Loaded Cream Cheese Dip
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This irresistible cream cheese dip is savory and delicious. It’s made with 3 types of cheeses, a truckload of crispy bacon, fire-roasted green chiles, and spices. Brimming with color, flavor, and tasty textures, it’s a real crowd pleaser. Make this easy appetizer in 25 minutes!
Why This Recipe’s a Keeper
- Versatility: This dip is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit various tastes and preferences. You can adjust the spice level, cheese blend, and toppings to create a dip that perfectly suits your palate.
- Easy to Make: Loaded Cream Cheese Dip is easy to make and requires minimal cooking skills. It comes together quickly with simple ingredients and basic kitchen equipment, making it perfect for both beginner and experienced cooks.
- Crowd-Pleaser: The combination of creamy cheeses, smoky chipotle powder, savory bacon, and tangy green chiles creates a flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates. It’s sure to be a hit at parties, gatherings, or game day celebrations.
- Make-Ahead Convenience: You can prepare this dip ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve. This makes it ideal for entertaining, as you can focus on other preparations closer to your event.
- Great for Sharing: Loaded Cream Cheese Dip is designed for sharing and is best enjoyed with friends and family. It’s a fantastic option for potlucks, picnics, or any occasion where you want to bring a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Delicious Leftovers: If you happen to have any leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator and enjoyed the next day. The flavors often develop even further as they meld together, making the dip even more delicious upon reheating.
🛒 Ingredients
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.
- Philadelphia Cream Cheese: Provides a creamy and tangy base for the dip, adding richness and body. Make sure the cream cheese is softened before assembling the recipe.
- Medium Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp and savory flavor, as well as contributing to the cheesy texture of the dip.
- Monterey Jack cheese (or Pepper Jack): Provides a milder flavor compared to cheddar cheese, adding creaminess and helping to balance the overall flavor profile.
- Mayonnaise: Enhances the creaminess of the dip and adds a subtle tanginess.
- Chipotle powder (or chili powder): Adds smoky and spicy flavor notes, giving the dip a unique and slightly spicy kick.
- Mild, Diced, Fire-Roasted Green Chilies: I buy these in a can. They contribute a mild heat and a slightly smoky flavor, enhancing the overall depth of flavor in the dip.
- Thick-Cut (cooked) Crispy Bacon: Adds a salty, savory, and crispy texture, providing contrast to the creamy base of the dip. We cook the bacon and then chop it up.
- Green Onions: Adds freshness and a mild onion flavor, as well as providing visual appeal as a green garnish.
- Ritz Crackers: Serve as a vehicle for the dip, providing a crunchy and buttery base for scooping up the creamy goodness.
Crackers to Pair with This Dip
I enjoy pairing loaded cream cheese dip with variety of delicious crackers. Here are some of my favorites: Ritz Crackers, Triscuit, Wheat Thins, and Chicken in a Biskit.
📖 Recipe Steps
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.
- 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.
- Add fire-roasted chilies to the bowl. Fold them into the cheese mixture.
- 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.
- Garnish the cream cheese dip with chopped bacon and green onions. Serve with RITZ crackers!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
By following these expert tips, you can create a loaded cream cheese dip that’s flavorful, creamy, and sure to be a hit at any gathering or party.
- Use room temperature cream cheese: To ensure smooth and creamy consistency, it’s best to use cream cheese that has been brought to room temperature. This makes it easier to blend with other ingredients, resulting in a smoother dip.
- Grate your own cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly grated cheese tends to melt more evenly and has better flavor. Grate the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses yourself for optimal results.
- Crisp up the bacon: For the best texture and flavor, cook the bacon until it’s crispy before adding it to the dip. Blot any excess grease with paper towels to prevent the dip from becoming too oily.
- Let the flavors meld: After mixing all the ingredients together, allow the dip to chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and develop a richer taste.
- Garnish just before serving: To maintain freshness and crunchiness, chop the green onions and sprinkle them over the dip just before serving. This adds a pop of color and freshness to the dip.
🧑🏼🍳 Recipe FAQs
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Flavor testers rated this the BEST loaded cream cheese dip. They said the creamy texture with bits of salty bacon was amazing, and the flavor is irresistible.
If you agree this recipe’s a keeper, give it a 5-star rating in the comments. Then be a recipe hero. Share it with friends. 📌 Pin it to Pinterest.
PrintLoaded 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 8–oz block Philadelphia cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded medium cheddar cheese
- 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 then crumbled
- 1 – 2 green onions, chopped
- Ritz Crackers, for serving
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
Grate your own cheese: While pre-shredded cheese is convenient, freshly grated cheese tends to melt more evenly and has better flavor. Grate the cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses yourself for optimal results.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 15 Minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Loaded Cream Cheese Dip 👉🏻 Join the Convo
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.