• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Fearless Dining
  • New to GF? Start Here
  • GF Resources
    • Safe Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • Recipes
  • GF Cookbooks
    • Pantry
  • About Me
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • New to GF? Start Here!
  • Recipe Index
  • Check Out My Gluten Free Cookbooks!
  • Gluten Free Dining Tips
  • About Fearless Dining
  • Contact Me
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Breakfast Recipes

    Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Spread {Dairy-Free Option}

    Published: Dec 21, 2016 · Modified: Jan 17, 2021 by Sandi Gaertner · 17 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    a pinterest pin of a mason jar filled with schmear

    This super easy roasted red pepper cream cheese spread is not only great on a bagel, but it makes a wonderful dip for crackers and chips too! If you have been looking for the best veggie cream cheese, this one is great!

    I include dairy-free directions too for those who are dairy-free and vegan! Make this schmear in under 8 minutes!

    a mason jar filled with roasted red pepper cream cheese
    Jump to:
    • Why this recipe is great:
    • What you need to make this:
    • Recipe step by step directions:
    • More schmear flavors to make:
    • Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:
    • More Delicious Pepper Recipes to Try:
    • Recipe
    • Community

    Are you the bagel type who loves to slather them full of flavored cream cheese spread? We are and we are all about making homemade whipped cream cheese spreads!

    My kids love when I make my homemade gluten free bagels for breakfast, and I used to buy several different flavors of cream cheese to go with them. Flavored cream cheeses could get expensive because flavored cream cheeses cost more than plain cream cheese.

    I had no idea how easy it was to make my own cream cheese schmear in different flavors!! Savory or sweet, the process is the same for any flavor you want to create. This roasted red pepper spread is as easy as it gets!

    This roasted red pepper cream cheese is perfect to serve with your breakfast or brunch. 

    Why this recipe is great:

    You re going to love this easy veggie cream cheese because it is full of flavor, and uses very simple ingredients. I include a dairy-free vegan option so everyone can enjoy this recipe. (My homemade gluten free bagels recipe linked above is also vegan!)

    What you need to make this:

    red pepper cream cheese ingredients
    • Cream cheese - I prefer full-fat cream cheese but low-fat will also work. If you are dairy-free, I recommend using Kite Hill brand vegan cream cheese.
    • Roasted red peppers - I used jarred roasted red peppers when I made this recipe, but you can easily roast your own. To fire-roast your bell peppers, use this fire-roasting tutorial. Roasting red peppers is the same method as roasting chiles.

    Recipe step by step directions:

    All you need is cream cheese and a flavoring, like these roasted red peppers and garlic. Like things spicy? This easy flavored cream cheese recipe is so adaptable! Have some friends over for brunch and make a cream cheese bar for those gluten free bagels!

    ingredients in a cuisinart food processor ready to mix

    Step 1: Put your ingredients into a Cuisinart, or food processor, and mix. I love this little food processor attachment that came with my immersion blender. It makes this red pepper cream cheese so easy to make!

    If you prefer, you can make this recipe in a Vitamix. Here I added garlic, cream cheese, roasted red peppers, and garlic.

    whipped red pepper cream cheese in the food processor

    Step 2: Blend until the mixture is creamy. Serve right away, or store in a sealed container in your refrigerator because this will last for up to a week.

    More schmear flavors to make:

    You can make so many fun flavors of cream cheese to serve with your bagels. Here are some fun ideas and directions how to make flavored cream cheese:

    • Blueberry - To make blueberry schmear, add ¼ cup thawed frozen blueberries to softened cream cheese to a food processor. Add 1 teaspoon lemon juice and blend!
    • Garlic herb- Add 1 minced garlic clove and some of your favorite fresh herbs to the softened cream cheese. Blend in the food processor. Cooking with fresh herbs is so easy, you can even grow fresh herbs in your kitchen window!
    • Sun-dried tomato - Add 2 tablespoons of sun-dried tomatoes to your softened cream cheese. I recommend using the ones packed in oil, but definitely drain the excess oil out first.

    Cream cheese dips are also delicious spread on crackers or crostini, like in this Spicy Shrimp over Roasted Red Pepper Cheese Crostini appetizer. Or, if you want something quick, simply dip your favorite crackers into this. You can also dip vegetables and chips into this schmear!

    If you love cream cheese schmears, you will want to check out this easy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Schmear too!

    red pepper cream cheese ready to serve in a container

    Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

    How long will this spread last?

    This cream cheese spread should last in an air-tight container in your refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    What is cream cheese schmear used for?

    If you are looking for a dip made with cream cheese, this will quickly become your favorite because you can use it in so many ways. The obvious use for a cream cheese schmear is to top bagels...but there are more uses! Why not use it for an appetizer?

    What is the difference between cream cheese and a cream cheese spread?

    Cream cheese spreads are easy to spread because it is a lot smoother in texture than brick cream cheese. Spreads can also be flavored.

    What will you spread this cream cheese schmear recipe on?

    More Delicious Pepper Recipes to Try:

    • Easy Shishito Red Pepper Soup
    • Sweet Pepper Fritatta
    • 8 Ways to Fall In Love with Shishito Peppers
    • Ground Beef Stuffed Pasilla Peppers

    Recipe

    a mason jar filled with roasted red pepper cream cheese

    Roasted Red Pepper Cream Cheese Spread

    Sandi Gaertner
    This easy roasted red pepper cream cheese spread is perfect for bagels and appetizers!
    4.75 from 20 votes
    an egg free allergen icon
    gluten free allergy icon
    nut free allergen icon
    soy free allergy icon
    a sugar free allergen icon
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Add to Collection Go to Collections Save RecipeSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Total Time 10 mins
    Course Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 people
    Calories 79 kcal

    Equipment

    • Vitamix

    Ingredients
      

    • ¼ cup roasted red peppers
    • 8 ounce cream cheese
    • 1 clove garlic
    • Salt to taste
    • *optional ½ (or more) fresh jalapeno for some kick.

    Instructions
     

    • Add all of the ingredients to a food processor and blend until creamy and smooth.
    • Serve with bagels, crackers, or crostini.

    Notes

    1. I used jarred fire-roasted red peppers to make this cream cheese schmear. You can also fire-roast your own red peppers by following the steps in this fire-roasted chiles tutorial.
    2. You can use full-fat or low-fat cream cheese.
    3. This cream cheese spread will keep up to 5 days in an air-tight container.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 79kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 121mgPotassium: 36mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 323IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @FearlessDining or tag #FearlessDining!
    Share by Text

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

    lemon e-cookbook cover image

    If you love the recipes you are finding on my blog, I would love for you to sign up for my newsletter (and get my free gluten free lemon desserts e-cookbook!)

    « Daikon Salad with Green Apple and Pepitas
    How to Cook Gluten Free Pasta to Avoid Mushy Pasta »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. kerry

      August 17, 2018 at 6:50 am

      Would this spread work placed on an English muffin (or bagel) and broiled?

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        August 17, 2018 at 11:43 am

        Hi Kerry, I am sure you could broil it...it is essentially flavored cream cheese and the heat would meld the two flavors beautifully

        Reply
    2. Loretta

      March 16, 2018 at 2:15 pm

      My name is Loretta I made this today I added blue cheese and cheddar cheese and prayed it all together they came out so good and I served it with carrots breadsticks Ritz crackers and multigrain toasted bread as an appetizer they all loved it it’s a keeper thank you?:)

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        March 16, 2018 at 6:52 pm

        Hi Loretta, I am so thrilled you liked this recipe...you totally made my day coming back to leave me a happy note. I wish you all the best. Thank you 🙂 Sandi

        Reply
    3. Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health

      December 23, 2016 at 4:59 am

      Homemade cheese spreads are so easy to make. And this recipe is showing exactly how easy and super delicious spreads can be 🙂 I love roasted red peppers. Thank you for sharing this recipe! Happy Holidays Sandi!

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        December 24, 2016 at 12:30 am

        Thank you Natalie 🙂 Have a great holiday!!

        Reply
    4. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours

      December 23, 2016 at 2:54 am

      5 stars
      Sounds like something that would be good with crusty bread or warm breadsticks. Lovely.

      Reply
      • Sandi Gaertner

        December 24, 2016 at 12:30 am

        Ooohhh, I like how you think!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    A picture of my face standing in front of landscape bushes

    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here. I have created hundreds of delicious family-friendly gluten free recipes with easy step-by-step directions. Many recipes are also dairy-free. A gluten free lifestyle has never been easier!

    More about me →

    Easy Dinner Recipes:

    • Easy Gluten Free Stuffed Peppers
    • Gluten Free Skillet Lasagna
    • Gluten Free Quiche with Sausage and Tomato
    • Italian Gluten Free Meatloaf Recipe
    • How to Fire-Roast Hatch Chiles and The 12 Best Hatch Chile Recipes!
    • How to Make Gluten Free Ramen Soup

    More Dinner Recipes!

    Trending Gluten Free Recipes:

    • 8 Tasty Ways To Enjoy Shishito Peppers {Easy Recipes}
    • The Best Gluten Free Blueberry Scones
    • Proposition Chicken's Gluten Free Fried Chicken Recipe
    • Quick & Easy Air Fryer Cod
    • Sweet Gluten Free Apple Fritters
    • The Best Flaky Gluten Free Biscuits

    Click for more Trending Recipes.

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2014-2022 Fearless Dining