This easy Smoked Cream Cheese recipe is the perfect smoky appetizer. It is a balance of sweet and spicy using brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Serve it up hot or cold and with your favorite dippers.
Guaranteed to be the only recipe you will ever need! This Smoked Cream Cheese is tested in both major types of smokers: vertical smoker and smoker grill. You can also find a ton of delicious variations below, everything from ranch to taco to apple pie!
If you are looking for more smoked cheese dip, try my Smoked Queso Dip or Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip.
We love smoking cream cheese because it is a set it and forget it kind of recipe, meaning you don’t have to babysit it for hours while it smokes. Not to mention, everyone goes CRAZY over it. I kid you not it is the first appetizer gone everytime I serve it or take it to a party with me.
My Smoked Cream Cheese recipe is a balance of smoky flavor with spicy and sweet notes. I have also included in this recipe 6 different variations (both sweet and savory). Typically when we smoke cream cheese we make multiple… Trust me, you will want to too!
More Reasons This Is The BEST Smoked Cream Cheese
- It was tested in a vertical smoker and a pellet grill smoker. I smoke with Pit Boss but Traeger, Oklahoma Joe, or any other smoker is perfect.
- Simple ingredients with endless possibilities- cream cheese, oil, whatever toppings and dippers you choose.
- Make it ahead of time (up to three days) and reheat it in the oven. This makes it an awesome appetizer for holidays and parties.
Ingredients for Smoked Cream Cheese
Below is everything you will need for smoking cream cheese, plus a few notes and potential substitutions.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure you bring it to room temperature (so it will absorb more smoke) and use full fat block cream cheese, it tastes the best.
- Oil: I always recommend using extra virgin olive oil, but any neutral oil that will withstand moderate temperatures works.
- Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub– I make my own for this recipe, but this PitBoss Sweet Heat is almost identical. You could also use your favorite BBQ rub or seasoning.
- Brown Sugar
- Garlic Powder
- Chili Powder
- Salt
- Red Pepper Flakes: omit for a more mild spice level.
Equipment Needed
- Electric Pellet Smoker: This recipe has been tested with both a vertical smoker and a pellet grill by Pit Boss (use either with no recipe adjustments). You can also use your gas grill or charcoal grill with a smoker box and wood chips for the same result.
- Wood Pellets: I like to use mild flavored woods for smoking cream cheese; maple, hickory, cherry, oak, or pecan. If you want a bold smoke flavor using mesquite or hickory will definitely get you that.
- Baking Dish or Pan: I used a small ceramic dish but you can also use aluminum disposable pans or a cast iron skillet.
- Basting Brush: For easily coating the cream cheese with oil.
- Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves: An absolute MUST! These gloves are so sticky that it makes removing dishes, trays, whatever with ease.
How To Make Smoked Cream Cheese
Here’s a quick summary how to smoke cream cheese using an electric vertical smoker or smoker grill. The recipe card below will have complete details and instructions
1. PREP YOUR SMOKER: Add your favorite wood pellets to the hopper and preheat smoker to 200° F (do this 20 to 30 minutes prior so the smoker heats up thoroughly).
2. PREP YOUR CREAM CHEESE: Place the block of cream cheese into a lightly greased dish or pan. Score your cream cheese block in a cross-hatch pattern and liberally brush it with oil. Sprinkle on the Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub seasoning.
3. SMOKE: Let the cream cheese smoke for about 2 hours.
4. GARNISH AND SERVE with your favorite dippers. I top mine with fresh herbs like parsley.
What Can I Serve With It?
The possibilities for dippers are endless with this recipe. I tend to grab whatever I have in the pantry or what is on sale at the grocery store. Here are a few ideas for how you can serve Smoked Cream Cheese:
- traditional butter crackers or other types of crackers like these Smoked Cheez Its
- chips- bagel chips, tortilla chips, potato chips, pita chips
- toasted baguette slices, crostini, or cheese bread
- raw vegetables- cucumber, celery, carrots, bell peppers or whatever you like
- fruit (great for a savory sweet combination)- apple slices, grapes, etc.
- slices of sausage or other smoked meats
Or spread it on:
- Spread it on bagels, sandwiches, burgers, or wraps.
- Melt it down to become a pasta sauce base.
- Slather over chicken and other proteins like smoked salmon for a creamy topping.
Other Variations and Toppings to Try
Smoked Cream Cheese is the perfect vehicle for so many flavor combinations. This recipe is a basic sweet and spicy seasoning but it is not the only way to do it. Below are 6 variations my family and I absolutely love.
Ranch Smoked Cream Cheese
Coat the cream cheese in oil and then a 1 ounce packet of Ranch Seasoning. After it is done smoking top with some dried dill and ranch dressing. This variation tastes great with fresh veggies.
Apple Pie Smoked Cream Cheese
Coat the cream cheese in oil and then 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg. Top with a can of premade apple pie filling and smoke. I like to drizzle caramel or maple syrup over the top once it is done smoking. Serve with Nilla wafers or graham crackers.
Taco Smoked Cream Cheese
Coat the cream cheese in oil and a packet of Taco Seasoning. Once it has finished smoking pour salsa over the top with fresh cilantro. Serve this one with tortilla chips or corn chips.
BBQ Sauce Smoked Cream Cheese
Make the recipe as specified but top it with Apple Butter BBQ Sauce, Blackberry BBQ Sauce, or other BBQ sauces before smoking. I also love using a hot pepper jelly or this Black Grape Chutney.
Everything Bagel Smoked Cream Cheese
Coat the cream cheese in oil and a few tablespoons of Everything Bagel Seasoning. I like eating this one with bagel chips or using it on my morning bagel.
Hot Honey Smoked Cream Cheese
Make this recipe as specified below but top it with Hot Honey Sauce before smoking.
Storing and Reheating Information
Any leftover Smoked Cream Cheese can be stored in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap.
It should be refrigerator for no more than 4 days. I do not recommend freezing it because the texture is quite unpleasant as the cream cheese thaws.
Reheat any leftovers in the oven or smoker at 300° F for 10 to 20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking Cream Cheese
I advise against it because the water content is higher in those types of cream cheese and it can become an odd texture when smoked. Stick to full fat cream cheese with this recipe.
I like it both ways so it is up to you! Most of the time I will make it a day ahead of time, allow it to chill (the smoke really sets in), and then serve it cold. If you are wanting to dive right in and eat it hot, go ahead.
At high temperature, yes, cream cheese can melt in the smoker. Because we are smoking cream cheese at a lower temperature it gets warm and softens but it will not melt.
More Cream Cheese Dips to Try:
- Jalapeno Artichoke Dip
- Fried Dill Pickle Dip
- Buffalo Crab Dip
- Olive Dip
- Green Onion Dip
- Pecan Pie Dip
- Pumpkin Pie Dip
- Browse all dips and appetizers here. For sweet snacks look here.
More Smoker Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Smoked Pork Butt
- Smoked Peach Cobbler
- Smoked Hot Dogs
- Smoked Baked Beans
- Smoked Whiskey Sour Mocktail
- Browse my complete collection of smoked recipes here.
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Smoked Cream Cheese
Equipment
- Smoker - I use a Pit Boss vertical smoker and pellet grill smoker.
- BBQ Wood Pellets - use your favorite. I used a blend of maple, hickory, cherry, oak, and pecan.
- Baking Dish - or cast iron skillet, disposable aluminum pan, etc.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese - full fat (at room temperature)
- 1 tablespoon oil - extra virgin olive oil
Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - for garnish
Instructions
- Fill hopper with wood pellets and preheat smoker to 200 °F. Allow it to sit at optimal temperature for 20 to 30 minutes prior to using.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, and salt to make the Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub.
- Lightly grease a heat safe baking dish and place the cream cheese in the center.
- Place cream cheese in the center of the baking dish and score multiple times in a cross-hatch pattern (to allow the olive oil, seasoning, and smoke to penetrate it).
- Liberally brush the sides and top with olive oil. Coat the block of cream cheese with the Sweet and Spicy Dry Rub.
- Place in the preheated smoker to smoke for two hours.
- Remove from smoker, garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot or cold and with dippers.
Video
Notes
Storing and Reheating Information:
- In the refrigerator, in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap, for up to 4 days.
- Freezing is not recommended.
- Reheat any leftovers in the oven or smoker at 300° F for 10 to 20 minutes.
6 Smoked Cream Cheese Variations:
- Ranch Smoked Cream Cheese- Coat the cream cheese in oil and then a 1 ounce packet of Ranch Seasoning. After it is done smoking top with some dried dill and ranch dressing. This variation tastes great with fresh veggies.
- Apple Pie Smoked Cream Cheese- Coat the cream cheese in oil and then 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon of nutmeg. Top with a can of premade apple pie filling and smoke. I like to drizzle caramel or maple syrup over the top once it is done smoking. Serve with Nilla wafers or graham crackers.
- Taco Smoked Cream Cheese- Coat the cream cheese in oil and a packet of Taco Seasoning. Once it has finished smoking pour salsa over the top with fresh cilantro. Serve this one with tortilla chips or corn chips.
- BBQ Sauce Smoked Cream Cheese- Make the recipe as specified but top it with Apple Butter BBQ Sauce, Blackberry BBQ Sauce, or other BBQ sauces before smoking.
- Everything Bagel Smoked Cream Cheese- Coat the cream cheese in oil and a few tablespoons of Everything Bagel Seasoning. I like eating this one with bagel chips or using it on my morning bagel.
- Hot Honey Smoked Cream Cheese- Make this recipe as specified below but top it with Hot Honey Sauce before smoking.
*Dippers:
- traditional butter crackers or other types of crackers like these Smoked Cheez Its
- chips- bagel chips, tortilla chips, potato chips, pita chips
- toasted baguette slices, crostini, or cheese bread
- raw vegetables- cucumber, celery, carrots, bell peppers or whatever you like
- fruit (great for a savory sweet combination)- apple slices, grapes, etc.
- slices of sausage or other smoked meats
Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Oh, wow! We served this on crackers with smoked salmon and diced red onions. Absolutely out of this world delish!
I had a girls wine night last week and made this as an app for all of us. It was a hit!! I served it with some of those bagel chips and pretzels. Really flavorful!!
This smoked cream cheese is seriously the best. I love to dip veggies in it, or spread it on crackers. It’s sweet and savory, so you can use it as an appetizer or a dessert!
Delicious! We loved smoking this appetizer before our tri tip this weekend! So perfecT
Wow was this delicious! I couldn’t pass up the apple butter bbq version and it was to die for with crackers and apple slices for dipping.
This was so good!!! Love that smokey flavor!
oh lawdy this was good!!
I am now obsessed! I love all things smoked but never thought about smoking my own cheese! Smoked cream cheese=YUM!
The kids all loved it too and we can’t wait to try the apple pie stopping that you suggest.
Thank you for a great recipe, subscribing so I don’t miss any more smoked recipes 🙂
Wow! So delicious, took to a party recently . . . and I now have a bunch of new friends who want the recipe!
I recently tried this smoked cream cheese recipe, and it exceeded my expectations in every way. The combination of ingredients creates a harmonious blend of flavors that perfectly balance sweetness and spice. Would definitely make this over and over again!
Hey, I tried your smoked cream cheese and it was awesome. I’m not a big fan of cream cheese but this was so good!
This made for a spectacularly delicious appetizer! I’ve never smoked cream cheese before but this came out perfectly and was a real hit with guests.