Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Dip is an easy appetizer dip or snacking dip to enjoy all year round. With just 15 minutes of prep time, this can become one of your favorite appetizers!
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I love cream cheese dips, it's a great way to use up the extra brick in the fridge and is something different to serve with your classic snacks or appetizers, like my Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.
Why this recipe works
Dips are a great quick appetizer, like my Party Dips, to take last minute to a party, or to whip up when unexpected company comes over served with this fruit board for finger foods everybody will love!
The perfect make-ahead appetizer using just a few simple ingredients like these Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers.
Simple Ingredients
- Bacon: cut into small pieces which adds a nice texture and smoky flavor
- Cream cheese: the trick to the perfect blend of dip is using softened cream cheese. It can be light or regular cream cheese blocks, just don't use the cream cheese spread.
- Shredded cheese: I use sharp cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese, but these can be changed up
- Everything Bagel seasoning
- Jar of pepper jelly spread: choose your favorite. It can be mixed spicy pepper jelly, green pepper jelly, spicy red pepper jelly, etc.
- Green onions
- Your favorite crackers, Pita chips, or crispy bread pieces- for serving your pepper jelly cream cheese dip on
How to make cream cheese pepper jelly dip
- Step 1: In a large skillet, add bacon pieces and cook until crispy before draining on a paper towel.
- Step 2: Add both softened blocks of cream cheese to a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer to whip until smooth.
- Step 3: Toss in the shredded cheese and bagel seasoning. Mix well.
- Step 4: Spread the mixture into your serving dish, cover with plastic and place into fridge until ready to serve.
- Step 5: When ready, remove from fridge and remove plastic wrap, spread jelly over top of the cream cheese mixture.
- Step 6: Add cooked bacon and sliced green onions. Serve and enjoy the perfect appetizer.
Best Dip Tips
- I serve this with our favorite Ritz crackers, pita chips, and crispy bread pieces, but you can serve this easy recipe with other finger foods like bell peppers, Club crackers, or pretzels, on a charcuterie board with a meat and cheese platter.
- There's nothing worse than forgetting the softened block of cream cheese! Be sure to set the cream cheese blocks out early enough to soften at room temperature. If running shorter on softening time, cut the blocks up into smaller chunks to speed up the process. But I would avoid using the microwave as that can easily mess up the texture.
- For best results, cover leftover dip and refrigerate when it's not actively being snacked on for food safety. You should transfer leftovers to an airtight container if not covered tightly with plastic.
Recipe Faq's
It all depends on which jelly you choose to use since pepper jelly comes in different heat levels. Be sure to taste your hot pepper jelly
before using it, adjust the quantity you use as your tastebuds see fit.
The more common preparation of pepper jelly is with jalapeños, bell peppers, pectin, sugar, and vinegar. Sometimes the addition of wine or liqueur.
If you're worried about people liking various amounts of heat, you could make this dip through step 4, then serve this simple appetizer
with multiple jars of pepper jelly so guests can use a small cheese knife to add enough pepper jelly that they personally prefer.
Don't forget to add a small bowl of chives and bacon pieces to top your dip.
Yes, this appetizer can be made the night before covered with plastic wrap and placed in the refrigerator.
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Cream Cheese Pepper Jelly Dip
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon cut into small pieces
- 2 8 ounce blocks of cream cheese softened
- 2 cups shredded cheese I use sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon Everything Bagel seasoning
- 1 10 ounce jar pepper jelly
- 2 green onions
- Crackers Pita chips, or crispy breads
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet on medium high heat and add the bacon pieces and cook until crispy. Remove to a paper towel to drain.
- In a large mixing bowl add the softened cream cheese and using a hand mixer whip until smooth.
- Add in the shredded cheese, everything bagel seasoning and mix.
- Spread the filling into a 8 or 9 inch dish evenly, cover and place into the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve spread the jelly over the top, followed by the crispy bacon and green onions.
- Serve with crackers, bread, or raw vegetables.
So happy you loved it Jeff 🙂
Just whipped this up last minute for a casual hangout and oh man, it's a game changer! The pepper jelly adds such a neat zing to the cream cheese—it's like a party in your mouth. Super easy to make, too.