Chili Crisp Cream Cheese Dip (w/Homemade Wonton Chips)

This spicy Sichuan party dip has everything we love about our favorite Chengdu wontons in chili oil except in a totally unexpected creamy, spicy, crunchy dip that's perfect for scooping up with homemade crispy-fried wonton chips (or any crackers or crudité).

I call this easy dip recipe "Sichuan gold" because you can dip it, spread it, or slather it on just about anything. Cream cheese, homemade Sichuan Chili Crisp (aka xiangla hongyou), toasted sesame seeds, scallions, and a few spices and seasonings make this a super tasty dip you can bring to any BBQ or potluck dinner. Plus, you can choose how spicy or mild to make it.

Inspiration for this tasty cream cheese dip recipe comes from a craving for Sichuan wontons (one of my all-time favorite dishes I ate regularly when I lived in in Chengdu, China).

But I'd run out of my usual stockpile of homemade pork wontons I keep in the freezer. So, I got creative with what I had and this happy "accident" happened instead.

This is an easy party dip recipe that's guaranteed to be one of the first things scooped up at your next get-together.

Jump to:

• Sichuan Chili Crisp (aka Red Chili Oil) (Homemade vs Store-bought)
• What are Chaoshou Sichuan Wontons (the Inspiration for This Dip Recipe)?
• What Is Cream Cheese Chili Crisp Oil Party Dip?
• Why You'll Love This Spicy Chili Crisp Party Dip
• Chili Crisp Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients
•  How to Make Spicy Cream Cheese Dip
• Chili Oil Party Dip step-by-step recipe photos
• Looking for More Easy Dim Sum Recipes?
• Let's get started!
• 📖 Recipe

Sichuan Chili Crisp (aka Red Chili Oil) (Homemade vs Store-bought)

This Sichuan cream cheese dip recipe is another reason to make our all-time favorite condiment (ever), homemade chili oil (xiangla hongyou) -- we eat this on everything from crackers to eggs, drizzled over homemade dumplings and even Bolognese tortellini in brodo, on salad, in tacos...basically everything. In a pinch, you can use a high-quality store-bought brand.

To be clear, Lao Gan Ma's Crispy Chili In Oil (in the photos below) is not the same thing as fragrant Sichuan chili oil (xiangla hongyu) and it includes fermented black beans which give it a lot of umami, but it doesn't share any of the same flavor profiles as Sichuan red chili oil chili crisp.

Instead, try to find a higher quality Sichuan xiangla hongyou chili crisp oil, or make your own using this recipe taught to me by Sichuan Chef Liu who I worked with. it's incredibly easy and it might just be the best condiment in the world?

To save even more time, you can also buy pre-made wonton wrappers and fry them up in minutes, but making wonton wrappers from scratch is highly recommended because they're easy and so worth the crispy, bubbly result (these photos don't lie).

I have two recipes for wonton wrappers here on the blog (one using all-purpose flour and one using bread flour which I've also used for this post.

What are Chaoshou Sichuan Wontons (the Inspiration for This Dip Recipe)?

If you've never had Hóng Yoú Chāo Shǒu (红油抄手) or chaoshou, check out my friend Vivian's recipe (they are the very best and a true Chengdunese specialty).

Chaoshu are a typical Sichuan snack food or street food made up of 3 components: store-bought or homemade square wonton wrappers, a ginger-infused pork filling, and spicy Sichuan wonton sauce. If you're lucky, you'll get crispy pork to top it all off.

What Is Cream Cheese Chili Crisp Oil Party Dip?

Essentially, this Sichuan party dip recipe is the creamy, crunchy, dippable (vegetarian) version of chili oil wontons. But if you want to go all out, feel free to top it off with seasoned crispy-fried pork and fried shallots which makes it even more delicious.

Why You'll Love This Spicy Chili Crisp Party Dip

• Sichuan Flavors through and through: It's full of Sichuan wonton flavors but in a dippable, spreadable party dip
• Customizable: You can make it as spicy or mild as you like
• Versatile: Use it as a dip or spread on bagels, grilled cheese, sandwiches, crostini, or bruschetta
• Vegetarian & Delicious: This vegetarian dip is full of umami flavor
• Homemade wonton chips are super crispy & light (and you can make any shape)
• Superior Taste & Quality: Homemade chili crisp/chili oil is far superior to store-bought versions
• Tastes great with Add-ins: Sprinkle it with seasoned crispy-fried pork for even more flavor and texture
• A Quick Homemade Dip Recipe: If you use store-bought wrappers and pre-made Sichuan chili crisp oil, it's ready in 15 minutes

Chili Crisp Cream Cheese Dip Ingredients

This Sichuan party dip has 3 main components: a cream cheese base, homemade Sichuan red chili oil, and homemade crispy wonton chips. I used 4 tablespoons of chili oil in this recipe (mostly the crispy solids), but I recommend adding 1 tablespoon at a time, tasting it, and adding more to taste. This way, you won't end up with a dip that's too spicy (depending on how hot your chili oil is, to begin with).

You can also add a teaspoon (4.5g) or so of Sichuan green flower pepper oil (teng jiao oil) which will add a slightly citrusy undertone and mala mouth-numbing quality to the dip. Taste it first without and then decide if you'd like to add the teng jiao oil.

Dip Ingredients

• wonton wrappers (homemade or store-bought) 
• cream cheese
• light soy sauce
• homemade Sichuan red chili crisp oil (xiangla hongyou) (sub store-bought) 
• Shaoxing wine
• scallions (sub chives)
• toasted sesame seeds
• Sichuan green flower pepper oil (teng jiao oil) (optional)
• fresh ginger for infusing the soy sauce (optional)

Optional Pork Topping Ingredients

• fatty ground pork
• garlic
• soy sauce

Optional Garnishes

• fresh cilantro leaves
• crushed roasted or fried peanuts
• scallions (green parts only)
• crispy fried scallions
• finely sliced fresh red chili

 How to Make Spicy Cream Cheese Dip

When I made this dip for the first time, Luca told me I needed to add this to the "aperitivo list" because he loved it so much. I hope you'll enjoy all of the flavors as much as we do.

1. Infuse the soy sauce with ginger if desired. Cut the ginger into matchsticks and add it to the soy sauce if desired and set aside to steep for 20 minutes and up to 1 hour then remove the ginger and repurpose for another use, or discard.
2. Make the dip. Add the remaining dip ingredients to a mixing bowl (except the wonton) and mix well to combine. Adjust the seasonings if desired and add a pinch of salt if needed. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight. 
3. Fry the wontons. If using store-bought wonton wrappers, cut them in half to make bite-sized chips. If using homemade wontons, cut the wrappers into any desired size or shape. Fry the wontons in batches in preheated 350°F/180°C neutral vegetable oil (being sure not to overcrowd the pot). Fry until golden, bubbly, and crispy (about 2 to 3 minutes) turning them over as needed to ensure even frying. Remove them to a paper towel-lined plate, sprinkle immediately with salt, and repeat until all the wonton skins have been fried. 
4. Serve the dip. Drizzle the dip with a little more chili crisp oil, and garnish with cilantro, crushed peanuts, crispy fried pork, and sliced fresh red chili if desired, Enjoy!

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Chili Oil Party Dip step-by-step recipe photos

Check Out How to Make Homemade Sichuan Red Chili Oil (xiangla hongyou) (check out the full recipe post over here)

Check Out How to Make Homemade Wonton Chips (check out the full recipe post over here)

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Looking for More Easy Dim Sum Recipes?

If you're looking for a few more easy Chinese recipes or you love Sichuan food as much as we do, here are a few of our favorites you can make at home.

• Dim Sum Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺) (The Ultimate Guide)
• Homemade Chinese Soup Dumplings Xiaolongbao (小笼包) (100% From Scratch)
• Classic Sichuan Wonton Soup (Long Chāo Shǒu or Dragon Wonton 龙抄手)
• Vivian's Spicy Sichuan Chili Oil Wontons w/Crispy Pork (Hóng Yoú Chāo Shǒu 红油抄手)
• BBQ Chicken and Pork Bao Buns (Chinese Steamed Pork Buns) Bāozi 包子
• Easy Egg Drop Soup with Crispy Fried Wonton Strips (Danhuatang 蛋花湯)
• Fluffy-Soft Homemade Pork Buns (Momofuku & Ippudo-Style)
• Takeout Style Pork and Green Bean Stir-Fry w/Glass Noodles
• Easy Pork and Chive Potstickers w/Sautéed Napa Cabbage & Carrots (Jiaozi)
• 20-Minute Singapore Mei Fun Noodles (Shrimp Mei Fun)
• Easy and Delicious Pork Potsticker Recipe (Cantonese Style Jiaozi)
• Crispy Pork and Chive Spring Rolls w/Glass Noodles & Vegetables
• Steamed Pork & Chive Money Bag Dumplings (Beggar's Purse Dumplings)
• Chinese Special Fried Rice 扬州炒饭 (Yangzhou Fried Rice)

Let's get started!

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We'd love to hear how this recipe turned out for you🤗! If you make it, please rate it and leave a comment after the recipe. And if you love it so much you feel like shouting it from the rooftops on social, we definitely won't mind!

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