Food and Recipes Appetizers 56 Easy Party Dips And Spreads To Serve All Year Long We've lined up our best cheesy, spicy, and healthy dips for your next gathering. By Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola Lisa Cericola has been on staff at Southern Living since 2015. As Deputy Editor, Lisa manages the food and travel departments and edits those sections of each issue, as well as digital content. Previously, she was the features editor at Food Network Magazine and has more than 15 years of experience writing, editing, and managing photo shoots for print and digital lifestyle brands. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 20, 2024 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke One thing Southerners can always be certain of is that with any celebration, no matter how large or small the gathering may be, there's always going to be a delicious spread of party appetizers nearby. While the main course is always the highlight of the event, we like to think the appetizer sets the stage and ensures that your crew gets a good taste of what's to come. We've rounded up our favorite easy dip and spread recipes for every gathering you host or attend this year. These appetizing dips are sure to keep your guests coming back for more. Plus, dip recipes are easy to double to ensure there's enough for everyone, not to mention they're also easy to transport. Some of these dip recipes require no cooking, others can be prepared in your trusty slow cooker, while the rest require just minutes of prep time. Whether you're looking for a savory or sweet dish, you can't go wrong with any of these crowd-pleasing picks. 01 of 56 Baked BLT Dip Skyler Burt The classic sandwich is reimagined in dip form, and has everything you love about the original. This savory snack will be hit, especially during the summertime when tomatoes are at their peak. This dip is best smeared on slices of crostini. Get The Recipe 02 of 56 Spinach Dip Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox You can make this spinach dip up to three days ahead of your party. But if you need to whip something up last minute, don't fear: it only takes 10 minutes. While you can serve it right after mixing, we recommend letting it sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving so all the flavors can really meld together. Get The Recipe 03 of 56 Taco Dip Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox This taco dip is an instant crowd-pleaser. Refried beans, a spicy sour cream mix, guacamole, salsa, cheese, lettuce, and fresh pico de gallo make for a creamy dip with layers of flavor. Get The Recipe 04 of 56 Basic Pimiento Cheese Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox You can never go wrong with with a container full of pimiento cheese that takes just a few minutes to prepare—no cooking required. Make sure to shred the cheese yourself and buy diced pimientos—not sliced. We shred the cheeses at different thicknesses for multi-layered texture. Get The Recipe 05 of 56 Bacon Jam Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox The longest step in this savory-sweet spread is letting the bacon crisp up. Then it cooks in a syrup of brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Serve over goat cheese, Brie, or roasted vegetables. Get The Recipe 06 of 56 Black Bean And Corn Salsa Antonis Achilleos Adding some fresh ingredients to your summertime salsa will help spice it up with bright flavor. Corn, peppers, and tomatoes do most of the work, with the aid of fresh-squeezed lime juice and cumin. Browning the corn and cumin in a cast-iron skillet brings out a wonderful toasty fragrance. Get The Recipe 07 of 56 Spinach-Artichoke Dip Caitlin Bensel Spinach-artichoke dip is always a party favorite due to its creamy texture and cheesy flavors. This could be the only spinach-artichoke dip you'll ever need, using frozen artichokes instead of canned ones for the best flavor. Panko bread crumbs add crunch to every gooey bite. Get The Recipe 08 of 56 Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Texas Caviar is turned into a warm and gooey multi-layered dip in this recipe. Grab a tortilla chip and dig in for the full Southwest effect. You appetizer repertoire just got a little spicier. Get The Recipe 09 of 56 Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely Try something different at your next holiday party with this spicy, tangy cranberry dip. This seasonal dip requires just 10 minutes of hands-on time and can be prepared a few days in advance of serving. It's equally delicious on water crackers, a toasted bagel, or your turkey sandwiches the day after the party. Get The Recipe 10 of 56 Rotel Sausage Dip Caitlin Bensel Transform just six ingredients into a classic dip that belongs at any gathering with this easy recipe. In this recipe, both simplicity and Velveeta are key. Chorizo and green chiles give it plenty of kick. Get The Recipe 11 of 56 Hot Crab-And-Artichoke Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey We can't get enough of this cheesy crab dip, especially when fresh crabmeat is involved. If you need to substitute, use frozen, not canned. If you don't want to add the extra heat to this crab dip, you can leave the hot sauce off of the ingredient list. Get The Recipe 12 of 56 Baked Goat Cheese Spread With Pepper Jelly Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Upgrade pepper jelly by serving it over a warm goat cheese mixture. A good stir will help it spread easily. You can serve this cheesy spread with any crudité and bread. Get The Recipe 13 of 56 Pecan Praline Dip You might want to double the recipe for this decadent dessert dip, with praline sauce folded into a mixture of whipped cream and roasted pecans. We think it's best enjoyed with vanilla wafers for dipping. Get The Recipe 14 of 56 Sweet Onion And Bacon Dip Micah A. Leal Caramelized onions and thick-cut bacon create a dressed-up take on French onion dip to make it worthy of both a holiday celebration and many Super Bowls to come. A pinch of paprika, along with double-smoked bacon, enhances the smokiness of this luscious dip. Get The Recipe 15 of 56 Corn And Jalapeño Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Sweet corn and spicy jalapeño are a flavor match made in heaven. Even better, this dish can be made in a slow cooker, then garnished with bacon and green onions. Serve with salty corn chips to take the dip to new heights. Get The Recipe 16 of 56 Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip Monica Farber / Southern Living This dip captures what we love about Buffalo wings, but is so much easier to make. Stir together cream cheese, Cheddar, pepper Jack, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and chopped chicken, pour into a casserole dish, and bake. We recommend serving this delicious dip with pretzel chips, celery, and carrots. Get The Recipe 17 of 56 Collard Dip Southern Living Leave it to Southerners to turn collard greens into a delicious take on hot spinach dip. Cooked in a dreamy cheese and mayonnaise mixture, the collards will be scooped clean in 15 minutes flat. This dip gets baked so it turns bubbly and golden brown. Get The Recipe 18 of 56 Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip Coastal Living This fun-sounding dip gets its name from the combination of jalapeño peppers and pepper jelly. Topping this cheesy dip with bacon and pepper jelly makes it irresistible. Serve at a beachy brunch or family potluck. Get The Recipe 19 of 56 Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham Sweet onions and country ham give this classic dip something extra for your tailgate or cookout. They melt into a blend of cream cheese, mozzarella, and Parmesan, along with frozen spinach. Make this dip ahead of time and reheat in a skillet on the grill before you're ready to serve. Get The Recipe 20 of 56 Caramelized Onion Dip Getty Images / 7886565 Slowly caramelize yellow onions before mixing with other ingredients to make this hit. The smooth, tangy base comes from cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, and Worcestershire sauce. The most classic companion for this dip is an old-fashioned potato chip, Get The Recipe 21 of 56 Creamy Avocado Dip Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Smoother and tangier than its guacamole counterpart, this popular dip is flush with lime juice, jalapeños, and cilantro. You can lighten the dip but maintain its creaminess by using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise or sour cream. Use any leftovers on your burgers, tacos, and sandwiches. Get The Recipe 22 of 56 Shrimp-And-Andouille Gumbo Dip Brian Woodcock; Styling: Rachael Burrow Classic gumbo gets an appetizer makeover in this easy and quick skillet recipe. The baked dish takes just 30 minutes to prepare, spending a minute under the broiler at the end to toast the buttery bread crumbs. Serve with sliced bell peppers and celery sticks to echo the gumbo's flavors. Get The Recipe 23 of 56 Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Frozen peas are transformed into a colorful and tasty appetizer in this easy recipe. They are blended with Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and juice, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, and chopped fresh mint. You'll feel healthier with every refreshing bite. Get The Recipe 24 of 56 Nashville Hot Chicken Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez This dip is seriously spicy and full of hot flavor. If you are feeling adventurous, go ahead and bump up the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper. Just have plenty of liquid on hand the quench the fire. Get The Recipe 25 of 56 Chicken Enchilada Dip Jennifer Davick Take a favorite weeknight meal and turn it into a shareable appetizer with this enchilada dip. The slow cooker does all but 10 minutes of the work. This dish can be scooped up with chips or served on a bed of lettuce. Get The Recipe 26 of 56 Smoked-Tomato Salsa Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch This recipe gives you an excuse to try something new in your smoker. Plum tomatoes are perfect for this salsa because they are meaty but still contain a lot of moisture. Pour a pitcher of margaritas and enjoy. Get The Recipe 27 of 56 Carrot-Tahini Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Carrots dress up this bright orange dip that's reminiscent of classic hummus. When pureed, soft carrots create a lovely smooth texture to anchor a dip laced with tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Za'atar is the bonus seasoning that makes all the other ingredients pop. Get The Recipe 28 of 56 Beer-Cheese Fondue Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas Serve this hot dip at your holiday party with sliced cooked bratwurst, steamed broccoli florets, roasted Brussels sprouts, and roasted fingerling potatoes. They'll pair wonderfully with this decadent, creamy sauce flavored with dry mustard, Gruyère, Cheddar, Worcestershire sauce, and a lager beer. Get The Recipe 29 of 56 Cast-Iron S'mores Dip Southern Living This dessert dip will wow your crowd and remind you of summer campfires. Keep this one warm—outdoors you can use a lit Sterno can. Serve with a heaping plate of graham crackers, which are bound to disappear fast. Get The Recipe 30 of 56 Texas Caviar Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox You won't find a bigger hit with a Southern crowd than traditional Texas caviar. In our version, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and black-eyed peas soak up the flavors of vinaigrette and cilantro. Hominy and green tomatoes add a distinctive touch. Get The Recipe 31 of 56 Smoked-Fish Dip Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke Stirred to life by Adam Evans, the chef at award-winning Birmingham restaurant Automatic Seafood and Oysters, this sophisticated dip is smoky and herb-heavy. Capers, lemon juice, and pickles set this snack apart from the rest. Though it has a long ingredient list, all you need to do is stir all those amazing flavors together. Get The Recipe 32 of 56 Crawfish Dip Greg Dupree Styling: Heather Chadduck Don't let crawfish season pass by without making this hot dip full of Louisiana flavor. Bell peppers, onions, celery, and Creole mustard simmer with the spicy ingredients. Cooking this dip in a slow cooker will allow you to easily keep it warm until it's time to serve. Get The Recipe 33 of 56 Caramel Apple Dip Jennifer Davick Give a sugary spin to a cream cheese classic with a crisp bruléed topping. Just give the dip time to chill before you caramelize it under the broiler. Crack through the sugary topping and scoop it on slices of apple. Get The Recipe 34 of 56 Lump Crab Mornay Photo: Iain Bagwell This creamy dip was adapted from a recipe in Bayou Cuisine by St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Indianola, Mississippi. Onions, sherry, and crabmeat combine their subtly sweet flavors in rich cream. Serve with toast points for dipping. Get The Recipe 35 of 56 Sausage, Bean, And Spinach Dip Photo: Jennifer Davick This spinach dip is hearty and filling thanks to ground sausage, pinto beans, cream cheese, and Parmesan cheese. In our world, sausage makes everything better, especially in a dip so hearty, it can make a meal. Get The Recipe 36 of 56 Cast-Iron Salsa You'll forget all about that jarred stuff after tasting this easy recipe. The extra step—charring the garlic, peppers, and onions—takes salsa to the next level. Use red jalapeño peppers to deepen the color. Get The Recipe 37 of 56 Smoky Black-Eyed Pea Hummus This Southern spin on classic hummus is sure to have everyone talking—and dipping. Many of the ingredients are the same, except for the black-eyed peas which add an earthy flavor. Smoked paprika is the secret touch. Get The Recipe 38 of 56 Creamy Crab Dip Hector Manuel Sanchez Thickened to perfection with both mayonnaise and sour cream, the fresh crab in this dip still shines through. We've added a Lowcountry touch with Old Bay seasoning. Serve with crackers, toast points, and celery sticks. Get The Recipe 39 of 56 Peach Salsa Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Put those summer peaches to good use with this not-so-ordinary salsa recipe. Cilantro and serrano chile add a fun flare to the fruity salsa. Lime juice ties the flavors together and adds some zing. Get The Recipe 40 of 56 Spinach-And-Vidalia Dip GREG DUPREE STYLING: CAROLINE M. CUNNINGHAM This is a tastier version of French onion dip due to the sauteed sweet Vidalia onions. The flavorful veggies are stirred in with a simple mix of sour cream and seasoning. Get those ruffled potato chips and start snacking. Get The Recipe 41 of 56 Cucumber Salsa Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer Even though this salsa recipe has no tomatoes in sight, it's still delicious. Using lots of crunchy cucumbers and Granny Smith apples, this refreshing dip is fit for any summer gathering. Dip in your tortilla chips or serve it over tacos. Get The Recipe 42 of 56 Cinnamon-Raisin Almond Butter Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Party-goers with a sweet tooth won't be able to get enough of this dip. Made with Greek yogurt and almond butter, the dip is on the healthy side, too. Serve with apples for an extra sweet crunch. Get The Recipe 43 of 56 Hot Cheesy Crab Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Look for fresh jumbo lump crabmeat for this absolutely decadent dip. The crab is mixed with extra-sharp Cheddar for boldness and cream cheese and Havarti for creaminess. We like to serve it with endive leaves for scooping, but a toasted baguette is delicious too. Get The Recipe 44 of 56 Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes With Queso Blanco Dip Iain Bagwell These Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes dipped in peppery Queso Blanco will warm you from the inside out. The easy dip only requires a few minutes of skillet time and a microwave. Keep it warm in a fondue pot or a slow cooker. Get The Recipe 45 of 56 Spicy White Cheese Dip This full-flavored cheese dip is prepared in a slow cooker for creaminess. Garlic, onions, diced tomatoes, and green chiles make it incredibly tasty on corn chips. Scoopable chips will help you conserve every drop. Get The Recipe 46 of 56 Smoky Ranch Dip Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce give this Ranch-flavored sour cream dip a smoky kick. We've provided barbecue, lime-cilantro, lemon-parsley, and horseradish versions too. You can pair this versatile dip with chicken wings, carrot sticks, or potato chips at your next tailgate. Get The Recipe 47 of 56 Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip Hector Sanchez Once you've tasted homemade ricotta—simply prepared with whole milk, buttermilk, and cream—you may never go back. After 24 hours of draining in a cheesecloth, you'll have a wonderfully delicate and creamy cheese. Top with olive oil and pepper and scoop up with pita chips or crackers. Get The Recipe 48 of 56 Baked Tex-Mex Red Pepper Cheese Dip Hector Sanchez This recipe comes from the kitchen of Josie Spain of Woodstock, Georgia. The recipe starts like many cheese dips: stir roasted red bell peppers, green onions, and jalapeños in a mixture of Cheddar, pepper Jack, mayonnaise, and cream cheese, baking until the ingredients have all melted together. Cilantro and Worcestershire sauce add unexpected flavor. Get The Recipe 49 of 56 Homemade Onion Dip Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Put away the soup packet and chargrill onions over a hot flame instead. You'll be bowled over by the flavor they give to the sour cream base. Sprinkle with chopped chives to up the oniony element. Get The Recipe 50 of 56 Austin Diner-Style Queso Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen; Food Styling: Torie Cox Replicate the restaurant favorite at home with our recipe using white American cheese, chiles, onions, and seasonings. A mixture of water, milk, and cornstarch will bring it to the perfect consistency. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve alongside your guacamole and pico de gallo. Get The Recipe 51 of 56 Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip Iain Bagwell This herbal sweet yogurt dip will do double duty for your seafood and vegetables. Try it on grilled bread slices too. The recipe involves squeezing and stirring just four ingredients, then seasoning to taste. Get The Recipe 52 of 56 Jalapeño Popper Dip Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke If you love poppers, just wait until you try the dip form. We blend two types of peppers—pickled and fresh—with cream cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, bacon, and spices. Scoop up with tortilla chips to complete the effect. Get The Recipe 53 of 56 White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese Hector Sanchez Looking for a different flavor for fall? This recipe uses aged white Cheddar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce for a sharper take on much-loved pimiento cheese. This spread fits right in on a cheese board with cured meats, salted nuts, and pickled veggies. Get The Recipe 54 of 56 Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip Making this game-day favorite just got easier with a slow cooker. This big-batch recipe calls for an entire cup of hot sauce, along with a combination of cream cheese, Colby Jack, crumbled blue cheese, and sour cream. Serve with celery, carrots, and corn chips. Get The Recipe 55 of 56 Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip Iain Bagwel Hot in more ways than one, pepper Jack cheese adds a surprising kick to this classic dip. The otherwise-straightforward recipe involves stirring ingredients together and popping your casserole in the oven to bake. Serve with crackers and fresh vegetables. Get The Recipe 56 of 56 Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke This quick recipe only requires about 10 minutes of work. Use your Instant Pot to cook the chicken to tenderness in no time flat. After that, melt the cheese in the multi-cooker bowl, then stir everything together to finish under the broiler. Get The Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit