This irresistible cheese dip is savory and delicious! It’s the must-serve appetizer of the holiday season. Brimming with color, flavor, and beautiful textures, it’s a real crowd pleaser. Make this easy recipe in 25 minutes!
PIN LOADED CREAM CHEESE DIP TO MAKE IT LATER!
I’m delighted to partner with RITZ Crackers to share this scrumptious recipe for loaded cream cheese dip made with Philadelphia Cream Cheese! All opinions are my own.
INGREDIENTS FOR LOADED CREAM CHEESE DIP
The Pied Piper of appetizers, loaded cream cheese dip is fantastic for game-day gatherings and holiday festivities. Below are the tasty ingredients for this recipe. Find everything you need for this cracker dip and more at Walmart!
- RITZ Family Size Crackers
- Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- Medium cheddar cheese, hand-grated
- Monterey Jack cheese (or Pepper Jack), hand-grated
- Mayonnaise
- Chipotle powder (or chili powder)
- Mild, diced, fire-roasted green chilies (from a can)
- Thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy then crumbled
- Green onions
GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS
It’s time to stock up on holiday essentials! Don’t wait until the last minute. Take advantage of this incredible ROLLBACK DEAL AT WALMART! I enjoy stocking up on a variety of fresh fruit and delicious crackers. When guests stop by for visits I’m ready to host! Here’s what’s in my pantry right now:
CHEESE DIP AND CRACKERS
Cheese dip and crackers are a family tradition! Grandma always kept a variety of these trusted brands on hand for pairing with appetizers like my loaded cream cheese dip! We kids looked forward to opening the boxes and digging in! Perfect for holiday and year-round enjoyment, pair them with soup, salad, fruit, meat and cheese. Here’s a close-up view of our family favorites:
LOADED CREAM CHEESE DIP
A little prep work will make this easy recipe move along quickly!
RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F. Shred the cheese. Fry the bacon until extra crispy. Chop it with a knife. Chop the green onions. Crush a few crackers with a mallet and pestle, or put the crackers in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or a wooden spoon.
CREAM CHEESE DIP RECIPE
- STEP 1: Add the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack, and chipotle powder to medium bowl. Mix the ingredients with a spoon or spatula until well blended.
- STEP 2: Add fire-roasted chilies to the bowl. Fold them into the cheese mixture.
- STEP 3: Transfer cream cheese dip to a shallow baking dish. Sprinkle the top with cracker crumbs. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cracker dip is heated through.
- STEP 4: Garnish the cream cheese dip with chopped bacon and green onions. Serve with RITZ crackers!
EXPERT TIPS FOR CREAM CHEESE DIP
Below are some helpful recipe tips for this loaded cream cheese dip!
- HOW TO SOFTEN CREAM CHEESE: Remove cream cheese from foil packaging. Place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave the block of cheese on high power for 15-18 seconds. It’s now ready to use for this cracker dip recipe!
- USE A BOX GRATER TO SHRED THE CHEESE! When making this cheese dip recipe, I highly recommend shredding your own good-quality cheddar and Jack cheeses. Packaged shredded cheese has a coating to keep the pieces separated so they don’t clump together. While perfect for other recipes (like sprinkling on tacos), the coating on pre-shredded cheese is not ideal for melting. It will turn this beautifully-textured dip into a greasy hot mess!
CHEESE DIP FAQ
- CAN CREAM CHEESE DIP BE FROZEN? This is not recommended. Freezing this dish will change the texture of the cream cheese. Instead of smooth, dense and creamy, this cracker dip will be grainy and crumbly with some noticeable ice crystal formations.
- IS CHEESE DIP A MAKE-AHEAD APPETIZER? Yes! It’s an ideal make-ahead appetizer. Assemble ingredients as outlined in the first 2 recipe steps. Add mixture to a freezer-to-oven baking dish, cover and refrigerate. Cook and chop bacon in advance and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve the cheese dip, sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until heated through. Add bacon bits during the final 5 minutes of baking. Garnish with green onion.
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did you enjoy this loaded cream cheese dip? Rate this easy recipe in the comments below!
Loaded Cream Cheese Dip
- Total Time: 25 Minutes
- Yield: 10 Servings 1x
Description
This loaded cream cheese dip is irresistible! Creamy, melty and savory, this luscious cracker dip is an all-time favorite. Serve it during the holidays, at Game Day festivities, and for wine-and-cheese parties. It’s so darn good!
Ingredients
- 1 box RITZ Family Size Crackers, for serving
- 1 8-oz block Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese (see Expert Tips below!)
- 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (or Pepper Jack)
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon Chipotle powder (or chili powder)
- 3–4 tablespoons diced fire-roasted green chilies (from a can), drained
- 7 individual RITZ Crackers, crushed
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked until crispy and crumbled
- 1–2 green onions, chopped
Instructions
RECIPE PREP: Preheat oven to 350°F.
- In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese, mayo, shredded cheeses, and chipotle powder. With a spatula, fold in the fire-roasted green chilies.
- Transfer the cheese mixture to a small baking dish. Sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top. Bake for 15 minutes or until heated through.
- Garnish with chopped bacon and green onions. Serve this loaded cream cheese dip while it’s warm and melty!
Notes
EXPERT TIPS FOR CREAM CHEESE DIP
- HOW TO SOFTEN CREAM CHEESE: Remove cream cheese from foil packaging. Place it on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave the block on high power for 15-18 seconds.
- USE A BOX GRATER TO SHRED THE CHEESE! When making this cheese dip recipe, I highly recommend shredding your own good-quality cheddar and Jack cheeses. Packaged shredded cheese has a cellulose coating which keeps the individual pieces separated so they don’t clump together. While perfect for other recipes (like sprinkling on tacos), the coating on pre-shredded cheese is not ideal for melting. It can turn this beautifully-textured dip into a greasy hot mess!
- CAN CREAM CHEESE DIP BE FROZEN? This is not recommended. Freezing this dish will change the texture of the cream cheese. Instead of smooth, dense and creamy, this cracker dip will be grainy and crumbly with some noticeable ice crystal formations.
- MAKE-AHEAD RECIPE INSTRUCTIONS: This cheese dip is an ideal make-ahead appetizer. Assemble ingredients as outlined in the first 2 recipe steps. Add mixture to a freezer-to-oven baking dish, cover and refrigerate. Cook and chop bacon in advance and refrigerate. When you’re ready to serve the dip, sprinkle cracker crumbs over the top and bake at 350°F for 20 minutes, or until heated. Add bacon bits during the final 5-8 minutes of baking. Garnish with chopped green onion.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Cheese Dip, Cream Cheese Dip, Cracker Dip
CREAM CHEESE DIP > JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Do you enjoy making easy cream-cheese-dip recipes? Would you like to try this extra-special cracker dip? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
This is right up my alley. I love cream cheese! I’ve been trying to think of an e cause to make this. No parties coming up soon so I need to either plan a party or just make it all for myself. ;)
That is some loaded yumminess! This is going to be great for some get togethers
Loaded? yes, please! I love cream cheese and Ritz Crackers!
★★★★★
This sounds like such a delicious and easy appetizer. I love Ritz as well. What a great snack to make.
Oh I’m loving everything about this. I’m definitely going to have to try this dip ASAP.
This is so mouthwatering perfect timing because I am craving for cream cheese dip lately. I can’t wait to make this at home tonight while watching my favorite shows in Netflix.
★★★★★
Ok, so I know this is supposed to be an appetizer to share, but I can totally see myself parked in front of this dish and not ever leaving or sharing! Delish!
★★★★★
This is similar to a dip that I make, but it doesn’t have mayonnaise in it. Pinning this to give it a try.
★★★★★
Oh, my! I love a good cheese dip and that looks absolutely delicious. I bet that’s going to be a hit over here.
I absolutely love recipes like this that are easy to put together especially during the holidays. It’s tasty too, plus I’m a huge fan of cream cheese.
★★★★★
My mouth instantly waters after a glimpse of it. Ugh it looks so perfect! I am trying this with chips.
It looks delicious! I’m a big fan of make-ahead appetizers. I never knew that it made a difference if you used freshly shredded cheese.
★★★★★
Dang! That looks amazing! I can’t wait to try making this delicious dip for my next gathering!
This looks amazing! I know my family would love it. I think I will make this and bring it to my friend’s house on Thursday for our movie night.
★★★★★
I’m actually sitting here right now eating a pack of Ritz crackers and all I can think to myself is, I need this cream cheese dip right now. It looks absolutely amazing!
★★★★★
im a huge cheese fan and i love that this dip looks super simple and easy to make! YUM!
This recipe looks so yummy. I can’t wait to make this for my next gathering. I know my friends/family are going to love it.
★★★★★
This dip looks heavenly and is sure to be a crowd favorite at any upcoming holiday party.
★★★★★
Oh yum! This dip sounds SO good. I will have to add it to my holiday menu!
Oh, where to start? This is seriously too easy and super delicious. It’s gone in a heartbeat. I’ve got guests demanding me to send them the recipe, so it was a total success. :D
★★★★★
Wow this dip is so amazing! Perfect for game day or as a holiday app or just any time you want something delicious! Love it paired with Ritz!
★★★★★
You are right calling this cream cheese dip irresistible! Made it last night. We were enjoying it with crackers! Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Everyone at my house loved it! Tasted SO good!
★★★★★
I Made this for a gathering and it was a hit, everyone loved it! Will definitely make it again!
★★★★★
This dip looks so delicious. Tons of cheese and bacon, how can it go wrong. I would be glued to this dip at a party.
★★★★★