Jalapeno Popper Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Perfectly balanced creamy, cheesy richness, with a spicy kick of jalapenos, and a homemade burst of flavor thanks to the Daisy Ranch Dip, this recipe contains all the flavors you love in a popper in an addictive, irresistible, sharable dip.

This Jalapeño Popper Dip is perfect for casual gatherings like game days, potlucks, holiday parties, movie nights, and showers, basically any occasion where people gather for fun and enjoy a crowd-pleasing, cheesy, slightly spicy appetizer with chips, crackers, or veggies. It’s a versatile party starter that’s always a hit.

Jalpeno Popper Dip Ingredients

  • Softened Cream Cheese (8 ounces): A mild cheese that helps bind the dip together and adds a velvety texture to the dip.
  • Daisy Creamy Ranch Dip (1 cup): Contains the traditional spices and herbs of ranch dressing built in with delicious homemade tastes. It provides a creamy richness and depth of flavor to the dip.
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese (1 cup): Offers a sharp, tangy flavor and melts well into a creamy, gooey texture.
  • Bacon Bits (1/4 cup): Adds an irresistible smoky and salty flavor with a crispy texture.
  • Diced Green Onions (1/4 cup): They add a mild onion taste as well as a pop of color to the dip.
  • Canned Pickled Jalapenos (15 ounces, rinsed and drained): Convenient and consistent, canned jalapenos provide mild heat and a tangy flavor that cuts through the richness of the cheese.

Substitutions, Variations, and Tips

  • Any melting cheese may be used in place of the cheddar. American, Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, Gouda, Pepper Jack, Velveeta, Gruyere, Swiss, Fontina, or a mixture are all good choices.
  • Jarred or fresh bacon bits work well in this recipe.
  • Shallots or chives may be used in place of the green onion.
  • Fresh jalapenos may be used I place of the canned jalapenos. Note that fresh jalapenos vary in heat level. For milder flavor, remove the seeds and ribs of the fresh jalapeno and finely dice.
  • Hatch green chilies or other canned chilies may be used in place of the jalapenos.
  • You can spice up your dip more by adding a dash of hot sauce, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or a few diced up jalapenos.
  • Top with toasted breadcrumbs or canned French onions for added texture.
  • Try adding more protein. Cooked shredded chicken or ground sausage are great additions.
  • No oven space? You can prepare the dip in a slow cooker on low. Just be sure to give it a good stir every so often.
  • Any left-over dip may be reheated in the microwave at 50% power in 30 second intervals until warm.

How to make Jalapeno Popper Dip

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Mix all ingredients and place in a baking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown.
  3. Serve with your favorite dippers.


French Onion Au Gratin Potatoes

French Onion Au Gratin Potatoes

Excellent for chilly winter nights, this crowd-pleasing potato recipe is warm, filling, and perfect for cozy weeknight dinners—yet elegant enough for special occasions. Savory, cheesy, oniony, and decadent, these classic potatoes get their rich, robust flavor from the addition of Daisy French Onion Dip.

Similar to scalloped potatoes, these Au Gratin potatoes feature thinly sliced potatoes and onions layered and baked in an indulgent, creamy cheese sauce until tender. The result is soft, velvety potatoes coated in a luscious, comforting sauce.

Incredibly simple to prepare, this straightforward recipe requires very little culinary skill. It’s so irresistible, it’s sure to become a favorite savory side dish.

French Onion Au Gratin Potato Ingredients

  • Russet Potatoes (2 medium, thinly sliced): With their high starch content, russet potatoes naturally release starch as they cook, helping to thicken the cream sauce and create a rich, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. For best results, slice them evenly so they cook at the same rate.
  • Onion (1/2 medium, thinly sliced): The perfect companion to potatoes, onions add a sweet, slightly sharp, earthy flavor. Both white and yellow onions work well—white onions are a bit more pungent, while yellow onions are slightly sweeter.
  • Salt & Pepper (to taste): This classic seasoning duo enhances and balances all the other flavors in the dish.
  • Butter (1 ½ tablespoons): Adds richness and depth, forming the flavorful base of the sauce.
  • All-Purpose Flour (1 ½ tablespoons): Used to thicken and stabilize the sauce, ensuring it’s smooth and creamy rather than runny.
  • Milk (3/4 cup): Helps thin the sauce and evenly distribute the cheesy goodness throughout the potatoes. Whole milk is ideal for the creamiest result.
  • Daisy French Onion Dip (1 ¼ cups): Creamy and delicious, this dip adds richness, bold onion flavor, and a pleasant tang that elevates the entire dish.
  • Cheddar Cheese (3/4 cup, freshly shredded): This salty, sharp cheese melts beautifully, creating a comforting, classic cheesy sauce. Shredding it fresh helps it melt more smoothly.
  • Gruyère Cheese (½ cup, freshly shredded): Known for its superior melting quality, Gruyère creates an exceptionally creamy, velvety sauce. Its nutty, earthy, subtly sweet flavor pairs perfectly with cheddar for added depth.
  • Fresh Chives (about 2 tablespoons, finely chopped): With a mild onion-garlic flavor and vibrant green color, chives add a fresh finishing touch and a pop of color to the finished potatoes.

Substitutions, Variations, and Tips

  • Yukon Gold potatoes may be used in place of russets. Yukon Golds have a sturdier texture and a slightly buttery flavor.
  • Red potatoes are not ideal for this recipe, as they are too waxy and can result in a gluey texture.
  • Olive oil may be used in place of butter.
  • Purple (red) onions may be used instead of yellow or white onions, adding a more peppery, pungent flavor.
  • Cornstarch may be used in place of flour to thicken the sauce if gluten is a concern. Add the milk to the melted butter first, then whisk in the cornstarch until smooth.
  • Half-and-half may be used in place of milk, though it will create a thicker, richer sauce.
  • Other cheeses may be substituted for cheddar and Gruyère, such as Asiago, Manchego, or Parmesan.
  • Fresh garlic and herbs can enhance the potatoes and add delicious depth of flavor. Try adding about 1 teaspoon of minced garlic, along with freshly chopped thyme or rosemary, to the sauce.
  • Feel free to top with additional cheese or breadcrumbs for extra texture and flavor.
  • The easiest way to uniformly slice the potatoes and onions is by using a mandoline slicer or a food processor.
  • Make-ahead friendly: You can prepare this dish up to one day in advance. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake.
  • To reheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover with foil and bake for 15–30 minutes, or until heated through. Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave at ½ power in 15–30 second intervals.
  • Freezing instructions: The cooked potatoes may be frozen. To reheat, either cover and bake at 325°F for about 75 minutes, or allow the dish to come to room temperature, then cover and bake at 350°F for 15–30 minutes, until hot throughout.

How to Make French Onion Au Gratin Potatoes

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray an 8-inch dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Layer half the potatoes in the dish. Season with salt and pepper. Add the onions and then add the remaining potatoes. Season again with salt and pepper.
  3. Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in the flour constantly for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk (about ¼ cup at a time), whisking well after each addition. Cook 3-5 minutes, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from the heat.
  4. Stir in cheese until melted. Add the French Onion dip and stir until combined. Pour over the potatoes and cover with aluminum foil that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
  5. Bake until the potatoes are tender and the sauce is bubbly (about 45 minutes). Uncover for last 10 minutes to allow the potatoes to brown.
  6. Let cool for 15 minutes over a wire rack. Garnish as desired and serve.