Smoked Cream Cheese

An appetizer that only has three ingredients, yet will get you rave reviews from your guests at your next party! This quick and easy Smoked Cream Cheese is the perfect appetizer when you host your next party. It is also super easy to take with you when you’re not hosting. You only need cream cheese, your favorite BBQ rub and olive oil AND it’s hands off smoking. Plus, you can serve it hot or cold.

This Smoked Cream Cheese dip is hands down my go-to appetizer for parties. It’s so easy to make, only requires three ingredients and I get rave reviews every single time I serve it. I am pretty sure all appetizers with cream cheese are guaranteed crowd pleasers and this one takes the cake!

We love to grab bagel chips, pretzels, crackers, vegetables or chips to serve with this easy smoked appetizer, but really the options are endless.

If you have leftovers (which we doubt you will!) you can stuff chicken breasts with it, add it to a sandwich, lather it on a bagel and so much more. In fact, maybe double the recipe just so do you have leftovers and plan on making some Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers this week!

Why You’ll Love This Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe!

• It only requires three ingredients that you probably already have in your house – cream cheese, rub and olive oil!
• So easy to make with only 5 minutes of prep time. Just rub the cream cheese, drizzle with olive oil and smoke!
• Easy to mix it up! This recipe is so versatile. You can serve it warm or cold. Change up the rubs, dippers, use leftovers as a sandwich spread and so much more. You can even swap olive oil for a hot honey to get a little spicy-sweet going on!

What do I need to make Smoked Cream Cheese?

• Cream Cheese – Grab the full fat version. We use the name brand Philadelphia Cream Cheese.
• Rub – We used our sweet and smoky rub and BBQ rub on these two versions.
• Olive Oil – the subtle taste really elevates this appetizer

How to Smoke Cream Cheese

1. Prep – Preheat smoker to 200 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Score Cream Cheese – Place unwrapped cream cheese in the center of a disposable foil pan. Gently score it with a paring knife with cuts that are about 1/4” deep. You can make any design you want, but keep in mind the more scores the more smoke flavor because that area will open up to the smoke as it cooks.
3. Season – Generously sprinkle cream cheese with your favorite rub, turning to completely cover the bottom and all sides of the cream cheese. Pour olive oil over the top of the cream cheese block.
4. Smoke – Place the pan with cream cheese on preheated smoker and smoke at 200 degrees Fahrenheit for about 2 hours. When it is done, the scores will have opened up and the cream cheese will have darkened from the smoke.
5. Serve – You can either serve it immediately or let it cool and serve it cold with crackers or chips.

What wood chips should I use?

You can actually use any wood chip you would like! We used a competition blend, but cherry or apple would be great too. Even hickory, pecan or oak wood work. Really, whatever wood chips you already have in your pellet grill are good to go.

Do I serve Smoked Cream Cheese Warm or Cold?

This is really a personal preference. We like to serve it warm with crackers, bagel chips or pretzels.

You can also serve it cold and serve it with the same dippers.

This is what makes it the perfect appetizer recipe because you can prepare it ahead of time and serve it cold, which makes it easily transportable. Or prepare it right before the party, pull it off the smoker, serve your friends and family and wow them with a warm dip!

Variations

Taco – Use a taco seasoning and serve it with tortilla chips. This would make an amazing base layer in a Taco Dip too!

Everything Bagel – Season it with Everything Bagel seasoning and use it as a spread for your bagels or dip pretzels or bagel chips in it.

Cinnamon and Sugar – A sweet version with cinnamon and white or brown sugar is just as delicious as it’s savory cousin. Pair it with apple slices, pretzels, pita chips, graham crackers, Nilla Wafers etc.

A cajun seasoning and ranch seasonings are also on my list to try with this versatile recipe!

How Long Does Smoked Cream Cheese Last?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to four days. You can serve it cold from the refrigerator or warm it up and enjoy it warm!

Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

We recommend using a block of full-fat cream cheese in this recipe! We have not tested the low-fat variety, so if you do let us know.

Do I have to score the cream cheese?

Yes! This is an important step because it helps the smoke flavor get down in the cream cheese block giving it the most flavor. It doesn’t need a perfect crosshatch pattern, but even cuts will give an even flavor.

How do I know when Smoked Cream Cheese is done?

You’ll know the cream cheese is ready to pull off the smoker when the score lines begin to pull away from each other and the center is warm.

One block of cream cheese goes a long way with this super easy appetizer! The options for what to use as dippers are endless and you can eat it hot off the smoker or prepare it ahead of time and serve it cold. Your friends and family will be begging for this at every gathering!

More Easy Appetizer Recipes!

• Level up your chip dip with this easy Smoked Queso Dip! So much flavor and it gets better when it’s a day old!
• Got a sweet tooth? Try these Smoked Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels that are perfect for a snack, bringing to a party or as a gift around the holidays.
• Something you’re going to want to make for your next party is definitely is Smoked Spinach Artichoke Dip. This extra creamy spinach dip with the addition of artichoke is a crowd-pleaser.
• Once you start eating these Smoked Taco Pretzel Bites you won’t be able to stop! These are great for holidays, parties, watching the game and so much more!