Super Easy Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe (2 Ways!)
Published Aug 03, 2023 Updated May 17, 2024
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This smoked cream cheese appetizer is an easy, flavor-packed dip with two delicious seasoning options and three cooking methods! Choose from taco or ranch seasonings and your smoker, oven, or air fryer for the ultimate party dip!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
I’m back in the kitchen with another amazing dip today! My newest cream cheese creation is a tasty appetizer made with all your favorite seasonings. Plus, I’ve made different options so you can make one or both and see for yourself how amazing Smoked Cream Cheese can be!
You know how much I love cream cheese appetizers (see Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Dip and this Jalapeno Cranberry Dip!), and this newest one does not disappoint! All you need is a block of full-fat cream cheese (or your favorite version), taco seasoning or ranch seasoning (or both!), and something to dip (crackers, chips, etc.). The resulting dip is beautiful, delicious, and definitely a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredient Notes
There are two ways to make this amazing dip: Taco flavored or Ranch flavored! You can’t go wrong with either (or both for a larger crowd!). All you need are simple ingredients. The resulting cream cheese dip has so much flavor and is SO easy to make!
- cream cheese: Feel free to use full-fat or low-fat cream cheese, depending on your preference. I love Philadelphia cream cheese, but again, choose your favorite! For dairy-free, Kite Hill makes an excellent alternative. You’ll need an 8-ounce block of cream cheese for this recipe.
- taco seasoning: You can use a store-bought taco seasoning packet or try my homemade taco seasoning.
- ranch seasoning: You can use a storebought ranch seasoning packet or try my homemade ranch seasoning!
- crackers
- garnish: Garnish with chopped green onions, chives, sliced jalapenos, parsley, and more!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Smoker/Pellet Grill
- Turn on your smoker to 250F. Score the top of the brick of cream cheese in a crisscross pattern using a super-sharp knife without cutting all the way through.
- Coat the top and sides of the cream cheese with the seasoning. Place the cream cheese on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet pan.
- Add to the smoker and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the crisscross pattern begins to spread apart.
- Remove from the smoker and add to a platter with your favorite crackers, vegetables, and pretzels.
Oven
- Turn oven to 210F.
- Score cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern.
- Coat the sides and top of the cream cheese block with the seasoning.
- Place the cream cheese on an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet pan.
- Add to the oven and cook for 1 hour or until the crisscross pattern begins to spread apart.
Air Fryer
- Cover the air fryer basket tray with aluminum foil.
- Place the scored and seasoned cream cheese on the aluminum foil.
- Cook at 350F for about 5-6 minutes or until the outside of the score marks begin to spread apart and the inside is spreadable.
Mac’s Pro TipS
Expert Tips
- Pellets: I used hickory pellets for my smoker. Choose whichever wood chips are your favorite! They give the most amazing smoky flavor- you can’t go wrong!
- Variations: This recipe is simply made with a block of cream cheese and dry seasonings. Feel free to try various flavors, such as your favorite BBQ rub, bagel seasoning, and more!
Serving Tips
- Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, bagel chips, raw veggies, salty crackers, crusty bread, apple slices, and more!
- This is the perfect appetizer to make ahead of time for any gathering, large or small.
Storage Tips
- Place the leftovers in an airtight container or bowl and cover them with plastic wrap.
- Reheat them in a 350F oven for 15-25 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Cream cheese has a pretty long shelf life. If stored properly in an airtight container, this smoked cream cheese appetizer can last up to 2 weeks. Check for spoilage before eating.
It takes about 1.5-2 hours to smoke a block of cream cheese.
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Super Easy Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe (2 Ways!)
Ingredients
Smoked Taco Cream Cheese
- 2-3 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
Smoked Ranch Cream Cheese
- 2-3 tbsp ranch seasoning
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese
Instructions
Smoker
- Turn on your smoker to 250F. Score the top of the cream cheese in a crisscross pattern using a super sharp knife without cutting all the way through.
- Coat the top and sides of the cream cheese with the seasoning. Place the cream cheese on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet pan. Add to the smoker and cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until the crisscross pattern begins to spread apart.
- Remove from the smoker and add to a platter with crackers, vegetables and pretzels.
Oven
- Turn oven to 210F. Coat the top and sides of the cream cheese with the seasoning. Place the cream cheese on an aluminum foil lined baking sheet pan. Add to the oven and cook for 1 hour or until the crisscross pattern begins to spread apart.
Air Fryer
- Cover the air fryer basket tray with aluminum foil. Place the seasoned cream cheese on the aluminum foil. Cook in 350F for about 5-6 minutes or until the outside of the crisscross pattern begins to spread apart the inside is spreadable.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Pellets: I used hickory pellets for my smoker. Choose whichever wood chips are your favorite! They give the most amazing smoky flavor- you can’t go wrong!
- Variations: This recipe is simply made with a block of cream cheese and dry seasonings. Feel free to try various flavors, such as your favorite BBQ rub, bagel seasoning, and more!
Serving Tips
- Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, bagel chips, raw veggies, salty crackers, crusty bread, apple slices, and more!
- This is the perfect appetizer to make ahead of time for any gathering, large or small.
Storage Tips
- Place the leftovers in an airtight container or bowl and cover them with plastic wrap.
- Reheat them in a 350F oven for 15-25 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
