Ultimate Jalapeno Popper Dip
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This Jalapeno Popper Dip transforms your favorite appetizer into an easy game day snack. Spicy peppers and crispy bacon are combined with three different types of cheese for an irresistible party dip. Smoky, savory, and extra gooey, make this easy cream cheese dip recipe in just half an hour!
Table of Contents
Jalapeno Popper Dip
While jalapeno poppers are a staple for tailgating, I can’t say no to a cheesy dip. So I combined the two for the ultimate game day snack!
This jalapeno popper dip recipe couldn’t be any easier to throw together. Just combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl, spread into a cast iron skillet, and bake until hot and bubbly.
A variety of spices add extra heat, while the sour cream and mayonnaise create a creamy texture with just the right amount of tanginess.
Serve with your favorite chips, crackers, or pretzels. It would even taste great on sliced veggies!
Capture the same flavors as this easy jalapeno popper dip with my recipes for breakfast taquitos or stuffed pork tenderloin.
You can also combine spicy peppers and gooey cheese with chicken as a one pot pasta dish. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, and there’s hardly any cleanup to do afterward.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Cream Cheese – Every great party dip starts with tangy cream cheese! Grab a block and soften it on the counter for at least 30 minutes to make mixing easier.
- Sour Cream & Mayonnaise – These provide the perfect creamy and tangy balance to the jalapeno popper dip. You could swap the sour cream with Greek yogurt if needed.
- Bacon – Might as well make your bacon in the oven while it preheats. You can make it ahead of time too!
Just store the crumbles in a sealed container and refrigerate until you’re ready to make the dip. - Cheese – Jack cheeses are super melty and gooey, and I like to mix a few together for a more complex flavor.
Colby Jack is creamy with a hint of cheddar flavor, while Pepper Jack brings extra heat. Try Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier bite, or swap in some sharp cheddar for a bolder flavor. - Jalapenos – I’ll usually grab a can of diced peppers to save some time, but fresh jalapenos work too!
They’ll give you a crisper texture and make a great topping as well. Try roasting them first if you want them to be more tender.
You’ll also need to remove the veins and seeds from fresh peppers before dicing — or leave them for an extra fiery jalapeno popper dip. - Spices – Build savory, smoky flavor with ground cumin, New Mexico chili powder, garlic powder, and black pepper. Then, give your dip a taste before baking, and make adjustments as needed!
Tips and Tricks to Make Cheesy Jalapeno Popper Dip with Bacon
- Prep ahead if possible.
When all the ingredients are ready to go, you can assemble this easy jalapeno popper dip in literal minutes!
The most crucial prep is softening the cream cheese — it’s so much easier to mix and you won’t have to worry about lumps.
Since bacon firms up a bit as it cools, it will stay crispy inside the dip if it’s been made in advance. If you rush it, the pieces may end up soft and chewy instead.
- Mix just until everything is combined.
You want to have little melted pockets of all the different cheeses for the best flavor. Otherwise, they’ll all blend together and taste sort of one-note.
That’s why I prefer to mix my dip by hand instead of using an electric mixer!
- Add a crispy topping.
I like to top my jalapeno popper dip with bacon for a crispy layer, and sometimes I’ll switch on the broiler for the last few minutes.
You could also sprinkle crushed Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs on top if you’re craving extra crunch.
Prep Ahead
- Soften cream cheese
- Cook and crumble bacon
- Shred cheese
- Prep jalapenos
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Cast Iron Skillet – There are a ton of brands out there, but this is my trusty inexpensive go-to.
- Or, divide the bacon jalapeno popper dip between two 5-Inch Cast Iron Skillets — they’re perfect for small portions and party appetizers!
- Mixing Bowl – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
- A sturdy Silicone Spatula can be used for scraping, stirring, and smoothing and is easy to clean too!
- Box Grater – Fresh cheese makes this recipe even better! Skip the bagged shreds and buy a block to grate yourself.
Serving Suggestions
Why not make a variety of dips for game day snacking so there are plenty of flavors to choose from?!
Buffalo chicken dip tastes just like your favorite wings recipe, and my slow cooker nacho dip is loaded with seasoned ground beef and salsa. Both are just as easy to make as this recipe and are always crowd-pleasers.
Add platters of crackers, sliced baguettes, tortilla chips, veggie sticks… anything that can be used for dipping!
Storing and Reheating Bacon Jalapeno Popper Dip
If you manage to have any leftovers, you can keep jalapeno popper dip in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover tightly with foil or transfer to a sturdy container with a lid.
Reheat in a bowl in the microwave or pop the cast iron pan right back into the oven until bubbly and warmed through.
Don’t forget to top your jalapeno popper dip with bacon and parsley before enjoying round two!
Jalapeno Popper Dip Recipe FAQ
Yes! Mix everything together and store it in the refrigerator up to 2 days ahead of time.
Don’t store the dip in the skillet. Instead, cover the mixing bowl with a tight-fitting lid or transfer to an airtight container.
Then, spread the mixture in your cast iron skillet and bake! You may need to increase the baking time by a few minutes since the bacon jalapeno popper dip is starting out cold.
If you can’t find New Mexico chili powder, use California or Ancho chili powder instead. Just be sure that whatever you grab contains only ground chile peppers as opposed to a blend of seasonings.
Bottles of chili powder in the US often include other spices meant to flavor pots of chili — and that’s not what we need for this jalapeno popper dip recipe!
You bet! Spread the jalapeno popper dip mixture into a larger slow cooker (at least 4-quart) so it heats evenly. Cook on High for 1 hour or on Low for 2 hours or until the cheese is melted.
This option is especially great for tailgating since the crockpot will keep the dip warm!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Other Fabulous Party Dips
Ultimate Jalapeno Popper Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon New Mexico chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 pound cooked and crumbled bacon, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack Cheese, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
- 4 ounce can diced jalapenos, drained , (or 2 fresh jalapenos, deveined, deseeded and diced)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, New Mexico chili powder, ground cumin, pepper, garlic powder. Stir with a spoon until well mixed. Add 3/4 of the bacon, 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, 1 cup pepperjack cheese, and drained jalapenos.
- Spread into a 10″ cast iron skillet (or (2) 5″ skillets for the perfect party plate). Top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
- Sprinkle with reserved bacon and parsley. Serve with a bag of crackers or your favorite dippers!
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published October 2012, updated and republished May 2025
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Can you use chili powder instead of the New Mexico one
What temperature should this be baked at?
This is a great dip for anything, bread and chips included. It’s so versatile