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    Home ยป Recipes ยป Appetizers

    Easy Summer Appetizer

    Published: Aug 10, 2020 ยท Updated: Sep 4, 2020 ยท Post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    This quick and easy Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer is great to take to summer gatherings because you can make it ahead of time, and the ingredients for the recipe are easy to find. It's also a great starter for parties any time of year.

    glass plate with foil topped with cream cheese appetizer and crackers on wicker table, yellow napkin and tomatoes, jalapenos and lime in background
    • About Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer
      • Summer Appetizer Ingredients
        • Cost of Recipe
    • How to Make Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer
    • Summer Appetizer Recipe Tips
      • Variations
        • Ingredient Options
        • Alternative Prep & Cooking
        • How to Make Allergy Friendly
        • How to Fix a Mistake
      • Make Ahead Ideas
      • Storage Suggestions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Nutrition Benefits
      • What to Serve with this summer appetizer

    About Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer

    Do you ever realize you were supposed to bring an appetizer somewhere but you have no time to make anything let alone run to the store to get all the ingredients you need?

    If you know what I mean then you will love this easy summer appetizer which happens to be delicious year round!

    This Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer is quick, easy, can be made-ahead, not too rich, and it has ingredients that are usually in your kitchen: cream cheese, garlic, tomatoes, cheese, oil, vinegar (or you can use lime or lemon juice), and spices. You can grab the crackers on the way to the party.

    From start to finish, it took me 29 minutes to make, bake & serve. And everyone at the party will be glad you brought it!

    Summer Appetizer Ingredients

    Tomatoes: Use any type of tomatoes. I prefer chopped cherry or grape tomatoes, but roma tomatoes will also work. Be sure to remove excess juice and seeds. The reason I make this often in the summer is because tomatoes are obviously best in the summertime. However, since they are being baked, it's ok if your tomatoes aren't absolutely amazing.

    Oil: Use olive, avocado, canola, peanut or vegetable oil would all work. You don't want to use an oil that has a strong, overpowering flavor like coconut oil or sesame oil.

    Vinegar: I typically use apple cider vinegar or lime juice, but white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or lemon juice are also great options. It's a small amount but the tanginess helps balances the spices and richness of the cheese.

    Spices: Chili powder, cumin, and paprika give flavor to this summer appetizer recipe (that can be enjoyed year round). Also, the garlic clove gives extra flavor but can be replaced with garlic powder.

    Jalapeño: The jalapeño adds spiciness, but green onions can replace it for a more mild Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer recipe. Remember when chopping the fresh jalapeño to be careful. It's helpful to wear gloves, or at least wash your hands well immediately after cutting. And avoid touching the ribs and seeds as much as possible (this is where most of the heat is).

    Cheese: Cheddar cheese is what I usually use, but you could substitute with mozzarella or parmesan. Any type of mild cheese will work, so I wouldn't use something strong like blue cheese or brie.

    Cream cheese: The best is a block of cream cheese. I think cream cheese from the tub would be ok (as long as you got regular, not fat free). However, it would require a little more effort because you'd need to spread it into a baking dish. With the block of cream cheese, you simply put it on parchment paper or foil. Regular or reduced-fat block of cream cheese will both work. Do not use fat-free cream cheese.

    For serving: If you have it, I like to sprinkle with parsley or cilantro. You could also add chopped green onions or chives.

    oil, chili powder, cilantro, garlic, salt, tomato, jalapeno, paprika, cumin, lemon, cheddar cheese

    Cost of Recipe

    • Tomatoes 1 pint: $1.98
    • garlic 1 clove: $0.06
    • olive oil 1 teaspoon: $0.08
    • apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon: $0.07
    • chili powder ยฝ teaspoon: $0.13
    • paprika ยผ teaspoon: $0.04
    • salt ยผ teaspoon: $0.01
    • cumin โ…› teaspoon: $0.02
    • jalapeño 1 tablespoon: $0.10
    • cheddar ยฝ cup: $0.98
    • cream cheese 8 ounce package: $1.69

    TOTAL COST: $5.16 (Based on San Diego Sprouts 2020) or $0.65/serving

    hands stirring together tomatoes, spices and cheese then pressing cream cheese onto parchment lined cream cheese; topping cream cheese with tomato mixture; sprinkling with cheese; remove from oven and serve with crackers

    How to Make Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer

    This is such an easy appetizer that everyone enjoys. Just stir together the topping and pour it over a block of cream cheese. Then bake or grill it, and serve it with a box of crackers.

    1. Preheat the oven or grill. Stir together the topping of tomatoes, garlic, oil & vinegar, spices, jalapeño, and some of the shredded cheese.
    2. Place a block of cream cheese on a block of cream cheese, and mash it down some so it is thinner and has more surface area covering the foil.
    3. Cover the cream cheese with the topping.
    4. Sprinkle a little more cheese on top, and cook.
    5. Pull out of the oven (or off the grill).
    6. Place on a platter with a box of crackers, and serve!
    knife on a cutting board with cream cheese, cut jalapenos, tomatoes, lime

    Summer Appetizer Recipe Tips

    There aren't too many things that you need to know because this is so simple. You can make it immediately before serving or you can make it ahead of time.

    Variations

    Ingredient Options

    • Cream cheese: Regular cream cheese or reduced-fat cream cheese can be used here. I have made with both, and I don't notice the difference.
    • Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, lime juice, or lemon juice all taste great here, too.
    • Oil: Olive oil, avocado oil, canola oil, peanut oil or vegetable oil are all acceptable.
    • Jalapeño: Green onions can be used in place of the jalapeño. Or replace with red pepper flakes. You'll need ยฝ teaspoon.
    • Garlic: You can use ยผ teaspoon garlic powder in place of the minced fresh garlic clove.

    Alternative Prep & Cooking

    This can be cooked on the grill or in the oven. If grilling, preheat to medium-high, and put the cream cheese on heavy-duty foil (or double the layer. You can also place on a baking sheet). Grill for 8-10 minutes until shredded cheese is melted on top.

    How to Make Allergy Friendly

    This is already gluten free, egg free, soy free. You can make it dairy free by using dairy free cheddar and cream cheese. However, I can't guarantee that it'll work out perfectly because I haven't tried it.

    How to Fix a Mistake

    Didn't press down the cream cheese: No worries! I sometimes forget (and you can see in the photos, that I didn't even do it when I photographed the recipe haha oops). You don't need to do anything to change it. The only difference is that you might have bites that have more of the topping and some bites that are more cream cheese. Pressing down the cream cheese helps make it a little more even, but that's all it does.

    hand holding a cracker dipping into a cream cheese appetizer covered in tomatoes and cheese

    Make Ahead Ideas

    You can make this the morning of or night before, stick it in your refrigerator, and either grill it or put it in the oven about 10 minutes before you need it. It's also pretty tasty at room temperature.

    Storage Suggestions

    Keep this in the fridge and reheat in the oven before serving again.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do you have to use foil or parchment?

    No, but it makes it a lot easier to clean up. You can put this in a baking dish (that is oven safe or grill safe depending on your cooking method).

    Nutrition Benefits

    Most appetizers are pretty void of veggies, but I like how this one has at least a few on top of the cheese. It gives the heavy cream cheese a lighter flavor that makes this is great summer appetizer you can make year round. You do get a fair amount of protein in here thanks to the cheese. And if you use whole grain crackers to serve, you'll get a few extra grams of fiber.

    What to Serve with this summer appetizer

    I typically serve it with wheat crackers or tortilla chips. Anything you like to use for a cheesy dip works.

    plate of cream cheese appetizer and whole grain crackers on a glass plate on a yellow napkin

    Final thoughts:

    This is easy and delicious and everyone enjoys it. It is so nice to have this recipe for times when you need a crowd pleasing appetizer with ingredients that are not hard to find.


    MORE SUMMER APPETIZER RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

    • Cheesy Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers
    • Spinach Avocado Hummus
    • Pineapple Salsa
    • Ricotta and Fig Bites
    • Cucumber Hummus Cups
    glass plate with foil topped with cream cheese appetizer and crackers on wicker table, yellow napkin and tomatoes, jalapenos and lime in background

    Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer

    This quick and easy Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer is great to take to summer gatherings because you can make it ahead of time and ingredients are easy to find
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 20 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Author: Meme
    Total Cost: $5.16 || $0.65/serving

    Ingredients

    • ยพ cup diced tomatoes 1 small tomato or 16 grape tomatoes
    • 1 clove minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lime juice
    • ยฝ teaspoon chili powder
    • ยผ teaspoon paprika
    • ยผ teaspoon salt
    • โ…› teaspoon cumin
    • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeño
    • ยฝ cup shredded cheddar divided
    • 8 ounce package cream cheese
    • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro or parsley optional

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 375°F or heat the grill to medium heat.
    • Stir together the tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, vinegar (or lime juice), chili powder, paprika, salt, cumin, jalapeños if using, and 6 tablespoons cheese.
    • Put the block of cream cheese on a sheet of heavy-duty foil or double layer of regular foil, and put on a baking sheet. Press down the cream cheese into a thinner layer.
    • Spoon the tomato mixture over the cream cheese. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of cheese over everything.
    • Bake for 12 minutes or grill for 10 minutes.
    • Sprinkle cilantro or parsley on top if using, and serve with whole grain crackers.

    Video

    Notes

    *Based on this recipe from Kraft

    What to Use in This Recipe

    Cutting Board
    Knife
    silver baking sheet
    Baking Sheet
    Did you try this recipe?Be sure to leave a comment & recipe rating below. Bonus points for tagging @memeinge & #livingwellkitchen on Instagram! THANK YOU! xo

    [showhide type="post" more_text="Click here for Nutrition Facts" less_text="Clear Nutrition Facts"]
    *

    Nutrition Facts
    Mexican Cream Cheese Appetizer
    Serving Size
     
    4 tablespoons
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    93
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    7
    g
    11
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    4
    g
    25
    %
    Cholesterol
     
    22
    mg
    7
    %
    Sodium
     
    253
    mg
    11
    %
    Potassium
     
    96
    mg
    3
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    3
    g
    1
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    4
    g
    8
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    380
    IU
    8
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    3.5
    mg
    4
    %
    Calcium
     
    93
    mg
    9
    %
    Iron
     
    0.1
    mg
    1
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    *
    [/showhide]

    Meme

    This post was originally published June 28, 2012. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

    Doesn't this recipe look good?! You should probably share it:

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Holly says

      August 10, 2018 at 10:03 am

      5 stars
      Made this for my family on the Fourth of July and they LOVED it!!!!

      Reply
    2. Liz says

      August 11, 2018 at 12:42 pm

      5 stars
      I feel like anything cream cheese is an award winning app! YUM!

      Reply
    3. Lindsey says

      August 12, 2018 at 7:47 am

      5 stars
      Loving all the fresh and feisty flavors in here!

      Reply
    4. Emily Kyle says

      August 12, 2018 at 10:59 am

      5 stars
      I can't wait to make this for family boat day!! I dream of yummy cream cheese paired with spicy jalapenos ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
    5. Lorie says

      August 13, 2018 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      The best! Simple and delish!!!! I always see the ones where people toss jam on a block of cream cheese but this is way more my kind of snack!!

      Reply
    6. Twyla says

      August 15, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      5 stars
      So easy and delicious - sometimes I like to add bacon & eat it as a meal ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Meme says

        August 18, 2020 at 2:06 pm

        yessss!! Oh I bet bacon is SO GOOD on here! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply

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    Meme (a brunette female) is holding umbrella and spinning around in front of the Eiffel Tower wearing a denim jacket, skirt, and blue shoesHi, I'm Meme, a thirty-something registered dietitian nutritionist from Alabama living in San Diego. Here to help you enjoy food, feel better in your body at any size, and live free of diets & shame.
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