If you have never smoked cream cheese before, you're about to discover one of the easiest "wow-factor" appetizers you can make on the smoker. This smoked cream cheese recipe is silky, spreadable, and loaded with sweet heat from honey sriracha seasoning. The smoke adds depth and a lightly caramelized outer layer that makes every bite feel divine.
Whether you're serving Smoked Cream Cheese at a party, game day, or just snacking in the backyard, this is one recipe that disappears fast. So my advice is to smoke two blocks.
Why You'll Love this Recipe
This smoked cream cheese is a low-cost appetizer with huge flavor. It is creamy, smoky, and finished with sweet heat from honey sriracha seasoning.
- Only 2 ingredients (plus smoke)
- No prep skills required
- Sweet, spicy, and smoky flavor combo.
- Low cost, big flavor
- Perfect for dipping, spreading, and topping
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What is Smoked Cream Cheese
Smoked Cream cheese is exactly what it sounds like. A full block of cream cheese seasoned and slowly smoked until warm, creamy, and lightly caramelized on the outside. The low heat and smoke transform it into a rich, spreadable appetizer with almost no effort. It is one of those recipes that makes people think you worked hard, even though you didn't.
The best part? You can change the flavor in a hundred ways depending on the seasoning or topping that you use. Today we are going with Honey Siracha seasoning for a sweet heat combo that is completely addicting.
Ingredients
Ingredients you'll need for Smoking Cream Cheese
- Cream Cheese - The star of the show!
- Seasoning - I used Honey Garlic Sriracha by Ninjacue, and it gives the cream cheese a sweet heat crust that is incredible with smoke.
- Jam Toppings - (Optional but highly recommended) Raspberry jam, pepper jelly, or apricot preserves will take this over the top!
See recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
How to Make an Easy Smoked Cream Cheese
Everything you need to know about smoking cream cheese is in these easy-to-follow directions. You really will just turn on the smoker, prep the cheese, and let it do its magic.
- Prepare Smoker - Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Make a 'boat' out of aluminum foil for the cream cheese block to sit on. Place a small piece of parchment paper in the boat.
- Score the Cream Cheese - Place the cream cheese block into the 'boat'. Use a sharp knife to cut a crosshatch pattern across the top of the block, about ¼ inch deep.
Pro Tip: Score the cream cheese before seasoning so the rub gets down into all the cuts. That is where the flavor really sinks in and gives you the best crust.
- Season Generously - Coat the cream cheese on all sides with Honey Garlic Sriracha seasoning (or your favorite rub).
- Smoke the Cream Cheese - Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 2 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy - Serve warm for the creamiest dip or let it cool down and serve at room temperature as a spread.
Pro Tip: Smoke it in a small skillet so the cream cheese holds its shape and you can serve it right out of the dish. No mess and no breaking apart.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Equipment and Supplies
This recipe is easy to make with just the right tools!
- Smoker - This Pit Boss is my favorite, but any will work. Just keep the temperature steady and low.
- Small cast iron skillet - Helps cream cheese stay intact, and so fun to serve from.
- Sharp Knife - For scoring the cream cheese!
Serving Ideas
Different Ways to Serve Smoked Cream Cheese
- Classic Serving
- These are go-to options that always work.
- Crackers - buttery and wheat are perfect.
- Pretzel thins or pretzel sticks (sweet and salty is elite).
- Pita Chip
- Tortilla Chips
- Toasted baguette slices
- These are go-to options that always work.
- Fun and Creative Serving Ideas
- Cheese Board Display - Place it on a board with crackers, fruit, and a drizzle of honey for an instant appetizer platter.
- Dessert Version - Coat cream cheese in brown sugar and smoke, then top with jam, Nutella, or dark chocolate.
Seasoning Swaps
- Sweet and Smoky
- Brown Sugar and BBQ rub
- Cinnamon and brown sugar with a pinch of chili powder (sweet dessert-style)
- Maple sugar and smoked paprika
- Spicy and Bold
- Cajun seasoning
- Taco Seasoning - Served with Tortilla chips and salsa
- Chipotle Seasoning
- Chili lime seasoning
- Buffalo dry rub
- Savory
- Everything bagel seasoning - add some Pepper Jelly
- Ranch seasoning plus cracked black pepper.
- Garlic herb seasoning
- Lemon pepper and thyme
Smoked Cream Cheese charcuterie board (honey sriracha style)
Turn your smoked cream cheese into the star of a full appetizer board. The sweet heat pairs perfectly with crunchy crackers, salty meats, fresh fruit, and a little drizzle of honey. This board is easy to build, looks impressive, and feeds a crowd with almost no extra cooking.
- Pick your board - use a cutting board, serving tray, or large platter. You will need bigger than you think, so you can space things.
- Place the star first by putting the smoked cream cheese in the center or slightly off-center. You can serve it in the pan you smoked it in or carefully transfer it to a small dish.
- Add crunch with crackers and chips. This keeps bringing people back for one more snack.
- Add a sweet balance with some sweet picks like grapes, sliced apples, strawberries, or raspberry jam.
- Add salty and savory with some salty meats like salami, pepperoni, or prosciutto.
- Add something pickled or briny to cut through the richness, like pickles, olives, or banana peppers.
- Add a cheese partner like sharp cheddar cubes, pepper jack slices, or gouda.
- Finish with garnish and "wow" with a honey drizzle, nuts (almonds or pecans), or chopped green onion.
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerator
If you have any smoked cream cheese left (rare), let it cool to room temperature, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Keeps well for 3-4 days
- The smoke flavor actually gets even better the next day.
Reheating
You can bring smoked cream cheese back to that creamy, spreadable texture.
- Microwave 15-20 seconds at a time, stirring if needed
- Oven - 300°F for about 8-10 minutes
- Smoker - 225° for 10-15 minutes to rewarm without drying it out.
Can you eat it cold
- Yes! It turns into more of a smoked cream cheese spread, and it is great on
- bagels
- sandwiches
- crackers
- wraps
More Appetizers and Dips
Video of Recipe
Recipe
Smoked Cream Cheese
Equipment
- Smoker or Pellet Grill
Ingredients
- 8 oz Block of Cream Cheese
- 2 tablespoon Honey Garlic Sriracha Seasoning or your favorite rub
Instructions
- Prepare Smoker - Preheat your smoker to 225°F. Make a 'boat' out of aluminum foil for the cream cheese block to sit on. Place a small piece of parchment paper in the boat.
- Score the Cream Cheese - Place the cream cheese block into the 'boat'. Use a sharp knife to cut a crosshatch pattern across the top of the block, about ¼ inch deep.
- Season Generously - Coat the cream cheese on all sides with Honey Garlic Sriracha seasoning (or your favorite rub).
- Smoke the Cream Cheese - Smoke the cream cheese uncovered for 2 hours.
- Serve and Enjoy - Serve warm for the creamiest dip or let it cool down and serve at room temperature as a spread.
Video
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
We do not recommend using low-fat cream cheese in this recipe. The results will definitely be different.
Yes, but this recipe shines best with plain cream cheese and seasoning.
You can freeze it, but the cheese tends to get a little grainy or crumbly, and it will not be as smooth. You could stir it into some pasta or mix it into a dip to add smoky flavor.
Casey says
My dad used to make this all the time. So I got to surprise him with it this visit and he was so impressed! It was devoured.