The best part about recipes is sharing them. That’s what makes my job so neat every day. I get to share quick, easy, and delicious recipes with y’all. And I’m always excited when y’all share your favorites with me!
A few weeks back, Joy S. shared this amazingly easy and super delicious recipe for her Candied Jalapeño Dip with me via email. I was so intrigued with how simple the recipe was, I knew I had to try it. And boy am I glad I did!
Here’s what Joy had to say about it…
“I wanted to share a recipe that I made up several years ago. I’ve taken this to many get-togethers, and everyone loves it! At a family get-together yesterday, I was told “you should publish this!”
This came about when my cousin and I were going to make a recipe I had found, but ended up only making the jalapeño portion. I left to return home, and the jar of sugared jalapeños were still in her refrigerator. Several weeks later, the night before Valentine’s day, she needed something to take to work for a party. It was late in the evening, and needed something quick. I asked if she had any cream cheese; she did. I told her to soften the cream cheese and add the jar of the jalapeños. She did. She took it to the work party the next day, and it was an instant hit! Been making it ever since!”
And with only 3 ingredients, it’s so easy! The only thing you’ve got to consider with this recipe is you’ll need a little lead time to get those jalapeños candied.
You’ll combine the drained jalapeños with 1 cup of sugar and then return them to the jar. They’ll need to sit in the fridge for at least 24 hours to allow the sugar to dissolve completely and allow the peppers to absorb some of that sweet flavor.
Next, you simply beat the cream cheese until smooth and then stir in the jalapeños with a little of that delicious syrup that has been created in the jar. It’s seriously that simple. Serve alongside your favorite crackers and you’ve got a stellar and EASY dip that’s the perfect appetizer or snack.
I tried the dip with a host of different crackers and found Wheat Thins to be my absolute favorite with the sweetness of this dip.
Want to lighten this up a bit? Swap the regular cream cheese for neufchâtel and you’ll cut about 1/3 of the fat out.
Recipe Card
Joy’s 3-Ingredient Candied Jalapeno Dip
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) jar diced jalapenos
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened
Instructions
- At least 24 hours before serving, drain the jalapenos and add them and the sugar to a medium bowl. Stir to combine. Pour the mixture back into the jar and place the jar in the refrigerator. Shake the jar once or twice to make sure the sugar dissolves completely.
- When ready to serve, place the softened cream cheese in a large bowl. Use a mixer to beat until smooth. Drain the candied jalapenos and reserve the syrupy liquid. Add the jalapenos to the cream cheese and stir to combine. Add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the reserved liquid to the mixture to thin the dip out and to add more flavor. Spoon into a serving bowl and serve alongside assorted crackers.
* If nutritional values are provided, they are an estimate and will vary depending on the brands used. The values do not include optional ingredients or when ingredients are added to taste. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, I recommend grabbing your favorite brands and plugging those ingredients into an online nutritional calculator.
Julie
Definitely going to try this. My mom made a butt load of cowboy candy we need to use up. For those who can’t find candied jalapeños in a jar easily, check Trader Joe’s. They carry a jar of sweet hot jalapeños that is the same thing and they’re dynamite!!
Hope you enjoy it, Julie! And thanks for the tip!
Jodie
This is a new favorite! I cheated and bought the candied jalapenos from the store. We have been eating it on mini sweet peppers for 3 days. I seriously can’t get enough. It is so delicious!
Thanks, Jodie! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Yvonne
All of us cooks change things. I loved finding this recipe because I had some cowboy candy to use up. I diced my candied pickled jalapenos, and used about 1/2 cup, bc they are hot. I used 1.5 Tblsp of my liquid and added a half cup of chopped pecans. It went over well. Thank you!
Sounds great! Glad you enjoyed it!
Penny Dollens-Smith
This is so good! I plan to make it for every get-together this holiday season. I also save the remaining brine (after sugar) to pickle some carrots & cauliflower. I think it will be great.
Thanks, Penny!
Salt King
Whipped this together with a homemade candied jalapeños from a neighbor. It is pretty sweet for my taste but it will offset the Chile De Arbol Salsa and very hot Verde Salsa that was made for our party.
I think two blocks of cream cheese could stand up to two 8oz jars of jalapeño. Maybe next time I’ll do a regular pickled jalapeño and a candied to give it some more heat.
I think that sounds great!
Sharon Doan
Reading your wonderful sounding recipe, it suddenly occurred to me that this could become a Keto friendly recipe! All one would need to to is substitute the sugar with whatever granulated or powdered sugar substitute you prefer. I am going to give it a try. Even if you used half sugar and half sugar substitute it would lower the carbs and calories ; maybe not Keto, but better than all sugar.
Great tip, Sharon!
J Vickers
This is my favorite party appetizer! I take it to my Bunko parties & it’s such a big hit. And yes—this dip is delicious on Wheat Thins. What a great recipe. I buy candied jalapeños in a jar from a store in Georgia. It’s expensive at $10, but worth it. Thanks to you, I can now make my own.
They’re so good, right!?
Milt Flinders
This candied jalapeno dip sounds delicious. I’m definitely going to give it a try. The sweet and hot sounds divine.
Hope you’ll enjoy it!
Sarah Stamm
I replied about buying a jar of candied Jalapenos at Buc-ee’s but didn’t rate this dip! It’s 5 stars! Simple and absolutely AMAZING! I will eat it off of anything😊 I even fill my celery sticks with it!
What a great idea!
Katrina Mccann
Wat if u mixed the cream cheese and candied jalapenos in a croissant and bake them I wonder if that would be tasty
Now that’s an idea!
Debbie K
We add shredded cheddar cheese and bacon, too. Yummmm.
Sounds great!
Kris
This looks awesome! I’m growing jalapeños and have quite a few. Think I could use fresh ones instead of jarred?
The jarred ones are actually pickled, so I’m not sure the result would be exactly the same.
Bonnie Chisum
This looks great! My recipe for Candied Jalapeño Dip . . . you’ll love it:
8 oz. – Pepper Works Candy Krisp Jalapeños (I find at Kroger and HEB here in Texas)
2 8 oz. Cream Cheese bricks
¼ cup salsa, your favorite is fine
Mix all together, either by hand or blender and enjoy!
Bonnie
Sounds great! Thanks for sharing, Bonnie!
Angela
Thank you for responding!
Angela
Could Monk fruit or Splenda be used ?
I don’t see why not.
Joy
I have never seen the jarred candied jalapeños in any of my stores!
I can’t say that I’ve seen them either, but they would be a great shortcut.
Rick
If we drain jalapenos, where does the liquid come from?
Sarah Stamm
I buy my candied Jalapenos from Buc-ee’s in Melissa, Texas. When I wasn’t living here, I ordered them online! Saves me a big step and they are absolutely delicious. Also, for a 1 pound jar, it was 5.99. This dip is my favorite!!!
Melissa
I buy candied jalapenos in a jar…could these be used?
I don’t see why not. And it saves you a step!