The best cream cheese appetizer recipes are here no matter what your taste or diet is. There is something for everyone to love with these homemade hor d'oeuvres. Here's a variety that includes those with meat, for vegetarians, great dips, hearty cheese balls, and all are killer recipes. Both cold or hot, spicy or savory, recipes with cream cheese are shared here by some of the best food bloggers.
If you need a recipe for the next potluck, Super Bowl party, holiday (check out the reindeer Christmas cheeseball below) these are the from-scratch cream cheese appetizer recipes you have been looking for. I have included several that are perfect for make-ahead, healthy, or simple appetizers so you can enjoy every cream cheese bite and not have to cook or miss the fun during your next get-together.
I hope you find something new to make with cream cheese. If you buy in bulk and wonder CAN YOU FREEZE CREAM CHEESE, I have all you need to know on the blog too.
Appetizers by The Short Order Cook
The following appetizers and first courses are some of my favorites from the blog. Cream cheese is an ingredient we eat often since it is tasty, versatile, and it goes a long way for a budget price. I cook with full-fat Philadelphia cream cheese in dips, with meat rolled up, and more, since most of the time since I try and eat a low-carb diet.
I hope you try all these cream cheese appetizers & first courses. This list will grow as I add more to the blog so come back often to see what is new.
Fun & Unique Appetizers
So many of the best cream cheese appetizers are just what you need for the next holiday, party, or fancy dinner at home. These include wonderful recipes for crescent rolls, party pinwheels, and more.
Appetizers with Meat
These cream cheese appetizers offer a variety of meats including bacon, chicken, salami, sausage, and seafood like shrimp and tuna. They are all easy, tasty, and packed with protein. Many of these appetizers with cream cheese are also low-carb, gluten-free, or keto-friendly.
Vegetarian Appetizers
These appetizers offer a variety of the best recipes for vegetarians. Whether you want a cream cheese appetizer with cauliflower, mushrooms, or other ingredients, there is something to love here. Several are quick and great for a starter, snack, or even a side dish.
Cheese Balls & Dips
These cheese ball and cheese dip recipes all include some cream cheese and so many amazing different ingredients. You are bound to find a few new cream cheese appetizers from this list that you will want to make today. Get your favorite crackers, some crudite, and get ready to enjoy the best cheese ball or cheese dip recipes you can find.
Megan says
This post came into my life at the perfect time! I love cream cheese, and I'm hosting Christmas Eve dinner! Those reindeer balls look so fun!
Angela says
Great, Megan. It is a pretty cute holiday cheese ball recipe - enjoy.
Barbara says
Each recipe looks so good and sounds so great!
Angela says
Thank you so much and I hope you try a few and let me know what you think.
Jennifer says
So many choices. I think I'll start with the turkey pinwheels
Angela says
Yes so many great recipes, I am not sure where to start either but the kids want to make the salami one first!
Justine says
These all sound amazing. I wish I wasn’t allergic to cream cheese. I miss it so very much!
Angela says
Oh man but thanks for checking out the list - can you get something like vegan cream cheese that maybe you can have?
Caroline Parrott says
I have seen some non dairy cashew "cheese" spread that might work well."
Stephanie Veach says
Yum! These look delicious. Will definitely have to try some of these in the near future.
Ashley Pacheco says
I love cream cheese a little too much! This is timely... I was thinking just the other day how hard it would be to make home made rangoons. I'll have to try these!
Angela says
Great, I hope you enjoy the rangoons and the other cream cheese appetizer recipes.
Elaina says
Do many to choose from. I do love cranberry and cream cheese anything, so yummy.
KENDRA says
These cream cheese appetizers all sound incredible! I really want to try those Green Goddess Stuffed Mushrooms. Yum!
Marianne says
So many delicious recipes! I have tried versions of a couple of them... but there are definitely some on this list that my family would LOVE! Thanks for sharing!