The secret ingredient to smooth, decadent appetizers: cream cheese. Here are our best cream cheese dip recipes.
24 Cream Cheese Dip Recipes No One Can Resist
Updated on May 27, 2024
Cream cheese dip in all its forms is the perfect party starter. A brick of your favorite cream cheese can be transformed into sweet dips perfect for dunking fruit and cookies. You can also use cream cheese to make savory, addicting dips.
Whatever route you take, you’ll never find leftovers after your shindig.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
For many, buffalo chicken dip is the first recipe that comes to mind when someone says cream cheese dip. This dip is creamy, spicy and a touch salty—exactly what your guests want at your game day party.
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Fluffy Caramel Apple Dip
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This sweet, smooth and fluffy dip is really a crowd-pleaser. Be careful—it's so good that you won't want to stop eating it! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
After your trip to the apple orchard, stir up this caramel cream cheese dip. It’s the perfect pairing with a crisp Cortland apple or tart Granny Smith (or really any type of apple!).
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Pimiento and Cheese Spread
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2-3/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My mother made delicious pimiento cheese, but this is a spicy, modern version of her recipe. Serve it stuffed in celery, or spread on crackers or a sandwich. —Elizabeth Hester, Elizabethtown, North Carolina
Pimiento cheese spread is a must at southern parties, but Food Editor Rashanda Cobbins argues that everyone should give this cream cheese dip a try! It’s creamy but gets a kick from cayenne and paprika.
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Dill Pickle Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
My love for pickles led me to create this dill pickle dip. It's so easy to whip together. But be warned...it's addicting! —April Anderson, Forest Lake, Minnesota
Pickle lovers, here’s a new way to enjoy your favorite food! This cream cheese dip uses your favorite dill pickles and a splash of pickle juice for dill-icious flavor. Pair this one with extra crunchy potato chips.
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Dreamy Fruit Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
about 4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone will love this thick cream cheese fruit dip. Serve it with apple wedges, pineapple chunks, strawberries and grapes. —Anna Beiler, Strasburg, Pennsylvania
Making a fruit tray for your next party? Complete your platter with this airy fruit dip that starts with cream cheese and gets a bit of sweetness from marshmallow fluff. Next, try making these cream cheese appetizers in your kitchen.
Loaded Hidden Valley Ranch Dip
The original Hidden Valley Ranch dip is a mainstay at potlucks. But this loaded ranch dip takes things to the next level with bacon, cheddar cheese and chives.
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Hot Spinach Spread with Pita Chips
Total Time
50 min
Servings
16 servings (4 cups spread)
From the Recipe Creator:
Warm and cheesy, this spread is absolutely scrumptious served on toasted pita wedges. Its colorful appearance makes a stunning addition to any buffet. —Teresa Emanuel, Smithville, Missouri
Need an app that won’t leave you with leftovers at your next book club meeting? This hot spinach dip is it! Filled with plenty of spice and creamy cheeses, this one is hard to put down as you discuss the latest Kristin Hannah novel.
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Chocolate Chip Dip
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Is there a kid (or a kid at heart) who wouldn’t gobble up this creamy dip for graham crackers? It beats dunking them in milk, hands down! —Heather Koenig, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
This cream cheese dip is a sweet addition to your appetizer spread. Combined with a bit of brown sugar and vanilla extract, this tastes like chocolate chip cookies but richer. Pair with graham crackers or wafer cookies.
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Slow-Cooker Cheeseburger Dip
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
16 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
This fun dip recipe uses ingredients that I always have in the fridge, so it's easy to throw together on short notice. —Cindi DeClue, Anchorage, Alaska
Break out your slow cooker for this super easy dip. Just stir in all the ingredients and let the slow cooker simmer on low. You can even prep this recipe a night in advance.
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Honey Fruit Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Orange, cinnamon and nutmeg round out this creamy spiced dip. I serve it with apples, pineapple and strawberries. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Go beyond basic sweet with your fruit dip. This recipe includes cream cheese and a bit of marshmallow fluff, of course, but gets personality from fresh orange zest and cinnamon.
11/24
Ground Beef Taco Dip
Total Time
20 min
Servings
24 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What's a football party without taco dip? This version made with spicy ground beef and fresh toppings does not disappoint the die-hards. It is full of classic flavors and is a little extra filling for game day appetites. —Errika Perry, Green Bay, WI
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Five-Cheese Fonduta
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
If melted cheese isn’t one of the most mouthwatering foods of all time, I don't know what is! Substitute your favorite cheeses if you'd like. —Cheri Gilmore, Festus, Missouri
If one cheese is good, five is way better! This fonduta (that’s the Italian version of fondue) includes cream cheese, fontina, cheddar, parmesan and mozzarella. Stir in your favorite Italian herbs and plenty of garlic before popping it in the oven. This is a decadent app that guests will love.
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Bacon Dip
Total Time
2 hours 15 min
Servings
4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I've tried assorted appetizers before, but this one is a surefire people-pleaser. The thick bacon cheese dip has lots of flavor and keeps my guests happily munching as long as it lasts. I serve it with tortilla chips or sliced French bread. —Suzanne Whitaker, Knoxville, Tennessee
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Spinach Artichoke Dip
Total Time
30 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
One taste of this outrageously delicious hot spinach artichoke dip and your guests will not stop eating it until it's gone. The savory blend of artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese is positively addictive! It tastes even better if you make it the night before and chill it in the fridge before baking. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
15/24
Hot Crab Dip
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
about 5 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I have a large family, work full time, and coach soccer and football, so I appreciate recipes that are easy to assemble. This rich, creamy dip is a fun appetizer to whip up for any gathering. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
For many folks, it’s not a party without hot crab dip! Make it yourself with imitation crab. It’s so easy!
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Salmon Dip with Cream Cheese
Total Time
10 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This salmon dip is a delightful hors d'oeuvre that's excellent for any occasion. The combination of salmon, cream cheese and spices gives it terrific flavor. —Raymonde Hebert Bernier, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
Curry powder gives this easy salmon dip extra personality. Serve this dip alongside seedy crackers or even toasted pita.
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Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
After a card game one evening, our hostess served graham crackers spread with prepared strawberry cream cheese. The flavor combination was delicious. So I decided to create this Strawberry Cream Cheese Dip using fresh berries. Guests appreciate this simple snack. —Carol Gaus, Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Need a sweet addition on your snack table? This strawberry cream cheese dip is perfectly sweet thanks to fresh berries and a hint of honey. Serve it with graham crackers or homemade shortbread cookies.
Million Dollar Dip
This Pioneer Woman favorite is filled with three kinds of cheese plus cream cheese! It’s loaded with flavor thanks to bacon, onion and garlic and has a nice crunch thanks to a sprinkling of almonds. Don’t forget to check out our favorite million-dollar spaghetti recipe.
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Buffalo Chicken Dip
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe! Whenever I bring buffalo dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Belinda J. Gibson, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
20/24
Benedictine Spread
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1-3/4 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
This version of a traditional Benedictine spread comes from our Test Kitchen. Serve it as an appetizer dip or sandwich filling.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Benedictine spread is a Kentucky classic. You’ll find this dip that’s swirled with cucumber, dill and cream cheese served up at many a Derby Day party. Don’t forget the mint juleps!
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Beer Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
3-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Ranch dressing mix flavors this easy dip packed with shredded cheese. It's perfect paired with pretzels. Be forewarned, though—it's hard to stop eating once you've started! The beer cheese dip can be made with any type of beer, including nonalcoholic. I've taken it to many parties and I am always asked for the recipe. —Michelle Long, New Castle, Colorado
Break out a bag of pretzels and crack open a beer! This beer cheese dip is the ideal app to serve at your Oktoberfest shindig. We recommend these Oktoberfest beers to get the party started (and to stir into this cream cheese dip!).
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Jalapeno Popper Spread
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I've been told by fellow partygoers that this recipe tastes exactly like a jalapeno popper. I like that it can be made without much fuss. —Ariane McAlpine, Penticton, British Columbia
Try a twist on the classic appetizer with this dip. This cream cheese dip uses all the same flavors as a classic jalapeno popper and can be served up with tortilla chips, pita crisps or even crisp veggies.
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Sun-Dried Tomato Spinach-Artichoke Dip
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh veggies and crackers will disappear quickly when they're next to this cheesy slow-cooked dip. With smoked Gouda, it has an extra level of flavor that keeps everyone guessing. —Katie Stanczak, Hoover, Alabama
Smoked gouda and sun-dried tomato take this spinach dip to the next level. Serve it with crackers, veggies or even toasted garlic bread.
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Garlic Dip
Total Time
5 min
Servings
1-1/2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
"I've been making this dip for years, and now my grown daughters fix it for their families," says Jauneen Hosking of Waterford, Wisconsin. "My mom makes it, too, and her motto is, 'You can never have too much garlic.'"
