Keto Hot Pimento Cheese Dip Recipe – The Low-Carb Comfort Food

There’s something about melted cheese that has a way of fixing bad days. You know the kind, when work emails won’t stop, the laundry pile is starting to look like a mountain, and all you want is a snack that makes you feel like you’ve won the lottery. That’s where hot pimento cheese dip comes into play.

But here’s the kicker: this version is keto. Yep, all the creamy, melty, cheesy glory with a spicy kick—without the carb guilt. It’s a dip that makes veggies taste exciting, keeps the chips in the cupboard, and still makes people hover around the snack table like it’s the Super Bowl.

If you’ve ever had cold pimento cheese spread, you’ll know it’s a Southern classic. Tangy, sharp cheddar mixed with mayo, diced pimentos, and maybe a little hot sauce if your aunt was feeling bold. It’s great between crackers or slapped on bread. But when you warm it up and let it bubble in the oven, it turns into something so much better. Imagine creamy cheese stretching off your spoon, peppers giving just enough heat, and that slight golden crust on top. That’s the stuff.

And the good news? You can make this in about 20 minutes flat. No complicated steps, no fuss. Just good ingredients, an oven, and some hungry people nearby.

What is Pimento Cheese Anyway?

If you grew up in the South, you probably had a plastic container of it in the fridge at all times. It’s like peanut butter there—always present. Pimento cheese is a spread made from shredded cheddar, mayo, cream cheese, and those little red peppers called pimentos. Some people call it “the caviar of the South.” Others just call it lunch.

But the real upgrade comes when you turn it into a hot dip. Heat transforms it. The cheese melts into gooey heaven, the peppers release even more flavor, and suddenly you’ve got a dish that’s game-day ready, party-approved, and also keto-friendly if you serve it with the right sides.

Why This Keto Hot Pimento Cheese Dip?

A lot of keto appetizers end up being some version of bacon-wrapped something or cauliflower trying too hard. They’re fine, but sometimes you just want comfort food that feels like the old days without wrecking your carb count.

This recipe works because:

• It’s cheese-based. Cheese is basically keto royalty.
• It’s fast. You’re eating dip in less time than it takes to scroll TikTok for “just a minute.”
• It’s versatile. Serve it with celery, cucumber slices, pork rinds, or even spoon it over a burger patty if you’re that kind of person (I am).
• It reheats well. Rare for dips, but this one comes back to life in the microwave the next day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Keep it simple. No fancy trips to specialty stores. Everything can be found at a regular grocery store.

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (go for block cheese, not pre-shredded, it melts better)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup mayonnaise (Duke’s if you want to stay true to Southern tradition, but any will work)
• 1 (4 oz) jar diced pimentos, drained
• 1 fresh jalapeño, diced (optional, but highly recommended if you like a kick)
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional for topping: a sprinkle of extra cheddar, chopped green onions, or even crumbled bacon if you want to take it up a notch.

How to Make Keto Hot Pimento Cheese Dip (Step by Step)

This recipe is fast, but slowing it down a little helps make sure you get the best flavor and texture. Think of this like me standing in your kitchen, talking you through each step.

Step 1: Preheat the oven

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let it warm up while you prepare the dip. A preheated oven ensures the cheese melts evenly and the edges get that golden crust instead of just sitting there, lukewarm and sad.

Step 2: Prepare the base

Grab a medium mixing bowl. Drop in your softened cream cheese and ½ cup mayonnaise. If your cream cheese just came out of the fridge, microwave it for about 15–20 seconds to soften it—otherwise you’ll be fighting it with the spoon.

Mix them together until creamy and smooth. A hand mixer makes it easy and gives you a silky texture. If you’re using a spoon or spatula, mash and fold until there are no big lumps left. This base is what makes the dip extra creamy once baked.

Step 3: Add the flavor

Now stir in:

• Shredded sharp cheddar (go for freshly grated—it melts creamier)
• Diced pimentos (drain them well so the dip doesn’t get watery)
• Jalapeño if you want heat (remove seeds for mild spice, keep them in if you like it hotter)
• Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika
• A pinch of salt and pepper

Mix everything until it looks like a chunky cheese spread. Every bite should have a little cheese, a little pepper, and seasoning all the way through.

Step 4: Transfer to the baking dish

Spoon the mixture into a small casserole dish or oven-safe skillet. Spread it out evenly with a spatula so it bakes consistently. Press it down just enough so there aren’t air pockets, but don’t pack it too tight—you want it to bubble.

Step 5: Add the topping

Sprinkle a little more cheddar cheese across the top. This creates that beautiful golden layer that stretches when you scoop into it. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even add a sprinkle of smoked paprika or a few slices of jalapeño on top for color.

Step 6: Bake the dip

Place your dish in the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when:

• The edges are bubbling and slightly browned
• The cheese on top looks melted and glossy
• The smell in your kitchen makes you want to open the oven early

Try not to pull it too soon—those extra 2 minutes of bubbling are where the magic happens.

Step 7: Let it rest

When you take it out, resist the urge to dig in immediately. Give it 5 minutes to cool. This short rest thickens the dip just enough so it’s scoopable instead of soupy, and it saves your mouth from a cheese burn (which we’ve all done).

Step 8: Serve hot

Place it on the table with your keto dippers, celery sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, pork rinds, or cheese crisps. Hand everyone a plate, and watch the dip disappear.

 That’s the whole process: mix, top, bake, serve, but slowing it down makes a big difference.

What to Serve With It (Keto-Friendly Dippers)

The dip is the star, but the sidekicks matter. If you’re keto, skip the crackers and chips. Here’s what actually works:

• Celery sticks – crunchy, fresh, perfect scoopers.
• Cucumber slices – cools down the spice.
• Bell pepper strips – keeps the pepper theme going.
• Pork rinds – yes, chicharrones and cheese are a match made in heaven.
• Cheese crisps – more cheese on cheese, no regrets.
• Zucchini chips – bake some up beforehand, they’ll hold.

And if you’re cooking for people who aren’t low-carb, just put out some tortilla chips or toasted bread. They’ll love it too.

Flavor Twists

This recipe is already good, but let’s be honest—sometimes you want to mess with tradition. Here are a few spins that actually work:

• Spicy Bacon Version – stir in crumbled bacon and a dash of hot sauce.
• Tex-Mex Style – swap smoked paprika for chili powder and toss in a handful of pepper jack cheese.
• Buffalo Kick – add two tablespoons of buffalo wing sauce and some blue cheese crumbles.
• Roasted Garlic Upgrade – roast a whole head of garlic, mash it, and mix it in for extra depth.

Storing and Reheating

You probably won’t have leftovers, but if you do:

• Fridge: store in an airtight container up to 4 days.
• Reheat: microwave in short bursts, stirring halfway, or reheat in the oven at 325°F until warm.
• Freezer: not recommended—cream cheese gets weird when thawed.

Why Keto Folks Love This Dip

Let’s be real. Keto can feel restrictive at times. When bread and chips are off the table, snacking can feel boring. But this dip flips that around. It’s indulgent (in the real sense, not the Instagram caption sense), filling, and you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

Cheese and mayo? Both keto staples.
Pimentos and jalapeños? All flavor, barely any carbs.
Dippers like celery or pork rinds? Zero-guilt crunch.

This is the kind of appetizer that keeps you on track without making you feel like you’re dieting.

The Backstory: My First Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

The first time I had hot pimento cheese dip wasn’t at some fancy gathering—it was at a friend’s game night. Everyone else was eating chips and queso, and there was this bubbling dish on the corner of the table. I didn’t think much of it at first. Then I scooped some onto a celery stick, and suddenly I wasn’t interested in anything else.

I ended up hogging half the dish while pretending to “sample” other snacks. The next morning I texted my friend asking for the recipe. She said, “It’s just pimento cheese, but hot.” Life-changing advice right there.

From then on, I started making it myself, tweaking it, adding jalapeños when I wanted extra heat, or bacon when I felt like overdoing it. Every party I’ve brought it to, people swarm it. And the best part? No one even notices it’s keto.

Tips for the Best Hot Pimento Cheese Dip

• Grate your own cheddar. Pre-shredded cheese has that anti-caking stuff that makes it melt funky.
• Use room temp cream cheese. Cold cream cheese is a mixing nightmare.
• Don’t skimp on seasoning. Garlic powder and smoked paprika make the flavor pop.
• Let it bubble. Golden edges = flavor. Don’t pull it too soon.
• Serve it hot. Cold pimento cheese spread has its place, but this is not it.

Pairing Ideas

You can serve this dip on its own, but it also plays well with other foods:

• Spoon it on top of a grilled burger patty for a messy but glorious low-carb meal.
• Spread it inside lettuce wraps for a quick lunch.
• Use it as a topping for scrambled eggs in the morning.
• Make it part of a keto charcuterie board with meats and pickles.

Conclusion

If comfort food had a keto mascot, this dip might be it. It’s cheesy, rich, a little spicy, and ridiculously easy to throw together. You don’t have to be from the South to appreciate it. You don’t even have to be keto to love it. All you need is an oven, some cheese, and an appetite.

This Keto Hot Pimento Cheese Dip isn’t just a recipe—it’s the kind of dish that makes people gather around, chat a little longer, and scrape the bowl clean. And at the end of the day, that’s what good food is supposed to do.

So the next time you need a quick appetizer for game night, a family gathering, or just a “treat yourself” evening, remember this dip. Bake it, serve it, and watch it disappear.

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