FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• My Warm Ranch Crack Dip Recipe Will Make Your Party
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Crack Dip
• My Recipe Tips
• Crack Dip Recipe (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
• Hearty Variations
• Serving Ideas
• More Hot Dip Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

My Warm Ranch Crack Dip Recipe Will Make Your Party

I first made a batch of this crack dip for my daughter’s birthday party back in 2017, and it was such a hit that it’s been on regular rotation for me at parties ever since. It’s this irresistible mix of all the kinds of things that disappear fast: Cheese! Bacon! Ranch ! I didn’t come up with the name — which it got because it’s so addictive — but these are some of my favorite comfort food flavors and how I make mine. Here’s why it’s so irresistible:

• Savory cheese, bacon, and ranch flavors – It’s got melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and zesty ranch dressing, all rounded out with a creamy sour cream and cream cheese base. This dish is destined for parties.
• Just 6 ingredients – You might even have all of them already. I can whip up this ranch dip in less than 30 minutes, including the baking time.
• Enjoy warm or cold – It’s warm, gooey and delicious right out of the oven, but just as tasty straight from the fridge.
• Made for all – This addictive appetizer got the name “crack dip” for a reason. It’s got that cheesy magic reminiscent of my chicken bacon ranch casserole , just without the chicken and veggies. Perfect for your party or game day !

If you like creamy, hot dips like my queso dip , spinach dip , and crab dip , you’re going to love my crack dip recipe. Grab a bowl and make it with me!

“This is my absolute favorite. I eat it with almond crackers, broccoli, stuffed in mushrooms, stuffed in chicken breasts, or just off my finger. I have shared some with many of my [friends] and they all beg for the recipe. It definitely is like crack as you cannot get enough. It is quick and easy to make (except for frying the bacon) and I love that it has ingredients that I usually always have on hand.”

-Lori

More Reviews

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my crack dip recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Cream Cheese – I used plain cream cheese, but you can even use a flavored one. Sour cream & chives or fresh herb both sound good.
• Ranch Dressing – Most crack dip recipes use ranch dressing mix, but many of them are processed and I prefer to use actual dressing. I use my favorite homemade ranch , but a store-bought dressing works too.
• Sour Cream – This makes the dip more creamy and adds extra tang. You can use mayonnaise instead if you like.
• Cheddar Cheese – I recommend sharp cheddar cheese, but mild Cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack also works well.
• Cooked Bacon – Crumble some oven bacon or air fryer bacon , or take a shortcut with pre-cooked real bacon bits .
• Green Onions – Chop them small so they mix into every bite, or swap with chives for a milder flavor. (I was short on green onions when I took these pictures, so I used green onions inside and chives on top!)
• Cayenne Pepper – Optional, but it adds a subtle kick. I recommend leaving it out for kids, or add extra if you want more heat.

How To Make Crack Dip

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Melt the cream cheese. Heat the cream cheese gently in the microwave on medium power, or on the stove in a double boiler , until it’s warm and easy to stir.
2. Combine the creamy ingredients. Mix the cream cheese and ranch dressing together in a mixing bowl, until smooth. Then, stir in the sour cream, until smooth.
3. Add the extras. Stir in the cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and cayenne. The cheese might start to melt, which is fine.
4. Bake until bubbly. Scoop the crack dip into a small baking dish (I use the smaller one in this set ). Bake until hot and bubbly. See my serving ideas below!

My Recipe Tips

• Be careful not to overheat the cream cheese. Warm it just enough to stir — too hot, and the ranch and sour cream might curdle. I use the microwave for convenience, but if you’re using the stovetop, I recommend a double boiler like this .
• Feel free to top with extra cheese before baking. It looks a little prettier that way but isn’t necessary.
• Reserve extra bacon and green onions for topping. I think the crack dip looks much prettier with some on top!
• Want to keep it warm for the party? This baking dish is the perfect size and doubles as a serving dish, but I like to transfer it to a mini slow cooker to keep it warm and gooey for a few hours.
• For smaller gatherings, cut the recipe in half. My crack dip recipe makes a big batch — 4 cups! It goes fast, but you can easily make half and use a smaller baking dish if you don’t want so much.
• How to make it more spicy: You can increase the amount of cayenne to your taste, add a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or mince 1-2 jalapenos finely and mix them in.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 8 oz Cream cheese ▢
• 3/4 cup Ranch dressing (for a thick dressing; use 2/3 cup if using a thin one) ▢
• 1/3 cup Sour cream ▢
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
• 1/3 cup Cooked bacon (crumbled) ▢
• 1/3 cup Green onions (chopped) ▢
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional; or more to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, heat the cream cheese gently in the microwave at medium power, until it’s warm and easy to stir. (Alternatively, you can heat it on the stove in a double boiler ). Don’t get it scalding hot, just warm. If it’s too hot, wait for it to cool to be just warm before the next step, to avoid curdling the ranch and sour cream.
3. Stir the ranch dressing into the cream cheese, until smooth, then stir in the sour cream.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, green onions, and cayenne pepper, if using. (The cheese may start to melt, which is fine.)
5. Transfer the dip into a 1-quart baking dish (I use the smaller one from this set ).
6. Bake the crack dip for about 15 minutes , until hot and bubbly at the edges. Serve hot or warm, with veggies or crackers.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture in your dip, make a pretty serving presentation, keep it warm for a party, or scale the recipe.
• Store: Let the dip cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I love using leftovers to stuff chicken breasts or portobello mushrooms ! I don’t recommend freezing it, as the texture will change.
• Meal prep: You can make this dip a few days ahead and store in the refrigerator. I recommend skipping the baking step when preparing it, so you can bake it fresh.
• Reheat: Warm it in the microwave or oven at 350 degrees F. It’s also delicious cold!
• Recipe yield: My entire crack dip recipe makes about 4 cups. You can easily cut it in half for a smaller batch, or even double it if you want a really big batch for a crowd!

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Crack Dip

Hearty Variations

This crack dip is already pretty hearty, but you can add 2 cups of one of these add-ins:

• Chicken – I often have leftover chicken around, but when I don’t, I make Instant Pot chicken and shred it. You can add it all by itself, or add buffalo sauce (to your taste) to turn it into a spicy hot dip.
• Sausage – Brown it in a skillet before adding to the dip. You can also do this with chorizo .
• Corn – Canned corn is the fastest option.

Serving Ideas

Like all my hot dip recipes, I like to serve crack dip with a variety of dippers, so people can choose their favorite. Here are some ideas:

• Chips – I prefer baked tortilla chips . Some people like potato chips. For a healthier chip option, try my zucchini chips or baked kale chips , but you may need a spoon to help you scoop the dip without breaking them.
• Crackers – Crack dip pairs perfectly with almost any cracker. Almond flour crackers and flax seed crackers are my faves.
• Veggies – Celery sticks, carrot sticks, broccoli, bell peppers, or cucumber slices are all great options that can stand up to the weight of this amazing dip. You can also stuff the dip inside mini peppers or even stuffed artichokes .

More Hot Dip Recipes

Cheesy hot dips are my favorite kind! Try one of my others next:

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Crack Dip Recipe (6 Ingredients)

Make my easy crack dip recipe with bacon, cheese, ranch, sour cream, and green onions. Everyone loves this irresistibly creamy, hot dip!

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/warm-ranch-crack-dip-recipe/

Ingredients

• 8 oz Cream cheese
• 3/4 cup Ranch dressing (for a thick dressing; use 2/3 cup if using a thin one)
• 1/3 cup Sour cream
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1/3 cup Cooked bacon (crumbled)
• 1/3 cup Green onions (chopped)
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional; or more to taste)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, heat the cream cheese gently in the microwave at medium power, until it’s warm and easy to stir. (Alternatively, you can heat it on the stove in a double boiler ). Don’t get it scalding hot, just warm. If it’s too hot, wait for it to cool to be just warm before the next step, to avoid curdling the ranch and sour cream.
3. Stir the ranch dressing into the cream cheese, until smooth, then stir in the sour cream.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, green onions, and cayenne pepper, if using. (The cheese may start to melt, which is fine.)
5. Transfer the dip into a 1-quart baking dish (I use the smaller one from this set ).
6. Bake the crack dip for about 15 minutes , until hot and bubbly at the edges. Serve hot or warm, with veggies or crackers.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture in your dip, make a pretty serving presentation, keep it warm for a party, or scale the recipe.
• Store: Let the dip cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I love using leftovers to stuff chicken breasts or portobello mushrooms ! I don’t recommend freezing it, as the texture will change.
• Meal prep: You can make this dip a few days ahead and store in the refrigerator. I recommend skipping the baking step when preparing it, so you can bake it fresh.
• Reheat: Warm it in the microwave or oven at 350 degrees F. It’s also delicious cold!
• Recipe yield: My entire crack dip recipe makes about 4 cups. You can easily cut it in half for a smaller batch, or even double it if you want a really big batch for a crowd!

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• My Warm Ranch Crack Dip Recipe Will Make Your Party
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Crack Dip
• My Recipe Tips
• Crack Dip Recipe (6 Ingredients) Recipe card
• Hearty Variations
• Serving Ideas
• More Hot Dip Recipes
• Recipe Reviews

My Warm Ranch Crack Dip Recipe Will Make Your Party

I first made a batch of this crack dip for my daughter’s birthday party back in 2017, and it was such a hit that it’s been on regular rotation for me at parties ever since. It’s this irresistible mix of all the kinds of things that disappear fast: Cheese! Bacon! Ranch ! I didn’t come up with the name — which it got because it’s so addictive — but these are some of my favorite comfort food flavors and how I make mine. Here’s why it’s so irresistible:

• Savory cheese, bacon, and ranch flavors – It’s got melty cheddar, crispy bacon, and zesty ranch dressing, all rounded out with a creamy sour cream and cream cheese base. This dish is destined for parties.
• Just 6 ingredients – You might even have all of them already. I can whip up this ranch dip in less than 30 minutes, including the baking time.
• Enjoy warm or cold – It’s warm, gooey and delicious right out of the oven, but just as tasty straight from the fridge.
• Made for all – This addictive appetizer got the name “crack dip” for a reason. It’s got that cheesy magic reminiscent of my chicken bacon ranch casserole , just without the chicken and veggies. Perfect for your party or game day !

If you like creamy, hot dips like my queso dip , spinach dip , and crab dip , you’re going to love my crack dip recipe. Grab a bowl and make it with me!

“This is my absolute favorite. I eat it with almond crackers, broccoli, stuffed in mushrooms, stuffed in chicken breasts, or just off my finger. I have shared some with many of my [friends] and they all beg for the recipe. It definitely is like crack as you cannot get enough. It is quick and easy to make (except for frying the bacon) and I love that it has ingredients that I usually always have on hand.”

-Lori

More Reviews

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my crack dip recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

• Cream Cheese – I used plain cream cheese, but you can even use a flavored one. Sour cream & chives or fresh herb both sound good.
• Ranch Dressing – Most crack dip recipes use ranch dressing mix, but many of them are processed and I prefer to use actual dressing. I use my favorite homemade ranch , but a store-bought dressing works too.
• Sour Cream – This makes the dip more creamy and adds extra tang. You can use mayonnaise instead if you like.
• Cheddar Cheese – I recommend sharp cheddar cheese, but mild Cheddar, Monterey jack, or pepper jack also works well.
• Cooked Bacon – Crumble some oven bacon or air fryer bacon , or take a shortcut with pre-cooked real bacon bits .
• Green Onions – Chop them small so they mix into every bite, or swap with chives for a milder flavor. (I was short on green onions when I took these pictures, so I used green onions inside and chives on top!)
• Cayenne Pepper – Optional, but it adds a subtle kick. I recommend leaving it out for kids, or add extra if you want more heat.

How To Make Crack Dip

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Melt the cream cheese. Heat the cream cheese gently in the microwave on medium power, or on the stove in a double boiler , until it’s warm and easy to stir.
2. Combine the creamy ingredients. Mix the cream cheese and ranch dressing together in a mixing bowl, until smooth. Then, stir in the sour cream, until smooth.
3. Add the extras. Stir in the cheddar cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and cayenne. The cheese might start to melt, which is fine.
4. Bake until bubbly. Scoop the crack dip into a small baking dish (I use the smaller one in this set ). Bake until hot and bubbly. See my serving ideas below!

My Recipe Tips

• Be careful not to overheat the cream cheese. Warm it just enough to stir — too hot, and the ranch and sour cream might curdle. I use the microwave for convenience, but if you’re using the stovetop, I recommend a double boiler like this .
• Feel free to top with extra cheese before baking. It looks a little prettier that way but isn’t necessary.
• Reserve extra bacon and green onions for topping. I think the crack dip looks much prettier with some on top!
• Want to keep it warm for the party? This baking dish is the perfect size and doubles as a serving dish, but I like to transfer it to a mini slow cooker to keep it warm and gooey for a few hours.
• For smaller gatherings, cut the recipe in half. My crack dip recipe makes a big batch — 4 cups! It goes fast, but you can easily make half and use a smaller baking dish if you don’t want so much.
• How to make it more spicy: You can increase the amount of cayenne to your taste, add a dash of your favorite hot sauce, or mince 1-2 jalapenos finely and mix them in.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 8 oz Cream cheese ▢
• 3/4 cup Ranch dressing (for a thick dressing; use 2/3 cup if using a thin one) ▢
• 1/3 cup Sour cream ▢
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded) ▢
• 1/3 cup Cooked bacon (crumbled) ▢
• 1/3 cup Green onions (chopped) ▢
• 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper (optional; or more to taste) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, heat the cream cheese gently in the microwave at medium power, until it’s warm and easy to stir. (Alternatively, you can heat it on the stove in a double boiler ). Don’t get it scalding hot, just warm. If it’s too hot, wait for it to cool to be just warm before the next step, to avoid curdling the ranch and sour cream.
3. Stir the ranch dressing into the cream cheese, until smooth, then stir in the sour cream.
4. Stir in the shredded cheddar, crumbled bacon, green onions, and cayenne pepper, if using. (The cheese may start to melt, which is fine.)
5. Transfer the dip into a 1-quart baking dish (I use the smaller one from this set ).
6. Bake the crack dip for about 15 minutes , until hot and bubbly at the edges. Serve hot or warm, with veggies or crackers.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1/4 cup

• Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the right texture in your dip, make a pretty serving presentation, keep it warm for a party, or scale the recipe.
• Store: Let the dip cool, then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. I love using leftovers to stuff chicken breasts or portobello mushrooms ! I don’t recommend freezing it, as the texture will change.
• Meal prep: You can make this dip a few days ahead and store in the refrigerator. I recommend skipping the baking step when preparing it, so you can bake it fresh.
• Reheat: Warm it in the microwave or oven at 350 degrees F. It’s also delicious cold!
• Recipe yield: My entire crack dip recipe makes about 4 cups. You can easily cut it in half for a smaller batch, or even double it if you want a really big batch for a crowd!

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Crack Dip

Hearty Variations

This crack dip is already pretty hearty, but you can add 2 cups of one of these add-ins:

• Chicken – I often have leftover chicken around, but when I don’t, I make Instant Pot chicken and shred it. You can add it all by itself, or add buffalo sauce (to your taste) to turn it into a spicy hot dip.
• Sausage – Brown it in a skillet before adding to the dip. You can also do this with chorizo .
• Corn – Canned corn is the fastest option.

Serving Ideas

Like all my hot dip recipes, I like to serve crack dip with a variety of dippers, so people can choose their favorite. Here are some ideas:

• Chips – I prefer baked tortilla chips . Some people like potato chips. For a healthier chip option, try my zucchini chips or baked kale chips , but you may need a spoon to help you scoop the dip without breaking them.
• Crackers – Crack dip pairs perfectly with almost any cracker. Almond flour crackers and flax seed crackers are my faves.
• Veggies – Celery sticks, carrot sticks, broccoli, bell peppers, or cucumber slices are all great options that can stand up to the weight of this amazing dip. You can also stuff the dip inside mini peppers or even stuffed artichokes .

More Hot Dip Recipes

Cheesy hot dips are my favorite kind! Try one of my others next: