Our award winning Crack Dip recipe has an addictive reputation for a reason: take one bite of this Ranch flavored cheesy, creamy, bacon-filled combination and you won’t be able to stop! The perfect party appetizer for game day, potlucks, or family gatherings!
Crack Dip Recipe – Cheddar Bacon Dip
Our easy Crack Dip recipe takes a basic Chip Dip or Veggie Dip and turns it into the best party dip with bacon, cheese, and ranch seasoning. Made like my Million Dollar dip, its creamy texture and cheesy richness make it impossible to resist.
With millions of views on TikTok, there’s a good reason why this cold dip has gone viral – trust me when I tell you that Ranch dip recipes like this deserve a place at every party!
What Is crack Dip?
Rumor has it that this cold party dip got its name because it’s addicting. The combination of bacon, ranch, and cheese is deemed irresistibly delicious and thus has been dubbed “crack” dip.
Crack Dip Ingredients
- Cream cheese: This creamy binder helps to thicken the dip and provide a smooth texture. Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing it in. I don’t recommend using low-fat or nonfat cream cheese – regular, full-fat cream cheese makes this dip much richer.
- Sour cream: You can use plain greek yogurt as a protein-packed substitute.
- Dry ranch dressing mix: I used Hidden Valley Ranch mix for this recipe, but you can substitute any store-bought ranch dressing mix you prefer. You can also use a homemade Ranch dressing mix to lower the sodium level.
- Fresh cracked black pepper
- Mild cheddar cheese: Use freshly shredded cheese instead of packaged pre-shredded cheese for this dip recipe. Pre-shredded packages have additives in the bags to prevent clumping, and they do not melt as well as a block of cheese that you shred yourself. Feel free to substitute the mild cheddar for your other favorite varieties. Medium or sharp cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheddar cheese, or for a spicy alternative, pepper jack cheese will all taste delicious.
- Bacon: You can use store-bought bacon bits or crumble your own cooked bacon. If you use the store-bought kind, make sure you get the real bacon bits and not Bac-os.
- Green onions: You can substitute chopped chives for the thinly sliced green onions if you prefer.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Crack Dip
- Make The Creamy Mixture: Mix the cream cheese on low until smooth. Add the sour cream, dry ranch dressing mix, and pepper. Continue to mix on medium until combined.
- Add The Mix-Ins: Mix in the cheese, bacon, and green onions.
- Chill: Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- Serve: Sprinkle with cheese, bacon and sliced onions. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables for dipping. Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Cold dip recipes are perfectly portable for taking to parties, game day gatherings, tailgates, or any time that calls for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Serve With Scoopables: Fritos Scoops, tortilla chips, bread sticks, pita chips, bagel chips, Triscuits, and saltine or Ritz crackers are great for scooping and dipping. You can also serve your dip with fresh vegetables, like celery sticks, carrots, or bell pepper slices.
Serve As Dipping Sauce: Time to get dipping! This crack dip is so delicious, it goes with almost anything. From french fries, and pickle chips, to chicken wings and cheese sticks, you can use this as a crack dipping sauce for your favorite finger foods.
Serve As A Spread: Spread your crack dip on burgers, slather it on sandwiches, or roll it inside your wraps. A great alternative to classic condiments.
Tips & Variations
- Make With More Mix Ins: Feel free to customize your crack dip with your favorite mix-ins and flavors. Stir in some Rotel, corn kernels, chopped chicken, fresh herbs, or any other seasonings.
- Crack Dip With A Kick: You can add some heat to your appetizer by mixing in jalapeños, chilies, hot sauce, or other spices.
- Bake Until Bubbly: While I love a cold dip during warm weather days, you can also serve it as a hot dish. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Create More Crack Dishes: Love the flavor combination of this crack recipe? Luckily I’ve created plenty of addictive dishes for you to try. Check out my Crack Chicken Penne Pasta, Crack Chicken, Crack Chicken Casserole, Crack Chicken Chili, and Baked Crack Chicken for dinner ideas. Or try my crack recipes for sliders, potatoes, and soup.
How To Soften Cream Cheese
The best way to soften your cream cheese is by keeping it in the package for a few hours at room temperature. However, you can carefully heat it up in the microwave (be sure to remove the wrapper first!) in increments of 20 seconds at a lower power. If you don’t soften your cream cheese, your dip will come out lumpy.
Make Ahead Recipe
This dip can totally be made a day ahead of time! Actually, the longer it sits in the refrigerator, the more flavorful the dip will become. (Yup more flavor and no work!) So, the next time you have a crazy busy schedule leading up to a big party, remember this recipe so you can just take it out of the fridge (or cooler) and have it ready in seconds for hungry party-goers!
Proper Storage
- To Store: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Other Easy Dip Recipes
If you tried this Crack Dip Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Crack Dip
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces (or 226g) cream cheese softened
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 ounce (or 28g) dry ranch dressing mix (I used Hidden Valley Ranch brand)
- ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese (divide 1 ½ cups for body of dip and ½ cup for garnish)
- ¾ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (I used the Great Value brand. Divide ½ cup for body of dip and ¼ cup for garnish)
- ½ cup thinly sliced green onions (divide ¼ cup for body of dip and ¼ cup for garnish)
Instructions
- Add the softened cream cheese to a medium size (2-3 quarts) mixing bowl. Use a handheld mixer on medium low speed to mix the cream cheese for 1 – 1 ½ minutes until smooth.8 ounces (or 226g) cream cheese
- Add the sour cream, dry ranch dressing mix and cracked black pepper. Continue to mix with the handheld mixer on medium speed just until well incorporated.1½ cups sour cream, 1 ounce (or 28g) dry ranch dressing mix, ½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
- Lower the mixer speed to low and add in the 1 ½ cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese, ½ cup crumbled bacon and ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions. Mix just until combined.2 cups freshly shredded mild cheddar cheese, ¾ cup cooked and crumbled bacon, ½ cup thinly sliced green onions
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap, or transfer to an airtight container with a lid and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
- When you are ready to serve, sprinkle the top of the dip with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon and thinly sliced green onions. Serve with crackers or fresh vegetables. Store any leftover in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Jenn’s Notes
- Make With More Mix Ins: Feel free to customize your crack dip with your favorite mix-ins and flavors. Stir in some rotel, corn kernels, chopped chicken, fresh herbs, or any other seasonings.
- Crack Dip With A Kick: You can add some heat to your appetizer by mixing in jalapeños, chilies, hot sauce, or other spices.
- Bake Until Bubbly: While I love a cold dip during warm weather days, you can also serve it as a hot dish. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
I made this and it was real soupy!! Nothing at all like the picture. I followed the recipe to the T. It tasted good but real watery! Maybe use less sour cream next time?
This is now my “go to” dip whenever we have company. It’s quick & easy and so delicious!!! Everyone always raves about it.
This was good thank you
I have not made this yet but I will soon. Nice to have when company comes to play cards. Thank you, Toby
YUMMY DIPS AND FOOD
Is it suppose to be 15.25 can of SW corn? I could find an 11 oz or standard but nothing smaller. Might just be my area but before I put together thought I would try to get an answer. Thanks so much.
Hey Amanda – it is 1 (5.25 ounce) can