Roasted Red Pepper Dip- 5 Minute Appetizer!

Name: Roasted Red Pepper Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese (softened); 8 oz roasted red peppers (drained); ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese; 2 tsp lemon juice; 1 clove garlic; ¼ tsp salt; ¼ tsp dried basil; ⅛ tsp black pepper; 1 pinch red pepper flakes

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This Roasted Red Pepper Dip is incredibly quick and easy to make and at the same time delivers the perfect creamy, smoky flavor for dipping in crackers, chips or your favorite veggies!

Creamy roasted red pepper dip served with tortilla chips, cucumbers, and veggies on a platter.

I remember making this Roasted Red Pepper Dip as a child with my aunt. I thought we were such incredible chefs to have whipped up something so delicious! In reality, this dip is so easy anyone can make it, and the flavor always tastes like it was chef-inspired.

This roasted red pepper dip calls for simple ingredients and just like my other amazing dip recipes (like Bagel Dip, Fried Pickle Dip, or Deviled Egg Dip) it’s the perfect appetizer for serving to a crowd at a party, celebration or game day. It’s also a great snack for yourself or last-minute guests!

Just throw the ingredients together, blend and enjoy this dip with crackers, veggies or as a flavorful spread!

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Why Make This Recipe?

A tortilla chip dipped into creamy roasted red pepper dip held above the bowl.

Easy: It’s difficult to mess this recipe up. Just place it all in a blender and blend until combined.
Flavorful: The roasted red peppers are slightly smoky and sweet and pair perfectly with the rich cream cheese.
Versatile: Make this red pepper dip recipe for a party but use the creamy dip leftovers for a sandwich, a wrap, a quesadilla, or as a flavorful base for my Stuffed Celery. There are so many ways to enjoy this dip!

What Ingredients are in Roasted Red Pepper Dip?

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

Ingredient shot of ingredients to make creamy Roasted Red Pepper Dip.

Cream Cheese: Cream cheese gives your dip a smooth, creamy texture and acts as a stabilizer to keep your dip nice and sturdy. Feel free to substitute reduced fat for a lighter version, but keep in mind that your dip might be a little thinner. Keep your cream cheese at room temperature for at least an hour before making the dip so that it is soft enough for blending.
Roasted Red Peppers: Jarred red peppers are perfectly charred and provide incredible flavor. You could definitely roast your own red peppers if you don’t have jarred on hand. If using jarred peppers, make sure to drain them, because the more liquid added, the less thick your dip will be.
Shredded Parmesan Cheese: My aunt’s version of this recipe doesn’t use parmesan cheese, but I thought that the recipe could use some saltiness and a bit of a texture change. Adding shredded parmesan cheese thickens the dip and also adds a nutty yet buttery flavor.
Lemon Juice and Garlic: Lemon juice adds a punchier and fresh flavor to the dip. Fresh garlic blends into it to complement the basil well. We don’t want an overpowering garlic flavor, just enough to add a touch of depth.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is ridiculously easy but it’s also easy to customize with additional flavors. Anything that goes well with roasted red peppers can be added to this recipe to give it a little more pizazz. Try it with:

Greek yogurt for a little tang
Fresh Thyme or fresh Basil for more fresh flavor
White Beans for added protein
Smoked Paprika or Feta cheese for depth of flavor
Lemon juice or Balsamic vinegar for brightness
Black pepper or Cayenne pepper for a little extra kick

How to Make this Recipe

All the ingredients are placed in a blender.

Step One: Put all your ingredients in a blender or food processor.

Blending all the ingredients together until smooth and well combined.

Step Two: Blend your ingredients together until combined. Enjoy!

Expert Tips

Avoid overblending. The longer you blend the dip, the waterier it gets, meaning that it becomes harder to dip things in!
If you do happen to overblend your dip, do not fear. Simply put the dip into the refrigerator and allow it to sit for a half hour before serving. This will give the fats in the cream cheese time to solidify, giving your dip that perfect texture once more. This added step also gives the flavors a chance to really blend together so it’s a good idea either way!
If you like your dip a bit spicier, add more red pepper flakes!
I’ve made this dip with whipped cream cheese in the past but it turned out too runny for my preference.

Recipe FAQs

What to Eat With Roasted Red Pepper Dip?

You can use fresh vegetables such as celery sticks, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, tomatoes, or fresh peppers.

You can also use your favorite crackers, tortilla chips, potato chips, or pita chips which are absolutely delicious as well! I enjoyed the Rosemary flavored Triscuits. It also pairs well with baguette slices, pita bread or a fresh batch of crusty breads like sourdough. You can use anything that sounds good to you.

If you don’t want to use this recipe as a dip, you can always double it as a spread. This is delicious on sandwiches or wraps!

Why Is My Red Pepper Dip Watery?

If your dip is too watery, there could be a few different reasons why:
1. You did not drain your peppers
2. You blended the dip for too long

For either of these problems, here are some solutions:
1. Add more cream cheese (preferably a softened block, not whipped cream cheese) into the food processor.
2. Place the dip in the fridge for at least a half an hour to allow the dip to hold its shape again

How Long Will the Dip Last in the Fridge?

Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To eat leftovers, simply remove the container from the fridge, stir the red pepper dip, and serve.

Can I Make This Without a Food Processor?

You can use either a food processor or a blender for this recipe.

If you do not have either option, you can make this dip simply by mixing by hand. I recommend dicing the peppers, garlic and parmesan up extra fine and then mixing with a fork or an electric mixer. The texture may be a bit chunkier but the taste will still be delicious.

What Type Of Peppers Should I Use?

This recipe calls for roasted red peppers packed in olive oil. You can roast the red bell peppers yourself, but it’s much easier to just pick up a jar.

Jarred roasted red peppers have a more intense, smoky flavor than homemade roasted red peppers which are a bit sweeter. Plus you can’t beat the convenience of grabbing a can off the shelf and popping it open for this recipe.

Did you enjoy this recipe for Roasted Red Pepper Dip? If so, make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:

If you tried this Roasted Red Pepper 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!