Hey friends. I have plenty of hot dips I love, but this bacon cream cheese dip is at the top of the list right now. It combines crispy bacon with sweet caramelised onion jam for a bold, comforting flavour that will keep you and your guests coming back for more.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Perfect for any occasion – This warm dip is a party staple for birthdays, potlucks, game day and Super Bowl gatherings, pool parties, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and summer BBQs.
- Simple ingredients – Everyday fridge and pantry staples—cream cheese, sour cream, bacon and a few seasonings—are all you need to make this rich, cheesy appetizer.
- Quick and easy – A handful of simple steps and about 25 minutes in the oven deliver a melty, crowd-pleasing dip with minimal fuss.
Ingredients you’ll need
Just a few ingredients come together to make this warm dip. Here are the components and a few tips for best results.
- Olive oil – Use olive oil for flavour, or substitute canola or vegetable oil if you prefer.
- Bacon or pancetta – Smoked bacon adds great depth; cubed smoked pancetta works well as a substitute.
- Cream cheese – Full-fat cream cheese gives the best texture and flavour. Soften it at room temperature for easier mixing.
- Sour cream – Full-fat sour cream adds creaminess and tang.
- Seasonings – Worcestershire sauce, salt and freshly ground black pepper enhance the overall flavour.
- Cheeses – A mix of shredded Gruyère and mozzarella creates gooey, melty perfection. Shred from a block for best texture.
- Caramelised onion jam – This sweet-savory element ties the dip together. Use the sweeter or sharper style you prefer.
Handy Tip: Use Good Kitchen Tools!
Good pans and a reliable hand mixer make this recipe even easier and more successful.
How to Make Cream Cheese Dip
Use the steps below as a clear guide for preparing this warm, cheesy dip.
- Preheat – Heat the oven to 350°F / 180°C (fan-assisted 160°C).
- Cook the bacon – Warm the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook the pancetta or bacon until crispy. Drain and set aside.
- Make the base – In a bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. Beat with a hand or electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
- Fold in the extras – Gently fold in the shredded Gruyère and mozzarella, the crispy bacon or pancetta, and the caramelised onion jam.
- Bake – Spoon the mixture into a small baking dish and bake until bubbly and hot, about 20 minutes.
- Serve – Serve warm with tortilla chips, crostini or fresh vegetables for dipping.
Tips and variations
Customize this dip to suit your taste or make it easier to prepare with these ideas.
- Swap in chili – Replace the caramelised onion jam with leftover chili or a canned chili (bean-free if you prefer) for a hearty, spicier option.
- Add heat – For an adults-only crowd, add sliced jalapeños, chopped chilies, or a pinch of smoked paprika for warmth and depth. Dijon mustard, garlic powder and onion powder also work well.
- Toppings – Finish with thinly sliced scallions, chives or chopped fresh herbs like cilantro for freshness and colour.
Storage and make-ahead
- Prep ahead – Assemble the dip in advance and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Pop it in the oven when guests arrive for a quick, hot appetizer.
- Store leftovers – Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer until warmed through, or use short bursts in the microwave, stirring between intervals to heat evenly.
Serving suggestions
This dip can be served at room temperature or chilled, but it’s best hot—melty and gooey. Serve with raw vegetable crudités (celery, broccoli and cauliflower florets, bell peppers), pork rinds, corn or flour tortillas, tortilla chips, crostini, air-fryer bagels or soft rolls.
More dips you’ll like
If you enjoyed this, try other crowd-pleasing dips such as an Instant Pot spinach artichoke dip, creamy dill pickle dip, funfetti cake batter dip, Cadbury Mini Egg cheesecake dip, a festive Grinch dip, or a pizza dip.
If you made this recipe and enjoyed it, please leave a rating or comment to let others know—it helps a lot and I appreciate your feedback.
Cream Cheese Dip Recipe
Tag #recipesfromapantry on Instagram or social media if you try this Cream Cheese Dip—I’d love to see it!
Cream Cheese Dip
5 mins
25 mins
30 mins
Ingredients
- 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup (75 g) cubed smoked pancetta or sliced smoked bacon
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (250 ml) sour cream
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded Gruyère
- 1 cup (100 g) shredded mozzarella
- 2 tbsp caramelised onion jam
- Tortilla chips or dippers for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F / 180°C (fan-assisted 160°C).
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook pancetta or bacon until crispy. Drain and set aside.
- Combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper in a bowl. Beat with a hand or electric mixer until smooth and fluffy.
- Fold in the shredded cheeses, crispy pancetta or bacon, and caramelised onion jam.
- Transfer the mixture to a small baking dish and bake until bubbly and hot, about 20 minutes.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips or your preferred dippers.
Notes
- You can make your own caramelised onions if you don’t have caramelised onion jam on hand.
- Add jalapeños or chopped chilies for a spicier version.
- Sliced smoked bacon works well in place of pancetta. Serve with chips, tortillas, crostini or chopped veggies.
Recipe slightly adapted from Delish.