Looking for dips for parties that give you a little more to work with than a bowl of chips? Think cheesy bread bowls, colorful layered dips and a chocolate-chip option for the sweet table.
These pictures have plenty of serving ideas worth saving too.
You can keep things simple or go all out with a loaded platter. Most of these ideas put dip front and center, with a few cheese and snack boards included as inspiration for what to serve alongside.
Party dips and serving ideas worth saving
cheesy bread bowl
We’re starting off strong with this bread bowl full of cheesy dip. I love the browned patches on top and all those leafy greens throughout.
That stretch of cheese deserves a little attention too!
Arrange chunky bread pieces around your bowl if you want to follow this serving idea.
orange skillet dip
How good does this skillet look? The orange dip has shredded pieces beneath the melted cheese, with blue cheese crumbles and sliced green onions scattered over the top.
I’d put the tortilla chips in a separate bowl alongside it so there’s plenty of room for scooping.
loaded layers
If you love lots of toppings, this one is for you. Black olive rings, diced tomatoes and green onions cover the shredded cheese, with distinct brown, green and creamy layers showing underneath.
Read also: 20 Easy Appetizers for a Crowd to Inspire Your Party Menu
Choose a shallow serving dish if you want each scoop to reach through the layers.
chunky guacamole
I love this bright green guacamole against the dark bowl. The chopped red onion and little cilantro garnish are so pretty, with tomato slices tucked along the back.
Read also: 20 Butter Board Ideas and Serving Inspirations to Save
Keep a bowl of tortilla chips beside yours rather than trying to fit them all around the rim.
swirled slow-cooker dip
Don’t want a whole platter of toppings? Take inspiration from this slow-cooker dip instead.
Pale melted cheese swirls through the orange mixture, with browned crumbles and green pieces throughout.
For your own party, set a serving spoon and small plates nearby so guests can help themselves.
golden center and flatbread
This may just be one of my favorite serving ideas here. The white dip forms a ring around a glossy golden center, with chopped nuts and green herbs sprinkled over it.
I especially love the flatbread triangles piled around the bowl. Try the same arrangement on a large round platter.
loaded hummus board
Who says your dip has to stay in a bowl? This hummus-style spread runs right down the board, between a pile of triangular crackers and chopped vegetables.
The cucumber, tomatoes, olives and chickpeas make such a colorful topping. Leave part of your spread uncovered like this if you want a mix of plain and loaded scoops.
Read also: 20 Christmas Party Food Ideas With Cute Snacks and Festive Sweets
french onion dip and chips
If you’re looking for a simple serving idea, this one is for you. A white bowl of French onion dip sits in the middle of a generous pile of potato chips.
No extra garnish or fancy arrangement needed.
jelly-topped spread
I am obsessed with that glossy orange topping. It covers a thick white spread, with little green snips scattered across the surface.
For a similar idea, try pepper jelly over cream cheese. Serve it on a shallow plate with crackers and a small spreading knife.
maryland hot crab dip
Calling all crab dip fans! This Maryland hot crab dip has a pale cheesy top, golden-brown edges and chopped herbs scattered over the middle.
The oval dish leaves room for crackers on the plate beside it. I’d keep that same simple setup rather than adding lots of decorations.
individual veggie cups
How cute are these little veggie cups? Each one has a layer of pale dip at the bottom, with carrot and celery sticks standing upright.
Read also: 20+ Veggie Tray Ideas Party Guests Actually Devour
Try this arrangement with your favorite vegetable dip if you’d rather offer individual portions than one shared bowl.
colorful bean and corn dip
This is another pretty option if you love lots of color. Black beans, black-eyed peas and yellow corn fill the dish, with chopped red onion, peppers and leafy herbs mixed throughout.
I’d serve this chunky, cowboy-caviar-style dip with scoop-shaped tortilla chips.
pizza dip with rolls
The pizza fans are going to love this idea! Little pepperoni rounds sit among melted cheese and red sauce, with browned rolls lining the edges.
Those herb-speckled rolls are my favorite part of the presentation. Save this as inspiration for a pull-apart dip recipe rather than a separate bread basket.
cheese spread and veggie tray
There’s so much to choose from around this bowl. The chunky cheese spread has red pepper pieces throughout, while carrots, celery and several kinds of crackers fill the surrounding sections.
Try a divided tray if you like keeping each dipper in its own little space.
cookie dough dip
Now for something sweet! This cookie dough dip is dotted with chocolate chips, with graham crackers fanned out around the bowl.
Read also: 20+ Genius Pretzel Bar Ideas Party Guests Devour
I love how simple the presentation is. Choose a recipe specifically made for eating without baking if you want to bring this idea to your dessert table.
pale green dip and fruit
This round board is so pretty with the strawberries, grapes and orange melon pieces. A pale green dip sits in the center, with bowls of blueberries tucked behind it.
The picture doesn’t establish the dip’s flavor. For your own version, choose a fruit-friendly dip and keep the curved row of crackers along the front.
jam-topped cheese wheel
Want something a little different from a bowl of dip? This is a whole cheese wheel with a dark, seeded jam topping and a glossy golden drizzle around the base.
It’s a cheese-serving idea rather than a conventional dip. I’d pair your version with sliced bread and a small cheese knife.
dip with toppings on the side
Don’t want to pile everything onto your dip? No problem!
This setup keeps the white dip separate from the sliced radishes, chopped green onions and crumbled white topping.
I love the colorful little bowls. Try offering your toppings separately so everyone can choose what goes on their plate.
bacon-topped baked dip
Those golden edges look so good. The pale baked dip has browned patches across the top, with bacon pieces and chopped chives scattered throughout.
Toasted bread slices surround the dish. Keep those alongside your version if you want something more substantial than chips for scooping.
a board to serve alongside
Last but definitely not least, we have a snack board to go beside your dips. There isn’t a dip pictured here: the small bowls hold nuts, surrounded by sliced bread, cheeses, grapes and folded meats.
Read also: 20+ Genius Dip Bar Ideas Party Guests Can't Resist
I love the salami roses and the curved line of bread. Borrow that arrangement for an accompanying board, then serve your chosen dip in a separate bowl.