Jalapeno Popper Dip
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There are few dishes as universally loved as jalapeno popper dip. I love serving this at parties of any kind or enjoying it myself as a super comforting snack. Stuffed with smoky jalapenos and a rich cheese mixture, it makes my kitchen smell incredible and hits the spot every time.
When I throw parties or host dinners, I love to seek out creative, innovative recipes that are bound to impress guests. However, there are times when it feels necessary to serve dishes that everyone knows and loves, and that’s where this jalapeno popper dip comes in.
While exotic dishes might wow a crowd, dips like this one are guaranteed to leave everyone satisfied each time. The classic combination of spice and creamy cheese is one few can turn down, whether it’s a cheesy bacon jalapeño mac and cheese or a zesty beef queso dip.
This dip recipe includes roasted jalapenos (this past year’s crop was crazy), a mixture of cheeses, and an irresistible golden breadcrumb topping. It makes for a decadent, smoky, creamy dip with signature Mexican flavor and a mouthwatering smoky aroma. Plus, it comes together easily with just a bit of mixing and baking!
INGREDIENT NOTES AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Jalapeños – Fresh jalapeños make this dish robust with flavor — I love using them fresh from my garden! You may substitute with a drained 4-ounce can of diced jalapeños.
- Cream Cheese – Bring your cream cheese to room temperature before getting started, or you’ll have a hard time mixing everything together.
- Sour Cream – Combined with cream cheese, sour cream makes for a wonderfully creamy, tangy base for this cheesy dip.
- Garlic & Onion Powders – For the perfecting seasoning. If you’d like, you can substitute with minced garlic for a more pungent flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese – I highly recommend using sharp cheddar cheese for this recipe, since the cream cheese and sour cream are very creamy and mild. Likewise, if you can shred the cheese yourself rather than buying pre-shredded cheese, you’ll enjoy a much fresher flavor and better texture.
- Cotija Cheese – A salty, tangy cheese similar to feta, this adds a lovely kick and signature Mexican flavor to the entire dish.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – The best part of this dip is the golden crunchy crust, and that wouldn’t be possible without bread crumbs! Panko is always the best, but if you don’t have any, feel free to use your own homemade breadcrumbs or crushed crackers.
- Cilantro – A sprinkle of fresh cilantro adds a bright zing of refreshing flavor. If you don’t like cilantro, consider using a bit of fresh parsley for a fresh, herby flavor.
HOW TO MAKE JALAPEÑO POPPER DIP
1. Roast Jalapeños. Wash jalapeños and line a baking tray with foil. Place jalapeños on tray and roast under boiler until charred, turning to cook both sides.
2. Chop Jalapeños. Remove peppers from the oven. Remove stems before chopping finely. Set aside to cool, and don’t forget to wash your hands after!
3. Make Your Mixture. In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic and onion powders with a hand mixer until well combined.
4. Add Cheese and Jalapeños. Mix in your cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and ¾ cup of cotija cheese. Spread the mixture into an 8×8-inch baking dish, or two small ramekins.
5. Make Topping Mixture. Combine panko bread crumbs, melted butter, remaining cotija cheese, and cilantro using a fork. Sprinkle this mixture over the cheese mixture.
6. Bake & Serve. Bake for 20 minutes at 375°F or until breadcrumbs are golden. Serve warm with chips of your choice!
Are Jalapeños Spicy?
Compared to other well-known hot peppers, jalapeños are fairly mild. On the Scoville scale, they rank milder than cayenne or serrano peppers, but are spicier than poblano or bell peppers.
Does Roasting Jalapenos Make Them Hotter?
This jalapeno popper dip calls for roasted jalapenos, but not because the roasting process makes them spicier. Roasting the peppers actually minimizes the spice level a bit while giving the peppers a deeply robust, smoky flavor.
What Goes Good With Jalapeno Popper Dip?
I love Ritz buttery crackers, but classic tortilla chips are also the perfect dipper for this zesty dip. For a fancier feel, you could use toasted baguette, but this dip will go great with vegetable crudite, crackers, or pita chips as well!
What is Jalapeno Popper Dip Made Of?
This dip includes cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and cotija cheese. However, you can customize this however you’d like to. You could use other cheeses like mozzarella or Monterey Jack, you might choose to include some spicier peppers, or you might even want to add some crispy bacon!
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Jalapeño Popper Dip
Ingredients
- 6 fresh jalapeños See Note 1
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 cup cotija cheese crumbled (divided)
- 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- Place washed jalapeños on a foil line baking dish or tray and roast under broiler until charred, turning to get both sides. Remove from oven and remove stems. Chop fine and set aside to cool. Wash hands after.
- In a bowl, combine cream cheese, garlic and onion powders and sour cream and beat with a hand mixer until combined.
- Add cheddar cheese, ¾ cup cotija cheese, and diced jalapeños, mix until well combined. Spread into an 8×8 baking dish or 2 smaller ramekin dishes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl combine Panko bread crumbs, melted butter, remaining ¼ cup cotija cheese, and cilantro with a fork. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the cream cheese mixture(s).
- Bake 20 minutes, or until hot and breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve warm with chips or crackers of choice.
Notes
- You can substitute a 4 ounce can diced jalapeños, drained.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Made this for a party this weekend. I could not find cotija cheese at our local stores, but used goat cheese crumbles. I also added in bacon as suggested. Fantastic! Not terribly spicy and very tasty.
Mmmmm, bacon!
Had to come back and tell you I made this for the games today and its already gone. I’m making a second batch for when people come over! Haha!
Nice! Love reading this one!