Homemade Maple Bacon Dip

If you ask me, maple bacon dip is pure party magic.

This sweet and salty appetizer makes a crowd-pleasing starter that’s packed with smoky flavor and creamy goodness. Crispy bacon bits and rich maple syrup pair with a smooth, tangy base.

It comes together with cream cheese whipped until fluffy and mixed with just the right amount of seasonings. Fresh chives and a hint of garlic help the whole thing balance out perfectly.

It’s a simple dish that disappears fast, a perfect game day or gathering treat.

What Kind of Bacon Should I Use?

For this maple bacon dip, you’ll want to use regular sliced bacon rather than thick-cut, since it will cook more evenly and crisp up nicely. Any brand will work, but I find that center-cut bacon tends to have a good balance of meat to fat, which gives you great flavor without being too greasy. If you’re watching your budget, the store brand bacon works just as well as the name brands for this recipe. Just make sure to cook it until it’s nice and crispy so it holds up well when you chop it and fold it into the dip.

Options for Substitutions

This sweet and savory dip is pretty forgiving when it comes to swaps:

• Bacon: Turkey bacon works great if you want a lighter option, or try pancetta for a fancier twist. You could even use bacon bits in a pinch – just use about ½ cup and skip the cooking step.
• Maple syrup: Real maple syrup is best, but pancake syrup will work if that’s what you have. You can also substitute with honey, though it’ll change the flavor profile slightly.
• Cream cheese: Make sure your cream cheese is fully softened for easy mixing. In a pinch, you can use mascarpone or even Greek yogurt mixed with a bit of heavy cream, though the texture will be slightly different.
• Butter: Stick with real butter here – it’s key for that rich, creamy texture. Make sure it’s softened to room temperature so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients.
• Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work fine. If you’re out, you can make your own by mixing white sugar with a tablespoon of molasses.
• Powdered sugar: Don’t substitute regular sugar here – the powdered sugar is what gives this dip its smooth, creamy consistency that won’t be grainy.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making maple bacon dip is not cooking the bacon crispy enough – soggy bacon will make your dip greasy and unappetizing, so cook it until it’s completely crisp before crumbling. Make sure your cream cheese and butter are fully softened to room temperature before mixing, otherwise you’ll end up with lumpy dip that no amount of beating will smooth out. Don’t rush the caramelization process when combining the brown sugar and maple syrup with the bacon – let it bubble and thicken for a few minutes to develop that rich, sweet flavor that makes this dip irresistible. Finally, taste as you go and adjust the sweetness level, since different maple syrups can vary in intensity, and you want that perfect balance of sweet and salty.

What to Serve With Maple Bacon Dip?

This sweet and savory dip is perfect for dunking apple slices, which really complement the maple and bacon flavors beautifully. You can also serve it with graham crackers, vanilla wafers, or even pretzel sticks for a fun salty-sweet contrast. Fresh strawberries and pear slices work great too, especially if you’re putting together a dessert spread for a party. For something a little different, try it with cinnamon pita chips or even spread it on warm biscuits for an indulgent breakfast treat.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: This maple bacon dip keeps really well in the fridge for up to a week in a covered container. The flavors actually get even better after sitting overnight, so don’t worry about making it a day ahead. Just give it a good stir before serving since it might firm up a bit when cold.

Freeze: You can freeze this dip for up to 3 months in a freezer-safe container, though the texture might change slightly when thawed. I like to freeze it in smaller portions so I can just grab what I need for parties or unexpected guests.

Warm Up: If your dip gets too thick from the fridge, just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes to soften up. You can also pop it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds and give it a stir to make it more spreadable again.

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	15 minutes
Total Time	25-30 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 2200-2400
• Protein: 20-25 g
• Fat: 180-200 g
• Carbohydrates: 180-200 g

Ingredients

For the bacon topping:

• 6 slices bacon
• 1/8 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup maple syrup

For the creamy base:

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1/8 cup brown sugar
• 1/8 cup maple syrup

Step 1: Candy the Bacon

• 6 slices bacon
• 1/8 cup brown sugar (half; 1/16 cup)
• 1/8 cup maple syrup (half; 1/16 cup)

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Line a baking sheet with foil and place a metal wire rack on top.

Lay the 6 slices of bacon on the rack, then sprinkle with half of the brown sugar and drizzle with half of the maple syrup.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the bacon is caramelized and crispy.

Once done, remove from the oven and let cool.

Step 2: Prepare the Cream Cheese Mixture

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, cream together the softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, and powdered sugar until smooth and well combined.

I like to let the cream cheese and butter sit out for about 30 minutes beforehand so they’re easier to mix.

Step 3: Incorporate Maple and Brown Sugar

• 1/8 cup brown sugar (remaining half; 1/16 cup)
• 1/8 cup maple syrup (remaining half; 1/16 cup)

Add the remaining brown sugar and maple syrup to the cream cheese mixture.

Mix well until the sugars and syrup are completely incorporated, giving the mixture a rich, sweet flavor.

Step 4: Add Candied Bacon

• candied bacon from Step 1

Chop the candied bacon from Step 1 into small pieces.

Gently fold most of the chopped bacon into the cream cheese mixture, reserving a few pieces for garnishing the top of the dip.

Folding in the bacon ensures every bite is packed with its smoky sweetness.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the dip until ready to serve.

Just before serving, sprinkle the reserved candied bacon pieces on top as a garnish.

This dip is excellent served with sliced apples, crackers, or chips.

I like to chill it for at least an hour so the flavors meld together beautifully.