Cheesy Kale Dip (Easy Baked Appetizer)

This cheesy kale dip is warm, creamy, and packed with flavor — the kind of baked dip everyone gathers around. Made with cream cheese, sour cream, jalapeños, and plenty of melted cheese, it’s a cozy appetizer that feels indulgent but still sneaks in some greens. If you’re looking for an easy baked kale dip that’s perfect for parties, game day, or holidays, this one checks all the boxes.

And honestly? Warm appetizers are my favorite thing to serve. There’s just something about pulling a hot, cheesy dip out of the oven and watching it disappear. Dips like this are always the first thing people grab, which is why I love having a few tried-and-true appetizer recipes ready to go. Along with this cheesy kale dip, I often serve my Warm Artichoke Dip, Warm Pesto Dip, or Hot Crab Dip in a Bread Bowl — all easy, cozy, and total crowd-pleasers.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Kale Dip

• It’s a warm, creamy baked dip that’s perfect for parties
• Sneaks in kale without tasting “too healthy.”
• Easy to make with simple ingredients
• Great for game day, holidays, or last-minute guests
• Pairs with just about any chip or cracker

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cups kale

8 oz cream cheese, softened

½ cup sour cream

¼ cup mayonnaise

⅓ cup jalapeños, seeded, deveined, and chopped

1/4 cup of bacon bits

½ teaspoon garlic powder

¼ teaspoon onion powder

1½ cups shredded Mexican-style cheese

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

How to Make Cheesy Kale Dip

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Bring a small amount of water to a boil in a medium pot, and boil the kale for about 1 minute.

Drain the kale, then immediately blanch it by placing it in a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking.

Drain again and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese, sour cream, mayonnaise, jalapeños, garlic powder, onion powder, shredded cheese, minced garlic, bacon bits, and drained kale.

Spread the mixture into a greased 8×8 baking dish or oven-safe serving dish.

Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.

Bake for about 15 minutes, or until bubbly, melted, and lightly golden.

Serve warm with your favorite dippers.

Cheesy Kale Dip Variations

• Add bacon: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon for extra flavor.
• Make it spicy: Leave some jalapeño seeds in or add red pepper flakes.
• Extra cheesy: Swap part of the cheese for mozzarella or pepper jack.
• Lighter option: Reduced-fat cream cheese and sour cream work just fine.

What to Serve With Cheesy Kale Dip

This baked kale dip pairs perfectly with:

• Tortilla chips
• Crackers
• Pita chips
• Toasted baguette slices
• Fresh veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers

FAQs About Baked Kale Dip

Can I use frozen kale?
Yes! Just thaw it thoroughly and squeeze out any excess moisture before using.

Is cheesy kale dip spicy?
It’s mildly spicy thanks to the jalapeños, but removing the seeds keeps it very mild.

Can I make this dip ahead of time?
Definitely. Assemble it, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, then bake when ready.

Storing and Reheating

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F or microwave in short bursts, stirring in between.

More Appetizers You’ll Love

Serving Size

• Serves 6–8 people as an appetizer.

~ Melissa – KidFriendlyThingsToDo.com