The Best Chip Dips

Make delicious dips that will be devoured in an instant.

No gathering is complete without tasty party snacks everyone can munch on. Whether you are hosting a party or invited to one, consider making these dips for family and friends to try. Chances are any of these choices will be the talk of party. Don't be surprised if you get asked to make them again or find yourself sharing these recipes.

Seven-Layer Dip

This tasty dip is a nice choice if you are looking for a dip that can be served warm or cold. In an oven-safe 9-by-13 inch pan, spread one 16 oz. can of refried beans mixed in with a 1 oz. package of taco seasoning mix. In a separate bowl, mix one 8 oz. package of cream cheese with one 16 oz. container of sour cream. Spread this over the refried beans. Pour over one 16 oz. jar of salsa over the cream mix. Layer on toppings of your choice like chopped tomatoes, black olives, green onions and green peppers. Top with 2 cups of shredded cheese. To make a lower fat version of this, choose low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, sour cream and cheese. To serve warm, place in the oven at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and the mix is sizzling.

Avocado Feta Salsa

If you like avocados, but are tired of making guacamole, try this recipe which uses a few extra ingredients and is packed with flavor. To start, you need two plum tomatoes, chopped, one ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and chopped, 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion and one clove of garlic, minced. Stir these ingredients together until mixed well. Add in 1 tbsp. snipped parsley or cilantro and 1 tbsp. chopped oregano. Stir in 1 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. red or white vinegar. Mix in 4 oz. of crumbled feta cheese. Cover the salsa and refrigerate for two to six hours before serving.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

If you are a spinach and artichoke lover, make a melt-in-your-mouth dip. You will need 1 cup thawed, chopped frozen spinach, 1 1/2 cups thawed, chopped frozen artichoke hearts, 6 oz. cream cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1/4 cup mayonnaise, 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, 1/4 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp. garlic powder. Combine the spinach and artichokes in 1 cup of water and boil until cooked, then drain. Warm up the cream cheese in the microwave until soft, about one minute. Combine all ingredients together. Then stir and serve warm with toasted pita or tortilla chips.

White Bean Hummus

If you want to take a different twist on a classic hummus recipe, try this white bean version. You will need 1/4 cup chopped green onions, 2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp. tahini (sesame-seed paste), 1/2 tsp. dried oregano, 1/4 tsp. ground cumin, 1/8 tsp. salt, 1/8 tsp. black pepper, one 19 oz. can cannellini beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained, and one garlic clove, peeled. Combine all the ingredients in a food processor, and mix until smooth. This dip can be served at room temperature or after it has been chilled. You can also try different versions of this hummus by adding in roasted red peppers, artichokes, pine nuts or spinach.

Fruit Salsa

Mix things up a bit and make a sweet dip. Instead of salty chips, pair this fruity salsa with apple, pear or cinnamon chips. To make the dip, peel and dice two kiwis and two Golden Delicious apples and combine in a bowl. Add in 8 oz. raspberries, 1 lb. strawberries, 2 tbsp. white sugar,1 tbsp. brown sugar and 3 tbsp. fruit preserves of any flavor. Mix well and then cover the bowl. This is best served when the salsa has been chilled for at least 15 minutes.

Tags: cream cheese, sour cream, been chilled, cheese sour, cheese sour cream, chopped frozen, Combine ingredients