the sliced jalapeños on top.sliced jalapeños
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
Recipe FAQs
Can I make this jalapeño cheese dip ahead of time?
This jalapeño cheese dip is totally do-ahead-able. Pour the cheese dip into an easy-to-grab, ovenproof container and bake it whenever you’re ready. It also transports really easily, so you can bring it to your friend’s get-together and pop it into the oven when you arrive.
Can I use any other types of cheeses?
We love a cheesy dip, and you can certainly play with the cheeses you use! Our top picks would be Monterey Jack or Swiss Cheese. It’s better to buy a fresh block of cheese and grate it yourself rather than pre-shredded cheese, as the preservatives in packaged shredded cheese don’t taste as fresh.
How do I store leftover jalapeño cheese dip?
Jalapeño cheese dip is best enjoyed fresh! However, if you do have leftovers, pop them in the fridge—either in an airtight container or by tightly wrapping foil over the baking dish. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days and reheat it in the oven. We don’t recommend freezing this recipe.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the jalapeno cheese dip?
Absolutely! You can control the heat by adjusting the amount of jalapeños you add to the dip. For a milder flavor, you can remove the seeds and membranes from the jalapeños or reduce the amount used. If you prefer a spicier kick, you can add extra jalapeños or leave the seeds intact.
Can I use canned jalapeños?
We prefer fresh jalapeños in this recipe because they’re crisper and have a more vibrant flavor. Jalapeños from a can are usually pickled, which gives them a more tangy taste.
More dip recipes
For more inspiration, check out all of my appetizer recipes!
Great recipe! Thank you.
Aw, you’re so welcome! I’m really glad you enjoyed it — thanks for taking the time to leave a note. 💛
It’s great
Thanks, Heather!
Great recipe. Everyone loved it.