Dorito Chip Dip
The Best Dip For Doritos
Dorito Chip Dip is one of those ridiculously easy recipes that tastes much better than the amount of work you put into it. Cream cheese and sour cream are mixed with ranch seasoning, bacon, green chiles, garlic and green onions to make a cool, creamy dip that is perfect with the bold crunch of Doritos.
This is a great make-ahead dip for parties, football Sundays, boating, the beach or anytime you need something easy to put out with a bunch of chips.
And while I originally created this specifically for Doritos, we have discovered there are MANY other ways to eat it.
I had to eat a lot of dip to make these discoveries, but no complaints from me.
Before You Jump To Recipe
Here are a few things to know before making this dip:
Give it time in the refrigerator. The ranch, bacon, chiles and seasonings taste even better after everything has had time to mingle.
Make it ahead. I like this dip best after it has chilled for at least four hours.
Soften your cream cheese. It will blend much more easily with the sour cream.
Use any Doritos flavor you like. Nacho Cheese and Spicy Sweet Chili are two of my favorites.
Real bacon works perfectly. Cook it until crisp, drain it very well and let it cool before adding it to the dip.
This recipe is very easy to double. In fact, I recommend doubling it for a larger party.
It isn’t just for Doritos. Potato chips, tortilla chips, crackers and pretzels are all good with it.
Try it on a baked potato. It is basically a loaded baked potato topping already waiting to happen.
The Perfect Dip for Boating and the Beach
I have no idea why this dip tastes EXTRA delicious when you’re enjoying a day in the sun, but it does.
This is a dip made for an icy cold cooler alongside your favorite summer beverage.
It is also easy enough that you’re not spending half the morning making food before you leave.
Mix everything together the night before, refrigerate it and you’re ready to go.
Obviously, because this dip contains sour cream and cream cheese, keep it properly chilled in your cooler until you’re ready to eat it.
Even Better For Football Watching
This is THE dip that will be in your game day rotation.
I like to serve it with various flavors of tortilla chips. This way everyone can make it their own.
This dip is nice because it can be made ahead of time for game day, and you have an easy snack that everyone is going to go crazy for.
Simple Ingredients, Big Flavor
One of the things I love about this dip is that there is nothing fancy going on here.
You need:
Cream Cheese: Let it soften before mixing so you don’t end up fighting cream cheese lumps.
Sour Cream: This loosens the cream cheese and gives the dip its cool, creamy texture.
Bacon: I often use convenient precooked bacon, but freshly cooked bacon is delicious too.
Ranch Dressing Mix: One packet seasons the entire dip.
Green Chiles: I use a small can of chopped mild green chiles. They add flavor without making the dip overwhelmingly spicy.
Garlic Powder: Because almost every creamy dip needs garlic.
Chili Powder: Just enough for another layer of flavor.
Green Onions: Some go into the dip and I like a little more over the top before serving.
How to Use Real Bacon
You do NOT have to buy precooked bacon for this recipe.
If you want to use fresh bacon, cook approximately 10 slices of bacon until crisp using whatever method you prefer.
Drain the cooked bacon very well on paper towels and let it cool completely before chopping or crumbling it into the dip.
This part is important. If you skip any steps, do not let it be this one.
You don’t want to add hot, greasy bacon directly to cold cream cheese and sour cream.
I also like to reserve a little of the crispy bacon to sprinkle over the top right before serving.
That way everyone knows there is bacon in there before they even take the first scoop.
Let the Cream Cheese Soften
Your cream cheese should be softened before you start mixing.
If you try mixing a refrigerator-cold block of cream cheese directly into the sour cream, you’ll probably end up with little cream cheese lumps throughout the dip.
It’s still going to taste good.
It just won’t be as creamy.
I like to blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream first and THEN add the ranch and remaining ingredients.
Don’t Skip the Chill Time
Technically, you could eat this immediately.
But don’t. This will be hard.
Give it at least four hours in the refrigerator.
The ranch seasoning needs time to hydrate and all those flavors from the bacon, green onions, chiles and seasonings need time to work their way into the creamy base.
This is actually what makes it such a good party recipe.
Make it in the morning.
Clean your kitchen.
Forget about it.
Then pull it out when your guests arrive.
Can I Double Dorito Chip Dip?
Yes, and if you’re making this for a larger party, I recommend it.
One batch makes approximately 12 appetizer servings, but chips and dip have a funny way of disappearing when they’re sitting in front of a group of people.
To double it, simply use:
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 16 ounces sour cream
- 20 slices bacon
- 2 small cans chopped green chiles
- 2 packets ranch dressing mix
- 4 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 4 tablespoons sliced green onions
Mix and chill it exactly the same way.
If I’m putting this out for a football party or larger gathering where people will be snacking for several hours, I would much rather have too much dip than run out.
Leftover dip is NOT a problem.
I’ll tell you why in a minute. Stick with me.
What Kind of Doritos Are Best?
Any flavor you love.
I have tried this with several different Doritos varieties, and it’s actually fun to put a bunch of flavors out and let everyone decide which combination they like best.
My two favorites are:
Nacho Cheese: The classic. The cheesy, tangy flavor is SO good with the cool ranch and bacon dip.
Spicy Sweet Chili: This might actually be my favorite combination. The sweet and spicy chip with the creamy dip is delicious.
Cool Ranch, Spicy Nacho and other flavors work too.
My Favorite Way to Serve It for a Party
Buy one of those variety packs of snack-size Doritos.
Put the bags in a basket next to the dip and let everyone choose their own flavor.
People love comparing which chip tastes best with the dip, and the individual bags are convenient for a casual party, cookout or football Sunday.
It also saves you from having five giant open bags of Doritos taking over your kitchen counter.
What Other Chips Are Good With This Dip?
Despite the name, you are not legally obligated to eat Dorito Chip Dip with Doritos.
The dip is basically a creamy bacon-ranch dip, so there are LOTS of things that taste good with it.
Try:
- Ridged potato chips: Probably my first non-Dorito choice because they’re sturdy enough for a thick dip.
- Kettle-cooked potato chips: The extra crunch is excellent with the creamy dip.
- Plain tortilla chips: A good choice when you want the dip itself to be the main flavor.
- Fritos or corn chips: Bacon, ranch, chiles and salty corn chips are a pretty great combination.
- Pretzel crisps: Sturdy and salty.
- Pretzel rods: Especially convenient for parties.
- Butter crackers: A surprisingly good combination.
- Club-style crackers: Their buttery flavor works really well with the ranch and bacon.
- Bagel chips: Another sturdy option if you’re putting this on a snack board.
The main thing is choosing something sturdy enough to scoop up the dip.
Nobody wants half a chip broken off in the bowl. I hate fishing that out!
Put This Dip on a Baked Potato
THIS is what you do with leftover Dorito Chip Dip.
Bake yourself a big russet potato until the skin is crispy and the inside is fluffy.
Split it open, add a little butter if you’re feeling ambitious, and put a generous scoop of this dip right on top.
Think about what’s already in it:
Cream cheese.
Sour cream.
Bacon.
Green onions.
Ranch.
The cold creamy dip starts to soften over the hot potato and it is DELICIOUS.
You could also add shredded cheddar, extra bacon and more green onions and turn it into an entire meal.
Other Ways to Use Leftover Dorito Chip Dip
Don’t throw out a half-container of this dip just because the chips are gone.
Besides baked potatoes, try a spoonful:
- On a burger
- On a grilled chicken sandwich
- Spread onto a tortilla for a wrap
- With raw vegetables
- On a baked sweet potato
- As a creamy topping for grilled chicken
- Spread onto a toasted bagel or savory toast
You could even thin a small amount with milk or buttermilk and turn it into a creamy ranch-style dressing.
Make It Pretty Before Serving
Right before serving, I like to top the dip with extra sliced green onions.
You can also add reserved crispy bacon and some crushed Doritos.
The crushed Doritos are obviously not necessary, but they make the bowl look fun.
More Dipping Fun
If you’re putting together a party spread, you don’t have to stop with one dip.
My Famous Guacamole is a great addition because it gives you something completely different alongside this creamy bacon ranch dip.
And my Pickle Dip is another reader favorite and another easy dip to put out for summer parties, football Sundays and holidays.
More Easy Dips
Dorito Chip Dip
Dorito Chip Dip is a cool and creamy party dip made with cream cheese, sour cream, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, green chiles and green onions. Make it ahead and serve it with your favorite Doritos, potato chips, tortilla chips, crackers or pretzels.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 10 slices bacon, chopped or crumbled*
- 1 small can chopped mild green chiles
- 8 ounces sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced, plus additional for garnish
- Crushed Doritos for topping, optional
Instructions
- Add the softened cream cheese and sour cream to a mixing bowl and stir until smooth and well combined.
- Add the ranch dressing mix, garlic powder and chili powder. Stir well.
- Fold in the bacon, drained green chiles and sliced green onions.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours so the dip can chill and the flavors can develop.
- Stir before serving.
- Top with additional sliced green onions, reserved crispy bacon and crushed Doritos, if desired.
- Serve cold with your favorite Doritos, potato chips, tortilla chips, corn chips, crackers or pretzels.
Notes
- Real bacon: If using uncooked bacon, cook approximately 10 slices until crispy. Drain thoroughly on paper towels and allow the bacon to cool completely before chopping or crumbling it into the dip.
- Precooked bacon: Precooked bacon is a convenient shortcut and works perfectly in this recipe.
- Make ahead: I actually prefer making this several hours ahead or the night before so the flavors have time to develop.
- Double the recipe: Double every ingredient and prepare the recipe exactly the same way. This is a good idea for larger parties and game days.
- For baked potatoes: Spoon leftover dip over a hot baked russet potato. Add shredded cheddar, extra bacon or green onions if desired.
- Other chips: Ridged potato chips, kettle chips, tortilla chips and corn chips are all great options.
- Other dippers: Try pretzel crisps, sturdy crackers, bagel chips or fresh vegetables.
- Doritos: Nacho Cheese and Spicy Sweet Chili are two of my favorite flavors with this dip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Dorito Chip Dip the night before?
Yes, and I actually recommend it.
Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight. The extra time gives all the flavors a chance to develop.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Double every ingredient and prepare it exactly the same way.
Can I use real bacon instead of precooked bacon?
Yes. Cook approximately 10 slices until crispy, drain them thoroughly, cool completely and chop or crumble them before adding them to the dip.
Is this dip spicy?
Not particularly when made with mild green chiles.
If you want more heat, you could use hotter green chiles or serve it with a spicy variety of Doritos.
What chips are best with Dorito Chip Dip?
Nacho Cheese and Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos are my favorites, but ridged potato chips, kettle chips, tortilla chips and corn chips are also excellent.
Can I serve this with crackers?
Yes. Choose a fairly sturdy cracker such as a butter cracker, Club-style cracker, bagel chip or pretzel crisp.
Can I put Dorito Chip Dip on baked potatoes?
YES.
The sour cream, cream cheese, bacon, ranch and green onions make it an almost perfect loaded baked potato topping.
How long should the dip chill?
I recommend at least four hours.
Can I make it without bacon?
You can leave it out, although the bacon adds a lot of flavor and saltiness. Taste the finished dip and adjust your seasonings accordingly.
Can I add shredded cheese?
Sure. Finely shredded cheddar or pepper jack would work particularly well.
An Easy Dip Worth Keeping Around
I originally made this as a dip specifically for Doritos, and it is still one of my favorite ways to serve it.
But the more we’ve eaten it, the more uses we’ve found for it.
Make it for the beach.
Put it out for football.
Bring it to a cookout.
Double it for a party.
Eat it with potato chips.
And if there’s any left the next day, bake yourself a potato and put this right on top.