Food and Recipes Appetizers 62 Easy Party Dips And Spreads To Serve All Year Long By Southern Living Editors Updated on February 20, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 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 62 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. 02 of 62 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. 03 of 62 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. 04 of 62 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. 05 of 62 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. 06 of 62 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. 07 of 62 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. 08 of 62 Beet-Goat Cheese Dip Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis This eye-catching dip is just as bold on the taste buds. Cooked beets are pureed with dates and Greek yogurt to make this snackable, healthy dip. The Greek yogurt and goat cheese provide a tartness and creaminess to the spread. 09 of 62 Warm Cheese-And-Spicy Pecan Dip Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox You'll know this dip is done cooking when the edges start to bubble. We can picture this seasonal dip being an ideal Thanksgiving appetizer served with toasted baguettes or crackers. The cheese-laden dip has crunchy, cayenne-spiced pecans make for a show-stopping finish. 10 of 62 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. 11 of 62 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. 12 of 62 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. 13 of 62 Pecan And Fig Spread Southern Living This homemade spread is great on its own served with crackers or can be the perfect finishing touch to a charcuterie board. The pecans and figs are brightened with flavors of orange zest and lemon juice, resulting in a tangy, salty, jammy spread that can't be beat. 14 of 62 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. 15 of 62 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. 16 of 62 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. 17 of 62 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. 18 of 62 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. 19 of 62 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. 20 of 62 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, 21 of 62 Creamy Avocado Dip Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry Smoother and tangier than its guacamole counterpart, this 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. 22 of 62 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. 23 of 62 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. 24 of 62 Hot Crab And Shrimp Dip This hot dip may be one of our favorite seafood combinations. After all, the smoky seafood dip only takes five minutes to prep. Let the oven do most of the work, and then sprinkle it with toasted almonds. 25 of 62 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. 26 of 62 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. 27 of 62 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. 28 of 62 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. 29 of 62 Bacon-Pimiento Guacamole Hector Manuel Sanchez You know what's genius? Guacamole with a Southern spin. Bacon, pimiento, and avocados make this appetizer an all-star. 30 of 62 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. 31 of 62 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. 32 of 62 Queso Fundido With Mushrooms And Chiles Wynn Myers; Prop Styling: Lauren Smith Ford Toasted garlic, mushrooms, and green chiles top this three-cheese dip. San Antonio chef Johnny Hernandez oven roasts the chiles first for smokiness; the golden-brown layer of cheese turns gooey in a cast-iron skillet. Need we say more? 33 of 62 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. 34 of 62 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. 35 of 62 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. 36 of 62 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. 37 of 62 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. 38 of 62 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. 39 of 62 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. 40 of 62 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. 41 of 62 Baked Pimiento Cheese Dip Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell We'd dip everything but a tractor tire into this melty version of classic pimiento cheese. (And you can quote us on that.) We recommend keeping this dip in the slow cooker so it stays warm and velvety. 42 of 62 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. 43 of 62 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. 44 of 62 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. 45 of 62 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. 46 of 62 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. 47 of 62 Horseradish Pimiento Cheese Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Adding an intriguing new flavor to our classic pimiento dip, this dip will have party guests begging for your recipe. In addition to horseradish, the key to this recipe is horseradish-flavored white Cheddar cheese. Use a high-quality mayonnaise for extra-rich results. 48 of 62 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. 49 of 62 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. 50 of 62 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. 51 of 62 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. 52 of 62 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. 53 of 62 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. 54 of 62 Smoky Field Pea Hummus Iain Bagwell This field pea hummus is topped with smoked ham hock for a more Southern flair. But first, we sauté the ham in a skillet until it crisps like bacon. In the hummus, we added fresh parsley to brighten the flavor. 55 of 62 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. 56 of 62 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. 57 of 62 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. 58 of 62 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. 59 of 62 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. 60 of 62 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. 61 of 62 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. 62 of 62 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. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit