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What Are the Different Types of Appetizer Dips?

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

Appetizer dips are a great way to provide diners with a fun combination of flavors. There are hundreds of recipes for dips, many of which are endlessly customizable to personal taste. Some of the most common types of appetizer dips include cold, hot, layered, and sweet dips. Combining several different appetizer dips with a large selection of vegetables, breads, and fruits can help create a perfect hors d'oeuvres spread.

Cold dips are often popular because they are general simple and take little time. While these dips can be fancy enough for an elegant soiree, they can also be dressed down for a tailgating party or casual dinner. Casual cold appetizer dips include salsa, a Mexican dip made from chopped tomatoes, onions, and spices which is a fantastic dip for tortilla chips. Ranch and onion dip, made from a creamy base and flavored with herbs, are also excellent for casual snacking with potato chips or vegetable crudites.

Hummus can be a great appetizer dip.
Hummus can be a great appetizer dip.

More elegant cold dips take inspiration from many different culinary traditions, and can be beautifully arranged with lovely serving dishes and upmarket dipping selections. Hummus, a Mediterranean dip concocted from pureed garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and sesame seed paste, is a hearty appetizer dip that goes well with pita bread and vegetables. Lobster dip is a gourmet treat made from lobster meat, cream cheese, and onions, often served on water crackers. An Asian-inspired sweet and sour dip is a perfect choice for a buffet spread of wontons, spring rolls, and other Asian delicacies. Raita, a cooling yogurt dip from India, is an excellent complement to a rich appetizer spread, as the tangy yogurt adds a bite of clean acidity to the palate.

A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make seven layer dip.
A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make seven layer dip.

Hot appetizer dips take a little more preparation, but can be well worth the effort. One enduringly popular type of hot dip is cheese fondue, a melted concoction of cheeses and spices that goes well with cooked meat, bread, vegetables, and tart apples. Spinach and artichoke dip, which combines the two primary ingredients with cheese and garlic, is a delicious hot appetizer dip that can provide a good way to get kids eating spinach with enthusiasm.

Tapenade, an olive spread or dip, served with a slice of bread.
Tapenade, an olive spread or dip, served with a slice of bread.

Layered dips have the benefit of looking much more complex than their prep time indicates. One of the most popular and delicious types of layered dip is taco or seven-layer dip, in which beans, cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, and other taco ingredients are added to a baking dish in distinct layers, then baked until the cheese melts. To highlight the delineated layers, it helps to serve taco dip or other layered appetizer dips in a clear glass serving dish or bowl.

Guacamole is a type of appetizer dip.
Guacamole is a type of appetizer dip.

Sweet appetizer dips can add a little dessert to the appetizer tray, often without the heavy calorie count of other desserts. Chocolate fondue is a perennial favorite, especially when served with fresh fruit, cookies, and marshmallows for dipping. A great option for a Halloween party is a caramel dip surrounded by apples and clean Popsicle sticks, so that guests may experience the fun of dipping their own caramel apple.

Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...
Jessica Ellis
Jessica Ellis

With a B.A. in theater from UCLA and a graduate degree in screenwriting from the American Film Institute, Jessica is passionate about drama and film. She has many other interests, and enjoys learning and writing about a wide range of topics in her role as a WiseGEEK writer.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

Rotel dip is probably one of the most popular hot dips around, but I also have a fantastic recipe for reuben dip which uses cheese, sauerkraut, chopped deli corned beef and a little milk. It goes in the crockpot and it is delicious. I serve it with rye crackers.

Baked crab dip is another great hot dip. It uses crab, cream cheese and I think, sour cream. It's topped with roasted almonds and is to die for.

A good sweet dip is the caramel dip I make to use with green apple slices. That's a really good way to end a meal with something sweet without completely screwing up your diet.

Pippinwhite

I don't add artichokes to my spinach dip. I use chopped spinach, vegetable soup mix, sour cream, mayonnaise and some extra spices, like garlic and black pepper. I've also added thin sliced deli corned beef, chopped to the spinach dip. It's always a big hit, anywhere I've ever taken it.

I also do a good seven-layer dip. I usually use a can of refried beans, a jar of salsa, guacamole, sour cream mixed with taco seasoning, cheese, lettuce and black olives. That's great for nearly any gathering. Most people love it. And since the little scoop shaped tortilla chips have come on the market, they provide a perfect dipping chip for this dish.

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    • Hummus can be a great appetizer dip.
      Hummus can be a great appetizer dip.
    • A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make seven layer dip.
      A bowl of sour cream, which can be used to make seven layer dip.
    • Tapenade, an olive spread or dip, served with a slice of bread.
      By: Natalia Mylova
      Tapenade, an olive spread or dip, served with a slice of bread.
    • Guacamole is a type of appetizer dip.
      By: Stuart Monk
      Guacamole is a type of appetizer dip.
    • Sweet and sour sauce might accompany spring rolls.
      By: Michael Gray
      Sweet and sour sauce might accompany spring rolls.
    • Chocolate fondue served with fresh fruit is a popular appetizer dip.
      By: Glamshot
      Chocolate fondue served with fresh fruit is a popular appetizer dip.
    • Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.
      By: Betty Abrantes
      Caviar appetizer with fromage blanc and fresh herbs.
    • Hummus dip goes well with pita bread.
      By: vetasster
      Hummus dip goes well with pita bread.
    • Appetizer dips may be served along with potato chips.
      By: nataliazakharova
      Appetizer dips may be served along with potato chips.
    • Elegant lobster dip is best when made with freshly steamed lobster meat.
      By: vpardi
      Elegant lobster dip is best when made with freshly steamed lobster meat.
    • Robust salsa is a perfect accompaniment to creamy guacamole.
      By: JJAVA
      Robust salsa is a perfect accompaniment to creamy guacamole.
    • Fresh spring rolls are usually served with a tangy sauce made with peanuts, sweet chilies, and fish sauce.
      By: gloszilla
      Fresh spring rolls are usually served with a tangy sauce made with peanuts, sweet chilies, and fish sauce.
    • When stocking a buffet for a cocktail or dinner party, be sure to include at least one appetizer dip that is vegetarian.
      By: .shock
      When stocking a buffet for a cocktail or dinner party, be sure to include at least one appetizer dip that is vegetarian.