After the chicken-wings guide became your go-to every football season (thank you!), the number-one request was:
“Please do dips next — the same big, useful, make-it-this-weekend format.”
Ask and you shall receive.
These are the exact 20 dips we bring out (in rotation) every time we host — 10 warm and cozy hot ones, 10 cool and refreshing cold ones. They’re easy, they travel well, they make people happy, and (most importantly) there’s never any left.
Whether you make one or set out the full spread, you’ve got this! Let’s make your party the one everyone talks about all year.
Grab your favorite mixing bowl and let’s do this together.
Quick-Start Cheat Sheet (pin or screenshot!)
| # | Dip Name | Hot/Cold | Prep | Total | Little Reason We Can’t Live Without It |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spinach & Artichoke | Hot | 15 min | 45 min | The classic that never lets you down |
| 2 | Buffalo Chicken | Hot | 10 min | 35 min | Wings without the sticky fingers |
| 3 | Queso Blanco (old-cheddar) | Hot | 10 min | 20 min | Restaurant smooth, 100 % real cheese |
| 4 | Lump Crab | Hot | 15 min | 40 min | Feels fancy, couldn’t be easier |
| 5 | Jalapeño Popper | Hot | 20 min | 45 min | All the flavor of poppers, none of the fuss |
| 6 | Loaded Baked Potato | Hot/Cold | 15 min | 35 min | Comfort food you can scoop |
| 7 | Reuben | Hot | 15 min | 40 min | Your favorite sandwich in dip form |
| 8 | Chili Cheese | Hot | 5 min | 15 min | Pantry hero that saves the day |
| 9 | Caramelized French Onion | Hot | 60 min | 90 min | Deep, rich, and totally worth the little extra love |
| 10 | Hot Pizza | Hot | 15 min | 35 min | Pizza night just got even more fun |
| 11 | 7-Layer | Cold | 20 min | 2 hr chill | Looks impressive, takes minutes |
| 12 | Million Dollar | Cold | 10 min | Overnight | Tastes like a splurge, costs almost nothing |
| 13 | BLT | Cold | 15 min | 1 hr chill | Fresh summer vibes any time of year |
| 14 | Mexican Street Corn (Elote) | Cold | 15 min | 30 min | Street-festival flavor, no grill needed |
| 15 | Dill Pickle | Cold | 10 min | 2 hr chill | Pickle lovers rejoice (and convert everyone else) |
| 16 | Everything Bagel | Cold | 5 min | 5 min | Breakfast-for-dinner energy in dip form |
| 17 | Whipped Feta & Roasted Red Pepper | Cold | 8 min | 8 min | Bright, creamy, and a little bit fancy |
| 18 | Avocado Crema Ranch | Cold | 10 min | 10 min | Healthier-ish and disappears just as fast |
| 19 | Smoked Salmon | Cold | 10 min | 10 min | Instant elegance with zero effort |
| 20 | Cookie Dough Dessert | Cold | 12 min | 2 hr chill | Sweet finish that makes everyone grin |
The 10 Hot Dips
1. Classic Spinach & Artichoke Dip
Why We Love It: The classic that never lets you down.
Serves 10–12 • Prep 15 min • Bake 30 min @ 375°F
Ingredients
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed completely dry
- 14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained & roughly chopped
- 8 oz full-fat cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup full-fat sour cream
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1¼ cups shredded whole-milk mozzarella, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp kosher salt • ¼ tsp black pepper • ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add mayo, sour cream, Parmesan, garlic, seasonings, spinach, and artichokes; mix well.
- Fold in ¾ cup mozzarella.
- Spread into a 9-inch baking dish or skillet; top with remaining mozzarella.
- Bake 25–30 min until golden and bubbly. Broil 1–2 min for color.
Make-Ahead: Assemble 48 hrs ahead or freeze 2 months.
Chef Secret: Wring spinach in a clean tea towel — zero water = creamy perfection.
2. Ultimate Buffalo Chicken Dip
Why We Love It: Wings without the sticky fingers.
Serves 12 • Prep 10 min • Bake 25 min @ 350°F
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie is perfect)
- 2 packages 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup hot sauce (Frank’s style)
- ¾ cup thick blue cheese dressing
- 1 cup shredded old cheddar
- ¾ cup crumbled blue cheese (optional unless you want flavour)
- 3 green onions, sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Beat cream cheese smooth, then mix in hot sauce and ranch.
- Fold in chicken, cheddar, and blue cheese.
- Spread into baking dish; bake 20–25 min until bubbling.
- Garnish with green onions.
Slow-cooker option: Low 2–3 hrs.
Make-Ahead: 3 days in fridge; reheat with a splash of milk.
3. Restaurant-Style Queso Blanco (old-cheddar edition)
Why We Love It: Restaurant smooth, 100 % real cheese.
Serves 12 • Prep 10 min • Cook 10 min
Ingredients
- 12 oz old or extra-old cheddar, shredded
- 6 oz pepper jack, shredded
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 1¼ cups half-and-half
- 4 oz can diced green chiles + juice
- 1 jalapeño, minced
- ¾ tsp cumin • ½ tsp garlic powder • ¼ tsp smoked paprika
Instructions
- Toss cheeses with cornstarch.
- Warm half-and-half over medium-low heat.
- Add cheese gradually, whisking constantly until silky.
- Stir in remaining ingredients.
- Transfer to slow cooker on “warm” for hours-long serving.
4. Luxury Lump Crab Dip
Why We Love It: Feels fancy, couldn’t be easier.
Serves 10 • Prep 15 min • Bake 25 min @ 375°F
Ingredients
- 8 oz jumbo lump crab meat, picked over
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1½ tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 2 Tbsp chopped chives
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Mix everything gently (don’t break up crab too much).
- Spread in baking dish; bake 25 min until golden.
5. Jalapeño Popper Dip
Why We Love It: All the flavor of poppers, none of the fuss.
Serves 12 • Prep 20 min • Bake 25 min @ 400°F
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 8 oz shredded old cheddar
- 6–8 jalapeños, seeded & diced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked & crumbled
- ¾ cup panko + 2 Tbsp melted butter for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix cream cheese, mayo, cheddar, jalapeños, and bacon.
- Spread in dish, top with buttered panko.
- Bake 20–25 min until golden and crunchy.
6. Loaded Baked Potato Dip (serve warm or cold)
Why We Love It: Comfort food you can scoop.
Serves 12
Ingredients
- 16 oz sour cream
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded old cheddar
- 10 slices bacon, cooked & chopped
- ⅓ cup chopped chives
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
Instructions
Mix everything, chill or bake 350°F 20 min for warm version.
7. Reuben Dip
Why We Love It: Your favorite sandwich in dip form.
Serves 10 • Bake 25 min @ 350°F
Ingredients
- 8 oz chopped corned beef
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup sauerkraut, squeezed dry
- 1½ cups shredded Swiss
- ½ cup Thousand Island
- 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients.
- Bake 25 min until bubbly.
8. Chili Cheese Dip
Why We Love It: Pantry hero that saves the day.
Serves 12 • 15 min total
Ingredients
- 1 lb old cheddar, shredded
- 2 Tbsp cornstarch
- 15 oz can good chili
- ⅓–½ cup milk
Instructions
- Toss cheese with cornstarch.
- Heat chili + milk, stir in cheese until smooth.
- Slow-cooker on low or microwave in bursts.
9. Caramelized French Onion Dip
Why We Love It: Deep, rich, and totally worth the little extra love.
Serves 10 • 90 min total
Ingredients
- 3 large onions, thinly sliced & caramelized
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss
- 2 tsp Worcestershire
Instructions
- Caramelize onions low & slow (45–60 min).
- Mix with remaining ingredients, bake 350°F 25–30 min.
10. Layered Hot Pizza Dip
Why We Love It: Pizza night just got even more fun.
Serves 12 • Bake 20 min @ 350°F
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese + ½ cup sour cream
- ¾ cup marinara
- 2 cups mozzarella
- ½ cup Parmesan
- Pepperoni, peppers, olives, etc.
Instructions
Layer in order, bake until bubbly.
The 10 Cold Dips
11. Perfect 7-Layer Dip
Why We Love It: Looks impressive, takes minutes.
Serves 12–16 • Chill 2+ hrs
Layers in order
- 16 oz refried beans
- 2 cups guacamole
- 1½ cups sour cream + 1 packet taco seasoning
- 2 cups shredded old cheddar
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced black olives
- Green onions
12. Million Dollar Dip
Why We Love It: Tastes like a splurge, costs almost nothing.
Serves 12 • Overnight chill recommended
Ingredients
- 1½ cups mayonnaise
- 1½ cups shredded old cheddar
- ½ cup toasted slivered almonds
- 8 slices bacon, crumbled
- ½ cup green onions
Mix and chill overnight.
13. BLT Dip
Why We Love It: Fresh summer vibes any time of year.
Serves 10
Ingredients
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled
- 2 tomatoes, seeded & diced
- Shredded lettuce added at serving
Mix first four, top with lettuce last minute.
14. Mexican Street Corn (Elote) Dip
Why We Love It: Street-festival flavor, no grill needed.
Serves 12
Ingredients
- 5 cups fire-roasted corn
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup Mexican crema or sour cream
- ¾ cup crumbled cotija
- ⅓ cup cilantro
- 2 Tbsp lime juice + Tajín
Mix and chill.
15. Dill Pickle Dip
Why We Love It: Pickle lovers rejoice (and convert everyone else).
Serves 10
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1½ cups finely chopped dill pickles
- 3 Tbsp pickle juice
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill
Mix and chill 2 hrs.
16. Everything Bagel Dip
Why We Love It: Breakfast-for-dinner energy in dip form.
Serves 8–10 • Ready in 5 min
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup everything bagel seasoning (or more to taste)
Whip together — done.
17. Whipped Feta & Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Why We Love It: Bright, creamy, and a little bit fancy.
Serves 10 • 8 min
Ingredients
- 8 oz feta
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 12 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp oregano
Blend until silky.
18. Avocado Crema Ranch
Why We Love It: Healthier-ish and disappears just as fast.
Serves 10
Ingredients
- 2 ripe avocados
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- Juice of 1 lime
Blend smooth.
19. Smoked Salmon Dip
Why We Love It: Instant elegance with zero effort.
Serves 10
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sour cream
- 8 oz smoked salmon, flaked
- 2 Tbsp capers
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill
- Zest + juice of 1 lemon
Mix gently and chill.
20. Safe Cookie Dough Dessert Dip
Why We Love It: Sweet finish that makes everyone grin.
Serves 12 • Chill 2 hrs
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1¼ cups mini chocolate chips
Beat until fluffy, fold in chips, chill.
And what else is on your game-day menu that we absolutely need to know about?
Drop it all in the comments below — I read every single one and can’t wait to hear what you’re scooping! 🏈🧀
