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Hot creamy jalapeño popper dip baked in a skillet with golden topping and sliced jalapeños.

Creamy Jalapeño Popper Dip

All the cozy, cheesy jalapeño popper flavors baked into a hot, bubbly dip with bright heat, a crunchy topper, and easy prep for game day, movie night, or a quick family snack.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar or cheddar jack divided
  • 2 fresh jalapeños minced; seeds removed for milder heat or kept for hotter
  • 1 can diced jalapeños drained; mild or hot to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt plus more to taste
  • 1 lime juiced
Crunchy Topper
  • 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 1 tbsp oil neutral or olive
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheese for topping
Serving Options
  • tortilla chips, toasted pita wedges, or crisp veggie sticks

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Skillet or small baking dish
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Soften cream cheese until stirrable, then mix with sour cream and 1½ cups shredded cheese to make a thick, spreadable base.
  2. Fold in minced fresh jalapeños, drained canned jalapeños, garlic, green onion, paprika, salt, and lime juice until evenly distributed.
  3. Spread into a small baking dish or skillet. Toss breadcrumbs with oil and the remaining ½ cup cheese, then scatter over the top.
  4. Bake 18–20 minutes until bubbling at the edges and lightly browned on top. Rest 5 minutes, then serve hot with dippers.

Notes

Heat control: for milder heat, remove seeds and membranes from fresh jalapeños and use mild canned; for hotter, keep some seeds or add a pinch of cayenne. Brighten with a squeeze of lime or chopped cilantro after baking. Make ahead: assemble up to 1 day in advance, cover, and chill; if baking from cold, add a few minutes. Store leftovers covered and reheat gently, stirring to restore creaminess. Serving ideas: garnish with jalapeño rounds, extra green onion, and paprika; spread leftovers on toast or in a quesadilla for a quick snack.