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.

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
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.

Baked BLT Dip

Skyler Burt
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.

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Spinach Dip

<p>Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox</p>

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.

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Taco Dip

<p>Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox</p>

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.

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Basic Pimiento Cheese

Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox
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.

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Bacon Jam

<p>Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox</p>

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.

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Black Bean And Corn Salsa

Antonis Achilleos
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.

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Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Caitlin Bensel
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.

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Southwest Black-Eyed Pea Dip

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christina Lane; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos
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.

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Cranberry-Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Emily Neighbors Hall Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
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.

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Rotel Sausage Dip

Caitlin Bensel
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.

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Hot Crab-And-Artichoke Dip

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Margaret Monroe Dickey
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.

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Baked Goat Cheese Spread With Pepper Jelly

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
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.

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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.

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Sweet Onion And Bacon Dip

Micah A. Leal
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.

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Corn And Jalapeño Dip

Hector Manuel Sanchez
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.

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Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip

<p>Monica Farber / Southern Living</p>

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.

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Collard Dip

Southern Living
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.

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Pepper-Pepper Cheese Dip

Coastal Living
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.

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Warm Spinach-Sweet Onion Dip with Country Ham

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.

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Caramelized Onion Dip

Getty Images / 7886565
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,

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Creamy Avocado Dip

Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry
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.

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Shrimp-And-Andouille Gumbo Dip

Brian Woodcock; Styling: Rachael Burrow
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.

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Sweet Pea-Parmesan Dip

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
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.

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Nashville Hot Chicken Dip

Hector Manuel Sanchez
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.

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Chicken Enchilada Dip

Jennifer Davick
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.

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Smoked-Tomato Salsa

Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch
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.

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Carrot-Tahini Dip

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
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.

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Beer-Cheese Fondue

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas
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.

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Cast-Iron S'mores Dip

Southern Living
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.

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Texas Caviar

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
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.

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Smoked-Fish Dip

Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke
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.

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Crawfish Dip

Greg Dupree Styling: Heather Chadduck
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.

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Caramel Apple Dip

Jennifer Davick
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.

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Lump Crab Mornay

Photo: Iain Bagwell
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.

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Sausage, Bean, And Spinach Dip

Photo: Jennifer Davick
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.

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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.

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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.

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Creamy Crab Dip

Hector Manuel Sanchez
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.

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Peach Salsa

Jennifer Causey; Food Styling: Loren Wood; Prop Styling: Christine Keely
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.

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Spinach-And-Vidalia Dip

<p>GREG DUPREE STYLING: CAROLINE M. CUNNINGHAM</p>

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.

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Cucumber Salsa

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer
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.

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Cinnamon-Raisin Almond Butter Dip

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
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.

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Hot Cheesy Crab Dip

Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis
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.

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Bacon-Wrapped Potatoes With Queso Blanco Dip

Iain Bagwell
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.

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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.

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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.

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Buttermilk-Ricotta Cheese Dip

Hector Sanchez
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.

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Baked Tex-Mex Red Pepper Cheese Dip

Hector Sanchez
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.

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Homemade Onion Dip

Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall
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.

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Austin Diner-Style Queso

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

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Orange-Basil Yogurt Dip

Iain Bagwell
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.

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Jalapeño Popper Dip

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
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.

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White Cheddar-Chive Pimiento Cheese

Hector Sanchez
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.

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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.

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Hot Spinach-Artichoke Dip

Iain Bagwel
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.

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Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip

Photographer: Jennifer Causey Food Stylist: Melissa Gray Prop Stylist: Kay Clarke
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.

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