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Even if you’re not a blue cheese fanatic, you’ll go bonkers over this tangy and creamy Blue Cheese Dip with Bacon, Chives, and Walnuts! It’s an ideal football food or party appetizer to enjoy with fresh fruit, crackers, or spread on a toasted baguette.
There’s always an assortment of savory dips at gatherings for Football games and similar get-togethers. But it can be challenging to find the perfect dip with a different flavor profile when French onion dip and buffalo chicken dip get a little old.
Blue Cheese Bacon Dip to the rescue! The rich and tangy flavors of blue cheese with the smoky and salty bacon goodness in this Blue Cheese Bacon Dip meld so well together that it’s simply irresistible.
Trust me; you’ll want to double this easy blue cheese dip recipe if you’re hosting more than a few friends — this dip always disappears quickly!
Why you’ll love this Blue Cheese and Bacon Dip
Key ingredients & substitutions
- Bacon | Bring salty, savory notes to the dip with fried crisp and chopped bacon, thick cut for the best flavor.
- Garlic | Minced fresh garlic boosts the flavor. If necessary, substitute with garlic powder.
- Cream cheese | Softened cream cheese is perfect for the creamy base of the dip. For a healthier alternative, swap with Greek yogurt.
- Half-and-half | Half-and-half thins the cream cheese without compromising the creamy flavor. Heavy cream is an excellent substitute.
- Blue cheese | You’ll need some tangy blue cheese crumbles. If you prefer a mild cheesy dip, use Danish blue cheese rather than other varieties because of its less sharp flavor.
- Chives | Add chopped fresh chives for mild onion flavor or switch them out for green onion to get a similar effect.
- Walnuts | Toasted walnuts bring a crunch, contrasting the creamy and silky-smooth dip texture.
How to make warm blue cheese dip
This homemade blue cheese dip is easy to make and always a hit!
STEP 1 | Preheat the oven
Begin this easy recipe by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.
STEP 2 | Chop bacon and beat cream cheese
Get the bacon cooked, cooled, and chopped along with the chives. Then you are ready to make the base of the dip.
In an electric stand mixer or hand mixer, add the softened cream cheese to a medium bowl and beat it at medium speed until smooth.
Then, add the half-and-half and continue mixing until the ingredients are silky-smooth.
tips
- Make this easy dip recipe even easier by using pre-cooked store-bought bacon pieces.
- Mix in some kosher salt and black pepper to taste, if desired.
- Use a little more cream to thin the dip and drizzle over this wedge salad instead of classic homemade blue cheese dressing.
STEP 3 | Add remaining ingredients
Next, stir in the chopped and cooked bacon, minced garlic cloves, tangy blue cheese crumbles, and fresh chives.
STEP 4 | Top with blue cheese crumbles & bake!
Spoon the mixture into a 1-quart baking dish or gratin dish and garnish the top with more blue cheese, walnuts, and chives.
Then bake the dip recipe for 15 minutes until it is warmed through. Finally, top the creamy dip with nuts and serve with juicy fruit and crunchy crackers!
Looking for more delicious dips?
Try Creamy White Queso or Jalapeno Popper Dip and Spinach and Artichoke Dip made in the slow cooker. Also, Cheesy Shrimp Dip is an excellent choice for something a little different but just as irresistible!
Frequently asked questions
Texture and consistency are the most significant differences between blue cheese dip and dressing. The dressing is often smoother and more fluid to better drizzle on salads, while the dip is thicker and chunkier for dipping. On the other hand, both blue cheese recipes are made with the same base ingredients.
YES! Served with apple slices, grape clusters, or veggie sticks, blue cheese dip is a very tasty appetizer for gluten-free guests. Avoid serving with store-bought crackers or chips unless they are labeled gluten-free as well.
This is a great dip to prep ahead of time. Combine all the ingredients, place in a baking dish, and top with the extra blue cheese crumbles. Cover tightly and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Serving suggestions
This delicious recipe with bacon and walnuts is typically served with crackers, bread, or fresh fruit for dipping. Here are a few delicious dipper ideas:
- Fresh veggies, like celery sticks and carrot sticks
- Toasted baguette slices or flatbread
- Favorite crackers and breadsticks
- Fresh fruit, like apple or pear slices and grape clusters
- Homemade potato chips
- Chicken wings
Storage tips and reheating
- Once the dip has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I don’t suggest freezing any leftovers of this recipe.
- To reheat, cover loosely and heat in the microwave until warmed through.
Behind the recipe: Creamy Blue Cheese Dip Recipe
Much like other classic recipes that have been popular for some time, the history of blue cheese dressing and dip is a little unclear.
It has been noted in cookbooks and menus since the early 1900s but didn’t become as common as it is now until it was featured in The Joy of Cooking, an iconic cookbook from the 1930s.
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Blue Cheese Dip with Bacon, Chives, and Walnuts
Ingredients
- 7 slices bacon fried crisp and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
- 1/3 cup half-and-half
- 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts toasted
- Grape clusters
- Apple slices
- Flatbread or assorted crackers
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Beat softened cream cheese at medium speed until smooth. Add half-and-half, and again mix until smooth.
- Stir in bacon, garlic, blue cheese, and chives. Spoon mixture into a 1 quart baking dish and bake 15 minutes until warmed through. Top with nuts and serve with fruit and crackers.
Notes
-
- Make this easy dip recipe even easier by using pre-cooked store-bought bacon pieces.
- Mix in some kosher salt and black pepper to taste, if desired.
- Once the dip has completely cooled, store it in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. I don’t suggest freezing any leftovers of this recipe.
- To reheat, cover loosely and heat in the microwave until warmed through.
Nutrition
Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
About Sheila Thigpen
Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer
Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.
