Spicy and sweet, this warm Pepper Jelly Dip is the ultimate cheese spread! Serve with buttery round crackers or crispy tortilla chips.
This post is about how to make the BEST Pepper Jelly Dip!
This Hot Red Pepper Jelly Dip is OMG delicious! Sharp cheddar and cream cheese are the creamy components, with several fresh ingredients and spices.
Bake this spread in the oven for about 20 minutes, and then top it with pepper jelly and fresh green onions. I purchased a box of Ritz crackers to serve with it because they are extra buttery, have a flaky crunch, and a slightly salty top. Thin (restaurant-style) tortilla chips are delicious too!
FIY, not all pepper jelly is made equal. Some brands, like Trader Joe’s, are super easy to spread. If you get a jar (like the Tabasco brand) that’s more solid and jelly-like in texture, have patience when topping the dip because you’ll need to dollop it on with a spoon, covering the top as best you can.
Check out the step-by-step recipe below and have fun serving this dip at your next gathering. Everyone will go CRAZY. Enjoy!
OMG Pepper Jelly Dip!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 Jar of Pepper Jelly, approximately 10 ounces.
- 1 Brick of Cream Cheese, 8 ounces (softened).
- Sharp Cheddar Cheese, 8 ounces shredded (about 2 cups). If time permits, buying the 8-ounce brick and grating it yourself always tastes best.
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced.
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 3 Green Onions, thinly sliced. Mix two green onions into the dip, and use the third onion to garnish the top.
- 1 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes. If you want the dip less spicy, cut this back to 1/2 tbsp or omit this ingredient altogether.
Equipment Needed:
- Oven
- Good Knife (for thinly slicing the green onions)
- Stand or Hand Mixer (is best for combining the cream cheese and sharp cheddar)
- Cheese Grater (optional)
How To Make OMG Pepper Jelly Dip, Step-By-Step
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. I sprayed my baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside for now.
Step 2: Combine the softened cream cheese and grated sharp cheddar cheese using a stand or hand mixer.
Step 3: Next, mix in the red pepper flakes, minced garlic clove, and salt.
Step 4: Fold in 2 thinly sliced green onions. The third green onion will garnish the dip after it has been baked.
Step 5: Add the dip to the baking dish. I used a butter knife to distribute the spread evenly and smooth the top.
Step 6: Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese looks bubbly and golden.
Step 7: Remove the hot dip from the oven and top it evenly with the red pepper jelly. I used the whole 10-ounce jar.
Step 8: Garnish the top with the last thinly sliced green onion you set aside earlier.
*Serve immediately with Ritz Crackers or thin (restaurant-style) Tortilla Chips.
FAQs
Can I Add Bacon To This Pepper Jelly Cheese Dip?
I would not add bacon to this dip because the flavors are already perfect, and why mess with perfection? But if you really want to add some chopped cooked bacon, go for it.
Does This Pepper Jelly And Cream Cheese Dip Taste Spicy?
Pepper jelly has a sweet and slightly spicy kick, but it’s not overwhelming if you don’t like spicy food. If you want to keep this dip on the mild side, omit the red pepper flakes.
OMG Pepper Jelly Dip!
Equipment
- Oven
- 9 x 6 Baking Dish
- Good Knife (for thinly slicing the green onions)
- Non-Stick Cooking Spray
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Stand or Hand Mixer (is best for combining the cream cheese and sharp cheddar)
- Spatula
- Cheese Grater (optional)
Ingredients
Ingredients You'll Need:
- 1 Jar of Pepper Jelly, approximately 10 ounces.
- 8 ounce Brick of Cream Cheese, softened.
- 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese, shredded (about 2 cups). If time permits, buying the 8-ounce brick and grating it yourself always tastes best.
- 1 Garlic Clove, minced.
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 3 Green Onions, thinly sliced. Two green onions will be mixed into the dip, and the third onion will garnish the top of the spread.
- 1 tbsp Red Pepper Flakes. If you want the dip less spicy, cut this back to 1/2 tbsp or omit this ingredient altogether.
Instructions
How To Make Pepper Jelly Dip, Step-By-Step
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. I sprayed my baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside for now.
- Combine the softened cream cheese and grated sharp cheddar cheese using a stand or hand mixer.
- Next, mix in the red pepper flakes, minced garlic clove, and salt.
- Fold in 2 thinly sliced green onions. The third green onion will garnish the dip after it has been baked.
- Add the dip to the baking dish. I used a butter knife to distribute the spread evenly and smooth the top.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes or until the cheese looks bubbly and golden.
- Remove the hot dip from the oven and top it evenly with the red pepper jelly. I used the whole 10-ounce jar.
- Garnish the top with the thinly sliced third green onion you set aside earlier.
- Serve immediately with buttery round crackers like Ritz or thin (restaurant-style) Tortilla Chips.
Nutrition
Final Thoughts On Pepper Jelly Dip
This OMG Pepper Jelly Dip is a flavor explosion that your guests will obsess over! It’s simple to make, too, so there’s no excuse not to try it out.
If you enjoyed this dip, check out Career Girl Meets…KITCHEN cookbook available on Amazon. Share this recipe with friends and family, and comment below if you enjoyed the spread. Follow Career Girl Meets… on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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