Creamy Cranberry Bacon Swiss Cheese Dip
This creamy cranberry bacon Swiss cheese dip combines smoky bacon, tangy cranberries, and melty Swiss cheese for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s perfect for parties, holidays, or cozy nights in. Quick to prepare and irresistibly delicious, it’s sure to become a staple at your gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
- 6 strips bacon, cooked crisp and chopped
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- Optional: extra bacon bits for topping
- Optional: more green onion for garnish
- Optional: additional Swiss cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a small skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 8 minutes. Drain on paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Place cream cheese in a medium bowl and let sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes, or microwave for 15 seconds to soften.
- Add sour cream, garlic powder, and black pepper to cream cheese. Blend until smooth and fluffy using a hand mixer or sturdy spoon.
- Stir in shredded Swiss cheese until evenly distributed.
- Gently fold in chopped dried cranberries, sliced green onions, and most of the chopped bacon (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping). Mix until combined.
- Scrape mixture into a greased 8-inch oven-safe baking dish and smooth the top.
- Sprinkle reserved bacon and a little extra Swiss cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly and lightly golden at the edges. If desired, broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the top (watch closely).
- Let dip rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra green onion if desired.
- Serve warm with crackers, toasted baguette slices, pretzel crisps, or fresh veggie sticks.
Notes
Shred your own Swiss cheese for the smoothest melt. For gluten-free, double-check bacon and cranberries. Make ahead by assembling (unbaked) and refrigerating up to 24 hours. Add bacon topping just before baking. If dip is too thick, stir in 2 tablespoons milk or cream before baking. For a festive twist, add orange zest to cranberries. The recipe doubles easily for a crowd.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 320
- Fat: 13
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 6
Keywords: cranberry bacon cheese dip, party appetizer, holiday dip, Swiss cheese dip, creamy dip, baked dip, easy appetizer, gluten-free dip