Description

Smoked cream cheese is the ultimate crowd-pleaser—warm, creamy, smoky, and incredibly easy to make! With just one block of cream cheese, a dash of seasoning, and a little smoke time, you’ll create a rich, spreadable appetizer that’s perfect for parties, picnics, or cozy nights in. This viral BBQ favorite is simple, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Whether you go sweet, savory, or spicy, smoked cream cheese delivers flavor in every bite!

Ingredients

Scale

1 (8 oz) block cream cheese (full fat preferred)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp seasoning blend (e.g., everything bagel, BBQ rub, ranch, taco, or cinnamon sugar)

Optional toppings: honey drizzle, sliced jalapeños, chopped herbs, nuts

Instructions

Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
Unwrap the cream cheese and place it on a small foil tray or aluminum foil.
Use a sharp knife to score the top in a crisscross pattern (don’t cut too deep).
Brush the entire block with olive oil to help the seasoning stick.
Generously sprinkle your chosen seasoning blend all over the cream cheese.
Place the tray in the smoker and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours, until lightly puffed and golden.
Remove from smoker and let it cool for 5–10 minutes.

Top with any optional garnishes and serve warm with crackers, veggies, or toasted bread.

Notes

Don’t skip the scoring. It helps flavor and smoke penetrate the cheese better.
For a sweeter version, try cinnamon sugar and finish with a honey drizzle.
This works great with pellet grills, electric smokers, or even a charcoal grill with indirect heat.
Smoked cream cheese can be prepped ahead and gently reheated for easy entertaining.
Try different wood chips—applewood or pecan are perfect for a sweeter touch, while hickory adds bold BBQ flavor.

Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 2 hours
Category: Appetizer, Snack
Method: Smoking
Cuisine: American, BBQ

Nutrition

Serving Size: ~1 oz (⅛ block)
Calories: 100
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 1g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 25mg

Keywords: how long to smoke cream cheese, smoked cream cheese recipe, smoker appetizers, easy BBQ recipes