Creamy Hot Shrimp Dip

Grab your favorite crackers and dive into this creamy, cheesy Hot Shrimp Dip—a bold and zesty appetizer that's always a hit at parties and gatherings. With the perfect balance of flavor, heat, and nutrition, it’s a quick, savory, and satisfying seafood dish that will have everyone coming back for seconds!

Is there anything better than a warm, creamy, and spicy dip? Yes—this healthy hot shrimp dip! It’s all those things, but better for you. This recipe takes the classic combination of cream cheese, mayo, chopped onion, celery, and shrimp, and swaps in a more wholesome base. With the addition of hot sauce, Old Bay seasoning, fresh parsley, and plenty of cheese, it brings bold flavor, gooey texture, and the perfect amount of spice!

The best part? Replacing cream cheese with cottage cheese and Greek yogurt gives this dip a serious protein boost while cutting down on calories. Baked until melty, it’s not only comforting but also filling!

Looking for more healthy shrimp recipes? Try this Greek yogurt shrimp salad or healthy shrimp stir fry next!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• A Simple Crowd-Pleaser: With 3 kinds of cheese, Greek yogurt, shrimp, hot sauce, and spices, this dish comes together in just 10 minutes and is ready to serve a crowd in under an hour!
• Major Protein Boost: Unlike traditional shrimp dip that rely on a lot of cheese, this recipe swaps some of that for Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, boosting the protein while lowering the calories. It’s a nutritious, satisfying choice without sacrificing flavor!
• Light and Comforting: This appetizer offers all the creamy, cheesy goodness of a classic but with a healthier spin. The combination of cottage cheese and yogurt instead of cream cheese keeps it light, packed with protein, and still decadent.

Ingredients

• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a creamy, tangy base that keeps this easy shrimp dip rich and flavorful. If you prefer, you can substitute sour cream for the yogurt.
• Cheeses: Small curd cottage cheese adds a creamy texture without the extra fat, making it a high-protein, lighter alternative. Mozzarella contributes to the dip's melty, gooey texture. I used low-fat mozzarella, but feel free to substitute with non-fat or full-fat mozzarella if you prefer. Parmesan adds a salty, savory flavor that enhances the overall cheesiness of the dip.
• Shrimp: Uncooked, thawed, peeled, and deveined shrimp is the primary protein source in this warm appetizer. I recommend wild-caught shrimp over farmed shrimp for better flavor. If you're short on time, you can use canned shrimp or imitation crab as alternatives. While I used uncooked shrimp, you can also opt for pre-cooked shrimp to make the recipe even easier.
• Hot Sauce: Hot sauce adds a spicy kick and enhances the flavor profile of the dip, giving it an extra layer of depth.

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

How To Make Hot Shrimp Dip

Ready to wow your friends, family, and guests at your next gathering with this shrimp dip recipe? Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and warming a large skillet over medium-low heat. Grease a 2-quart baking dish, gather your ingredients, and follow these 4 easy steps:

Step 1: Sauté the Shrimp. Cook the shrimp in a skillet over medium low heat until cooked. Allow them to cool, then roughly chop, and set aside.

Step 2: Mix the Dip. Stir together the shrimp, yogurt, cottage cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, hot sauce and half the mozzarella in a large mixing bowl until well combined.

Step 3: Layer the Healthy Shrimp Dip. Transfer the shrimp mixture to the baking dish and top with the remaining mozzarella, and parmesan.

Step 4: Bake, Broil and Serve. Bake the dip for 25 minutes, and broil for 3-5 minutes until golden on top. Then, garnish with chopped parsley and serve warm!

Make it part of your next buffet spread, alongside delicious options like healthy zucchini boats and English muffin pizzas.

Expert Tips

• For Best Consistency: You must use full fat cottage cheese!! Fat free yogurt or low fat/fat free cottage cheese will cause too much liquid in the dish from not having enough fat to bind.
• Don't Overbake: To prevent this baked shrimp dip recipe from drying out or burning, keep an eye on it in the oven, especially during the broiling step. No one wants a creamy dip that's overcooked!
• Shrimp Size: Opt for medium to large shrimp for the best texture. Larger shrimp stay more tender in the oven compared to smaller sizes, giving you that perfect bite once chopped. Use any extra shrimp to make some grilled shrimp tacos.
• Storing and Reheating: This dip will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. I don’t recommend freezing it, as it may become watery, affecting the consistency and flavor. To reheat, bake at 325°F for about 10 minutes, or microwave for 2-3 minutes. A slow cooker is also a great option for reheating or keeping the dip warm for longer periods of time.

Serving Suggestions

There’s no wrong way to enjoy this warm shrimp dip! It’s perfect for any occasion—whether as a quick snack or a crowd-pleaser for entertaining. Here are a few of my favorite ways to serve it up:

• Go classic and serve it with your favorite dippers like protein chips, tortilla chips, pretzel chips, or cauliflower tortilla chips for a satisfying crunch.
• Bring a healthy touch to the party by serving with sliced cucumber, bell peppers, celery, radishes, or carrots. For a warm, savory twist, try pairing it with roasted cauliflower or roasted broccoli!
• For a filling and well-rounded meal, enjoy the appetizer with other hearty, low-calorie dishes like a low calorie pasta salad or the best Paleo meatloaf.

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