Bacon Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip is a unique and divine dip! A creamy cheese dip packed with bacon, cheddar cheese, and green onions is topped with a sweet and savory pepper jelly. Served with crackers or bread to dip this is the ultimate party dip!
Bacon Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip Recipe
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When it comes to party foods, dips are not only one of the easiest things you can make, they are also often the most popular dish at a party! This bacon pepper jelly dip is sure to be a fan favorite at your next get together. You will be making this on repeat for game days, holiday parties, potlucks, and family gatherings.
What is Bacon Pepper Jelly Dip
Bacon pepper jelly cheese dip is a unique appetizer or party food. It features a cream cheese based dip that is packed with crispy bacon, pepper jelly, cheddar cheese, green onions and garlic. Baked until golden brown and bubbly the dip is then topped with a layer of pepper jelly. The jelly adds a kick of sweet heat to this irresistible dip!
More Fun Appetizers!
- Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket
- Pizza Rolls
- Buffalo Chicken Crostini
- Crab Rangoon Pinwheels
- Boursin Prosciutto Arugula Crostini
Ingredients
- Red Pepper Jelly - there are many varieties of store-bought jarred pepper jelly. You can use any variety you prefer - for example red pepper jelly, hot pepper jelly, jalapeno pepper jelly, etc. All of them have a more sweet than spicy flavor, so you do not need to worry about the dip being spicy.
- Cheddar Cheese - pairs perfect with the cream cheese and bacon to make the best dip!
- Cream Cheese - this is the perfect cheese for a dip base! It gets so rich and creamy when it's baked so that you are left with the perfect dip consistency.
- Garlic Powder - we recommend garlic powder for this dip so that your dip has a subtle garlic flavor that does not over power the sweet and savory pepper jelly flavor.
- Cooked Bacon - who doesn't love bacon! The bacon adds a smokey and salty flavor to the tip that pairs perfect with the sweet heat from the pepper jelly!
- Green Onions - used to garnish the dip and are also baked into the dip. They add a fresh pop of color and flavor.
How to Make Bacon Pepper Jelly Dip
Full Printable Recipe at Bottom of page
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8"x8" square baking dish, or pie dish, or 1 quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a medium sized bowl combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic, cooked bacon, green onions, and HALF of the pepper jelly. Stir until evenly combined.
- Transfer the dip to the baking dish and use a spoon to evenly spread it out into the baking dish. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling.
- Microwave the remaining pepper jelly for 20 seconds, or until it is runny enough to easily spread. Pour the warmed pepper jelly over top of the dip and gently spread it out evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Garnish the dip with sliced green onion. Serve with crackers, chips, crostini, or warm sliced baguette. Enjoy!
Tips for the Best Dip
- Dip Prep - be sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature or else the filling will be very hard to mix together. While you prep all the ingredients for the recipe leave the cream cheese on the kitchen counter. Or you can place it on a microwave safe plate and heat for 15 seconds, or until slightly warm and soft to the touch.
- Flavor Variations - this dip is versatile and a great way to use your favorite cheese to change up the flavor profile. Try a different shredded cheese instead of cheddar - for example Monterey Jack, pepper Jack, and gouda are all delicious! If you would like to add some extra spice to the dip you can add some Cajun seasoning, creole seasoning, cayenne pepper, or add some fresh diced jalapenos into the dip as well!
- For Serving - this dip can be served with chips, crackers, vegetable sticks, crostini, or bread to dip. It's a fun way to keep the dip unique each time you serve it!
FAQ
To reheat the dip, cover with foil and bake in the oven for 5-8 minutes at 350°F or until warmed through. You can also microwave the dip in 20 second intervals until warmed through.
Cover the cooled dip with foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge for up to 3 days (check the best before date on your cheese and adjust accordingly).
Yes! This dip is perfect for make ahead. Follow the recipe as per usual but do not bake the dip and do not add the pepper jelly dip on top of the dip yet. Cover with foil or plastic wrap and store in the fridge. Just before serving bake according to recipe baking directions but add 5 minutes to the baking time.
We do not recommend freezing this dip as the base is dairy which tends to split when frozen and thawed.
Swap the bacon for a plant based bacon.
This recipe is gluten free (be sure to use gluten free bacon!). Be sure to serve the dip with gluten free crackers or bread.
More Easy Dips
- Hot Crab Red Pepper Dip
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crab Rangoon Dip
- Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
Enjoy!
- Sab
Bacon Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 1 cup pepper jelly (see notes below)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened, at room temperature, 250 grams, 1 brick)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ⅓ cup cooked bacon (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ⅓ cup green onion (thinly sliced)
Garnish
- 1 green onion (thinly sliced)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8"x8" square baking dish, or pie dish, or 1 quart baking dish with nonstick spray.
- In a medium sized bowl combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic, cooked bacon, green onions, and HALF of the pepper jelly. Stir until evenly combined.
- Transfer the dip to the baking dish and use a spoon to evenly spread it out into the baking dish. Bake for about 18-20 minutes, or until the dip is hot and bubbling.
- Microwave the remaining pepper jelly for 20 seconds, or until it is runny enough to easily spread. Pour the warmed pepper jelly over top of the dip and gently spread it out evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Garnish the dip with sliced green onion. Serve with crackers, chips, crostini, or warm sliced baguette. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Jan Maddox says
How long can this last in the refrigerator?
fedbysab says
Hi Jan, the dip can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days. Enjoy!
Anonymous says
served this at the annual company customer appreciation barbeque (about 200) so many requests for the recipe I had to print it off
Kathy Furlani says
Delicious!!!!!
Sabrina says
Thanks for your comment Kathy, we are happy to hear you enjoyed the dip! It's one of our favorites. Have a great day!
Lindy says
I am going to use peach preserves instead of a pepper jelly because my husband cannot eat anything spicy. No onions either. Wish I could use the pepper jelly!
Sabrina says
Yum it will be really good with the peach preserves too! That's a great idea. Enjoy 🙂
Deborah Desmond says
Delicious, it was hard to bring it to the office party, we couldn't stop nibbling!
Sabrina says
Hi Deborah! I hear you!!! When taking the photos of this recipe we kept snacking on the dip and gobbled it up so quickly!
Betsy Rudolph says
Can I make it a day ahead of the party?
Sabrina says
Yes, you can assemble the dip a day in advance but do not put the pepper jelly on top yet. Bake the dip right before serving and then top with the jelly. Enjoy! 🙂