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Hot Bacon Corn Dip – the ultimate summer appetizer. This spicy, Mexican-inspired dip packs in all the flavor of street corn, but with the creamy, cheesy goodness of a baked skillet dip—and crispy bacon to take it over the top. Sweet summer corn gets mixed with chili powder, cream cheese, yogurt, and a touch of mayo, then baked with plenty of melty cheese until golden and bubbly. To finish? A spicy honey-chili butter drizzle and crispy bacon bits. Scoop it all up with tortilla chips (homemade, if you’re like me!), and you’ve got a guaranteed crowd favorite.
One of my favorite things about summer is how easygoing it feels—even without major holidays, there’s always something to celebrate. Backyard dinners, beach days, casual get-togethers – summer entertaining is meant to be low-stress and full of flavor.
A great dip is essential for these kinds of moments. If you’ve made my street corn dip before, you already know it’s a summer staple. Today’s recipe is a twist on that favorite—and it might just be even yummier.
The real star of this version? That hot honey bacon topping. It’s unexpected, a little spicy, a little sweet, and seriously addictive. Trust me—this combo works.
And if you have a few extra minutes, make the homemade chips! I use corn tortillas, a drizzle of olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt, then bake at 400°F for 10–12 minutes. So simple, so good!
Here are the details
Ingredients
- chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne
- salted butter or olive oil
- onions
- garlic
- jalapeños
- fresh or frozen corn
- sour cream – or swap for Greek yogurt
- mayo – I prefer to use half mayo, but you can use Greek yogurt here too
- lime juice
- cilantro
- shredded spicy or regular cheddar
- pepper jack cheese
- crispy bacon bits
- honey
Ingredients – for topping
- fresh cilantro, smashed avocado, and limes
- tortilla chips
Tools: Just a small mixing bowl and a skillet.
Steps
Step 1: Mix the Seasonings
Start by mixing the chili powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper together in a small bowl. Adjust the cayenne to your personal heat preference—more for a kick, less for a mild version.
Step 2: Cook the Onions and Peppers
This is the main hands-on part of the recipe. Sauté the onions, garlic, and jalapeños in a skillet with a bit of olive oil until softened and fragrant. This step brings out their sweetness and mellows the heat, which is great if you’re cooking for people who aren’t into raw onion flavor (like my mom and dad!).
Step 3: Add the Corn
Once the onions and peppers are cooked down, stir in the corn. You only need to cook it for a minute or two—just enough to combine the flavors. The corn will finish cooking in the oven.
Step 4: Create the Dip
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the Greek yogurt or sour cream, mayo, lime juice, and about two teaspoons of the seasoning mix from Step 1. Add in some of the cheese and mix until everything is creamy and well combined.
Step 5: Bake
Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the dip. Then place the skillet in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the whole dip is sizzling—about 15–20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell amazing!
Topping – The Most Important Step
As soon as the dip comes out of the oven, top it with extra crispy bacon, the rest of the seasoning mix, and a generous drizzle of honey. It’s basically hot honey bacon—and yes, it’s as good as it sounds. Finish with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, a squeeze of lime, and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Looking for other summer corn recipes? Here are a few ideas:
8 Ingredient Cheesy Green Chile Chicken
Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp with Parmesan Corn Polenta
Jalapeño Cheddar Stuffed Chicken with Creamed Corn
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Skillet Creamy Cajun Chicken Lazone with Herby Corn
Lastly, if you make this Hot Bacon Corn Dip, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Hot Bacon Corn Dip
Servings: 10
Calories Per Serving: 304 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, to your taste
- 1 tablespoon salted butter or olive oil
- 1 yellow onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 jalapeño, seeded if desired, plus chopped
- 4 cups fresh or frozen corn (4-5 raw)
- salt and black pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt, or sour cream
- 1/3 cup mayo, or plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups regular or spicy cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- 4-6 strips crispy bacon, crumbled
- 1 tablespoon honey
- cilantro, avocado, and limes, for serving
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1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, mix the chili powder, paprika, and cayenne.2. In a 10-inch oven-safe skillet, melt the butter/oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, garlic, and jalapeño, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the onions are tender and softened, about 5 minutes. 3. Add the corn and toss to combine. Remove from the heat.4. To the skillet, add the cream cheese, sour cream/yogurt, mayo/yogurt, and lime juice. Mix in 2 teaspoons of the seasonings and 1 cup of cheese. Mix until you have a creamy dip, then spread in an even layer. Top with the remaining cheese. 5. Bake 20 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Top the dip with crispy bacon, then sprinkle with 1-2 teaspoons of the seasoning. Drizzle with honey. Serve immediately, topped as desired and with tortilla chips.