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 appetizer people immediately gather around. It’s creamy, cheesy, a little spicy, and packed with all the flavors of a jalapeño popper in warm dip form. Add crispy bacon on top, and it somehow gets even better.
What I love most about this dip is that it feels rich and indulgent without becoming overly heavy. Cream cheese, mozzarella, and sharp cheddar melt together into the perfect gooey base, while jalapeños, green onions, garlic, and paprika keep the flavor bright and balanced. The little pops of pimiento throughout make it feel extra nostalgic in the best way.
It’s also one of the easiest party appetizers to prep ahead. You can assemble the whole dip in advance, pop it into an oven-safe dish, and bake it whenever you’re ready to serve. Whether you’re hosting at home or bringing it to a gathering, it’s exactly the kind of no-stress appetizer that disappears fast with chips, crackers, or veggies nearby.
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.
- 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
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
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.