Spicy Jalapeno Popper Dip

Spice up your gathering with our easy-to-make Jalapeno Popper Dip. Loaded with peppers, cheese, and bacon, it’s a gooey crowd-pleaser. Plus you can easily prep it ahead of time!

about this spicy jalapeno popper dip

Looking for a dip that’ll have your guests fighting over the last scoop? Say hello to our Spicy Jalapeño Popper Dip—it’s like your favorite bar snack, but way easier to share.

While I love a good jalapeno popper, make them can be a bit time consuming since you have to break down so many peppers and fill each one individually.

Sometimes you just need a shortcut to the spicy cheesy goodness!

We’ve packed this dish with all the good stuff: spicy jalapeños and green chiles for a nice kick, cream cheese and cheddar for that gooey, melty texture, and bacon because, well, it’s bacon. A sprinkle of spices rounds everything out, giving you a perfect blend of heat and flavor in every cheesy bite.

Here’s a pro tip: you can make this dip a day or two before your party. Just mix everything together, cover it, and stash it in the fridge. When guests start arriving, pop it in the oven until it’s hot and bubbly. Easy, right?

It’s a stress-free solution that lets you focus on what matters most – creating memories with your loved ones around the table.

ingredients

jalapeños. Use fresh jalapenos for the best flavor! Remove the seeds and membrane before using – or leave them in to make the recipe extra spicy.

green chiles. Canned green chiles add heat, as well as depth of flavor.

cream cheese. You can use full fat cream cheese or light cream cheese for this recipe. Make sure it is at room temperature before using.

sour cream. Sour cream or plain Greek yogurt work in this recipe!

spices. You will need salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and chili powder.

cheese. We usually use shredded sharp cheddar cheese, but you can also use a combination of cheddar and monterey jack cheese! Pepper jack cheese and mozzarella cheese work well too.

bacon. Cook and chop your bacon before using it in the recipe.

panko. Panko breadcrumbs make the crunchy topping for this dip!

oil. We like to use extra virgin olive oil, but you could also use melted butter.

this recipe’s must-haves

You will need a large bowl from a set of mixing bowls to make the dip base.

Bake the dip in your favorite 8×8-inch baking pan or 1 1/2 to 2 quart baking dish.

Those are all the tools you need!

here’s how to make jalapeno popper dip

make dip

In a large bowl, add jalapenos, green chilies, cream cheese, sour cream (or yogurt), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, chili powder, 1 cup shredded cheese, and chopped bacon. Stir well to combine.

Pro Tip: Make sure all your cream cheese is at room temperature as this will make it much easier to mix the ingredients together.

bake

Add the cream cheese mixture to a greased baking dish. Spread in an even layer and top with remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese evenly.

In a small bowl, stir together panko bread crumbs and olive oil until the panko is coated. Sprinkle on top of the dip.

Bake at 375˚F for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. The top should be golden brown.

Enjoy warm with toasted bread slices, crackers, or chips.

variations

swap out the meat. Instead of bacon, you could add in cooked chorizo to make it even spicier! You could also use shredded chicken.

bake in a skillet. Don’t have a baking dish handy? Use a cast iron skillet to bake it in instead! We recommend a smaller one that is either 8 inches or 10 inches in diameter.

use different cheeses. Mix it up by using monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, and/or mozzarella cheese.

More gooey dips to try: Bacon Jalapeno Spinach Artichoke Dip | Spicy Lasagna Dip | Crab Rangoon Dip | Skillet Southwestern Chicken Dip

do I have to add the breadcrumbs on top?

The breadcrumbs add a nice crunchy texture element on top, but you don’t have to use them if you don’t want to! You can skip them and just have the extra cheese on top instead.

my dip is cooked through but the top isn’t browned enough!

If your dip is bubbly around the edges, but the top isn’t browning like you want it to, use the broiler. Keep a close eye on the dip and broil until the breadcrumbs turn golden brown.

how spicy is this dip on a scale of 1 to 10?

This dip, when made with 6 jalapeno peppers, is about a 7/10 on the spiciness scale. It is spicy, but not so spicy that you have to stop eating it after a few bites. If you use less jalapenos, it’ll be less spicy. More details about adjusting the heat level in the answer to the next question!

is there a way to make this recipe more or less spicy?

You can easily adjust the heat of this recipe by adding jalapenos or removing them. We like to use 6 jalapenos for a spicier kick to the recipe. If you like it less spicy, use 4 jalapenos instead! You can also reduce the spiciness by removing all of the seeds and membrane of the peppers. Including the seeds will make this dip really spicy!

can this dip be made ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this dip up to 1 day ahead of time, then refrigerate before baking. Bake as instructed, adding about 5 to 10 minutes to the total baking time as it will be chilled.

can jalapeno popper dip be frozen?

Yes! You can make this dip ahead of time and freeze it before baking for a ready-to-go appetizer. Assemble in the baking dish, then wrap the entire dish in a layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil. The dip will last in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as instructed, but add about 10 additional minutes to the bake time to account for the dip being chilled.

Need some inspiration for appetizers?? Check out my appetizer recipes page!

what to serve with spicy jalapeño popper dip

We love to eat our jalapeno popper dip with crusty toasted bread slices or crackers! You can also use pita, pita chips, tortilla chips, carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, and more as dippers. Garnish with jalapeno slices if you like, but you can just enjoy it as is straight out of the oven.

how to store

Store. Store any leftover dip in an airtight container or tightly covered in the baking dish. It will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

Reheat. Reheat leftover dip in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds, until warmed through. You can also reheat in the baking dish in the oven at 350˚F until warmed through, about 10 minutes or so.

Freeze. If you would like to freeze this dip, do so before baking it. Tightly wrap the entire dish in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months.

Thaw. Thaw frozen unbaked dip in the refrigerator overnight. Then bake as instructed, adding about 10 minutes of extra time to the total baking time.

more spicy jalapeño recipes to enjoy

These citrus jalapeno chicken tostadas are our favorite during the week! They are a little spicy with a big citrusy tang.

Crispy jalapeno cream cheese wontons are the jalapeno poppers you love, in a handheld package.

Air fryer buffalo jalapeno poppers are an easy appetizer to whip up for a crowd. They have a buffalo kick of heat too!

Finally, if you make this jalapeño popper dip recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!