Jalapeño Popper Dip is the perfect party appetizer. It has all the best parts of a classic jalapeño popper—creamy cheese, a little heat, and plenty of flavour—without any of the extra work. This dip is spicy, rich, and honestly, I can’t stop eating it once I’ve started. Everything bakes together into a bubbly, golden dip that’s perfect for scooping with tortilla chips, crackers, or whatever you’ve got on hand.

I love this Jalapeño Popper Dip because it always feels like a guaranteed win, whether I’m hosting or bringing something to share. The fresh jalapeños give it that subtle kick, the cheddar melts into the creamiest texture, and the corn adds a bit of sweetness to balance it all out. And if you want a dish to prep ahead, even better. This can be mixed up, put into the fridge for up to 2 days, and put in the oven when the guests arrive. Want some similar appetizers? Try my Hot Corn Dip with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or my French Onion Dip.

😍 Why You’ll Love This Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

Crowd-pleasing and comforting: Warm, cheesy, and melty, it has all the flavours of classic jalapeño poppers but in scoopable form.
Perfectly balanced heat: Fresh jalapeños bring a gentle kick that pairs great with creamy cheese and sweet corn.
Easy to make ahead: Mix everything together, stash it in the fridge, and bake when your guests arrive.
Great for any occasion: Game days, holidays, potlucks, or just a cosy night in with chips and a movie.

🌶️ Ingredients To Make This Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

Jalapeños: bring the perfect mix of heat and flavour. Removing the seeds keeps things mild, or leave a few in if you like a kick.
Ranch seasoning packet: adds instant savoury depth with zero effort — the herbs, garlic, and onion powder round out the dip.
Butter: to toast the breadcrumbs. It gives them that buttery, golden crunch.
Cream cheese: blends into something smooth, creamy, and perfectly scoopable.
Sour cream: adds tang and lightens the texture so the dip stays rich without feeling heavy.

Mayonnaise: adds silkiness and helps the dip bake into that irresistible, melty consistency.
Sharp cheddar cheese: melts like a dream. Using sharp cheddar ensures the cheese stands up to the jalapeños rather than getting lost.
Canned corn: adds subtle sweetness and a juicy crunch that balances the heat.
Seasoned breadcrumbs: give the dip a little texture so each bite feels more elevated.
Lime juice: cuts through the richness and wakes up all the flavours.
Green onions: add colour and a nice bit of freshness to the warm, cheesy dip.
Tortilla chips: are classic partner for serving.

✔ How To Make This Jalapeño Popper Dip Recipe

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a small baking dish or casserole and set it aside. Prepare your jalapeños by slicing them open, removing the seeds and membranes, and finely chopping the peppers. Set them aside while you get the base of your dip ready.

In a large mixing bowl, add the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, and lime juice. Using a hand mixer, blend on low speed until everything softens and comes together into a smooth, creamy mixture.

🤝 Sammy’s Tips for Jalapeño Popper Dip

• If you’re mixing by hand, just make sure your cream cheese is fully at room temperature so it blends easily.

Once the base is smooth, fold in the chopped jalapeños, canned corn, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar. Reserve the remaining 1 cup for topping. Stir gently until everything is evenly combined.

Transfer the mixture to your baking dish and spread it out into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar over the top, then bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges begin to bubble.

While the dip bakes, place a small pan over medium–high heat. Melt the butter, then add the seasoned breadcrumbs. Stir frequently until the crumbs turn light golden and toasted — this should take about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let them cool.

Once the dip is bubbling, remove it from the oven and sprinkle the toasted breadcrumbs overtop. Return the dish to the oven for 5 more minutes, or switch to broil for the last 1–2 minutes if you want an extra-crispy finish.

When it comes out of the oven, top with sliced green onions and serve immediately with tortilla chips.

🗒 Variations

Extra heat: add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a few dashes of hot sauce, or keep some jalapeño seeds in the mix for a bigger kick.
Cheesy twist: swap some of the cheddar for Monterey Jack or pepper jack for a different flavour profile.
Smoky flavour: Stir in a spoonful of canned diced green chiles or a sprinkle of smoked paprika.

🗒 Substitutions

Breadcrumbs: Panko, seasoned, or homemade breadcrumbs all work great.
Corn: frozen corn can replace canned; just thaw and pat dry if using frozen.
Cream cheese: light cream cheese works fine, just avoid fat-free as it won’t get as creamy when baked.
Jalapeños: swap fresh jalapeños for pickled if you want a tangier, slightly milder dip.

🍴 Leftovers? Lucky you.

If you happen to have leftover jalapeno popper dip, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes, just until hot and bubbly again. The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps the texture creamy instead of greasy.

🤔 FAQ’S

👩🏻‍🍳 Hungry For More? 

If you loved this Jalapeño Popper Dip recipe, then make sure to check out a few of my other favourite appetizers you may also love:

• Crispy Salami Cups
• Hot Corn Dip with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos
• Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon and Boursin
• Baked Brie with Jam
• Burrata with Shaved Tomatoes
• Boursin and Roasted Veggie Spread
• Eggplant Meatballs (aka Polpette di Melanzane)
• Boursin and Roasted Tomato Dip
• French Onion Dip

💌 Let’s Stay Connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Pinterest! If you do make this jalapeño popper dip recipe (or any recipe of mine) don’t forget to leave a review.

Let’s stay connected

Keep in touch with me on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest! Also, if you do make this recipe (or any recipe of mine for that matter) be sure to tag #sammymontgoms so I can see your re-creations!