6 Easy Party Dip Recipes I Use Every Year (Perfect for New Year’s Eve & Super Bowl)

Rarely do I follow recipes—ask anyone who knows me well. Following directions exactly has never really been my strong suit. I almost always tweak something, add a little extra flavor, or adjust based on what I have on hand. It’s just how I cook.

That said… there are a few party dip recipes so good that even I mostly leave them alone. And with New Year’s Eve, the Super Bowl, and all the cozy winter gatherings on the calendar, it felt like the perfect time to round them up in one place.

These are the tried-and-true appetizer dips I’ve made for years—the ones that disappear first, get requested again, and show up at nearly every family get-together.

Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip

If you love Buffalo wings but don’t love sticky fingers and a sink full of dishes, this dip is the answer. Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Chicken Dip delivers all that classic Buffalo flavor without the mess.

 

I follow the recipe almost exactly—with two small swaps:

• I use blue cheese dressing instead of ranch
• I use Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce instead of the original sauce

We serve it with crackers, tortilla chips, pretzels, and lots of celery sticks. Honestly? It’s especially good on pretzel twists and crisp celery.

 

Zatarain’s Red Beans & Rice Party Dip

Many years ago, we hosted a Zatarain’s Mardi Gras House Party, and this dip was suggested to us—and I’ve been making it ever since.

 

You simply blend:

• 1 prepared box of Zatarain’s Red Beans & Rice
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 tablespoon jarred jalapeños

That’s it. No changes. No improvements. Just blend in a blender until smooth. It’s perfect as-is.

 

Serve it with round buttery crackers, tortilla chips, or pretzels. You can easily control the heat level by choosing mild, medium, or hot salsa, which makes it great for mixed crowds. 

Classic Spinach Dip (Bread Bowl Style)

This one is technically my recipe—but since it’s so simple, and only semi-homemade, I feel like it still belongs here.

 

Spinach Dip Ingredients:

• 3 green onions, diced (including tops)
• 1 (8 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 1 (6 oz) can sliced water chestnuts
• 1 (15.5 oz) container Marzetti Ranch Veggie Dip

Mix everything together until well combined. The onions and water chestnuts add just the right crunch, and the seasoning is spot-on.

 

We usually serve this in a hollowed-out rye or sourdough bread bowl, with the extra bread cubes, crackers, and veggies on the side.

Fruit & Nut Baked Brie (No Pastry Required)

I’ll admit it—I’m not a huge fan of baked brie wrapped in pastry. Sometimes the crust just gets in the way of what I really want: warm, creamy, spreadable cheese.

This Brie with Dried Fruit & Nuts from the Nutrisystem website keeps things simple. The brie is baked on its own and topped with fruit and nuts, making it perfect for spreading on crackers or slices of crusty French bread.

Elegant, easy, and always a hit.

Hot Crab Dip (A Southern Classic)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I love Paula Deen recipes for their bold, comforting flavors. While I don’t make everything exactly as written, her Savannah Hot Crab Dip needs very little help.

Occasionally, I’ll swap in low-fat mayo if that’s what I have on hand, but otherwise I leave it alone. Serve it warm with crackers, toasted bread, or baked wonton chips, and watch it disappear.

Asiago Cheese Dip with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

This warm asiago cheese dip is another favorite around here. It’s rich, savory, and feels just a little special without being fussy.

We serve it with bread cubes, crackers, and fresh veggies—and it works just as well for casual family nights as it does for game-day spreads.

What We’re Making This Year

For this year’s Super Bowl, I’ll definitely be making a few of these favorites again. My daughter has also already claimed guacamole duty, and I’m currently experimenting with a pizza dip recipe that might earn a spot on this list next year.

What about you? What dips are showing up on your party table this season?

 

This post originally appeared here in 2011! We decided it was time to update it with a couple of new favorite dip recipes and some new links for some old favorites! We were not compensated for this post--but, may receive slight compensation from affiliate links on our site.