This easy caramelized onion and bacon dip recipe is creamy, flavourful, and so delicious! It's a crowd-pleasing party dip for any occasion and especially great for snacking on during family game nights or football Sundays!
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This dip is insane... insanely good! The first time I made this dip and took a bite, my eyes widened at the thought of how tasty it was.
I immediately scooped the dip with another baguette slice and asked my boyfriend to try it himself and he had the exact same reaction!!
It's become one of our go-to game day snacks and hosting appetizers because our friends and family are obsessed with it.
After several times testing this recipe, I've perfected it. It's got the perfect balance of sweetness from the caramelized onions, saltiness from the bacon, and creaminess from the cream cheese.
Seriously, as I write this, my mouth is watering!
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy: It's simple to make with basic ingredients and straight-forward steps!
- Worth the wait: I'll be honest, this isn't the quickest recipe to make because it takes a while to caramelize the onions but it's so worth the wait!
- Perfect for sharing: Everyone is going to fall in love with this hot baked dip and always ask you to make it!
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: To cook the bacon and onions.
- Bacon: Original flavour and style of bacon is used and it adds a ton of flavour and texture to the dip.
- Onions: Any variety of onions will work in this recipe. I use yellow usually, but white or sweet onions also work. With any onion, as you cook them down and caramelize them, they become sweet.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is used and it makes the dip incredibly creamy and delicious.
- Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream is used and adds creaminess and a tangy flavour. It also helps loosen up the dip so its not too thick from the cream cheese.
- Mayonaise: It adds flavour and a silky texture.
- Salt & Pepper: To enhance the overall flavour of the dip.
- Mozzarella Cheese: It makes the dip super cheesy.
See the recipe card below for the ingredient measurements.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 - Cook: To a large pan on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and bacon and cook until crispy (about 10 mins). Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towel. Reduce the heat to low-medium, and add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease and cook until the onions have shrunk in size and are golden, translucent, and soft (about 45 mins).
Step 2 - Mix: While the onions cook down, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and chop the bacon into small pieces. Next, add and mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer. Fold in 1 cup of mozzarella and the bacon pieces (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnishing), and then the onions.
Step 3 - Bake: Transfer the dip to a small baking dish and top with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella. Bake on the middle rack uncovered for 20 minutes, then sprinkle on the reserved bacon pieces and bake for 2-3 more minutes. Serve with toasted baguette slices and potato chips.
Kitchen Equipment
- Large Frying Pan: For cooking the bacon and onions.
- Mixing Bowl: For mixing the dip ingredients together.
- Electric Hand Mixer: For mixing the dip ingredients.
- Small Baking Dish: For baking and serving the dip.
- Cheese Grater: For shredding the mozzarella.
- Measuring Spoons and Cups: For measuring the ingredients.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or tin foil (once cooled) in the fridge for up to one week. Once chilled in the fridge, it will become thick and solid.
It can be reheated uncovered on the middle rack of the oven at the same temperature as you originally baked it until warm.
Alternatively, you can scoop some out into a microwave-safe bowl and heat in the microwave until warm.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve this dip with toasted baguette slices and potato chips.
Having both is a great way to offer options to your guests and while they're different they both pair great with the creamy texture and onion flavour of the dip!
Helpful Tips
- Patience is key. It takes a while to caramelize the onions, but it's totally worth the wait in the end! I like to prep the rest of the dip ingredients, chop the bacon up, and do some dishes, etc. while I wait for them to cook down.
- Water helps if your onions are sticking. If you find your onions sticking to the pan or looking a little dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water to help loosen things up. You can also try a little extra olive oil too.
- Wait for the bacon to cool. After cooking the bacon, it'll be easier to chop once it's cooled down. It's also best to wait for it to cool down before adding it to the creamy mixture so it doesn't interfere with the texture of the dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
It takes at least 45 minutes, but can take longer.
They're ready when the onions have shrunk in size and are golden brown, translucent, soft, and sweet.
It can be reheated uncovered on the middle rack of the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit until warm or in the microwave until warm.
More Dip Recipes
You may also like this delicious and creamy green onion dip because it's packed with onion flavour and just as tasty!
Some other baked dips you may like is this chicken and bacon jalapeno popper dip, baked buffalo chicken dip, spinach artichoke jalapeno dip, 5 ingredient refried bean dip, baked crab dip, and 4 ingredient spinach dip too!
Print📖 Recipe
Easy Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip Recipe
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 8
Description
This caramelized onion and bacon dip is creamy and delicious and will impress your guests on any occasion!
Ingredients
- Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Bacon: 6 pieces
- Onions: 3-4, thinly sliced
- Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
- Sour Cream: ½ cup
- Mayonaise: ½ cup
- Salt: 1 teaspoon
- Pepper: ¼ teaspoon
- Mozzarella Cheese: 1 and ½ cups, shredded
Instructions
- Cook: To a large pan on medium-high heat, add the olive oil and bacon and cook until crispy (about 10 mins). Transfer the cooked bacon to a plate lined with paper towel. Reduce the heat to low-medium, and add the onions to the pan with the bacon grease and cook until the onions have shrunk in size and are golden, translucent, and soft (about 45 mins).
- Mix: While the onions cook down, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and chop the bacon into small pieces. Next, add and mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer. Fold in 1 cup of mozzarella and the bacon pieces (reserve 1 tablespoon for garnishing), and then the onions.
- Bake: Transfer the dip to a small baking dish and top with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella. Bake on the middle rack uncovered for 20 minutes, then sprinkle on the reserved bacon pieces and bake for 2-3 more minutes. Serve with toasted baguette slices and potato chips.
Notes
The onions are ready when they have shrunk in size and are golden, translucent, soft, and sweet.
If you find your onions sticking to the pan or looking a little dry, add a couple of tablespoons of water to help loosen things up. You can also try a little extra olive oil too.
After cooking the bacon, it'll be easier to chop once it's cooled down. It's also best to wait for it to cool down before adding it to the creamy mixture so it doesn't interfere with the texture of the dip.
Nutrition facts are for informational purposes only. We are not responsible for any errors. We have tested the recipe for accuracy, but your results may vary. Please note that this is not medical or nutrition advice. Seek advice from a licensed professional if you need advice. We are not liable for any damages caused by your use of this content.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
- Category: appetizer, dip
- Method: bake, saute
- Cuisine: american
Andrea says
My mouth waters every time I think about this dip! It’s seriously soooooo good and I love making it when I’m hosting!! Let me know what you thought of it 🙂