Baked Black Bean Dip

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Deliciously creamy with melted cheese and healthy Greek yogurt, this Black Bean Dip recipe will please any crowd! Enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips, or scoop out the warm melty goodness with some sliced veggies or crackers.

Warm black bean dip topped with melted cheese, cilantro, diced tomato and diced avocado, on a white plate with a side of tortilla chips.

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Why This Recipe Works
Key Ingredients
How To Make Baked Black Bean Dip
Expert Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
Storing and Freezing
Serving Suggestions
You May Also Like
📋 Recipe

The secret to a fantastic and easy bean dip recipe is in the ingredients and preparation.

Black beans are cost-effective, easy to prepare, healthy, and delicious! This recipe allows you to prep them whichever way you prefer. You can use dried beans or canned. For a tutorial on preparing dried beans, see my YouTube video.

They just have to be cooked before you start because you’ll need them to be soft to blend them into a creamy purée. Add to that some Greek yogurt, spices, and cheddar cheese, and you’ll have our favorite game day appetizer or Mexican side dish.

This healthy bean dip takes twenty minutes to prepare, so you’ll have time to enjoy your friends and family at your next gathering.

Why This Recipe Works

20 minutes and 3 main ingredients
Flavors work well together and you can adjust the spice.
Prep ahead

Key Ingredients

Ingredients to make Black Bean Layered dip: black beans, greek yogurt, shredded cheese, chili powder, garlic powder, and cumin.

Prepared Black Beans – I like to start with dried beans, but canned is a great short cut and works well. I recommend rinsing canned ones well to remove the solution. If you purchase an all natural one, it’s not necessary.
Greek Yogurt – Nonfat and plain works the best. It must be Greek because it’s nice and thick. You can use sour cream in place of yogurt if you’d like. I prefer the boost of protein from the yogurt.
Cheese – I love a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack in this recipe. Some other nice options include pepper jack, for a little bit of heat, or a Mexican cheese blend.
Spices- Chili powder, cumin, and garlic powder. This gives a punch of flavor. If you like heat, add some cayenne too.

This delicious black bean dip is creamy, cheesy, and rich. Plus, it’s the absolute best way to repurpose leftovers! Just three ingredients that you likely already have sitting around your kitchen will get you a yummy appetizer that the whole family will enjoy.

How To Make Baked Black Bean Dip

This is an overview of the instructions, be sure to see the recipe card for all the details.

4 image collage showing how to assemble black bean dip. 1. processed prepared beans in a food processor; 2. mashed black beans in a round pie plate; 3. a layer of greek yogurt and spices; 4. the final layer of shredded cheese.

Using a food processor or blender, blend the beans. You’re going for a smooth mash with no clumps.
Spread out the beans on the bottom of your baking dish. I recommend using a pie plate or 8×8 dish.
For the second layer, dollop the plain Greek yogurt over the pureed bean layer. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. Mix the spices together, and sprinkle over the top of the yogurt.
Sprinkle the shredded cheese over top for the final layer. Bake for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and beans are warmed through.

Warm black bean dip smothered in melted bubbling cheese in a round pie plate. Cilantro is sprinkled over the top and it is next to a bowl of tortilla chips.

Expert Tips

No food processor? No problem! – You can smooth out the beans in a blender. Alternatively, it’s also possible to warm them up and mash them with a fork or potato masher. They will be a bit chunkier, but the flavor is all there!
Enjoy with almost anything – Bean dip goes great with soft or hard pretzels, pita bread, tortilla chips, some veggies… you can use anything you like to scoop up this delicious dish!
Garnish & Toppings- Add chopped tomatoes, pico de gallo, salsa, avocado, guacamole, or cilantro.
Canned or dried? It’s up to you. When I make beans at home, I start with dried and prepare large batches and freeze them so they are ready to go. However, going with canned is an easier way to prep in a flash.

A hand holding a tortilla chip with the black bean dip on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is black bean flavor?

Black beans are very mild in flavor and creamy in texture. They will take on the flavor of the salt and spices they are mixed with.

Are black beans healthy?

Yes! They are high in protein, fiber, healthy carbs, and antioxidants.

What chips go well with black bean dip?

So many! I love scooping up this appetizer with plain tortilla chips, though I know that many others swear by the Frito and black bean combo. Crackers, pretzels, and some toasted pita all taste delicious as well. Serve with a variety!

How do I prepare dried beans to use in black bean dip?

I use dried black beans every time! All you have to do is wash them, soak them in water to soften, drain them, and then simmer with some spices and seasonings.
You can either use them right away, after being refrigerated, or even frozen and thawed.

Storing and Freezing

Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Reheat by putting the pan back in the oven at 350 for 5 to 10 minutes, until warm in the center, or microwave in 20-second increments.

I haven’t tested freezing this recipe, so at this point, I don’t recommend it. It will probably all get gone anyway!

Serving Suggestions

This pairs well as an appetizer or side dish to all your Mexican favorites, like Carnitas, Chicken Tinga, or Steak Fajitas.

It also works great with other Appetizer Recipes as part of your game day spread.

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