Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip is the ultimate sweet-meets-spicy appetizer. Made with creamy, whipped cream cheese and topped with a drizzle of warm honey infused with a little heat, this dip delivers bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s rich, smooth, slightly fiery, and totally addictive — perfect for dipping with crackers, pretzels, or fresh veggies.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Creamy, sweet, and spicy all in one bite
- Takes just minutes to prepare
- Perfect for parties, game day, or casual snacking
- Pairs with sweet and savory dippers
- Easy to customize with your preferred spice level
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Cream cheese, softened
- Hot honey (or honey + red pepper flakes)
- Garlic powder (optional)
- Salt (a pinch)
- Chopped fresh chives or parsley (optional for garnish)
- Red pepper flakes or hot sauce (for extra heat)
Directions
- Soften Cream Cheese: Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature until soft. This makes it easier to whip and spread.
- Whip the Cream Cheese: In a bowl, mix the cream cheese using a hand mixer or whisk until smooth and fluffy. Add garlic powder and a pinch of salt, if using, and mix again.
- Warm the Honey: If using plain honey, warm it gently in a saucepan or microwave and stir in red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce. Let it sit for a few minutes to infuse.
- Assemble the Dip: Spread the whipped cream cheese in a shallow serving dish or bowl. Drizzle the warm hot honey generously over the top.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with extra red pepper flakes or herbs like chives or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with crackers, pretzels, pita chips, or veggie sticks.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 6–8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes (for honey)
Total Time: 7 minutes
Variations
- Extra spicy: Add more red pepper flakes or a swirl of your favorite hot sauce.
- Sweet version: Add a bit of cinnamon or brown sugar to the honey for a dessert-style dip.
- Savory boost: Mix caramelized onions or roasted garlic into the cream cheese base.
- Baked version: Bake the assembled dip at 350°F for 10–15 minutes for a warm, gooey texture.
- Herb twist: Mix in chopped herbs like rosemary or thyme into the cream cheese.
Storage/Reheating
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: If baked or warmed, reheat gently in the microwave in short intervals or in a 300°F oven until warmed through.
FAQs
What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey infused with chili heat, either from red pepper flakes or hot sauce. It’s sweet with a spicy kick.
Can I use store-bought hot honey?
Yes, store-bought hot honey works great. You can also make your own by mixing honey with chili flakes or hot sauce.
Is this dip served hot or cold?
It’s typically served at room temperature, but you can also serve it warm for a gooier texture.
What can I serve with this dip?
Great with crackers, pretzels, crostini, veggie sticks, apple slices, or warm bread.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep it ahead and drizzle the honey on just before serving.
How do I make it less spicy?
Use less chili or mix the honey with a little butter to tone down the heat.
Can I bake this dip?
Absolutely. Just spread in a baking dish, drizzle with honey, and bake at 350°F for about 10–15 minutes.
Is this gluten-free?
Yes, the dip itself is gluten-free. Just make sure to pair it with gluten-free dippers.
Can I use flavored cream cheese?
Sure! Try garlic & herb, chive, or even honey walnut for a different flavor profile.
How long does this dip last?
It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days. Stir or re-whip before serving again.
Conclusion
Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip is a quick, crave-worthy snack or appetizer that brings bold flavor with hardly any effort. The combination of creamy, smooth cheese and spicy-sweet honey is unforgettable — perfect for entertaining or just treating yourself. Keep it in your rotation for an easy, delicious crowd-pleaser that always gets devoured.
Print
Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Hot Honey Cream Cheese Dip is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer — rich cream cheese topped with warm, spicy-sweet hot honey and finished with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. It takes just minutes to make and disappears even faster. Serve it with crackers, bread, or veggies for dipping!
Ingredients
-
1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
-
1/4 cup honey
-
1-2 tsp hot sauce (adjust to your heat preference)
-
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (plus more for topping)
-
Pinch of salt
-
Crackers, crostini, or pretzels (for serving)
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) if serving warm.
-
Make the hot honey: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir and heat for 1–2 minutes until warm and fragrant. Remove from heat.
-
Warm the cream cheese (optional): Place the block of cream cheese in a small baking dish or oven-safe bowl. Bake for 8–10 minutes until soft and warm. You can also microwave for 30–60 seconds instead.
-
Assemble: Pour the hot honey mixture over the warm cream cheese.
-
Serve: Top with an extra pinch of red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately with your favorite dippers.
Notes
-
Want it spicier? Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
-
Great served warm or at room temp.
-
You can use whipped cream cheese for a spreadable, no-heat option.
-
Try topping with chopped nuts or crispy bacon for extra flavor and crunch.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *