This Pepperoni Caesar Dip is smoky, creamy, tangy, and absolutely loaded with flavor. Think of it as the lovechild between crispy pepperoni chips and a Caesar salad dressing except way more fun and completely irresistible!
Why You'll Love It
Pepperoni Caesar Dip is the kind of recipe that makes people stop mid-bite and say, "Wait, what IS this STUFF?!"
It's salty, tangy, cheesy, and has that addictive pepperoni flavor running through every single bite.
By frying up the pepperoni cups, you not only get the crunchy bits to fold back into the dip, but you also get all that liquid gold (aka pepperoni grease!) that melts right into the creamy mayo base.
The result is a Caesar-inspired dip that's smoky, garlicky, and a little sweet from the hot honey drizzle at the end.
NGL, it's the ultimate party snack because you can scoop it up with chips, spread it on crusty bread, or even serve it alongside a veggie platter... bc balance, right?!
The lemon juice and Dijon keep it bright, the parmesan makes it extra cheesy, and the Worcestershire gives it that savory punch.
Oh, and let's not forget the hot honey-it's the perfect sweet-heat moment to round all those salty flavors out.
Basically, it's the dip alternative to the viral caesaroni wrap that I created a few years ago!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here's everything you need to make this over-the-top creamy dip. Together, these ingredients create a dip that feels indulgent but still balanced thanks to the lemon and honey.
- Pepperoni: I like the cups but regular pepperoni works out just fine. All you need to do is fry them up until crispy and chop them for texture. Regular pepperoni slices also work, but the cups give you extra crunch.
- Hellmann's mayonnaise: This is the creamy base of the dip. Any high-quality mayo will work, but Hellmann's is the classic for a reason.
- Pepperoni grease: Don't skip this. it's where all that smoky, meaty flavor comes from.
- Garlic cloves: Fresh grated garlic is best, but jarred garlic or even garlic powder will do in a pinch if that's all you have.
- Parmesan cheese: Adds saltiness and richness. Pecorino Romano would be a great swap or another aged salty italian cheese.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is key for that bright, tangy kick that's associated with caesar dressing.
- Worcestershire sauce: Gives that savory Caesar salad dressing vibe.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a little bite and tang that's synonymous with caesar dressing.
- Hot honey: Balances the savory flavors with a drizzle of sweetness and spice - not essential but does add balance to this salty dish!
- Fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt: Season to taste, but remember the pepperoni and parmesan bring their own saltiness.
How to Make It
This dip comes together quickly and packs serious flavor in every step. Here's how you do it.
- CRISP THE PEPPERONI: Add pepperoni to a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook until crispy and the grease has rendered out. Remove the pepperoni and set them on a paper towel to cool. Leave the grease in the pan.
- MAKE THE BASE: In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise and the reserved pepperoni grease. Then add garlic, parmesan, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Dijon mustard, and plenty of cracked black pepper. Stir until smooth.
- CHOP & STIR: Roughly chop the cooled pepperoni and fold most of it into the dip, saving a spoonful or two for garnish. Mix well so every bite gets some crispy pepperoni goodness! Just an FYI, you'll want to make sure the pepperoni is crispy and cool so that it doesn't get soggy when you add it to the mix.
- TOP & SERVE: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl. Drizzle with hot honey and sprinkle over the reserved pepperoni bits. Serve with chips, bread, or veggies and watch it disappear.
- SAVE: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it sits, so it's even better the next day.
What to Serve It With
This Pepperoni Caesar Dip goes with pretty much everything, but here are a few of my favorite pairings:
- Potato chips or pita chips for maximum scoopage.
- A warm, crusty baguette sliced into thick pieces.
- Fresh veggie sticks like celery, carrots, or cucumbers for a lighter option.
- Slathered inside a sandwich or wrap as the world's best spread.
And if you want more similar caesar salad or pepperoni recipes, check these out!
- Pepperoni Pizza Caesar Wrap
- Miso Caesar Dressing without Anchovies
- Goat Cheese Pepperoni Pizza Dip with Hot Honey
- Pizza Sliders with Hot Honey and Pepperoni
- Pizza Grilled Cheese with Pepperoni and Basil
Recipe
Pepperoni Caesar Dip
Ingredients
- 10 oz Pepperoni cups
- 2 cups Hellmann's mayonnaise
- ¼ cup Pepperoni grease
- 2 cloves Garlic grated
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- ½ Lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Hot honey
- Fresh cracked pepper and kosher salt
Instructions
- Add pepperonis to a large frying pan over medium heat. Cook for a few minutes or until the pepperoni crisp up and the grease renders out.
- Remove the pepperoni and set aside to cool, leaving the grease in the pan with the heat off.
- Add mayonnaise to a large bowl followed by the pepperoni grease.
- Add the garlic, parmesan, lemon, Worcestershire and dijon mustard with some fresh cracked pepper.
- Roughly chop the cooled pepperoni then add most back in but set 1-2 tablespoon aside for plating. Stir to combine.
- Pour into a serving bowl and add a drizzle of hot honey followed by the remaining crispy pepperoni bits.
Leave a Reply