The Little Dipper crock-pot is a small, 1-2 person slow cooker designed for making dips, fondues, and other warm appetizers. With a capacity of just 1 quart, the Little Dipper allows you to make the perfect amount of hot dips and fondues for a party without having leftovers. Some key features and uses of the Little Dipper crock-pot include:
- Compact size – only 4×6 inches so it takes up minimal counter space
- 1 quart ceramic insert for making dips and fondues
- Low, high, and warm temperature settings
- Removable stoneware insert and glass lid are dishwasher safe
- Perfect for keeping dips, cheese fondues, and chocolate fondues warm for parties
- Allows you to make the ideal small-batch quantity
- Great for melting cheeses, keeping queso or spinach artichoke dip warm
- Lets you prepare dips in advance then keep warm in the crock-pot
The small size and 1 quart capacity makes the Little Dipper the perfect crock-pot for making personal batches of dips, cheese fondues, chocolate fondues, and more. It allows you to control the temperature and keep dips perfectly hot for serving at parties or get togethers without having large quantities go to waste.
Uses for the Little Dipper Crock-Pot
Here are some of the top ways to use a Little Dipper crock-pot:
Warm Dips for Parties
One of the main uses for the Little Dipper is warming up dips for parties, game days, and other get-togethers. It’s the perfect size for keeping a single batch of your favorite dip nice and hot. Some great party dip options include:
- Queso dip
- Buffalo chicken dip
- Jalapeno popper dip
- Spinach and artichoke dip
- Crab dip
- Meatball dip
- Taco dip
- Baked potato dip
- Refried bean dip
Prepare your favorite dip in advance then transfer it to the Little Dipper to keep it warm and ready to serve. The 1 quart capacity is perfect for a small get together.
Fondue for Two
The Little Dipper is also ideal for melting cheese or chocolate for fondues for two. Fondues require being kept at a low, steady simmer which the crock-pot excels at. Simply add cheese or chocolate to the insert and select the low setting.
Some great fondues to make include:
- Classic cheese fondue
- Beer and cheese fondue
- Cheddar cheese fondue
- Gruyere cheese fondue
- Spicy Mexican fondue with peppers and chorizo
- Chocolate fondue
- White chocolate fondue
- Flavored chocolate fondues like mint, peanut butter, or caramel
The fondues will stay hot and smooth for dipping bites of bread, apples, strawberries, or other items. The 1 quart capacity makes the perfect amount for two people to enjoy.
Appetizers for Holiday Hosting
When hosting small holiday gatherings, the Little Dipper can help keep appetizers warm throughout the event. Use it to prepare and hold hot dips, meatballs, lil smokies in sauce, and other finger foods. Some good options include:
- Cranberry meatballs
- Sweet and sour meatballs
- BBQ lil smokies
- Swedish meatballs
- Sweet chili or teriyaki chicken bites
- Warm crab and artichoke dip
- Hot spinach and feta dip
Prepare the recipes on the stovetop then transfer to the crock-pot on low or warm to keep out through your event. It helps make entertaining easier.
Melting Chocolate or Caramel
The gentle low heat of the Little Dipper makes it great for melting chocolate, caramel, or butterscotch for dipping treats like pretzels, strawberries, or fruit. Simply add chopped chocolate, caramel cubes, butterscotch chips, or other items to melt to the insert. Stir occasionally as it melts down.
You can keep the chocolate or caramel warm for several hours for easy dipping. It’s a fun dessert idea for a date night in.
Heating Salsa and Sauces
The Little Dipper can also be used to heat up salsa, pizza sauce, marinara sauce, and other dippable sauces. Transfer leftover sauce to the crock insert and keep on low until heated through.
This allows you to easily reheat single servings of leftover sauce instead of a whole batch. It helps reduce food waste.
Tips for Using the Little Dipper
Here are some helpful tips for getting the most out of a Little Dipper crock-pot:
- Grease the ceramic insert before adding cheese or chocolate to prevent sticking
- Stir dips and fondues occasionally to maintain a smooth consistency
- Try different recipes to find your favorite dips and fondues to make
- Let the crock-pot preheat for 10-15 minutes before adding food
- Add liquid ingredients like milk, beer, or wine slowly as cheese fondues can curdle if heated too quickly
- Use a meat thermometer if heating up any cooked meats to ensure they reach safe temperatures
- Transfer dips to a serving dish before putting in the crock-pot to allow for easier serving
- Clean the insert and lid promptly after use to prevent sticking on of cheese or chocolate
Following these tips will help you get the most functionality out of a Little Dipper crock-pot. Experiment with different dips, fondues, and appetizers to find your favorites.
Little Dipper Crock-Pot Recipes
Here are some popular recipe ideas to make in a Little Dipper crockpot:
Dips
Queso Dip
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- Sour cream, sliced jalapenos, and tortilla chips for serving
1. Brown ground beef with onion, bell pepper, garlic, and spices. Drain excess fat.
2. Add velveeta cubes and milk. Stir over low heat until cheese is melted and smooth.
3. Transfer to crock-pot and keep on warm setting for serving.
Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup hot buffalo wing sauce
- 1 package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- Chopped green onions for topping
1. Mix chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, dressing, and 1/4 cup cheddar cheese in a bowl until blended.
2. Transfer to crockpot and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheddar on top.
3. Cook on low 2-3 hours. Top with green onions.
Crab and Artichoke Dip
- 1 14oz can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 1 6oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
- 8oz lump crab meat
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1 tsp lemon juice
1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl gently to combine.
2. Transfer to crockpot and cook on low for 2-3 hours.
3. Serve with crackers or toast points.
Fondues
Classic Cheese Fondue
- 1 clove garlic, halved
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 1/2 cups gruyere cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups emmentaler cheese, shredded
1. Rub inside of crockpot with garlic halves. Discard garlic.
2. Add wine and lemon juice. Heat on low for 15 minutes.
3. Mix cornstarch with cheeses and add handfuls at a time, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
4. Keep on low or warm setting for dipping.
Chocolate Fondue
- 1 11oz package chocolate chips
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla
- Dash of cinnamon
1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot. Heat on low, stirring frequently, until smooth and melted.
2. Keep on warm setting and enjoy with fruit, cake, brownies, marshmallows, etc.
Appetizers
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/4 cup bread crumbs
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp white vinegar
1. Mix ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, and garlic. Roll into 1-inch balls.
2. Combine remaining ingredients in crockpot. Add meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Cook on low 3-4 hours until meatballs are cooked through.
BBQ Lil Smokies
- 1 16oz pack lil smokies
- 1 cup bbq sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
1. Combine all ingredients in crockpot.
2. Cook on low 2-3 hours until heated through.
3. Stir occasionally and serve with toothpicks.
Conclusion
The Little Dipper crock-pot is designed specifically for making small batches of warm dips, cheese fondues, chocolate fondues, and appetizers for 1-2 people. The compact 1 quart size allows you to make and keep the ideal quantity hot and ready for dipping. It’s perfect for solo home use or for heating dips and snacks for small get togethers and parties. With a little creativity, you can also use it for melting chocolate or sauces. Follow the recipe ideas and usage tips to get the most functionality out of a Little Dipper crock-pot.