Crack Dip – Cheddar Bacon Dip

Crack Dip Recipe – Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip – A must for game day! I always double the recipe and there are never any leftovers! People go crazy for this savory dip!! Sour cream, cheddar, bacon, and ranch seasoning. Super simple to make and dangerously delicious. One bite of this dip and you will be blown away! Great for parties! Low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free! Serve with chips, veggies, or crackers.

bowl of cheddar bacon ranch crack dip

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Cheddar, Bacon & Ranch Dip

This cheddar, bacon, ranch dip is a favorite at our tailgating parties. It is very simple to make and we are obsessed with it. We refer to this as CRACK Dip! You can’t stop eating it! This dip name came about by accident. I made this for a Titans football game in 2007. We pulled it out at the tailgate and everybody went nuts over it. We couldn’t stop eating it and jokingly said this stuff is like crack. The name stuck. I take this to every tailgate, and it is always a hit!

I’ve incorporated the cheddar, bacon, and ranch flavors into tons of dishes. Other dips, casseroles, pasta salad, chicken, potatoes, bread, deviled eggs. You name it, I can “crack it out”. LOL! You can check out all the other crack (cheddar, bacon, ranch flavors) versions here – https://www.plainchicken.com/category/crack-recipes/

CRACK DIP - Cheddar Bacon Dip - I always double the recipe and there is never any leftovers! People go crazy for this dip!! Sour cream dip loaded with cheddar, bacon and ranch. This dip is crazy addictive!! SO good!

How to Make Crack Dip

This easy dip recipe is effortless to make with only 4 ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together sour cream, ranch dressing mix, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheddar cheese with a wooden spoon. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can use freshly cooked bacon, precooked bacon, or real bacon bits.
  • Feel free to garnish the dip with some chopped green onions.
  • You can use regular or sharp cheddar cheese.
  • For reduced calories, use fat-free sour cream and turkey bacon.
  • Some people are sensitive to the sodium in store-bought ranch mix. Here is our recipe for Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix made with buttermilk powder, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, chives, dill, salt, and pepper. : https://www.plainchicken.com/homemade-ranch-dressing-mix/
  • Use a packet of spicy ranch seasoning mix or add some cayenne pepper for a little kick.
  • Can Crack Dip be made in advance? Yes! I usually make it a day or two in advance of eating it. This dip gets better as it sits in the refrigerator.
  • Store leftover dip in an airtight container in the fridge.

There are several variations of Crack Dip on the blog. One of my personal favorites is Warm Crack Dip (https://www.plainchicken.com/warm-crack-dip-football-friday/). It is a baked version of this dip with cream cheese. It goes like hotcakes at parties!!

dip on a frito chip

Great Appetizer for Parties & Game Day

This delicious dip recipe is simple to transport to parties. Just put it in the cooler and off you go! I can’t show up to a party without a bowl of this yummy dip. Our favorite dippers are Fritos, tortilla chips, crackers, or potato chips. It is equally delicious with baguette slices.

The dip is low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free. To keep the carbohydrates low, serve the dip with some veggies such as sliced cucumber slices, broccoli, bell peppers, carrot sticks, or celery sticks.

Looking for more party recipes? Here are some of the most popular tailgating/party recipes from the blog:

crack dip

CRACK DIP – Cheddar Bacon Dip

Yield: 4 cups
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Crack Dip – Cheddar Bacon Ranch Dip – I always double the recipe and there are never any leftovers! People go crazy for this dip!! Sour cream dip loaded with cheddar, bacon, and ranch mix. Super simple to make and super delicious. One bite of this yummy ranch dip and you will be blown away! Great for parties! Low-carb, keto-friendly, and gluten-free! Serve with chips, veggies, or crackers.

Ingredients:

Instructions:

  • Mix together and refrigerate 24 hours. Serve with chips and/or veggies.

Steph

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bowl of cheddar bacon ranch crack dip

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Comments

  1. I use the Spicy ranch mix instead of plain and everyone is always begging for the recipe. I am constantly telling people to check out plainchicken.com. for great recipes!

    1. Thank you SO much for telling your friends about the website! I am going to have to try this with Spicy Ranch Mix!

      1. I have never seen spicy ranch Mix in Arkansas. I’ll have to look harder. As my hubby and I like a little spice in our food. Thank you for your recipes.

  2. Hide this from yourself or it will never make it to the party. People wanted to lick the bowl. I don't even like sour cream or ranch dressing, but this combo with bacon and cheese is fantastic.

  3. I've been making this recipe for YEARS!!! It is always a hit! I prefer it on buttery crackers but it also works well with potato chips or tortilla chips.

  4. Hi, thank you for sharing this recipe. I made this for a potluck at work and 5 people wanted the recipe. Everyone said it was delicious and I agree. It is true to let it sit overnight before you serve as the flavors just all kick in. I did try some after I mixed it and it was good but what a difference a few hours in the fridge makes! By the way Steph, I follow your blog now since you have the most delicious looking recipes on the internet!

  5. War Eagle! Have you tried this with any other cheeses? My husband is allergic to cheddar. Wonder if it would work with Mozzarella/Parmesan mix?

    1. Hi Betty, if hubby is allergic the mozzarella or most any other cheese should work but I think fresh shredded cheese would work best since some brands of the already shredded contain things to preserve them. Hope it turns out great for you!

  6. Can someone please tell me if the ranch package should be made as directed on back of package and then added with other ingredients or should I just pour packet in as is (dry)??? someone please help…thanks in advance

    1. It is put in dry – just open and dump the packet contents in with the sour cream, cheese and bacon.

  7. This is SO good! I made it tonight so that I can serve it tomorrow for New Year's Eve. I'm not sure if it will make it that long, though… I can't stop sneaking bites of it!

  8. I made this for our family Christmas and it disappeared fast! Everyone loved it. My cousin's little boy asked me if I would give the recipe to his mom. I had to copy it for everyone there. It's now a family favorite. Thank you so much for sharing it!

  9. This is a GREAT dip – and I agree – it's a little on the salty side, so it went even better with cut up veggies

  10. I thought it was a bit salty for my tastes so I kept tweaking and tweaking it. I used 16oz low fat Knudsen's sour cream, one HALF of that package of that powdered ranch mix, one full 2.8oz bag of Hormel bacon bits, (they are in the deli case normally), 1 tbsp of dried chives, 1/2 cup Litehouse Lite Salsa Ranch dressing, and probably two cups of shredded Mexican mix cheddar cheese. Next time I make it I might even forget about the powdered ranch or even use a tsp of the package. It was good, but still just way too salty by time you eat it with Frito's Scoops… the best with this type IMHO. I found myself trying to add and add and add to get rid of the overkill taste of salt. Basically, I used your idea, but revamped it? Thanks for the idea behind the recipe.

  11. Hello from Iowa ! This dip looks wonderful :o)) What kind of chips are the ones shown in the picture with the dip ? It looks like a taco chip .. and brand thanxs.
    marilyn…..!

  12. This is truely crack!!

    In addition to eating it as a dip (and if I'm totally honest with a spoon) I also served it on top of a baked potato and it was so good!

  13. Cally – that all depends. This makes about 3 cups of dip. I would guess this would serve about 6-10 people, depending on what else you serve. I usually double it for a crowd.

  14. I made this for New Years Eve and everyone loved it. I thought it was a little salty, but luckily I love salt! I would recommend pulling it out of the fridge 5-10 minutes before serving as it was a little hard to dip directly out of the fidge but after 10 minutes it was easy to dip.

  15. Sorry but this dip was not good. I should of tried to make it a hot dip but just threw it out….far from "crack"

  16. Sorry but this dip was not good. I should of tried to make it a hot dip but just threw it out….far from "crack"

    1. Did you deviate from the recipe? There is no way sour crm, bacon, cheese and ranch aren't good. Love them all individually, they are even better together. Did you use imitation cheese? Bacon Bits instead of real bacon? I'm sorry-wish I could've taken it off your hands!

  17. I made this dip for NYE and its January 3rd and I'm already making it again! This dip is amazing! I see why it is called crack…omg i love it! Seriously if you are thinking about trying it, you won't be disappointed

  18. I'm from Australia and want to give it a go – but am afraid if I use ranch dressing – the entire thing will be far too runny.

    For my other Aussies out there, here's a recipe for homemade ranch dressing mix… I'll give it a go and tell you how it works out:

    2 Tbsp dried parsley
    1 tsp dried dill
    1 tsp garlic powder
    1 tsp onion flakes
    1/2 tsp dried basil
    1/2 tsp pepper

    also can any aussies suggest a good chip to go with this dip? corn or potato?

    cheers.

  19. Dan and Julie Fisher – if you substitute the dressing for the mix, you would need to also substitute the sour cream. So basically it would be 2 cups of ranch dressing, cheese and bacon. Never tried it. It wouldn't be as thick of a dip. It would be runny.

  20. Has anyone ever tried this with a ranch DIP packet instead of ranch DRESSING packet? I think that might help calm down the saltiness, maybe?

  21. I discovered your website via Pinterest as I was planning my housewarming party. Thanks to you, I have now made this dip for three occasions and have gotten lots of compliments on it!

  22. Well…I am glad I read to make this and let sit for 24 hours because I have a party tomorrow in 18 hours ha ha. Easy dip to make and minimal and cheap ingredients which is always a plus. However, you nicknamed this "crack" and I would disagree. A stronger description is needed for how tasty this is…is crystal meth offensive? LOL. Just tried a bit and amazing but then again it is four of the best flavors in one setting. Will use this again!

  23. I made this the other day for a potluck at work and it was a huge hit! Thanks for sharing the recipe; so simple and yummy.

  24. Delish! Made my own bacon and upped the OZ to 6…also put a tad over 1c cheeze, and don't forget to put it in the fridge for at least an hr before truly judging…it was delicious!

  25. I've been making this dip for years and just came across it here, I love that you call it "crack"….perfectly fitting! I do add one more ingredient, it's green onions and it tastes amazing!!!

  26. I've been making this dip for years and just came across it here, I love that you call it "crack"….perfectly fitting! I do add one more ingredient, it's green onions and it tastes amazing!!!

  27. This dip is yummy! I was wondering if you could make it with the Ranch dip mix or do you just use the dressing mix (this question only comes up because I sent my husband to the store and he got the dip mix instead) 🙂

  28. I made this and thought it was going to be too salty for everybody (although I loved the saltiness), but then it was gone before I knew it. Thank you for the recipe!

  29. My daughter made this to take to a bbq last night and everyone was just ga-ga over it! The guys were putting this on their hamburgers and brats instead of ketchup and mustard! They all LOVE it!

  30. about how many servings is this? i am having a party for my husbands birthday and if this is as good as everyone says i'm sure it will go fast.

    1. I usually double this for a crowd.

      I think the original recipe serves about 10 people – if there is other stuff to eat. It makes about 3 cups of dip.

  31. You should try this dip with the spicy ranch packets. It adds another dimension to it. Great recipe!

  32. Okay everyone what is your favorite dipping cracker or chip for this dip? (Please be specific!)

  33. I am going to make this dip today because the recipe sounds awesome, BUT I am offended that you call it crack dip. I have a dear friend who is addicted to crack and it is no laughing matter.

  34. Oscar Meyer sells the bacon bits in the bag. If you can't find the real bacon bits or pieces, I suggest buying the precooked bacon and chop it up. Or fry your own bacon.

  35. I'm confused. I've never seen bacon bits in a bag, only in a jar. What brand are they, and if I can't find them where I live, do you think the Hormel bacon bits in a jar would suffice? Thanks!

  36. I just have to say this first: "WAR EAGLE!" ('05 & '11) Thanks for the recipe — it sounds delicious! It will definitely be joining our AU tailgating food rotation next season!

  37. We made this for a party on Friday night and then on Saturday night I used 1/2 of the leftovers and stirred it into the mashed potatoes that I was making and then last night used the remaining to fill jalapenos before I baked them – it was delicious every.single.time. Thanks for sharing!

  38. I made this today. Yummy. We don't have Ranch packet mix in Australia so I just used ranch dressing. My hubby & I almost ate the whole bowl!

  39. This recipe was published on my birthday, what a great reason to make it.
    I think I'm going to modify this recipe a bit and post it on my blog! I'll link back to use of course and let you know.

  40. This dip SUCKS. For those of you that think this is the "crack" of dips…..I can name at least 20 dips that are WAY better!

  41. JReser – yes, this is served cold. It doesn't go bad in 24 hours. It will keep for several days in the refrigerator.

  42. So this is supposed to be served cold? not hot? I've already pinned your Miss Sin dip, but like the ease of this one better…so after resting for 24hrs, could it be heated w/o going bad? It seems weird to be a cold dip and messes with my head! HAHAHA 😀

  43. I think it is a bit salty, too, but I just LOOOOOve it anyway. I used Fritos, but I bet it would be better, as far as salt goes, with a Triscuit maybe?

  44. Holy Hypertension, Batman! I don't mind salty foods but this was just too much. I highly recommend salt free chips if you're eating them with chips. I can't think of any other way to reduce the sodium without taking something away from the recipe. Surely, I can't be the only one who had this problem.

    1. You could always use real bacon and not bacon bits for less salt. Also, adjusting the quantity of ranch seasoning used would help as well.

  45. I saw this recipe on Pinterest and made it with the intention of bringing it to Christmas dinner – after getting a few pre-fridge bites, I could barely get my family to wait the 24 hours before they ate all of it! I was in a rush at the grocery store and couldn't find bacon bits so I just whipped up some of my own at home. Tastes just as amazing (if not better)! Thanks for sharing!

  46. Just wanted to share that I made this for a Mom's Night Out cocktail party and I thought the mommies were going to lick the bowl it was so good! That 24 hours in the fridge definitely makes a huge difference.

  47. Made this dip the same day I saw it.
    We cheated and ate it that same night.. and then again for the next few days! Easy and addictive… yep, a definite keeper.

  48. I just saw this on pinterest and was intrigued by the ingredients. Then I saw them and it is one of my favorite dips – like ever! I had to lol at the term "crack". I couldn't agree more.

  49. I started making this dip a couple years ago and I couldn't stop. 1-because it's so good 2-because people request for me to bring it to every party. Try it with the "fiesta" flavor dry ranch and you'll never turn back!

  50. Hi, I'll be making this dip for my baby shower tomorrow. I have an assortment of different dips and dippers. Veggies and crackers, a little chips too. Thanks for the recipe. I plan to add it on my blog after we give it a try 🙂

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