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    Home » Appetizers

    Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

    Published: Feb 10, 2023 · Modified: Apr 16, 2023 by Jessica Fisher

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    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
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    Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is a game day standard when it comes to appetizers. It’s hot and spicy and loaded with creamy cheese flavor. Just a handful of grocery staples and you can whip up this dip recipe in minutes.

    Whether you make it for your Super Bowl Party or just a quiet night at home, this  easy popper dip is one to keep in your repertoire alongside Jalapeno Artichoke Dip and Easy Jalapeno Poppers. It’s one of those budget-friendly appetizers everyone loves.

    jalapeno cream cheese dip in small white bowl surrounded by blue corn tortilla chips. this …

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    Jump to:
    • Why Make This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • What to do with leftovers?
    • FAQs
    • Tasty Jalapeno Recipes
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    As when many good cheap eats this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip began with Shopping the Kitchen. We were getting out of debt, so I was trying to be smarter in the kitchen.

    I had leftover jalapenos and bell pepper  to use up and started adding things until something delicious was ready to go. 

    It is delicious cold with veggie dippers, but cozily warming if served hot from the oven with tortilla chips or cocktail breads. We’ve enjoyed it as a filling for poppers and quesadillas as well as a topping for pizza and nachos. It’s one of my favorite dip recipes.

    Why Make This

    It’s delicious. With fresh jalapenos and bell pepper, this cream cheese dip is loaded with goodness. Cream cheese, sour cream, and sharp cheddar cheese bring enough creaminess to balance out the heat.

    It’s make-ahead. You can prep this dip a day or two in advance and chill it in the fridge. Then slide it in the oven shortly before you want to serve it.

    It’s a great alternative to commercial dips. One of the beauties of this dip is how fresh it is! There are no preservatives or additives to cloud the fresh flavors. Be sure to use any leftovers on my yummy Jalapeno Pizza.

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need to make Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip:

    ingredients for jalapeno cream cheese dip laid out on a white counter.

    olive oil – You just need a bit of oil for sauteeing the veggies. You can use butter or another oil if that’s what you have.

    Fresh peppers – This dip calls for both jalapeno and red bell peppers. You can use another color bell pepper if you need to. Likewise, if you only have canned or pickled jalapeños, those would be a fine substitute as well. Remember you can freeze jalapeños and bell peppers if you have extra.

    garlic and green onion – These aromatics bring great flavor to the Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip.

    cream cheese – You’ll need one brick of softened cream cheese, it can be either neufchatel or full fat cream cheese. Cream cheese lasts awhile in the fridge, so buy extra when you see a sale and stash it for your next cheese dip craving.

    cheese – I like using shredded sharp cheddar cheese, but you can use pepper jack or parmesan cheese if you prefer. Remember you can freeze cheese if you have more than you’ll use soon.

    sour cream – Some people use mayonaise, but I like the creaminess of sour cream. Try to use full fat sour cream.

    Optional topping – I like to top this Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip with cheese, just some people like to add panko bread crumbs. Feel free to do so if you prefer.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here’s how to make Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip:

    skillet of peppers, Chile, and garlic.
    all ingredients in bowl of food processor.
    combined ingredients in food processor.
    cream cheese mixture transferred to small white bowl.
    • Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 4-cup baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a small saute pan, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the jalapeno, red pepper, and garlic. Saute for several minutes until the peppers and garlic are soft. Allow to cool slightly.
    • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade, place the pepper mixture, cream cheese, half the shredded cheese, the sour cream, and scallions. Blend until smooth. 
    • Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.
    shredded cheese atop the cream cheese mixture in the white baking dish.
    hot and bubbly melted cheese in the white dish on a coaster.

    How to make it without a food processor:

    If you don’t have a food processor, you can still make this tasty Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip. Prior to sauteing the vegetables, chop them very fine. Blend the ingredients together in a stand mixer or with a hand mixer and mixing bowl.

    What to do with leftovers?

    Leftover Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip is good in the fridge, covered, for up to 4 days from the time of preparation. You can reheat it and serve again with chips. You might also serve leftover dip in a sandwich, panini, wrap, burrito or quesadilla, as well as atop nachos or pizza. For extra pizazz, stuff jalapeno peppers with the dip for a fun twist on poppers.

    FAQs

    How long does Jalapeno Cheese Dip last?

    This dip lasts up to four days in the refrigerator.

    What is jalapeno dip made of?

    Jalapeno dip typically consists of cream cheese, jalapenos, cheddar cheese, and other seasonings.

    Can you freeze Jalapeno Cheese Dip?

    It’s not recommended to freeze cream cheese dips, particularly those with vegetables added. The texture after thawing will be off. You can, however, prepare a freezer kit of the sauteed veggies and shredded cheese. Then combine these with the other ingredients to prepare the dip.

    hot and bubbly cream cheese dip with jalapeno slices on top with a spoon.

    Tasty Jalapeno Recipes

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      Burrito Pizza Recipe – Try this Easy Black Bean Pizza
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      Easy Homemade Salsa Recipe [VIDEO]
    • mango peach salsa on a blue corn tortilla chip over a bowl of salsa.
      Mango Peach Salsa Recipe
    • overhead shot of jalapeno artichoke dip in white tureen on brown wood board, surrounded with toasts for dipping.
      Jalapeño Artichoke Dip
    white spoon and fork on a teal plate logo.

    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    overhead shot of jalapeno cream cheese dip with sliced jalapeños on top and a spoon twirled in the cheese.

    Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip

    This Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip is packed with flavor from jalapeno, bell pepper, garlic, and onion, as well as creaminess from cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. It's perfect for dipping!
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 91kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher
    Cost: $3

    Equipment

    • large skillet
    • food processor
    • small baking dish

    Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 jalapeno sliced
    • ½ red bell pepper (chopped)
    • 1 clove garlic (chopped)
    • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese
    • 4 oz cheddar cheese (shredded) (about 1 cup)
    • ¼ cup sour cream
    • 1 green onion chopped
    • tortilla chips for serving
    US Customary – Metric

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 400°. Spray a 4-cup baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
    • In a small saute pan, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the jalapeno, red pepper, and garlic. Saute for several minutes until the peppers and garlic are soft. Allow to cool slightly.
      1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 jalapeno, ½ red bell pepper, 1 clove garlic
    • In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a plastic blade, place the pepper mixture, cream cheese, ½ the shredded cheese, the sour cream, and green onion. Blend until smooth.
      1 8-ounce package cream cheese, 4 oz cheddar cheese (shredded), ¼ cup sour cream, 1 green onion
    • Transfer the mixture to the prepared dish. Top with the remaining shredded cheese.
    • Bake for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Serve with tortilla chips.
      tortilla chips for serving

    Notes

    Promptly store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 4 days.
    Nutritional values are approximate and based on ⅛ the recipe.
    Leftover Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip? You can reheat it and serve again with chips. You might also serve leftover dip in a sandwich, panini, wrap, burrito or quesadilla, as well as atop nachos or pizza. For extra pizazz, stuff jalapeno peppers with the dip for a fun twist on poppers.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 91kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 96mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 110mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.

    This post was originally published on February 9, 2012. It has been updated for content and clarity.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer

      July 15, 2012 at 8:30 am

      I just made this jalapeno cheese dip, It is heavenly!

      Reply
      • Jessica

        July 15, 2012 at 10:57 am

        That sounds yummy. I might have to go get some jalapenos….

        Reply
    2. Jenny

      February 11, 2012 at 3:56 pm

      One of our favorite is Hot Corn Dip.
      http://lovebeinginthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/hot-corn-dip.html

      Reply
    3. Grace @ Healthy Dreaming

      February 09, 2012 at 4:55 pm

      This looks delicious! My bf’s favorite things: spicy food and cheese 🙂

      Reply
    4. MissMOE

      February 09, 2012 at 9:30 am

      This looks super yummy!

      Reply
    5. Racheal

      February 09, 2012 at 9:01 am

      Super Duper Garlic Dip. It is always a hit at every gathering we go to and its really easy.

      Reply
    6. Laura

      February 09, 2012 at 5:45 am

      Buffalo chicken dip. My friends and I have it at every get together, its a requirement. I’ve been craving it lately so I need to make some soon!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

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