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This creamy Baked Caramelized Onion Dip is loaded with gruyere cheese, onions and shallots, fresh herbs, and lots of crispy bacon. It all comes together in one pan, and then it’s baked until golden and melty. But the best part is that it’s topped with crispy French fried onions and more bacon. This baked onion dip is full of textures and cozy flavors and is perfect for game days, Super Bowl parties, or holiday gatherings.
Baked Caramelized Onion Dip
This is a warm baked version of my viral Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip. You can enjoy caramelized onion dip warm or cold; whichever way you prepare it, your guests will be in heaven.
If you love party appetizers and finger foods as much as I do, this will undoubtedly be one of your new favorite go-to recipes to make for any gathering. With the fresh thyme and balsamic vinegar, this tastes very fitting for Christmas as well. I first made this recipe last December and it was a huge hit at our holiday party. It’s one of those recipes that people keep talking about – truly the star of the food table.
Some other appetizers that have become Super Bowl staples in our home due to their wild success, are my Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers, Parmesan Candied Bacon Crackers, Cheesy Barbecue Chicken Dip, Wendy’s Jr Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders or my Baked Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Dip.
Key Ingredients
This creamy, cheesy, warm-baked caramelized onion dip is incredibly easy to make and tastes like it requires a lot more ingredients than it does. Be sure to pair this with some of my other popular Game Day Foods.
Cream Cheese – the base of this creamy baked caramelized onion dip.
Onion, Shallots & Garlic – the aromatics of this dish are a pairing of all three!
Bacon – cooked up crispy in the same pan before we add the onions.
Sour Cream & Mayo – along with cream cheese, these make up the base of this dip, adding tangy freshness from the sour cream and creamy decadence from the mayo.
Worscheshire – this provides a savory umami flavor.
Balsamic Vinegar – just a small amount adds acidity and brings out the onion flavor.
Fresh Thyme – adds a fresh herbiness, warmth, and coziness to this dip.
Cheese – a combination of gruyere, parmesan, and mozzarella.
How to Make Baked Caramelized Onion Dip
This is a very simple recipe with just a few steps. The longest part is just waiting for the onions to caramelize!
Cook the Bacon
First, we’ll cook the bacon in a large skillet over low heat. I like cast iron because you can bake it all in the same pan. Cook until it’s crispy, set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve just 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan (discarding the rest).
Caramelize the Onions
Into the same pan over medium-low, add 1 tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt. Add in the onions and shallots and cook until caramelized, stirring frequently until the onions caramelize, for about 25-30 minutes. You can add splashes of water if needed as they cook.
Make the Base of the Dip
Heat the oven to 375 degrees. While the onions cook, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, Worcestershire, freshly ground pepper, and just a pinch of salt (there is lots of sodium in the bacon, cheeses, and crackers). I use a hand mixer to get it super creamy and remove any chunks from the cream cheese. Then fold in half the cheeses and half the diced bacon.
Once the onions are caramelized, add in the minced garlic and thyme, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the balsamic vinegar, stir to combine, and remove from the heat.
Bake the Caramelized Onion Dip
Add the warm onions to the creamy dip and stir with a spatula to combine. I use a cracker to taste and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the mixture back into the same oven-safe pan (or use an 8×8 baking dish instead).
Spread it out into an even layer, top it with the remaining bacon and cheese, and then add the crispy French fried onions. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until it’s bubbly on the edges and golden brown.
Serve with club crackers, sea salt flatbread crackers like Firehook, or rosemary flatbread crackers. I prefer a longer, sturdy cracker, but anything works – even a buttery toasted baguette.
Variations and Tips
- Change up the cheeses and try a combination of gruyere and brie cheese! It’s absolutely delicious and creamy with a hint of earthiness.
- A lot of recipes call for adding sugar to the onions. I prefer to omit sugar as I find the onions become naturally sweet from the caramelizing process. Add 1-2 teaspoons of granulated sugar if you prefer more sweetness.
- I use a hand mixer to incorporate the cream cheese and remove lumps. This step isn’t necessary, as small lumps will melt into the dip as it cooks, but I prefer this step to ensure it’s extra creamy.
- Be sure your onions caramelize slowly. Otherwise, they’ll just burn rather than caramelize. Low and slow is the name of the game. For my cooking surface, medium-low is perfect, but you may find that you need to cook these on low to prevent them from browning too quickly.
Make-Ahead Instructions
This caramelized onion dip can be easily made ahead of time and baked later. You can make this up to 2 days ahead and store it covered tightly in the fridge in a greased baking pan.
Prepare the recipe steps up until you add the toppings to the dip. Instead, prepare the dip as directed, spreading it into a greased 8×8 baking dish. At this point, you’ll allow it to cool (if needed), then cover it tightly with layers of plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for 1-2 days.
When it’s time to bake, remove from the fridge for 30 minutes to remove the chill, add the toppings: the remaining bacon and shredded cheeses, and French fried onions. Then bake as directed.
Looking for More Cheesy Dips and Appetizers?
Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip (my viral chilled version of this dip!)
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Skewers
Parmesan Candied Bacon Crackers
Chicken Alfredo Little Caesars Crazy Puffs
Wendy’s Jr Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Baked Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Dip
Have you tried this Baked Caramelized Onion Dip recipe? If so, please comment below with any questions or feedback. Your opinions and reviews really help other readers in my community.
Please be sure to tag me @BadBatchBaking using the hashtag #badbatchbaking if you made this recipe, and I will feature you in my story! Plus, I LOVE to see your baking and cooking accomplishments!
Baked Caramelized Onion Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- 2 yellow onions sliced thin
- 2 shallots sliced thin
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 8 slices bacon
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire
- 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme minced (or 3/4 tsp dried thyme)
- 6 oz gruyere cheese shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated or shredded
- 6 oz can French fried onions
- salt and pepper to taste red pepper flakes optional
Instructions
Cook the bacon
- Add bacon to a large oven safe skillet over low heat. I like cast iron because you can bake it all in the same pan. Cook until it's crispy, set aside on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve just 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan (discarding the rest).
Caramelize the onions
- Into the same pan over medium-low, add 1 tablespoon of butter and allow it to melt. Add onions and shallots and cook until caramelized, stirring frequently for about 25-30 minutes. Add splashes of water as they cook to prevent burning.
Make the creamy dip
- Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
- While the onions cook, combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, Worcestershire, freshly ground pepper, and just a pinch of salt*. I use a hand mixer to get it super creamy and remove any chunks from the cream cheese. Fold in half the cheeses and half the diced bacon.
- Once the onions are caramelized, add in the minced garlic and thyme, stirring until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the balsamic vinegar, stir to combine, and remove from the heat.
Combine and bake
- Add the warm onions to the creamy dip and stir with a spatula to combine. I use a cracker to taste test and adjust with salt and pepper if needed. Transfer the mixture back into the same oven-safe skillet (or use an 8×8 baking dish instead).
- Spread it out into an even layer, top with the remaining bacon and cheese, and then add the crispy French fried onions. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until it's bubbly on the edges and golden brown.
- Serve with club crackers, sea salt, or rosemary flatbread crackers like Firehook. I prefer a longer, sturdy cracker, but anything works – even a buttery toasted baguette.
Notes
Here are some additional photos for your Pinterest boards:
I’ve tried your cold version of this dip, but this one looks incredible. I don’t think I have had a hot version of onion dip. Will definitely be making this for the big game!
You’ve got to try this yummy hot cheesy onion dip recipe.