23 Amazing Cream Cheese Appetizers

If you think that cream cheese is just reserved for desserts, then think again, because it actually makes some of the most delicious appetizers that you’ll taste in your entire life.

Whether you like something creamy and mild, or zesty and hot, we’ve got the recipe for you. 

23 Amazing Cream Cheese Appetizers

If you’re looking for some delicious cream cheese appetizers to serve up at your next dinner party, then we’ve got you covered. Simply keep reading to find some delicious ideas that will marvel your guests. 

1. Loaded Cheese Ball Bites

Calling all cheese lovers! We’ve got the perfect recipe for you. These little balls of cheese are absolutely delicious. Tangy, creamy, and tantalizingly tasty, your guests will be begging for more of these. 

Full of nuts, cheese and little bits of meat, they’re so good that you’ll want to make them again and again. 

2. Sausage Dip

If you’re looking for an appetizer that’s slightly more hearty when you’re planning on serving up a light dinner, then this recipe is absolutely perfect. Filled with lots of creamy cheese and pieces of sausage, this one is so very satisfying. 

To give it a fresh taste, simply place some tomatoes and coriander on top, they make the perfect garnish. 

3. Cheesy Skillet Pizza Dip

This appetizing dip is perfect for when you’re planning on hosting an Italian themed party. It’s loaded with cheese, as well as being topped with lots of smoky pepperoni.

If you want, you can experiment and use some of your favorite toppings instead. 

Your chips will be absolutely delicious dipped in this one, as the ooey gooey mozzarella works its magic. 

4. Mediterranean Pastry Pinwheels

If you’re looking for something that looks like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen preparing, but is actually really easy to make, then give these delicious Mediterranean pastry pinwheels a try. 

Full of tasty pesto of zingy sun dried tomatoes, the flavors in this one are incredibly fresh. 

5. Baby Swiss Appetizer Cheesecake

If you’re looking for something a little different to try for your next dinner party then this baby swiss cheesecake is to die for. Cheesecake, as an appetizer? We hear you say.

Yes! This appetizer works so well as a light snack before a meal, with all of its soft cream cheese filling. 

The great thing about this one is that it can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours too, so on the day of the party, you can just focus on getting the main and dessert prepared. 

6. Ground Beef Taco Dip

Planning a Mexican evening? This one is so very easy to make, that you can simply whip it up and bring it out as a little treat for your family during the week. With fresh toppings, and plenty of spiced ground beef, it’s absolutely delicious! 

7. Tuscan Cream Cheese Spread

This cream cheese spread is so fresh and delicious, as well as tasting very creamy and indulgent. It works perfectly spread over a fresh piece of bread to enjoy before your meal.

With artichoke hearts, fresh tomatoes, and plenty of herbs, it has a super tasty Italian feel that we absolutely adore. 

8. Greek Shrimp Canapes

If you want to impress your guests with your culinary skills, then these Greek shrimp canapes are perfect when you want to serve up something incredibly elegant.

These truly look like something that you would be served in a high end restaurant. 

With lightly seasoned shrimp placed on a piped cream cheese center, resting on a slice of cucumber, we can think of nothing fresher or more refined than these canapes. 

9. Cream Cheese Penguins

If you’ve been on the hunt to find some fun appetizers to make this holiday season, then these cream cheese penguins are absolutely perfect. With black olives, carrots, and cream cheese, you can recreate these beautiful little penguins. 

Your guests will be absolutely delighted by your creations, and the best thing about them is that they’re super easy to assemble. The only problem is that they’re so cute, you won’t want to eat them. 

10. Pine Cone Cheese Ball

Another fantastic recipe to make this holiday season, this pine cone cheese ball is so very beautiful to look at. With a mixture of cream cheese, goats cheese, and plenty of chives, it’s just as tasty as it is beautiful. 

To make this beautiful dip, all you have to do is assemble some almonds on top to give it that pine cone effect. 

11. Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Oh my gosh, we literally can’t think of anything better than these spicy little morsels of deliciousness. These poppers have plenty of cheese loaded inside the jalapenos, which perfectly counterbalances the spiciness. 

The crispy bacon is really the cherry on top, and gives it a gorgeously smoky and salty flavor. 

12. Slow Cooker Artichoke Spinach Dip

If you’re looking for something light and mild to serve your guests that won’t take away from your main dish, then this slow cooker artichoke spinach dip is perfect. It’s deliciously fresh, mild and creamy at the same time. 

Plus, because it’s made in the slow cooker, it’s incredibly easy to make, and will free you up some time to concentrate on the main and dessert. 

13. Sweet And Savory Cream Cheese Dip

If you want a super tempting cream cheese spread that is positively bursting with flavor, then this sweet and savory dip makes the perfect treat.

The flavors are balanced perfectly between one another, and are made even better by the warm topping. 

14. Mouth Watering Stuffed Mushrooms

If you absolutely adore mushrooms, then we’ve got good news, because we’ve searched the web high and low, and this is the best appetizer recipe we’ve come across. 

You can make the filling beforehand, then simply pipe it into some fresh mushrooms on the day like you would with a pastry. These are great too if you have quite a few courses to get through later, as they’re super light. 

15. Chicken And Bacon Roll Ups

If you’re looking for a light sandwich based appetizer, then this one is perfect for you. If you have some leftover turkey or chicken breast lying around in the refrigerator, then simply make them into these tasty little roll ups. 

If you have any left over, then you can serve them up for lunch the next day. 

16. Grilled Red Pepper Dip

To make this grilled red pepper dip, all you need to do is blend up some sun dried tomatoes and red peppers, and add them into your cream cheese. Add in some rosemary and garlic, and you’re good to go. 

This one goes great with some baked chips, which really highlight its flavors. 

17. Hot Crab And Artichoke Dip

Artichoke dips make quite a few appearances on our list, and it’s not hard to see why. The delicate flavors of the artichoke work perfectly blended in with the cream cheese.

The crab in this one is an absolute winner, and gives it the burst of flavor that we’ve all been looking for. 

This one goes great when paired with some fresh bread rolls. Absolutely delicious!

18. Portobello Mushrooms And Cream Cheese Rolls

These cream cheese are so very tasty, and the pastry shell reminds us of something that you might get as an appetizer in your favorite restaurant.

This recipe is actually inspired by one that makes an appearance on Top Chef, and got rave reviews from the judges, so you can guarantee that it’s going to be super tasty. 

The best thing about these is that you can make them ahead of time, and simply cook them in the oven for 10 minutes the day of the party. 

19. Pepper Jelly Appetizer

f you feel like serving something a little different that your guests aren’t likely to have tasted before, then these pepper jelly appetizers are perfect for such an occasion.

When you’re looking for party appetizer recipes that stand out, this one is a great choice.

All you need to do is purchase some of your favorite party crackers, slather on a good helping of cream cheese, then add on some tasty pepper jelly. These three really do create the perfect combination. 

20. Magic Pickle Dip

If you haven’t guessed from the name of this recipe, then we’re here to tell you that this dip recipe is absolutely magical.

This one combines the creaminess of the cheese, along with the tanginess of the pickle to create the most delicious relish possible. 

Spread this one over some bread, or simply dip in with some crackers, the choice is entirely up to you. 

21. Easy 3 Ingredient Pinwheels

If you’re looking for a super easy recipe to whip up using most of the ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry, then this recipe will be perfect for you.

It uses lots of crispy puff pastry, which is delicately filled with cream cheese and some sliced swiss cheese. 

If you want to experiment with the fillings a little, then go ahead, you can pretty much add anything you like into this recipe. 

22. Pancetta Pear And Pecan Puffs

If you’re looking for another elegant cream cheese based appetizer recipe to serve up to your guests, why not give this one a try. These puffs are super easy to make, despite their fancy appearance. 

Filled with crunchy bits of pecan, sweet pear, and smoky pancetta, they make the perfect light bite before a main meal.

23. Make Ahead Smoked Salmon Spread

If you’re looking for another recipe that you can simply make and refrigerate the day before, then this is one of the best.

It only takes 10 minutes to prepare, and contains simple ingredients such as dill, lemon juice, pepper, green onions, cream cheese, and salmon to give it that high end taste. 

If you want to bring out a fancy dip this evening, then opt for this delicious smoked salmon spread. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we’ve taken a look at some amazing cream cheese based appetizers that you can easily serve up at your next dinner party, let’s explore some frequently asked questions that some of you had. 

What Cheese Goes Well With Cream Cheese? 

If you’re planning on making your cream cheese into a dip, then you’re probably wondering what the best kind of cheese is to pair it with. Because cream cheese has such a neutral, creamy taste, it goes well with most kinds of cheese. 

We recommend that if you’re planning on creating your own tasty cream cheese dip, that you choose a sharp cheese, like cheddar, that will give it a kick.

Take care to grate your cheddar cheese finely before incorporating it into your cream cheese base, to avoid any unwanted clumpiness. 

Which Vegetables Go With Cream Cheese? 

If you’re wondering what kinds of vegetables go well with cream cheese, you’ll be pleased to find that a lot of them go well with this creamy spread.

In order to create the perfect dip, we recommend that you mix your cream cheese in with some fresh herbs like garlic, rosemary, dill, chili powder, and onion powder. 

After you’ve done this, serve it with some vegetables such as baby carrots, and small broccoli florets for the ultimate tasting experience. 

This dip recipe is also great for those who are following a ketogenic diet, as the broccoli and carrot dippers only contain one gram of carbohydrates each. 

Is Philadelphia Cheese The Same As Regular Cream Cheese? 

The simple answer to this question is, yes, Philadelphia cheese is a popular brand of cream cheese that is marketed widely.

It is often marketed as cream cheese, but now some of their packaging states that it is ‘cream cheese spread’, as many like to eat it on bread or on crackers. 

Is Cream Cheese Good For Losing Weight? 

Some of you out there might be wondering if cream cheese is actually good for weight loss.

The answer is yes, it can be good for weight loss because it contains a lot of protein, and very little fat as opposed to other hard cheeses out there. 

It’s great for those eating a ketogenic diet, as it works well as a snack with a few vegetables to dip into it. 

Final Thoughts

Although many people might think that cream cheese is limited only to dessert items, it actually works really well for appetizers too.

Whether you want to make something mild, spicy, or anything in between, there’s something out there that will suit you and your guests perfectly. 

23 Amazing Cream Cheese Appetizers

23 Amazing Cream Cheese Appetizers

Recipe by Jenna

This article takes a look at some amazing appetizers to serve up at your next dinner party

Course: Appetizers
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