Smoked Cream Cheese (Two Easy Ways: Pizza & BBQ Flavored!)

The first time I served smoked cream cheese at a backyard gathering, my guests circled it like curious investigators at a crime scene. “What IS that?” they asked, intrigued by the golden, seasoned block with its perfect crosshatch pattern. One bite later, and the plate was surrounded for the rest of the evening!

There’s something magical about what happens when cream cheese meets smoke. The exterior develops a delicate crust while the inside becomes impossibly creamy and infused with wood-fired flavor. It’s the perfect balance of rich, smoky, and savory—an appetizer that feels special but requires almost no effort to prepare.

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I’m sharing two of my favorite variations in this recipe: a zesty pizza-flavored version and a bold BBQ-rubbed option that will have your guests begging for your smoked cream cheese recipes. The best part? You can make both simultaneously with just a few simple ingredients and your trusty smoker.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Incredible Flavor Transformation: Smoking transforms ordinary cream cheese into a gourmet appetizer
• Versatile Base: Creates two distinctly different flavor profiles from the same simple ingredient
• Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared in advance and served at room temperature
• Conversation Starter: Guarantees “wow” reactions from guests who’ve never tried it
• Low Effort, High Reward: Takes just minutes to prepare but delivers chef-worthy results

Ingredients & Their Purpose

For Pizza-Flavored Smoked Cream Cheese

• Block of cream cheese – Provides the rich, creamy base that absorbs smoke beautifully
• Canola oil – Creates a thin coating that helps seasonings adhere and prevents the exterior from drying out
• Pizza seasoning – Delivers classic Italian herbs and spices for that familiar pizza flavor profile

For BBQ-Flavored Smoked Cream Cheese

• Your Favorite BBQ dry rub – Provides smoky, sweet, and spicy notes that penetrate the cream cheese during smoking
• Block of cream cheese – Serves as the creamy foundation that balances the bold BBQ flavors
• Mustard – Acts as a “glue” for the dry rub and adds a subtle tangy undertone

Don’t let these two recipes limit what you would use on the smoked cream cheese, we have tried this with Everything Bagel Seasoning, taco seasoning, or even dry Ranch seasoning.

Equipment needed

To make this, you may want to use a disposable pie plate this, I have also used my iron skillet and even glass Pyrex baking ware. You need to scrub your dishes a little more if you smoke in your pellet grill with them, as the smoke can cling to your pans.

How to Make Smoked Cream Cheese

To prepare Pizza-Flavored Smoked Cream Cheese:

1. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F. 
2. Remove the cream cheese from the fridge and brush on the canola oil. 
3. Sprinkle the pizza seasoning (or alternative seasoning if you prefer) evenly on all sides. 
4. Put the cream cheese block into the smallest disposable loaf pan that will hold it. 
5. Score the top of the cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern.
6. Smoke the cream cheese for two hours. Remove and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm.

To prepare BBQ-Flavored Smoked Cream Cheese:

1. Preheat your smoker to 225 degrees F. 
2. Take the cream cheese directly from the fridge and brush on the mustard. 
3. Sprinkle the BBQ dry rub seasoning evenly on all sides. 
4. Put the cream cheese block into the smallest disposable loaf pan that will fit it. 
5. Score the top of the cream cheese in a crosshatch pattern.
6. Smoke the cream cheese for two hours. Remove and let cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm.

What To Serve Smoked Cream Cheese With 

Crackers, toasted baguette bread, tortilla chips, celery, carrots, soft pretzels, bagel chips, and hard pretzels are all great for dipping. You may even want to drizzle the finished brick of cream cheese with some delicious hot honey. Or add a sprinkling of freshly sliced green onions. Use the smoked cream cheese to make pinwheel sandwiches, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, or add a schmear to your morning bagel!

Smoked Cream Cheese Dessert

If you smoke cream cheese with cinnamon and brown sugar, you can make a dessert version. Drizzle it with honey and serve it with apple slices and vanilla wafers. You can also top it with apple or cherry pie filling and serve it with graham crackers.

Cherry or apple wood chips are good options for pellets with a fruity flavor profile.

Wood Selection Guide

The type of wood you use significantly impacts the flavor profile:

• Hickory: Bold, bacon-like smoke that pairs perfectly with BBQ flavors
• Pecan: Medium intensity with subtle nuttiness that complements Italian seasonings
• Apple or Cherry: Milder, slightly sweet smoke excellent for dessert variations
• Oak: Medium-strong flavor that works with most seasonings
• Mesquite: Very strong smoke (use sparingly and only with robust seasonings)

How To Store Smoked Cream Cheese

Cool the cream cheese completely. Cover the loaf pan with pieces of aluminum foil or transfer it to an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator.

How long does Smoked Cream Cheese last? The smoke only adds flavor and doesn’t preserve the cream cheese. You should finish it within a week.

How to Reheat Smoked Cream Cheese 

The ideal smoked cream cheese temp should be warm enough to allow it to spread easily but not hot enough to turn into liquid.

You can reheat individual portions in the microwave by zapping them for about 30 seconds.

If you want to serve the rest of the cream cheese block, cover the mini loaf pan with aluminum foil and pop it into a preheated 225 to 250-degree F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

Discard any reheated leftovers.

Popular Smoker Recipes

• Baby Back Ribs
• Smoked Beer Can Chicken
• Smoked Chicken Thighs
• Smoked Deviled Eggs
• Smoked Eye of Round

Favorite Recipes with Cream Cheese

• Cream Cheese Ball
• Cream Cheese Chicken Enchiladas
• Cream Cheese Clam Dip
• Cream Cheese Chicken
• Cream Cheese Wontons
• Homemade Cream Cheese
• Rotel Sausage Dip

Check out my easy appetizer recipes and the best summer recipes on CopyKat.