Frito Chili Cheese Dip Recipe
This Frito Chili Cheese Dip is a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful appetizer perfect for game days or casual gatherings. Combining ground hamburger, cream cheese, spicy chili starter, and a blend of spices, it features melted cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions on top, served warm with crunchy Frito’s Scoops for dipping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Base
- 1 lb. ground hamburger, cooked and drained
- 1 block cream cheese, softened
- 10 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained well (like Rotel)
- 15 oz. can chili starter (like Bush’s Chili Magic)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1–2 tsp hot sauce (I used Louisiana)
- 1/2 medium white onion, diced
Cheese & Toppings
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (mixed in dip base)
- 1.5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded (for topping)
- 5 strips bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
- 2 green onions, diced (green and white parts)
- Frito’s Scoops for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the dip.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cooked ground hamburger, drained diced tomatoes, chili starter, garlic powder, chili powder, brown sugar, paprika, cumin, hot sauce, diced white onion, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well incorporated. Adjust seasonings to your taste.
- Transfer to Skillet: Grease or butter a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, preferably cast iron. Spoon the dip mixture into the skillet evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1.5 cups shredded cheddar cheese on top to create a cheesy layer.
- Bake First Phase: Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake the dip for 8 to 10 minutes until the cheese has melted and the dip is heated through.
- Add Bacon and Finish Baking: Remove the skillet from the oven, sprinkle the chopped crispy bacon over the melted cheese, then return the skillet to the oven for another 3 to 4 minutes until the dip is bubbly around the edges.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the dip from the oven, sprinkle diced green onions evenly on top for freshness and color. Serve warm with Frito’s Scoops for dipping.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- Using a cast iron skillet adds a nice crust and even heating, but any oven-safe dish will work.
- For extra creaminess, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven.
Keywords: Frito chili cheese dip, game day dip, cheesy chili dip, party appetizer, baked dip, Frito's Scoops dip
Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/frito-chili-cheese-dip-recipe/
