Cheesy Black Eye Pea Dip

25 servings Prep: 15 m Cook: 30 m Total: 45 m Beginner
5.0/5 (1)
Cheesy Black Eye Pea Dip
Great Dip for Super Bowl, New Year or Mardi Gras Parties - Or any Fun Time get together. Cheesy black-eyed peas mixed with jalapeños, sharp cheddar, deviled ham, and butter, baked until bubbly. Perfect with tortilla chips or Fritos.

Ingredients

25 servings
  • 1 (15oz) can black-eyed peas
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/3 cup diced onions
  • 4 tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper (no seeds)
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno juice
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) butter, softened
  • 2 (3oz) cans deviled ham
  • 4 to 6 ounces grated mozzarella cheese for topping
  • tortilla chips, Frito dipping chips, or pita chips for serving

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Heat peas in microwave or on stovetop for two minutes; drain excess liquid. (Two cans of peas may be used in this recipe for a larger batch.)
  3. Lightly mash the black-eyed peas with a fork or potato masher. Stir in the salt, garlic powder, diced onion, chopped jalapeno pepper, jalapeno juice, sharp Cheddar cheese, and softened butter until well combined.
  4. Spread the deviled ham evenly over the top of the pea mixture, then pour into a 9-inch round baking dish or a 5x7 rectangular baking dish.
  5. Top with grated mozzarella cheese.
  6. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes; for a crispy edge bake 30 minutes.
  7. Serve warm with pita chips, tortilla chips, or Frito chips. Tabasco Sauce compliments this dip.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?

A: Yes! Mix all ingredients except the mozzarella topping, cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, top with mozzarella and bake as directed, adding 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it's starting cold.

Q: Can I use dried black-eyed peas instead of canned?

A: Absolutely. Cook 1 cup dried black-eyed peas until tender, drain well, and use in place of the canned peas. Make sure they're well-drained so the dip isn't watery.

Q: How do I keep the dip from being too runny?

A: Make sure to drain the canned peas very well and don't skip the step of heating them first - this helps evaporate excess moisture. If it still seems wet after mixing, let it sit for 5 minutes so the cheese absorbs some liquid.

Tips and Techniques

For extra flavor, use pepper jack cheese instead of plain mozzarella on top. The dip can be kept warm in a slow cooker on low setting for parties. If you like it spicier, leave some jalapeno seeds in or add a dash of cayenne pepper.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • deviled ham: cooked, crumbled bacon or diced cooked ham
  • sharp cheddar cheese: Monterey Jack or Colby cheese
  • mozzarella topping: pepper jack or more cheddar cheese
  • jalapeño peppers: pickled jalapeños or diced green chiles

Equipment Needed

  • 9-inch round baking dish or 5x7 rectangular baking dish
  • potato masher or fork (for mashing peas)
  • mixing bowl

Historical Context

Black-eyed peas are a Southern staple, traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day for good luck. This party dip version turns that humble legume into a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s become popular for Mardi Gras and game day gatherings across Louisiana.