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Bold, smoky and full of flavor, smoked cream cheese is the ultimate party dip or appetizer upgrade. This recipe takes a block of cream cheese and transforms it into a crave-worthy spread with layers of heat, spice and creamy richness. A blend of smoky spices, a splash of beer and sliced jalapeños infuse the cheese with next-level taste. Whether served with pretzels, crackers or warm bread, it’s guaranteed to disappear fast at your next gathering.
This smoked cream cheese is packed with smoky spices, beer and spicy jalapeños. Serve it warm with crackers, pretzels or bread for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
Also try baked artichoke dip, some homemade beet hummus or this smoked gouda bacon cheddar cheese dip for more irresistible snack options.
Why You’ll Love It
Customizable: The best part of this recipe is that you can customize it to suit your preferences. You can add more or less of any of the seasonings or use any other spice blend that you prefer to adjust the flavor.
Versatile: You can use it as a dip, sandwich spread, or even a pasta sauce. Plus, it’s a great recipe for any occasion. The rich, smoky flavor with a hint of spicy jalapeno makes it a real crowd-pleaser.
An add-on dish: If the smoker is on cooking some meat, you can easily make this smoked cream cheese, too.
Smoked Cream Cheese Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Cream cheese: This is the main ingredient in the dip, giving it a rich, creamy base that’s the perfect canvas for all the other flavors. You can use full-fat, low-fat, or even vegan cream cheese if you prefer, and it will still turn out delicious.
Jalapeños: The jalapeños add a spicy kick to the dip. Seeding them will help to reduce the heat level if you prefer a milder dip.
Smoked paprika: This adds a robust, smoky flavor to the dip. It’s different from regular paprika, so try not to substitute it if you can help it.
Garlic and onion powder: These ingredients add a subtle depth of flavor to the dip.
Beer: The beer adds a hint of bitterness, which contrasts nicely with the other flavors. You can use any kind of beer in this recipe, but IPA works best.
Seasonings: These include brown sugar, ancho chili powder, white pepper, and salt, and all add their own unique flavors to the dip. They can be adjusted to your preference, of course.
How to Make Smoked Cream Cheese Dip
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Prepare cream cheese: Unpackage the cream cheese and place it in a casserole dish, cast iron skillet, or on aluminum foil.
Prepare seasonings and jalapeños: Mix the olive oil and beer together. In a separate bowl, mix the seasonings and slice the jalapeños.
Season cream cheese and add jalapeños: Brush the cream cheese with the beer mixture and season it and the jalapeños with the seasoning mix.
Smoke cream cheese: Put the prepared dish in a preheated smoker and smoke.
Serve: Sprinkle chopped cilantro over the smoked cream cheese dip and serve with crackers, chips, pretzels, or bread.
Substitutions and Variations
Seasonings: You can vary the seasonings in this smoked cream cheese dip recipe to give it a different flavor each time. Try a ready-made meat or chicken rub, or taco seasoning for a different twist.
Wood pellets: If you want to experiment with different flavors, try using different wood pellets in your smoker. They can impart a unique smoky flavor to your cream cheese dip.
Sweet version: If you’re in the mood for something sweet, you can add cinnamon sugar instead of savory seasonings. Serve the sweet smoked cream cheese dip with chopped firm fruits like apple slices for a delicious gluten-free dessert or party snack.
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: Smoked cream cheese dip is the perfect party appetizer. Guests can enjoy it with a variety of dippers such as pretzels, crackers, bagel chips, pita chips, or slices of French bread. You can also serve it with puff pastry twists or tortilla chips for a fun twist.
Spread: You can also use this smoked cream cheese dip in your main course. Spread it on top of a piece of hot toast or a bagel for a quick and easy lunch or dinner idea.
Other smoker recipes: It’s the perfect add-on recipe to make alongside any of your favorite smoker recipes, such as smoked beer can chicken with Mexican BBQ sauce, smoked Cuban mojo pulled pork, or smoked Caribbean jerk spiced shrimp. Plus, the flavor pairs incredibly well.
How to Store Smoked Cream Cheese Appetizer
Store: Leftovers can be saved for your next snack attack. Just keep the dip in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
Freeze: Freezing is not recommended for cream cheese dips. Freezing alters the texture, making it grainy once thawed.
Top Tips
Choose the right cream cheese: When making a smoked cream cheese dip, it’s important to choose a good quality, full-fat cream cheese. This will ensure that your dip is creamy and rich, with the perfect texture for dipping.
Don’t skip the smoking time: Smoking the cream cheese for the full 2 ½ hours is crucial for infusing it with a delicious smoky flavor. Don’t rush this step, as it can make all the difference to the end result.
Be mindful of your seasonings: When choosing your seasonings, avoid blended rubs where salt is the #1 ingredient. This can make the dip too salty, especially if you’re serving it with salty crackers or pretzels. If in doubt, stick to the recipe’s recommended spices or make your own blend.
Smoked Cream Cheese Dip FAQs
Curious which type of cream cheese makes the best smoked appetizer on a pellet grill or Traeger smoker? Well, I usually use full-fat Philadelphia and it works really well. If you prefer an alternative brand, go ahead and use that. I’m not sure about the reduced-fat options but I think they’d lack the full flavour this appetizer dip recipe deserves!
Keep any leftovers tightly covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This way they will last a week. Unfortunately you can’t freeze smoked cream cheese.
Nope, and that’s the great thing about this viral TikTok recipe for the pellet grill or Traeger smoker. The texture does change during smoking. It becomes slightly dryer but is still wet enough to spread on crackers or serve as an appetizer dip. The longer you smoke it the more it will dry out but after a couple of hours it should be perfectly done. Keeping the smoker temperature low and smoking it slow means the cream cheese won’t melt like you might assume. It will stay perfectly spreadable.
Best Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
Smoked Cream Cheese
Equipment
- Cast Iron Skillet or Casserole Dish or Foil Pan
Ingredients
- 16 Ounces cream cheese
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 Ounces beer, IPA
- 1 Teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 Teaspoon brown sugar
- 1 Teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 Teaspoon onion powder
- 1 Teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ Teaspoon ancho chili powder
- ½ Teaspoon white pepper
- ½ Teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon cilantro, freshly chopped
- 3 jalapeños, fresh
Instructions
- Preheat the smoker to 225 degrees F lid closed for 15 minutes.
- Remove cream cheese from packaging and place into a casserole dish, disposable foil pan, cast iron skillet or onto foil.
- Combine olive oil and beer in a small bowl. Brush all sides of the cream cheese.
- Combine mustard powder, brown sugar, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, ancho chili powder, white pepper, and salt in a small bowl.
- Slice and seed the jalapeños. Place into a small bowl and toss with remaining olive oil/beer. Add ½ tbsp of the seasoning and stir to coat.
- Season all sides of the cream cheese with the seasoning mix.
- Score the cheese using a knife in a crisscross pattern. Next, surround the cheese with the diced jalapenos.
- Place into the smoker. Smoke the cream cheese for 2 ½ hours.
- Once ready to serve, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro.
- Serve on a platter surrounded by pretzels, crackers, chips, or bread.
Notes
Don’t skip the smoking time: Smoking the cream cheese for the full 2 ½ hours is crucial for infusing it with a delicious smoky flavor. Don’t rush this step, as it can make all the difference to the end result.
Be mindful of your seasonings: When choosing your seasonings, avoid blended rubs where salt is the #1 ingredient. This can make the dip too salty, especially if you’re serving it with salty crackers or pretzels. If in doubt, stick to the recipe’s recommended spices or make your own blend.
Nutrition
This smoked cream cheese dip is a real showstopper. Not only is it incredibly creamy and smooth, but it’s packed with a rich smoky flavor that will keep you coming back for more. A viral TikTok recipe, this delicious dip also boasts a zesty jalapeno and cheese flavor that adds a perfect kick to every bite.
Other Recipes to Try
- Baked Feta Pasta is another popular TikTok recipe your family will love.
- Looking for a fun new drink? Try a Blueberry Lemon Jam Seltzer!
- This cookout season, add Smoked Beer Can Chicken to your menu.
- A Crunchy Beef Tortilla Folded Wrap is a tasty snack, lunch or even dinner.
- A family dinner with Smoked Sweet Onion Honey Glazed Ham will be a hit!
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
I’m glad i made this yesterday! It was a hit! So perfect! 🙂