• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Honey, Whats Cooking

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Subscribe
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Subscribe
    • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Course & Meal Type » Appetizers

    Posted on: Nov 14, 2022 · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Pav Bhaji Dip

    15 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Creamy and luscious Pav Bhaji Dip that's made with bell peppers, peas, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese. A party favorite!

    Pav Bhaji Dip

    As I've shared plenty of times before, I love Pav Bhaji. It's my favorite Indian Street Food. It's spicy, flavorful, comforting, and just hits the spot, especially on those cold winter days.

    There is something about the pav bhaji masala combined with butter and mashed veggies that makes it so mouthwatering.

    Pav Bhaji Dip

    What is Pav Bhaji Dip?

    Pav Bhaji is essentially a vegetable medley cooked in butter along with onions, tomatoes, and lots of Pav Bhaji Masala.

    My Pav Bhaji Dip is a quick and easy version of the real thing. The bhaji is mixed in with cream cheese and sour cream. The creamy mixture is then topped off with cheese and baked off in the oven.

    Typically, Pav Bhaji is served with buttered buns, however for this recipe, I recommend serving this dip with tortilla chips. Of course, you can also serve it with buttered buns, but since this is a party appetizer, I find that chips work better.

    Ingredients for Pav Bhaji Dip

    • Red & Green Bell Peppers - You'll need both kinds, but definitely use green bell peppers. You may use yellow or orange peppers as a substitute for the red bell pepper. Also, make sure you don't brown the veggies, just cook them until translucent.
    • Onions - Chop your onions and cook until translucent, not browned.
    • Plum Tomatoes - You'l need 3 cups of tomatoes, you may use plum or Roma tomatoes, any kind really.
    • Tomato Paste - This adds color and a more concentrated tomato flavor.
    • Frozen Peas - Wash, rinse, and drain your peas well.
    • Ginger, Garlic, and Green Chilies - These ingredients add a ton of flavor, you'll need to chop these and add them.
    • Avocado Oil & Butter - Can't make Pav Bhaji without butter, so you'll need about 2 tablespoons of butter for this dip.
    • Cream Cheese & Sour Cream - Make sure both these ingredients are at room temperature so they melt into the sauce easily.
    • Milk - You'll need whole milk, make sure it's at room temperature. To avoid curdling, slowly add the milk to the cheese mixture and mix it in.
    • Mexican Cheese Blend - Ideally, use a Mexican Cheese Blend for this recipe, however mild/medium cheddar cheese works too.
    • Pav Bhaji Masala - You can find Pav Bhaji Masala at any Indian grocery store or even Amazon. I like Roopak, Everest, and MDH for Pav Bhaji Masala.
    • Fresh Cilantro - Chop the leaves - they had a ton of flavor. You'll also need finely chopped cilantro as a garnish.
    • Pomegranate Seeds - This makes a festive garnish.
    Pav Bhaji Dip

    How to make Pav Bhaji Dip step by step

    Prep

    1. Chop green chilies, ginger, garlic, onions, green bell peppers, and red bell peppers. Set aside.

    2. Chop tomatoes and set aside.

    3. Chop cilantro. Run frozen peas under warm water, drain, and set aside.

    Prep Ingredients for dip

    Make the Pav Bhaji Dip

    1. Heat up a pan on medium heat, and add butter and oil.

    2. Once the butter melts, add green chilies, ginger, and garlic. Cook for a minute.

    3. Add onions and season with salt. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.

    4. Add red and green bell peppers. Season with a little salt. Cook for about 7-8 minutes.

    Cook Dip

    5. This is what you should have once the bell peppers are cooked.

    6. Add the tomatoes. Season with a little salt and stir.

    7. Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on low heat.

    8. Add tomato paste. Stir.

    9. Add pav bhaji masala and peas. Stir.

    10. Add cream cheese and sour cream.

    11. Stir. This is what you should have.

    Cook Veggies

    12. Add fresh cilantro.

    13. Add 1 cup of Mexican shredded cheese.

    14. Mix and this mixture should be cheesy, but not runny.

    15. Now add milk, a little at a time while continuously mixing. Do not add the milk all at once else your creamy mixture may curdle.

    Make the dip creamy

    16. Add cayenne pepper.

    17. Now your mixture should be slightly runny. This is what we want.

    Creamy Dip

    Bake Dip

    1. Pour the dip into a baking dish.

    2. Top with another cup of cheese.

    3. Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes uncovered. Then broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is slightly golden.

    4. This is what you should have. Garnish with fresh cilantro and pomegranate. Wait about 10-15 minutes before serving so your dip can settle.

    Bake Dip

    Tips to make Pav Bhaji Dip

    • Gather all your ingredients and chop everything ahead of time. You won't have much time in between steps to chop.
    • Do not overcook the onions and bell peppers. We don't want to brown the veggies, they should just be translucent golden.
    • Add the milk little by little to the creamy hot mixture else your cheesy mixture will curdle.
    • Wait about 10-15 minutes before serving the dip. The dip should settle after coming out of the oven. If you serve too quickly, the dip may be runny.

    Serving Suggestions

    Pav Bhaji Dip may be served with:

    • Yellow Corn Chips - my recommendation and a personal favorite!
    • Slider buns that have been toasted
    • Celery Sticks and Baby Carrots - for a healthier option

    Substitutions

    Bell Peppers - I wouldn't substitute green bell peppers with anything since this is a lovely flavor in pav bhaji, however you may use orange or yellow bell pepper in place of the red bell pepper.

    Peas - I love peas in this recipe, it adds a nice texture to this dip. If you want to skip peas, you may use diced carrots, however this may affect the flavor as carrots tend to be sweeter.

    Other Additions - You may add ½ a cup of frozen corn that has been rinsed and drained.

    Cheese - Instead of Mexican Cheese Blend, you may use mild/medium cheddar cheese.

    Variations

    Spice - This Pav Bhaji Dip is spicy! There is a ¼ cup of pav bhaji masala which you need for that pav bhaji flavor. To tone down the spice you can skip the cayenne pepper.

    Party Tips to Make Ahead

    You can prep all the ingredients a few days in advance. Additionally, you can make this Pav Bhaji Dip up to 2 days in advance, however do not bake it. On the day of your event, bake this dish 45 minutes prior to serving.

    Top Tip

    Do NOT add the milk to the hot creamy mixture all at once, but rather, add the milk little by little to the creamy mixture to avoid curdling.

    FAQ


    1. How can I make Pav Bhaji Dip vegan?

    Since this dip consists of lots of dairy, you'll be making lots of changes. For a vegan option - use vegan cheddar cheese that melts, vegan cream cheese, vegan sour cream, and vegan milk.

    2. Is Pav Bhaji Dip gluten-free?

    Yes! This recipe is completely gluten-free. Keep in mind that most store-bought Pav Bhaji masalas are gluten-free, but double-check just to be sure.

    3. What brand of Pav Bhaji Masala do you recommend?

    I used Roopak Pav Bhaji Masala, however I also love MDH and Everest. All these Pav Bhaji Masalas are delicious. Note: the spice level may vary.

    4. What pan can I use to make this Pav Bhaji Dip?

    I love using the Our Place pan for this dip, however you can use stainless steel or dutch cast iron.

    5. What can I use instead of Mexican Cheese Blend?

    You can use mild/medium cheddar cheese. Pepper Jack Cheese would also work, however the color may be slightly lighter.

    Pav Bhaji Dip

    More Party Appetizers

    • Enchilada Bean Dip
    • Pav Bhaji Garlic Bread
    • Spinach Cheese Fondue
    • Baked Jalapeno Poppers
    • Tandoori Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Burrata Bruschetta Indian Style

    Pin & Enjoy!


    Recipe

    Pav Bhaji Dip

    Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
    Creamy and luscious Pav Bhaji Dip that's made with bell peppers, peas, cream cheese, sour cream, and cheese. A party favorite!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Indian Fusion
    Servings: 16 servings
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Calories: 137kcal

    Equipment

    • Our Place Pan

    Ingredients

    for dip

    • 1 tablespoon oil
    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • ½ inch ginger, chopped
    • 3 cloves garlic, chopped
    • 2 green chilies, chopped
    • 1 medium onion, chopped
    • ¾ cup green bell pepper, chopped
    • ¾ cup red bell pepper, chopped
    • 3 cups plum tomatoes, chopped
    • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
    • ¾ cup frozen peas, rinsed & drained
    • 4 tablespoons pav bhaji masala
    • 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
    • ½ cup sour cream, room temperature
    • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
    • 2 cups Mexican cheese blend, divided (1 cup for creamy mix / 1 cup on top)
    • ½ cup milk

    for garnish

    • fresh pomegranate
    • chopped cilantro

    Instructions

    Prep

    • Chop green chilies, ginger, garlic, onions, green bell peppers, and red bell peppers. Set aside.
    • Chop tomatoes and set aside.
    • Chop cilantro. Run frozen peas under warm water, drain, and set aside.

    Make the Pav Bhaji Dip

    • Heat up a pan on medium heat, and add butter and oil.
    • Once the butter melts, add green chilies, ginger, and garlic. Cook for a minute.
    • Add onions and season with salt. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
    • Add red and green bell peppers. Season with a little salt. Cook for about 7-8 minutes.
    • This is what you should have once the bell peppers are cooked.
    • Add the tomatoes. Season with a little salt and stir.
    • Cover and cook for 5-6 minutes on low heat.
    • Add tomato paste. Stir.
    • Add pav bhaji masala and peas. Stir.
    • Add cream cheese and sour cream.
    • Stir. This is what you should have.
    • Add fresh cilantro.
    • Add 1 cup of Mexican shredded cheese.
    • Mix and this mixture should be cheesy, but not runny.
    • Now add milk, a little at a time while continuously mixing. Do not add the milk all at once else your creamy mixture may curdle.
    • Add cayenne pepper.
    • Now your mixture should be slightly runny. This is what we want.

    Bake Dip

    • Pour the dip into a baking dish.
    • Top with another cup of cheese.
    • Cover with foil and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes uncovered. Then broil for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is slightly golden.
    • This is what you should have. Garnish with fresh cilantro and pomegranate. Wait about 10-15 minutes before serving so your dip can settle.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 5gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 154mgPotassium: 217mgFiber: 2gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1004IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 0.4mg
    Keyword Dip, Pav Bhaji, Pav Bhaji Dip
    Tried this recipe?Mention @honeywhatscooking or tag #honeywhatscooking!

    « Green Moong Dal (Sabut Moong Dal)
    Chocolate Pecan Cake (eggless) »
    15 shares

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      LEAVE A COMMENT & RATE THIS RECIPE Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Sandy says

      November 15, 2022 at 5:21 pm

      Awesome dip!

      Reply
      • honeywhatscooking says

        November 15, 2022 at 5:31 pm

        Not sure if you tried it yet Sandy, hope you do!

        Reply
    2. Tanya says

      December 30, 2022 at 7:11 pm

      5 stars
      One of the moat delicious recipes that I have tried from your blog! Simply delish.

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Nisha! I'm a foodie who is passionate about healthy-ish living and mindful eating. You'll find a little bit of everything here. I use mostly organic real ingredients and incorporate seasonal produce in my cooking. I believe food is medicine. Come join me on this soul-searching journey as I share my love for good food, and I hope somewhere along the way, I inspire you to eat better.

    More about me →


    Spring Recipes

    • Lavash Bread Pizza (healthyish)
    • Mohabbat ka Sharbat | Watermelon Rose Drink (5 ingredients)
    • Hawaiian Coconut Pineapple Banana Bread
      Hawaiian Banana Bread with Pineapple, Coconut & Macadamia Nuts
    • Quinoa Bhel Salad
      Quinoa Bhel Salad (vegan, healthy-ish)
    • Roasted Tomatoes Burrata Pasta with Pesto (gf option)
    • Tea Party Sandwiches (Indian-inspired)

    Popular Recipes

    • World's Best Spaghetti with Rao's Homemade - featured image
      World's BEST Spaghetti RAO’s Homemade Marinara
    • Bombay Grilled Sandwich (vegetarian)
    • Gajar Ka Halwa | Indian Carrot Pudding
    • Green Moong Dal Khichdi (healthy)
    • Mexican Pizza Taco Bell (vegetarian)
    • Indian Afternoon Tea

    Footer

    As Seen On

    Let's Connect!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Menu

    • Home
    • Recipes
    • Travel
    • Lifestyle
    • Shop

    About

    • About
    • Contact
    • Press
    • Privacy Policy

    Recipes

    • Healthy-ish Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Easy Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Indian Food Recipes

    Subscribe

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Honey, What's Cooking