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Savory Brown Butter Pretzel-Topped Chili Cheese Dip

brown butter pretzel-topped chili cheese dip - featured image
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A rich and crunchy party dip combining warm chili cheese with a nutty brown butter pretzel topping, perfect for gatherings and easy to prepare in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 or leaner)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups pretzels (about 80 g), roughly chopped
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional garnish: chopped green onions or fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no pink remains and it starts to brown, about 6–8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  3. Add chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook for 4–5 minutes until onion is translucent and fragrant.
  4. Stir in chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Toast spices for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  5. Mix in drained diced tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors and reduce moisture.
  6. In a small skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat. Cook until golden brown with a nutty aroma, about 4–5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add chopped pretzels, toss to coat, and toast for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Fold in the warm chili mixture until evenly incorporated.
  8. Transfer the chili cheese mixture to a prepared 8×8-inch baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the brown butter pretzel topping generously over the surface.
  9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and pretzel topping is golden and crisp.
  10. Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve warm with tortilla chips, crackers, or fresh veggies.

Notes

Keep an eye on the pretzels during baking to prevent burning. For extra crunch, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end but watch closely. To make gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels or toasted nuts. For lactose-free, substitute dairy-free cream cheese and cheddar alternatives. Assemble dip just before baking to keep pretzels crunchy.

Nutrition

Keywords: chili cheese dip, party dip, brown butter pretzels, savory dip, easy appetizer, game day snack, cheesy dip

Find it online: https://fuzzyforker.com/savory-brown-butter-pretzel-topped-chili-cheese-dip-recipe-for-easy-party-snacks/