Whether you're hosting a holiday party, building a game day spread, or just staring into the fridge thinking, "I need something to dunk a carrot into before I lose it," this roundup of easy dip recipes has your back.
We've got cold dips, hot dips, sauces, salsas, and dippers for every dietary adventure—low carb, high protein, gluten free, dairy-free, Paleo, Whole30, low FODMAP (IBS-friendly)…basically a dip for every mood and need.
And if you've followed me for a while, you know I take dips personally (thanks to Oliver Putnam from Only Murders in the Building, who turned me into a full-time Dip Enthusiast). That dip obsession sparked Dip December, my annual dip celebration where I release new dippable magic each year. Below, you'll find the current year's lineup as they're posted each December.
Scroll the full list to browse cold dips, hot dips, salsas, and diet-friendly dippers—or jump ahead using the links. Grab your chips, crackers, veggie sticks, or that spoon you pretend you don't use, and let's get dipping!
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Easy Cold Dip Recipes
Cold dips are the unsung heroes of party food: no oven, no stress, and no "why isn't this bubbling yet!?" internal meltdown. These are quick, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for grazing boards or last-minute "I forgot we needed an appetizer" situations.
Creamy Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip
Ready in 3 minutes and made without chopping, packets, or a blender, this Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip is a creamy, high protein alternative to classic ranch. Made with simple pantry ingredients, it works as both a veggie dip and an easy homemade ranch dressing.
Green Onion Dip
✨ Dip December 2024
The nostalgic onion dip you want at every party, but cleaner, fresher, and actually made with real ingredients.
Easy Curry Dip
✨ Dip December 2024
Delicious, bright, and requiring only 5 minutes of prep—proof that snack food can also be absolutely stunning.
Easy Shrimp Cocktail with Homemade Cocktail Sauce (No Ketchup!)
✨ Dip December 2024
Fancy party vibes with very little effort. The homemade cocktail sauce alone is worth the price of admission.
Easy Veggie Dip
A 3-minute, herb-packed dip that somehow makes raw vegetables taste like a treat.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Thick, creamy, and dangerously addictive—this ranch doubles as a dip for wings, veggies, and anything else that will sit still long enough.
Chipotle Mayo
Smoky, spicy, and ready in 5 minutes—perfect for dipping fries, roasted veggies, chicken nuggets, shrimp, or anything else that needs a little kick (which is…most things).
Tzatziki
Cool, garlicky, and refreshing, perfect with veggies, pita, chicken, or standing-over-the-fridge-at-11-pm eating.
Classic-Style Hummus
Smooth, simple, and totally snackable—made without tahini, because sometimes we just don't need yet another jar in the pantry.
Chocolate Hummus
A brownie batter vibe without the actual brownies. Fantastic protein-packed dessert dip for fruit, pretzels, or sneaking bites straight from the bowl.
Tartar Sauce
Five ingredients and a bowl—boom. A zippy, clean-eating tartar sauce that embarrasses anything store-bought.
Sweet and Sour Dipping Sauce
Tangy, glossy, and perfectly clingy—excellent with egg rolls, nuggets, or anything fried.
Hot Dip Recipes and Sauces
When you want something warm, cozy, and likely to disappear in under seven minutes, these hot dips enter the chat.
Buffalo Chicken Dip with Cottage Cheese (High Protein)
✨ Dip December 2025
This high protein Buffalo Chicken Dip is creamy, cheesy, and so good no one will guess it's made with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
Easy Baked Brie Cheese Dip with Cranberry
✨ Dip December 2025
Warm, gooey baked brie cheese dip appetizer with cranberry and toasted nuts that looks fancy and festive but takes just minutes!
Easy Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip (No Mayo!)
✨ Dip December 2024
Creamy, cheesy, and shockingly simple—a.k.a. the dip your guests will inhale before you manage to put the bowl down.
Instant Pot Baba Ganoush: Eggplant Dip
All the smoky, silky goodness without the 45-minute roast time—your Instant Pot does the work.
Easy Chickpea Dip
A protein-packed, Mexican-inspired dip that tastes like refried beans…just quicker and easier.
Easy Pizza Sauce
A simple, cozy sauce that moonlights as a dip for mozzarella sticks, breadsticks, and late-night cravings.
French Dip Sandwich (Instant Pot / Slow Cooker)
Not technically a dip but absolutely involved in dipping, so it counts. Perfect for a party or game day appetizer.
Fresh Salsas and Dip Recipes
Bright, zesty, and way more impressive than opening a jar (though we've all been there and will be again).
Chunky Instant Pot Salsa
Fresh, spicy, and ready fast—excellent with chips, tacos, burritos, or as an "I swear I'm eating vegetables" moment.
Easy Fresh Pineapple Salsa with Jalapeño
Sweet, spicy, and addictive. If sunshine became a dip, it would be this.
Diet-Friendly Dippers and Pairing Ideas
No matter how you eat—low carb, gluten free, Paleo, Whole30, vegan, low FODMAP—there's a dip and dipper with your name on it. The ideas below help you choose dippers that match your dietary needs. Not every dip in this roundup fits every diet, so be sure to check the notes in each recipe to see which options apply.
- Low FODMAP: Opt for low FODMAP veggie sticks like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers, or go for gluten-free crackers or tortilla chips. Be sure to use Monash University's Low FODMAP Diet App to look up low FODMAP serving sizes. Also, check the labels of any store-bought options for any high FODMAP ingredients, like wheat, garlic or onion.
- Gluten-Free: Go for tortilla chips (certified GF), gluten-free crackers, gluten-free pretzels, gluten-free baguettes, or raw veggies and fruit.
- Low Carb and Keto: Try low carb veggies such as zucchini, celery, bell peppers, or cucumber slices, or meat or cheese-based options like pork rinds, sliced pepperoni, cheese sticks, cheese crisps, or even crispy bacon strips.
- Paleo: Enjoy sweet potato fries, fresh fruit, or raw veggies like broccoli and cauliflower for a clean, nutrient-rich option.
- Whole30: Fresh veggie sticks, baked sweet potato wedges, or even fresh fruit make great Whole30-friendly dippers.
- Vegan: Fresh-cut veggies or fruit, gluten-free pita, or tortilla chips are perfect for a plant-based snack.
See the individual dip recipes for more dipper suggestions tailored to each one.
What is Dip December?
Dip December is my annual dip celebration, inspired by Oliver Putnam from Only Murders in the Building—a character who approaches dips with the enthusiasm they deserve. Each year's lineup features a mix of new recipes that may be cold, hot, saucy, or simply "a dip in practice but not in name." The exact mix changes from year to year, depending on whatever I'm testing (and taste-testing…repeatedly).
If you want the newest dips delivered straight to your inbox, feel free to subscribe. And if you make one, tag me @goodnomshoney with #DipDecember so I can happy dance with you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dip Recipes
Cold dips win every time. They're fast, easy to make ahead, and require zero oven babysitting. If you want the truly minimal-effort heroes, try the Easy Veggie Dip, Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip, Chipotle Mayo, or Easy Curry Dip. If you have time for a warm dip and some leftover cranberry sauce, try my Baked Brie with Cranberry.
As a rough rule, depending on the dip, aim for about 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup of dip per person if you're serving several appetizers, or closer to ⅓ to ½ cup per person if the dip is the main snack. If your crowd is particularly dip-happy, it never hurts to make extra.
Many cold dips actually taste better after a few hours in the fridge because the flavors have time to meld. Hot dips and sauces can often be made ahead and reheated gently on the stove, in the oven, or in a slow cooker. Check each recipe's storage notes for specifics.
Several dips in this roundup can fit preferences like low carb, dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo, Whole30, or low FODMAP (IBS-friendly), depending on the ingredients and dippers you choose. Check each recipe's notes for details and possible substitutions.
Disclaimer: This recipe is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical or dietary advice. The author is not a medical professional. Nutrition info is an estimate and can vary depending on ingredients and preparation. We follow current guidelines for special diets like low FODMAP, Keto, and Paleo at the time of initial publication, but individual tolerance varies and research is always evolving. It’s up to each reader to check ingredient labels, stay informed with the latest research, and consult their doctor to make informed choices based on their individual needs. Storage times are general recommendations—always follow safe food handling practices. See our Terms of Use for more details.
Gayle Stannard says
We have been making Easy Veggie Dip for quite awhile now. We stumbled across this recipe while trying to find a pantry friendly version for a Low FODMAP diet. So happy to have found this. Looking forward to trying others in your line up.
Thanks!
Gail Gromaski says
Thank you so much for this, Gayle! It makes my day to hear that the Easy Veggie Dip has been part of your kitchen for a while now—especially since it started as a pantry friendly Low FODMAP option. I'm really glad it's still serving you well.
I hope you have fun exploring the rest of the Dip December lineup this year. There are some seriously tasty ones in the mix, and I'm thrilled you're here for it. Thanks again for taking the time to leave a note—it means a lot!