This irresistibly delicious Blue Cheese Bacon Dip is quick, easy, and loaded with flavor. Blue cheese crumbles, crunchy walnuts, and crispy bacon make this game day dip a total crowd-pleaser.
Move over french onion dip because this blue cheese bacon dip recipe is THE BEST appetizer to share with your friends and family on game day (or any day really). I’ve made this warm dip a few times but the piece of paper the recipe was scratched on got lost in the depths of a kitchen drawer, so I sort of forgot about it.
Thankfully, the piece of paper reemerged just in time for me to make this dip for my annual Christmas dinner. The best part about finding this recipe is I was able to assemble the dip the night before and bake it right before serving. This dip was DEVOURED in about 14 minutes.
You could even make this dip up to 2 days in advance. Actually, the dip probably tastes even better when the flavors have more time to mingle. Serve with crackers and apples and this dip becomes an appetizer worthy of being on a fancy menu. That said, once you set this luscious dip on the table to “share” with friends, be prepared to move fast and you may even get a bite.
Ingredients
- Bacon – I use thick-cut applewood smoked bacon for the best flavor and texture.
- Garlic Cloves (minced) – Fresh garlic gives this dip SO much incredible flavor. The more the better!
- Cream Cheese (softened) – I used 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese as the base of this dip.
- Half and Half – thins the cream cheese into a creamy dip consistency.
- Blue Cheese Crumbles – If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, you should still give this dip a shot. I’ve served it to many blue cheese skeptics and it’s still been met with rave reviews.
- Fresh Chives (chopped) – adds mild onion flavor and color.
- Toasted Walnuts (chopped) – give each bite of dip a little crunch that pleasantly contrasts the creamy dip.
How to Make – The Steps
Step 1 Brown bacon bits:
In a large skillet, add chopped bacon, and cook over medium-high heat until cooked through and crispy (about 10 minutes). Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
Step 2 Cook garlic:
In the same skillet used for the bacon, add garlic and saute until fragrant (about 1 minute). Set aside.
Step 3 Mix cream cheese and half and half:
With a mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add the half and half and continue mixing until well combined.
Step 4 Mix dip together:
To the bowl, add cooked bacon and garlic, blue cheese crumbles, chives, and walnuts (hang on to a few nuts and chives to garnish the dip with). Season with salt and pepper.
Step 5 Bake: Spoon mixture into a small casserole dish or 4 eight-ounce ramekins. Bake in 350 degrees preheated oven until golden and bubbly (about 15 minutes).
Step 6 Garnish & serve:
Garnish with walnuts and chopped chives. Serve with grapes, apple slices, crackers, toasted bread, or all of the above.
Tips & Tricks
- To save time on cooking the bacon, you can use pre-cooked store-bought bacon bits (just make sure they are good quality).
- Save enough chopped chives and walnuts to sprinkle on top of the dip before serving.
- Assemble this dip a day or two in advance and bake until warm, melted and delicious right before serving.
Why is Blue Cheese Bacon Dip So Good?
- It’s the perfect appetizer for game day and special occasions.
- Quick and easy! You can make this dip in about 30 minutes.
- Great to make ahead. Blue cheese bacon dip tastes even better when stored in the fridge for a night or two before baking.
- Multi-purpose. Smear bacon dip on burgers, sandwiches or use it to make stuffed chicken.
Variations
If blue cheese is a bit too funky for you, you can use a more mild crumbled cheese like feta or gorgonzola. The flavor will be a bit different but delicious regardless.
This blue cheese bacon dip would also be great with caramelized onion or shallot mixed in. Looking for snacks to serve alongside blue cheese bacon dip? The foods below pair perfectly with bacon dip.
- Crackers
- Pita Chips
- Wavy Potato Chips
- Pretzels
- Fresh Celery & Carrots
- Toasted Baguette
- Crusty Fresh Sliced Bread
- Grapes
- Apples
How to Store
You can refrigerate this dip in an airtight container for 4 to 5 days.
Make-Ahead and Freezer Options
Unfortunately, this isn’t a recipe that freezes well. When cream cheese is frozen it separates and the texture is never quite the same.
Blue Cheese Bacon Dip
Ingredients
- 7 bacon slices I use thick-cut applewood smoked bacon
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 packages cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/2 cup blue cheese crumbles
- 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 1/3 cup toasted chopped walnuts
Instructions
- In a large skillet, add chopped bacon, and cook over medium-high heat until cooked through and crispy (about 10 minutes). Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
- In the same skillet used for the bacon, add garlic and saute until fragrant (about 1 minute). Set aside
- With a mixer, beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth. Add the half and half and continue mixing until well combined.
- To the bowl, add cooked bacon and garlic, blue cheese crumbles, chives, and walnuts (hang on to a few nuts and chives to garnish the dip with). Season with salt and pepper.
- Spoon mixture into a small casserole dish or 4 eight-ounce ramekins. Bake in 350 degrees preheated oven until golden and bubbly (about 15 minutes).
- Garnish with walnuts and chopped chives. Serve with grapes, apple slices, crackers, toasted bread, or all of the above.
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