Description
A rich and creamy baked double cheese and onion dip, perfect for parties and gatherings. This gluten-free dip combines softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated cheese, and sweet Vidalia onions, baked until golden and bubbly. Serve with chips, crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Dip Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (light cream cheese like TJ’s Soft Spreadable Light works well)
- 1 cup mayonnaise, light (such as Best Foods Light Mayo)
- 6 to 8 ounces grated cheese, divided (7 ounces Blarney Castle recommended)
- 1 medium/large sweet Vidalia onion, peeled and diced (about 1 heaping cup)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 9-inch pie dish or a similarly sized 10-inch oven-safe baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, grated cheese (reserve about 1/2 cup to sprinkle on top later), diced sweet Vidalia onion, ground black pepper, salt, and optional cayenne pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Transfer to baking dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a spatula to smooth the top lightly for even baking.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the reserved 1/2 cup of grated cheese evenly over the top of the dip to create a bubbly, golden crust when baked.
- Bake the dip: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until the top is golden brown, bubbling, and the dip is cooked through. The author baked it for 47 minutes to achieve the perfect texture.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the dip to cool briefly before serving. This dip pairs wonderfully with chips, bread, crackers, bagel chips, pita chips, fresh vegetable sticks like carrot, celery, cucumber, zucchini, jicama, bell pepper wedges, mushrooms, or your favorite crudités.
- Optional note: Always check product labels to ensure all ingredients are gluten-free if you have dietary restrictions.
Notes
- Use light cream cheese and mayonnaise for a lighter dip without sacrificing creaminess.
- Reserve some grated cheese to create a golden, bubbly topping that adds texture and flavor.
- Adjust cayenne pepper amount based on your spice tolerance for a subtle kick.
- This dip is naturally gluten-free, but confirm all ingredient labels if you are sensitive or allergic.
- Serve with a variety of dippers for a versatile appetizer option that suits many tastes and diets.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 47 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: baked cheese dip, onion dip, gluten-free appetizers, party dip, creamy cheese dip, Vidalia onion dip
