This pepper jelly cream cheese dip is the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and sweet heat. A whipped base of cream cheese and Greek yogurt keeps it light and fluffy, while crispy bacon, sharp cheddar, and fresh scallions add richness and texture. Finished with a glossy layer of sweet and hot pepper jelly, this dip delivers big flavor with minimal effort.
It’s the kind of appetizer that looks impressive but comes together in minutes, making it ideal for holidays, game day, or last-minute entertaining. Serve it with chips, pretzels, or crackers, and don’t expect leftovers. The contrast of cool, creamy dip with the sticky, spicy-sweet jelly on top makes it nearly impossible to stop scooping.
Why You’ll Love This Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip
This dip hits all the right notes: creamy, salty, sweet, and just a little spicy. The Greek yogurt lightens the cream cheese without sacrificing flavor, while bacon and cheddar make it feel indulgent and satisfying. It’s easy to make ahead, endlessly scoopable, and always a crowd favorite. If you love classic pepper jelly and cream cheese, this upgraded version will quickly become your go-to.
How to Make Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip
The base of this dip is whipped until smooth and airy, which makes all the difference in texture. Once the cream cheese and Greek yogurt are fluffy, the mix-ins get folded in for even flavor throughout. The final touch is spreading pepper jelly over the top, creating a sweet-and-spicy layer that ties everything together. I like the Trader Joe’s one if you can find it, otherwise there are great options online, like this one or this one.
The only real cooking involved is cooking up your bacon. I prefer to use a turkey bacon because it’s leaner, but any bacon works. You’ll want to cook it fully until nice and crispy, and then dice into small pieces so it incorporates into the dip. I find that air frying is the easiest method with the least mess (I recently got this air fryer and love it!).
Tips + Serving Ideas
Soften the cream cheese fully before mixing to ensure a smooth, lump-free dip. Use freshly cooked bacon for the best flavor and texture, and finely shred the cheddar so it blends evenly. You can adjust the amount of pepper jelly depending on how sweet or spicy you like it. This dip can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, just add the jelly and garnish right before serving. Serve with tortilla chips, pretzel crisps, buttery crackers, or fresh veggies like celery and bell peppers.
More dip ideas
If you’re looking for more delicious dips, I’ve got you covered! Here are some of my favorite savory dips from my website.
- Healthy Caramelized Onion Dip
- Healthy Pickle Dip
- High Protein Queso Dip
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Healthy Spinach Artichoke Dip
Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip
Equipment
- Head mixer optional
- Air Fryer optional
- Mixing Bowls
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1/3 cup chopped cooked turkey bacon about 5 slices
- 1/3 cup chopped green onion plus more for garnish
- 1/3 cup sweet and hot pepper jelly
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Mix the softened cream cheese and Greek yogurt with a hand mixer until smooth and fluffy. You can also use a spoon, but ensure it's smooth without any clumps.
- Add the cheddar cheese, turkey bacon, green onion, salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Mix until well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly into a serving dish, and spoon the pepper jelly over the top, spreading to cover the surface.
- Garnish with extra green onion. Serve with chips, pretzels, crackers, or fresh vegetables.
