I can confidently say this goat cheese dip is one of the best appetizer recipes in the world. Yep — the world! Each time I make this easy dip it gets rave reviews. My friends even specifically request that I bring it to parties now!
This dip is CRAZY easy to make, and it will impress every taste bud it meets. If you ask me, few things are better than goat cheese. But when you heat it up and combine it with a bunch of other savory flavors? Even better!!!
It's become one of my my go-to appetizers for get togethers because it's so quick and easy, and it's always gobbled up in no time.
Can't say I'm surprised though...When you use three types of cheese and combine garlic, rosemary, red pepper flakes, and olive oil, it's bound to be delicious! Once you dip crackers and other crunchy foods into it, it's even better.
I can CONFIDENTLY say this will be one of the best goat cheese recipes you ever get your hands on!
Goat Cheese Dip 2020 Update
Okay — here we are in 2020 and I need to give you a little update about this goat cheese recipe.
I first published it back in 2018. Since then, it's been a big part of making XO&So what it is! This was my first recipe to "go viral," with almost 2 million recipe views on Pinterest.
You can serve it with a whole bunch of different things on the side. AND you can make it as spicy or as mild as you'd like. Gotta love the versatility!
When it comes to goat cheese recipes, you seriously can't beat this!
You can be pretty loosie-goosie with most of these ingredients & still end up with a delicious dip. So, if you want a little more cream cheese & less goat cheese, go for it. Or if you want it spicier, go ahead & add more red pepper flakes. Etc etc etc.
Ingredients
- Goat cheese log
- Cream cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Minced garlic
- Red pepper flakes
- Rosemary
Where to buy goat cheese
Almost every big grocery store will sell goat cheese. In addition to plain goat cheese, you'll see flavored versions like black pepper, herb and garlic, or cranberry goat cheese.
You'll usually find goat cheese in or near the deli section. If there's a specialty cheese section in your grocery store, be sure to check there too.
How to make goat cheese dip
- The first thing you'll want to do is set out your cream cheese and goat cheese and let them come to room temperature, or at least warm up a little bit. Otherwise, it'll be really tough to mix everything together.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Then, you'll combine all of your ingredients in a mixing bowl. Stir well until all the seasonings are mixed in and well-combined.
- Next, you'll spread the goat cheese dip mixture into your baking dish. I wipe the edges down with a paper towel so little bits don't get burned onto the dish.
- Once your oven is ready, you'll bake your goat cheese appetizer for between 15-20 minutes. Baking time could depend on the size of your baking dish and how brown you want the top to get. I bake mine for 18 minutes.
When it's ready, it'll be the perfect texture for dipping bread, crackers, or vegetables!
You can top it with a bit more rosemary, red pepper flakes, or olive oil if you'd like.
Other easy appetizers
I've been known to use goat cheese in a lot of dishes and it's definitely one of my all time favorite ingredients!
But if you're looking for other easy appetizers without goat cheese, I've got options for that too!
- My cucumber cream cheese toasts could practically be made by a toddler. And they're SO good!
- Crispy baked buffalo cauliflower bites are a GAME CHANGER! As of 2020, they're my most popular recipe.
- These baked tomatoes stuffed with parmesan and panko crumbs are great as an easy appetizer OR a vegetarian side dish.
Okay — now back to the goat cheese dip!
A quick note
I've always had amazing feedback about this recipe! Someone on Pinterest mentioned this dip had a thicker texture than they expected so they added marinara sauce (sounds yummy!).
Depending on the moisture content of your goat cheese, it can have a more "grainy" or drier texture. But this is a thick dip/spread, not a sauce so it's thick like you see in pictures.
Just wanted to give you a heads up before you make this incase you're looking for something really saucy! 🙂
Baked Goat Cheese Dip Appetizer
Ingredients
- 12 oz goat cheese
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ½ cup parmesan shredded
- 2 tablespoon olive oil top with more after baking, if desired
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced
- 1-2 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust according to how spicy you want this dip to be
- 2 teaspoon rosemary finely chopped, plus more for garnish if you'd like
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.Combine the goat cheese and all other ingredients (either by hand or with a food processor) until everything is well-incorporated, and transfer to an oven-safe dish.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. The top will start to brown slightly & get nice and bubbly. (I bake mine for 18 minutes every time)
- Top with a bit more rosemary and/or olive oil, if desired. Serve hot with crackers, chips, pretzels, vegetables, bread, or anything else you can use for dipping!
Notes
Nutrition
Hope you love it as much as I do!
xo - C
PS. If you've tried this goat cheese recipe, I'd love to hear what you think of it in the comments below! Please go ahead and use the rating option if you'd like as well! I really appreciate it.
If you want another easy holiday appetizer, my whipped feta with cranberry sauce, pistachios, and honey is awesome. And bonus: it doesn't require any baking!
Looking for other great goat cheese recipes?
- GOAT CHEESE GRILLED CHEESE WITH HONEY AND RED PEPPER FLAKES
- SAVORY BREAD PUDDING WITH GOAT CHEESE & HONEY
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH MAC & CHEESE WITH GOAT CHEESE
Get to know more about me, (Chelsea Kram) and XO&So here: About Me.
Patty
Made this last night for guests. I added some chopped sun-dried tomatoes in oil. There was not one bite left - I think it was a hit! This one is definitely a keeper! 🙂
Chelsea Kram – XO&So: Vegetarian Comfort Food
So happy to hear that! Love the idea of adding the sun-dried tomatoes, that sounds so good!
Eileen M
Can this be made with Garlic and Herb goat cheese? If so, would I leave out or cut down on the other ingredients? Just curious if you have ever done this. Thx!
Amanda
YUM! This was fabulous, definitely going in the Keeper's File for my go-to dip recipes!
Chelsea Kram – XO&So: Vegetarian Comfort Food
Woohoo! That's awesome, so happy you loved it!
Susan
All I can say is WOW!! I made this dip for a birthday party family get-together. Family members who normally don’t eat appetizers or don’t care for goat cheese couldn’t stop eating this! I did make some slight changes. I used herb/garlic goat cheese so I only used one large garlic clove but then followed the rest of the recipe. I also cut back a little on the salt. Served with cubes of baguette, sliced apples and celery sticks. There were no leftovers! I will definitely be making this again!
Chelsea Kram – XO&So: Vegetarian Comfort Food
That's great, Susan! So happy you enjoyed it.
Katie
I make this at least once a month! I love goat cheese and this is an amazing appetizer that’s full of flavor and simple
Chelsea Kram – XO&So: Vegetarian Comfort Food
You made my day! So glad to hear you love it. XO
Marti Lee
I plan to make this for a large family brunch this weekend after my granddaughter's baptism. What size casserole dish did you use (I have to pack implements to go to my brother's house so I want to be prepared). Thanks - this sounds delicious!
Chelsea Kram – XO&So: Vegetarian Comfort Food
Hi Marti! I honestly use any small oven-proof dish I have around! Usually something that fits at least about 3 cups. Pretty much anything will work and if you use a really big baking dish, you can just reduce the baking time if the dip is more shallow. I hope that helps!
Deanna
I have to friends with an aversion to rosemary, but they love goat cheese. What other herb/s would be good to replace the rosemary. Thank you.
Janice
I love this too and use thyme instead of rosemary because my family prefers it.