Cheesy Bacon Dip in a Bread Bowl (or not)

Cheesy Bacon Dip in a Bread Bowl (or not)

This cheesy bacon dip is baked to perfection with cheddar, jack, and crispy bacon for an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Prep Time15

Cook Time1

Total Time1 15

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 240kcal

Author: Jami Boys

Equipment

Sharp Knife
small cookie sheet

Ingredients

1/2 pound bacon, about 8-10 thin slices (not thick cut)
2 cups shredded cheddar or jack cheese (8 ounces)
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1 cup mayonnaise -try this 5 minute homemade mayo
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
1 loaf of round bread- homemade or store bought (or use a baking dish)

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
Cook bacon until crisp. You can chop it all up before cooking or cook and crumble after - it's your choice. Drain and set aside.
Prep bread loaf (if using): Cut a lengthwise slice from the top of the loaf of bread. Remove inside of bread using a sharp, thin knife to cut around the edge of inside the loaf and remove the center leaving a 1-inch thick shell. Cut up the bread you pulled out into bite-size pieces and store in a covered container or baggie. (Alternately, you can butter the inside of a small baking dish or pie plate.)
Make the dip. Combine all the filling ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Set the bread shell onto a small cookie sheet, spoon the filling into the shell and cover with the top piece. (If using a baking dish, spoon into the dish and cover with a piece of foil.)
Bake for 1 hour until it's heated and melting all the way through. (The dip in a baking dish may take only 30-45 minutes to heat through, depending on the size of the dish, so start checking early.)
To serve: Place the bread bowl on a cutting board. Remove the bread top and cut it into bite-size pieces, placing them around the bread bowl. Add the set aside bread pieces around the dip as well and serve as soon as possible. (If using a baking dish, serve with slices of bread and/or crackers.)
TIP: Once the cheesy bacon dip is gone, get out a sharp knife and slice up the coated bread shell into small pie-shaped pieces. They are SO crispy and good so make sure to pass them around!

Notes

Two Options to Make Ahead:

You can assemble the cheese mixture in the bread bowl completely 2-3 hours before baking and store, covered, in the refrigerator.
You can make it the day before serving, BUT keep the cheese mixture separate from the bread shell, storing covered in the fridge and assembling right before baking.

Store & Reheat: Store any leftovers (if you have any!) in an airtight container or baggie in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat in a toaster oven or air fryer a couple minutes until toasted (best) or a minute in the microwave.

Note: Nutrition info below is for about 3 tablespoons of dip without the bread.

Nutrition