This easy smoked cream cheese recipe will become your new favorite summer BBQ appetizer. Creamy smoked cream cheese can be customized with a variety of seasonings.
Smoking a cream cheese block softens it and gives it an earthy smoke flavor that is perfect for smearing across your favorite crackers.
This smoked cream cheese appetizer recipe is so easy to whip up. Go ahead and add a couple blocks of cream cheese to your smoker the next time you are making one of your favorite smoker recipes like these smoked chicken wings, smoked potato skins, or this smoked meatloaf.
The results are a gooey lightly smoked brick of cream cheese that tastes good enough to rival even the best-baked brie.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- This smoked cream cheese couldn't be easier to make. Just coat a block of cream cheese with olive oil and sprinkle on some of your favorite seasonings then smoke it for a few hours.
- Smoked cream cheese is easily customizable by switching up the seasonings. See the list below for some suggestions.
- Serve it with some crackers or freshly cut vegetables to make the perfect appetizer.
Ingredients
Block of Cream Cheese: This isn't the time to count calories. Go ahead and use full-fat cream cheese.
Olive Oil: Coating the cream cheese in olive oil will help keep the outside of the cream cheese from drying out. Don't worry about using fancy extra virgin olive oil regular olive oil will work just fine.
Your Favorite Seasoning: There are so many options for flavoring the cream cheese. Check out some popular variations below.
Dippers: Try dipping crackers, chips, produce, or bread in this delicious cream cheese appetizer.
See the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full recipe.
Smoked Cream Cheese Seasoning Ideas
There are so many different variations of smoked cream cheese that you could make depending upon your chosen seasoning. Here are some you should definitely try.
- Your Favorite BBQ Rub
- Everything But The Bagel Seasoning
- Lemon Pepper
- Taco Seasoning
- Ranch Seasoning Mix
- Onion Soup Mix
- For a dessert version try using Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cinnadust (a mixture of cinnamon sugar)
- Pretty much anything that sounds like it will taste good with cream cheese
Equipment
Aluminum Foil, Baking Pan, or Cast Iron Skillet
Smoker: A few years ago we bought a Traeger grill during a Father’s Day sale. Initially, I was reluctant to spend the money on a pellet grill but it has been one of the best purchases we have ever made. Not only does it produce amazing results, but it’s also incredibly easy to operate!
I don’t remember the last time we went out for barbeque because we get such great results at home for a fraction of the cost. I know our Traeger Pellet Smoker has already paid for itself with the money we have saved on eating out.
How to Smoke Cream Cheese
Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Place the cream cheese on a piece of foil or in a disposable aluminum pan. Score cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern. Brush the entire block with olive oil.
Sprinkle cream cheese with your favorite rub.
Tip: If you don't want to use aluminum foil you can place the cream cheese on a metal baking dish or cast iron skillet.
Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours at a low temperature of 250 degrees Farenheight. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.
Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve this creamy goodness with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.
This weekend I served smoke cream cheese as a part of a charcuterie board with tomato chutney on top of wedges of homemade flatbread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve hot straight off the smoker or chill it in the refrigerator for a couple of hours. There are a variety of delicious accompaniments for smoked cream cheese.
A few of them include:
- Crackers
- Pita Chips
- Bagel Chips
- Tortilla Chips
- Vegetables such as carrots, snap peas, carrots, and bell peppers
- Fruit Jams
- Spicy Pepper Jelly
- Bacon Jam
- Fresh Pesto
- Tomato Chutney
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Fruits such as apple slices
Storage
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Smoked cream cheese shouldn't be frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions
I prefer to use mild wood pellets like apple or cherry.
If you don't have a smoker you can still make this delicious cream cheese appetizer. Prepare the cream cheese as recommended in the recipe. Instead of using foil place the cream cheese in a shallow pan and add a small dash of liquid smoke to the top of the cream cheese. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cream cheese uncovered for one hour. If it has softened, remove the cream cheese from the oven. If it is still firm continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. Allow the cream cheese to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Try smearing savory smoke cream cheese across your favorite bagel or baguet. Or scoop some up with crackers, pretzels or serve it along with some freshly chopped vegetables.
For sweet smoked cream cheese, I would serve it with some fresh fruit, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
To reheat: Microwave the cream cheese in 30-second intervals until warm or bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 250 degrees Farenheight.
Nope if it is smoked at the correct temperature cream cheese actually dries out a bit when it is smoked rather than melt.
If you make this recipe be sure to tag me @raspberriesandkohlrabi so that I can see and drool over your cream cheese creation.
📖 Recipe
Smoked Cream Cheese
This easy smoked cream cheese will become your new favorite summer BBQ appetizer. Creamy smoked cream cheese can be customized with a variety of seasonings.
Ingredients
- 1 8oz block of cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of your favorite spice mix
Instructions
- Prepare your smoker according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Score the top of the cream cheese in a criss-cross pattern. Brush all sides of the cream cheese with olive oil and place it on a sheet of tin foil.
- Coat the cream cheese in the seasoning of your choice.
- Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 3 hours at 250 degrees Farenheight. While it smokes your cream cheese may crack. This is completely normal. The sides may also turn a golden brown color.
- Remove the cream cheese from the smoker and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Serve with your favorite dippable items like crackers, chips, produce, or bread.
Notes
What if I don't have a smoker?
If you don't have a smoker you can still make this delicious cream cheese appetizer. Prepare the cream cheese as recommended in the recipe. Instead of using foil place the cream cheese in a shallow pan and add a small dash of liquid smoke to the top of the cream cheese. Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the cream cheese uncovered for one hour. If it has softened, remove the cream cheese from the oven. If it is still firm continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. Allow the cream cheese to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving.
How do you store leftover smoked cream cheese?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 114Total Fat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 89mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 2g
This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from an online calculator. Although raspberriesandkohlrabi.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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