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Smoked Cream Cheese is the easiest appetizer you’ll ever make! Just season, smoke, and serve with crackers or chips. So simple, so addictive! 🔥🧀
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Pin ItSmoked Cream Cheese Recipe
Smoked Cream Cheese is one of the easiest and most crowd-pleasing appetizers you can make. With just three ingredients and minimal prep, this recipe delivers big flavor with very little effort.
The texture is rich and spreadable, almost like a warm dip, making it perfect for everything from game days to casual cookouts. You can serve it right off the smoker, or let it cool slightly if you prefer a firmer spread. Either way, it’s always a hit.
Whether you’re making a smoked cream cheese dip for a party or looking for how to smoke cream cheese for the first time, this method is simple and versatile. This appetizer has quickly become a weekend favorite around here. It’s one of those dishes that looks impressive but couldn’t be easier to make.
Change up the smoked cream cheese seasoning to suit your taste and enjoy a rich, creamy spread that’s perfect with crackers, chips, or veggies. We love experimenting with different flavors depending on the season or what we have in the pantry. It’s also a great way to use up extra rubs or spice blends.
⭐ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep
- Easy to customize with your favorite seasoning
- Works for holidays, parties, or casual snacking
- It’s a crowd-pleaser every time
🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions
- cream cheese – no substitute recommended for smoking
- olive oil – substitute with avocado oil or melted butter if needed
- BBQ seasoning – check out the recipe card for more smoked cream cheese seasoning ideas, from sweet to spicy!
✨ Variations
- Spicy: Try chipotle rub or hot honey, and red pepper flakes
- Kid-friendly: Use a honey garlic rub or ranch seasoning
- Sweet: Use cinnamon sugar and drizzle with honey after smoking
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🔥 Tips
- Keep the cream cheese cold until ready to smoke
- Score it deeply so the smoke and seasoning soak in
- Use a cast-iron pan or any heat-proof dish for smoking
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving to firm up slightly
❓ FAQs
You can bake it in the oven at 250°F for 1 hour. It won’t be smoky, but it will still be delicious.
Yes! After smoking, stir in chopped bacon, green onions, or jalapeños for a loaded dip.
No more than 2 hours at room temperature. Keep it chilled after that.
Brushing it with oil and smoking at a low temperature helps keep it moist. You can also loosely cover it with foil during the last 30 minutes, if needed.
Yes, you can smoke the cream cheese up to 2 days in advance. Reheat before serving or serve chilled like a spread.
It pairs well with buttery crackers, pretzels, crostini, celery sticks, or sliced bell peppers. You can also use it as a spread on bagels or sandwiches.
The outside should look golden and slightly set, and the scored lines will open up. The center will stay soft and creamy.
🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy
Appetizers
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
Appetizers
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Appetizers
Million Dollar Dip
Appetizers
Dill Pickle Wrap Dip
Smoked Cream Cheese
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Equipment
- smoker
Ingredients
- 1 block cream cheese, 8 ounces, cold
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon BBQ seasoning, (or another seasoning your prefer)
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 220°F.
- Place the unwrapped cream cheese on a heat-proof pan, like a mini cast iron skillet.
- Brush the cream cheese with olive oil to coat.
- Score the top in a crisscross pattern, cutting about ½ inch deep.
- Sprinkle BBQ seasoning evenly over the top.
- If the smoker isn’t ready, return the cream cheese to the fridge until it is.
- Once up to temperature, place the cream cheese in the smoker.
- Smoke for 2 hours.
- Remove from the smoker and transfer to a serving dish.
- Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
FLAVOR TWIST IDEAS
Not feeling BBQ? Try one of these tasty seasoning swaps! Switch things up with these delicious alternatives to BBQ rub. Whether you want savory, spicy, or sweet, there’s a smoked cream cheese flavor combo for every crowd.- Everything Bagel Seasoning – A deli-style favorite that pairs perfectly with bagels or crackers.
- Garlic Herb Blend – A cozy blend of garlic and Italian herbs, perfect for veggie dippers.
- Ranch Seasoning – Cool, tangy, and kid-approved.
- Lemon Pepper – Bright, zesty, and amazing with pita chips.
- Taco Seasoning – Smoky and bold with just enough heat.
- Cajun or Creole Seasoning – A spicy Southern kick that’s big on flavor.
- Buffalo Seasoning – Bring the heat! Great with celery and blue cheese.
- Cinnamon Sugar + Honey Drizzle – Sweet, creamy, and perfect for apple slices.
- Maple Bourbon Blend – A smoky-sweet twist that works great for brunch.
- Pumpkin Pie Spice – Warm fall flavors that pair well with graham crackers or fruit.
🥡 STORAGE
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Let it cool completely before transferring to a container.
♨️ REHEATING
- Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes until warmed through.
- Microwave: Heat in 20-second bursts until soft and warm.
- Air fryer: Heat at 320°F for 4-5 minutes, checking frequently.
- Skillet: Warm gently over low heat, covered, until heated through.
❄️ FREEZING
- Not recommended. Freezing can cause the texture to break and become grainy.
💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS
- Keep the cream cheese cold until you’re ready to prep and season.
- Score deeply for a larger surface area and improved smoke penetration.
- Use a cast-iron or foil-lined tray to catch any drips.
- Let the seasoning sit on the cream cheese for 10-15 minutes before smoking for extra flavor.
🍳 ALTERNATE COOKING METHODS
- Oven: Bake at 250°F for 60 minutes. It won’t be smoky, but it will still be tasty.
- Pellet grill: Works just like a smoker – same temperature and time.
- Charcoal grill: Use indirect heat and a foil packet of wood chips for smoke.
♻️ LEFTOVERS
- Spread on bagels, toast, or sandwiches.
- Stir into mashed potatoes or pasta for a smoky twist.
- Serve chilled as a cracker spread the next day.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
