Easy Hot Honey Jalapeno Popper Dip
Published Nov 19, 2024 Updated Dec 07, 2024
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If you’re looking for the ultimate appetizer for your next holiday party that brings the heat, the sweet, and a whole lot of creamy goodness, you’ve come to the right place! My hot honey jalapeño popper dip is everything you love about jalapeño poppers in a dippable, shareable form. It’s perfect for any occasion and will have everyone coming back for seconds (and thirds).
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Jalapeno Dip
I’ve made a few dip recipes in my day but this hot honey jalapeno dip might just be my favorite! The combination of spicy jalapeños, creamy cheeses, and crispy bacon, all topped with a drizzle of hot honey creates a balance of flavors that feels indulgent and so satisfying. Plus, with options for dairy-free or lighter ingredients, it’s as customizable as it is delicious.
Just like my keto bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers – this dip is always a hit! If you also need a hearty main course to follow this appetizer, check out my easy sirloin steak tips with horseradish cream cheese for very satisfied friends and family.
Ingredient Notes
- Cream cheese: Creates the creamy, rich base for the dip. Swap for dairy-free cream cheese or Greek yogurt if needed.
- Mayonnaise: Adds tang and creaminess. Greek yogurt works as a lighter, dairy-free option.
- Hot honey: Brings sweet heat to balance the richness. You can use regular honey with a dash of hot sauce as a substitute.
- Jalapeño pepper: Adds a spicy kick and fresh flavor. Sub green chilies for a milder heat.
- Green onions: Brighten up the dip with a mild onion flavor. Scallions work just as well.
- Shallot: Adds a subtle, sweet oniony depth. Swap with a small amount of finely diced red onion if needed.
- Chives: Gives a fresh, herby pop. Green onions can pinch-hit here, too.
- Garlic powder: Infuses the dip with a savory, garlicky warmth. Roasted garlic paste could be an elevated alternative.
- Onion powder: Enhances the savory flavors without overwhelming them. Leave out if using extra fresh onion instead.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharp, gooey goodness. Any sharp dairy-free or regular cheese works here.
- Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully and offers mild creaminess. Colby Jack or a dairy-free alternative is a good sub.
- Cooked bacon, crumbled: Brings smoky, salty crunch. Turkey bacon or even crispy prosciutto also works.
- Salt and pepper: Adjust to taste based on your ingredients.
See the full recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a medium mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or spoon to blend until smooth and creamy.
Step 2: Stir in the hot honey, diced jalapeño, half shredded cheddar cheese, half Monterey Jack cheese, chopped green onions, shallots, chives, and seasonings until evenly mixed.
Step 3: Fold in the crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for topping if desired. Transfer the mixture to an 8×8 baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
Step 4: Bake for 22 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and cheese is melted.
Step 5: Remove from the oven. Drizzle with additional hot honey, and sprinkle with bacon, chives, and green onions. Serve warm with crostini, crackers, or fresh veggies.
Mac’s Pro Tip
Expert Tips
Prep the dip the day before and bake just before serving for a stress-free party snack.
Soften your cream cheese. Let the cream cheese come to room temperature for easy mixing and a silky texture.
Adjust the amount of jalapeño to suit your spice preference, or swap for green chilies for a milder version.
Dairy-free? No problem! Sub in dairy-free cream cheese, mayo, and cheeses for a fully dairy-free version.
Serving Tips
- Serving this dip warm is key to its ooey-gooey deliciousness! As the shredded cheese melts, it creates a luscious, stretchy topping that is perfect for dipping. However, the cheese may firm up as the dip cools, making it harder to scoop and losing some of that creaminess. To keep your dip party-ready, serve it straight from the oven or slow cooker, or keep it warm with a heating tray or warming plate for an extended serving time.
- You can also mix all the cheese directly into the dip instead of adding it on top before baking if you’re concerned about the cheese cooling down and becoming harder to dip
Wondering what to serve with this masterpiece? Here are some suggestions!
- Crusty bread or a sliced baguette
- Tortilla chips
- Celery sticks, sliced cucumbers, or bell pepper strips
- Crispy air fryer chicken tenders
- Sweet potato fries
Storage Tips
Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, for a quick snack.
To freeze, cover the dip tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and store for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Recipe FAQs
No worries – just use a sturdy spoon or spatula to mix the cream cheese and mayo. It might take a little elbow grease, but the result will still be creamy and delicious.
Most grocery stores carry hot honey. Located by the regular honey!
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Easy Hot Honey Jalapeno Popper Dip
Ingredients
- 10 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature (reg or dairy-free)
- ½ cup mayonnaise or sub Greek yogurt mayo for dairy-free
- 2 tbsp hot honey extra for drizzling
- 1/4-1/3 cup jalapeño pepper diced
- 3 tbsp green onions chopped (more for garnish)
- 1 small shallot finely chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese or dairy-free cheese of choice
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese or dairy-free cheese of choice
- 8 slices cooked bacon crumbled
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Combine the cream cheese and mayonnaise in a medium mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer or spoon to blend until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the hot honey, diced jalapeño, half shredded cheddar cheese, half Monterey Jack cheese, chopped green onions, shallots, chives, and seasonings until evenly mixed.
- Fold in the crumbled bacon, reserving a small amount for topping if desired. Transfer the mixture to an 8×8 baking dish or similar-sized oven-safe dish. Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 22 minutes or until the dip is bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven. Drizzle with additional hot honey, and sprinkle with bacon, chives, and green onions. Serve warm with crostini, crackers, or fresh veggies.
- Serving Tip 1 : Serving this dip warm is key to its ooey-gooey deliciousness! As the shredded cheese melts, it creates a luscious, stretchy topping that is perfect for dipping. However, the cheese may firm up as the dip cools, making it harder to scoop and losing some of that creaminess. To keep your dip party-ready, serve it straight from the oven or slow cooker, or keep it warm with a heating tray or warming plate for an extended serving time. Serving Tip 2: You can also mix all the cheese directly into the dip instead of adding it on top before baking if you're concerned about the cheese cooling down and becoming harder to dip
Notes
- Soften your cream cheese. Let the cream cheese come to room temperature for easy mixing and a silky texture.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeño to suit your spice preference, or swap for green chilies for a milder version.
- Dairy-free? No problem! Sub in dairy-free cream cheese, mayo, and cheeses for a fully dairy-free version.
- Prep the dip the day before and bake just before serving for a stress-free party snack.
- Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, for a quick snack.
- To freeze, cover the dip tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and store for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake as directed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
