Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese is a quick and easy savory appetizer recipe to whip up that everyone absolutely loves! Perfect for last-minute gatherings! A 15 MINUTE APPETIZER RECIPE I think this has to be one of my favorite appetizers to make and bring to any kind of gathering (holiday parties, football parties, etc.) This appetizer has been around forever but I make mine a little different. Most people just throw some pepper jelly on top of a brick of cream cheese and call it done. While that is delicious itself, I like to add a bit of seasoning and cheddar cheese to the cream cheese and then heat it all up together. I think it really takes it over the top and I tell you, I get asked for this recipe time and time again so you know it’s a winner! The combination of savory cheddar, green onions and pepper jelly creates a balanced, flavorful, creamy warm dip. And I love that it’s ready in just 15 minutes! FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  Is this spicy? Personally, I don’t actually think this is hot. It has a tiny little kick but nothing that I would describe as really spicy hot and I am sensitive to spices. I think most people have had this dish in some form or another since it’s been around for decades and most people will tell you it is not spicy hot. What pepper jelly is best to use? You can find varying levels of spiciness when choosing your pepper jelly at some stores, so if you want to pick one more spicy, or one more mild, look to see what brands and varieties your local stores offer. Choose a pepper jelly that you think you and your guests would enjoy. What can I add to bring more heat? If you like more heat, then you could use a pepper jack cheese instead of cheddar cheese or sprinkle some red pepper flakes in the cream cheese mixture. How can I make this with NO heat? If you want absolutely no spice at all, try using a can of whole cranberry sauce, or another type of jelly like orange marmalade or apricot preserves instead of the pepper jelly. Can I make this in the Air Fryer? Certainly! This dip can be assembled and then warmed in the Air Fryer at 350F for about 8-10 minutes. What should I serve to dip in this appetizer dip? You can serve this with buttery crackers, crostini, or any favorite cracker of your choice. Finger food type veggies like celery pieces and baby carrots are also great choices. How do I store Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese Dip? You can keep the leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days covered in an airtight container. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE) pepper jelly – you can change the heat level of your jelly when shopping for different varieties at the store. If you don’t have the jelly, try using hot honey for another fun flavor profile. block cream cheese– softened to room temperature. Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing to ensure a smooth, creamy texture. Here are some of my favorite tips to Soften Cream Cheese Quickly chopped green onions – these are optional but I think it adds another layer of flavor without bringing a strong onion flavor. shredded cheddar cheese – you can change up the cheese to any flavor you think would go well with this (mozzarella, pepper jack or gouda all work). garlic powder, paprika and salt – as I stated above, I love adding a bit of seasoning to this dish. I think it really sets it apart from the original basic recipe. HOW TO MAKE PEPPER JELLY CREAM CHEESE: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Heat up the pepper jelly in a microwave-safe dish for 10-second increments until it is not so thick and can be spread over the cream cheese smoothly. Set aside. In a pie dish (or other oven safe dish) add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, paprika, and salt. Mix until combined.  Add ¼ cup green onions to the mixture and stir them in. Spread evenly in the pie dish. Wipe the edges of the pie dish so it is clean from the cream cheese. Top the cream cheese mixture with the warmed pepper jelly so all of the cream cheese is covered.  Bake for 10 minutes or until the dip is hot. Remove from the oven. Top with the remainder of the green onions. Serve and enjoy.  CRAVING MORE RECIPES?  Million Dollar Dip Jalapeno Popper Dip Cheddar Ranch Dip Crack Chicken Dip Cherry Cheesecake Dip BLT Dip Fried Pickle Dip Queso Dip Crock Pot Queso Dip Reuben Dip Crock Pot Chorizo Queso Dip Creamy Taco Dip Crock Pot Smoked Queso Dip Print Pepper Jelly Cream Cheese A savory dip topped with pepper jelly. Course AppetizerCuisine American Prep Time 5 minutes minutesCook Time 10 minutes minutesTotal Time 15 minutes minutes Servings 8 Calories 160kcal Author Brandie @ The Country Cook Ingredients10 ounce jar pepper jelly (use whatever heat level you prefer)8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature½ cup chopped green onions (divided use)½ cup shredded cheddar cheese½ teaspoon garlic powder½ teaspoon paprika¼ teaspoon kosher salt InstructionsPreheat the oven to 350° F.Heat up 10 ounce jar pepper jelly in a microwave-safe dish for 10-second increments until it is not so thick and can be spread over the cream cheese smoothly. Set aside.In a pie dish (or similarly sized oven safe dish) add 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese , 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Mix until smooth and combined. Then stir in 1/4 cup green onions. Spread the cream cheese mixture so it is evenly spread out in the pie dish. Wipe the edges of the pie dish so it is clean from the cream cheese.Top the cream cheese mixture with the warmed pepper jelly so all of the cream cheese is covered. Bake for 10 minutes or until the dip is hot.Top with the remainder 1/4 cup of the green onions. Serve warm with your favorite dippers. Notes Please refer to my FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions. NutritionCalories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 3g | Sodium: 330mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g