38 Creamy Dips That Will Have Everyone Asking For The Recipe

Good luck trying not to double-dip.

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Updated on April 20, 2024

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip — Photo: Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

It's safe to say no tailgate, watch party, or really any gathering in the South is complete without at least one dip on the appetizer table. Not only do they make entertaining easier because you can often make the recipe ahead of time, but dips are also very transportable. We have a dip for just about every occasion, from Super Bowl-worthy recipes to cold dips and no-cook dips for summer, but those that hold a special place in our hearts are the ultra-creamy ones.

You'll find most of these creamy dips call for an array of cheeses, sour cream, cream cheese, or mayonnaise—in some cases, all of them—to create their creamy bases. From there, the options are endless—with spicy dips (say hello to jalapeño popper dip and buffalo chicken dip), crab-filled dips, and classic cheese dips. So if you're on appetizer duty, we promise you can't go wrong with any of these crowd-pleasing creamy dips, no matter the occasion.

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Million Dollar Dip

million dollar dip on a tray with crudites and crackers — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

We turned the crowd-favorite cheese ball into a dip that's ready to serve in just 15 minutes. Crunchy almonds and bacon add a nice crunchiness to balance out the creaminess of the chive-and-onion cream cheese, mayonnaise, and extra-sharp Cheddar cheese.

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Spinach Dip

Southern Living Spinach Dip in a bowl to serve with pita chips — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fontina cheese mixed with sour cream and mayonnaise gives this spinach dip the irresistible creamy texture it's known for. To avoid the dip from becoming soupy, be sure to squeeze out all excess moisture from the spinach before mixing it in.

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Tex-Mex Skillet Poblano Dip

Southern Living Tex-Mex Skillet Poblano Dip in a skillet to serve with chips and beer — Antonis Achilleos, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Andrea Fanning

You can safely assume you won't have any leftovers of this delicious dip. And if you have a large gathering, you might want to go ahead and double it.

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Rotel Sausage Dip

Rotel Dip — Caitlin Bensel

With only six ingredients and your slow cooker, you have no excuse not to serve this fan-favorite dip at your next tailgate or watch party.

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Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip — Monica Farber

When it comes to hosting hacks, this crowd-pleasing dip should be at the top of the list. Everyone will be reaching for a chip when this slightly spicy chicken dip hits the table.

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Skillet Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Skillet spinach-artichoke dip in cast iron — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist:Ruth Blackburn

There are some recipes that are just so good you don't want to mess with them, which is the case for spinach-artichoke dip. The only way we could think to up the ante was by cooking it in a cast-iron skillet to get it extra melty and gooey.

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Creamy Crab Dip

Creamy Crab Dip Recipe — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Reminiscent of a traditional layered crab dip, this lightened-up take uses sour cream and mayo instead of cream cheese and brings in Lowcountry flavor with Old Bay seasoning in place of cocktail sauce.

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Austin Diner-Style Queso

Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Be prepared to spoil your dinner when this creamy queso is on the table. There's a reason why we're always filling up on tortilla chips and queso before dinner even arrives at restaurants and it's no different with this homemade version.

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Baked BLT Dip

Baked BLT Dip

Everything you love about the iconic sandwich reimagined into a delicious creamy version for dipping crostinis. Did we mention there's a lot of bacon? And by a lot, we mean a whole pound.

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Baked Goat Cheese Marinara Dip

2-ingredient dip — Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox

The name of this recipe gives away the only two ingredients you need—goat cheese and marinara sauce. Truly all you have to do is spread the goat cheese in the bottom of the baking dish, top it with the sauce, and pop it in the oven.

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Jalapeño Popper Dip

jalapeno popper dip in a skillet with beer and tortilla chips — Jennifer Causey; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

Everyone will want a scoop of this oh-so-good dip made with a blend of pickled and fresh jalapeño peppers, cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, plenty of bacon, and a handful of spices.

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Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly

Baked Goat Cheese Spread with Pepper Jelly — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Switch up your baked brie routine for this pepper jelly topped baked goat cheese. If you want to spice things up, try a flavored goat cheese.

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Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos

Have you ever wished for a hot and cheesy version of Texas caviar? Look no further. This dip is packed with diced tomatoes, cilantro, black-eyed peas, jalapeños, and roasted bell pepper.

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Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip — Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Break out this tangy, spicy appetizer for your next holiday gathering. It only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time to prepare, but can be made a few days in advance to easy day-of party prep.

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Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Spinach-Artichoke Dips — Caitlin Bensel

Spinach-artichoke dip will always be a party favorite. You'll want to use this recipe that calls for frozen artichokes (for better flavor than canned ones) the next time you make it. The ultra-creamy mixture is topped with bread crumbs for a crunchy addition to every bite.

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Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

Can't decide what dip to make? Spinach-artichoke dip? Caramelized onion dip? We have the answer—frozen spinach, sautéed onions, and diced ham are folded into a blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and parmesan for the ultimate party recipe.

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Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip

Hot Crab-and-Artichoke Dip — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey

We've yet to meet a crab or artichoke dip we didn't love, so this combination of the two is a no-brainer. While fresh crabmeat is always best, if you need to substitute it, use frozen crab, not canned.

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Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Hot Cheesy Crab Dip — Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

While the crab makes this recipe feel extra festive for the holidays, you don't need a celebration to enjoy it. Serve with endive leaves or toast points.

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Caramelized Onion Dip

Caramelized Onion Dip — Getty Images / 7886565

The trick to this recipe is ensuring the onions are caramelized, which means going low and slow to maximize flavor. Serve with good old-fashioned potato chips.

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Roasted Tomato and Boursin Dip

2-ingredient dip — Cameron Beall

A simple cheese and tomato combination strikes again. If you have a block of Boursin cheese and pint of cherry tomatoes, you can have this irresistibly creamy dip on the table in no time.

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Creamy Avocado Dip

Creamy Avocado Dip — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

While similar to guacamole with avocados, lime juice, jalapeños, and cilantro, we added sour cream and mayonnaise for a smoother, tangier version of the classic. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth.

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Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip — Hector Manuel Sanchez

Everything you love about Nashville hot chicken packed into one creamy dip with the help of cream cheese, buttermilk, honey, lots of hot sauce, and cayenne pepper. Serve it with your favorite wings or fried chicken.

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Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

instant pot buffalo chicken dip — Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke

When starting with raw chicken breasts, this hands-off recipe is the perfect way to get tender chicken, quick. Thanks to your instant pot, it only requires 10 minutes of work and will be ready in under an hour.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Lump Crab Mornay — Iain Bagwell

Adapted from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi, this dip is loaded with crabmeat, parsley, cheese, and green onions.

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Spinach-and-Vidalia Dip

Spinach and Vidalia Dip — Greg Dupree Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

One the many things we love about this five-star dip is how versatile it is. One reader said, "I have used this as a dip for chips and veggies, to top baked potatoes, and as a spread on hamburgers/cheese burgers and sandwiches."

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Homemade Onion Dip

Homemade Onion Dip — Photographer: Antonis Achilleos, Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall

No seasoning packets here! Chargrilled onions give the sour cream base all the flavor it needs in just 25 minutes. Top with chopped chives to finish.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Jennifer Davick

The best part about this sweet dip is its crème brulée-style crunchy top. Serve the creamy goodness with crisp apples for a delightful treat.

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Skillet Beer-Cheese Dip With Pretzel Bites

Skillet beer-cheese dip with pretzel bites in skillet — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

Beer cheese just got a serious upgrade with baked pretzel bites and fresh bacon bits. When it's time for the big game, you'll want this appetizer front and center.

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Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip — Hector Sanchez

This homemade ricotta recipe might require a bit of planning ahead for the overnight chill time in the refrigerator, but it only needs 40 minutes of your hands-on attention.

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Philly Cheesesteak Dip

Southern Living Philly Cheesesteak Dip in the pan to serve with slices of bread — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This recipe is everything you love about the classic sandwich, minus the bun, and a whole lot creamier. One reader said, "This dip is all things a good dip should be—creamy, cheesy, and just a little bit meaty. If you're a fan of Rotel, you'll love this one."

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Beer-Cheese Fondue

Creamy Feta Phyllo Bites — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Gruyère, Cheddar, dry mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and a lager beer give this holiday-worthy dip its depth of flavor. Keep it over a heat source to avoid clumping and serve with an array of dipping options.

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Dill Pickle Dip

Southern Living Dill Pickle Dip in a bowl to serve with potato chips — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie cox

Looking for something the whole family will love? This is it. "My family loves dill pickles and this dip knocked it out of the park! Everyone loved it—even the grandkids," said one reader.

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Deviled Crab Dip

Southern Living Deviled Crab Dip in serving bowl — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

It's impossible to only have one bite of this creamy, crab-filled dip. While we're here for the crab, it might be the topping made with crushed saltine crackers, cheese, Old Bay, and butter that seals the deal.

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Copycat Publix Buffalo Chicken Dip

Southern Living Cold Buffalo Chicken Dip in a bowl to serve with carrot and celery sticks, chips, crackers, and glasses of beer — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

We love Publix's Buffalo Chicken Dip so much, we just had to copy it. The best part about it is you can serve it cold or hot.

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Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled Crudités

Smoked Vidalia Onion Dip with Grilled CruditÃ©s — Greg DuPree; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Styling: Christine Keely

While you can make onion dip year-round, this recipe calls for Vidalia onions which reach their peak season in the spring.

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Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring Crudités

Southern Living Cheesy Artichoke Dip With Spring CruditÃ©s on a serving platter — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Though you'll typically find artichokes accompanied by spinach when it comes to creamy dips, we opted to just highlight one here. Serve with any variety of crunchy veggies like snap peas, endive leaves, radishes, or carrots. Crackers or crostinis work too.

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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip

slow cooker buffalo chicken dip with carrots and chips — Skyler Burt; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

This dump-and-go slow-cooker recipe just made game day a whole lot easier. Use a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe even more hands-off.

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Collard Dip Recipe

Nashville Hot Chicken Dip — Hector Manuel Sanchez

For a wintery spin on spinach dip, we used collard greens to make this hearty version. One reader raves about it saying, "We have made this dip almost every weekend! It is easy to put together and good the next day (if there is any left)."

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