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A close up smartphone photo of a cream cheese block topped with chili crunch oil and golden bacon. (Chili Bacon Cream Cheese Spread)

Chili Bacon Cream Cheese Spread: The Ultimate 10-Minute Spicy Umami Appetizer

A viral, high-impact appetizer featuring a chilled cream cheese block topped with vibrant red chili crunch oil, charred garlic, and ultra-crispy rendered bacon. Perfect for parties and ready in under 20 minutes.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Asian-Fusion
Calories: 245
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Recipe
  • 1 block (225g) Full-fat Cream Cheese Chilled but slightly softened
  • 4 slices (120g) Thick-cut Bacon Diced into small bits
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) Chili Crunch Oil Vibrant red-orange variety
  • 2 cloves (10g) Garlic Minced
  • 1 tsp (2g) Dried Chili Flakes
  • 2 stalks (15g) Scallions Finely sliced green parts
  • 1 tsp (3g) Toasted White Sesame Seeds

Equipment

  • 1 Cast-Iron Skillet For rendering bacon and charring garlic.
  • 1 Shallow Ceramic Bowl For plating the spread.

Instructions
 

Prepare the Toppings
  1. Place diced bacon in a cold skillet over medium heat. Cook until deep golden-brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel, reserving 1 tbsp of fat in the pan.
  2. Add minced garlic and chili flakes to the hot bacon fat. Sauté for 45-60 seconds until garlic is charred and fragrant. Remove from heat and stir in the chili crunch oil.
Assembly
  1. Place the cream cheese block in the center of a shallow ceramic bowl.
  2. Pour the warm chili-garlic oil over the cheese. Top with a thick layer of crispy bacon crumbles.
  3. Sprinkle with sliced scallions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use a cold skillet for bacon to ensure maximum fat rendering.
Wait to add bacon until just before serving to maintain the 'crunch'.
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