Need a new signature appetizer for 2023? How about one of these fantastic savory cheesecake recipes?
They’re rich, creamy, and best with crunchy crackers.
If your go-to snack or appetizer is a cheese ball, listen up.
These savory cheesecakes are just as cheesy and just as creamy but way more impressive!
Make them into minis or bake a big, impressive “cake” to wow your guests. You really can’t go wrong.
As for the flavors, how does jalapeño popper cheesecake sound? Or maybe bleu cheese and bacon?
Yeah, these recipes are sure to hit the spot. So let’s get to it!
17 Easy Savory Cheesecakes That Make Incredible Appetizers
1. Bleu Cheese & Bacon Savory Cheesecake
Let’s kick things off with a bang, shall we?
Bleu cheese is pungent, creamy, and incredibly strong. It’s also decidedly savory.
And when you blend it with cream cheese and sour cream, it keeps its savoriness but mellows out beautifully.
Throw in some crumbled bacon for a salty kick, and this is the perfect appetizer for your next party.
2. Savory Cheesecake with Roasted Tomato & Feta Sauce
Who says you can’t have cheesecake for dinner?
This roasted tomato and feta sauce cheesecake is 100% savory and even more delicious.
It infuses fresh herbs and cheese in a creamy cheesecake base.
And while it’s a beautiful cheesecake, the roasted tomato and feta sauce takes this dinner to new heights.
3. Savory Garlic and Herb Cheesecake
Cheesecake, garlic, and herbs. Need I go on?
If you are in charge of dips at your next potluck, this cheesecake will knock everyone’s socks off.
It’s thick, rich, and creamy with a generous punch of garlic and herb flavors.
Serve it on a platter with crunchy crackers and veggies, and watch everyone go nuts.
4. Smoked Salmon Cheesecake
Smoked salmon and cream cheese already go so well together. So it only makes sense to turn them into a savory cheesecake!
Rich, salty, smoky, and creamy, this one is the epitome of elegance.
You’ll love how the salmon roe and smoked salmon play over your tongue. And the blend of ricotta and cream cheese ensures every bite is smooth and soft.
5. Savory Goat Cheese Cheesecake
If you’re in love with goat cheese, you can’t pass on this savory goat cheese cheesecake.
This fantastic recipe has bright and punchy pepper flavors that’re unlike anything else.
Meanwhile, the cheesecake is light and fluffy with bold notes of tangy goat cheese and fresh herbs.
It’s like a flavor explosion in your mouth.
Top it with a layer of pepper jelly, and serve with crackers or veggies.
6. Savory Cheesecake with Caramelized Onions and Balsamic
Caramelized onions and cheesecake come together here to create one helluva unique dish.
Sweet and salty onions are an ideal match for zippy, acidic balsamic. And what better way to balance your palate than savory cheesecake?
7. Pickle Cheesecake
Yep, you read that right. This is a pickle cheesecake.
And you know what? It’s pretty darn delicious!
Start with a crunchy and salty pretzel crust. Then make the filling with a blend of cream cheese, goat cheese, sour cream, and pickle juice.
It’s salty, tangy, and beautifully creamy. But that’s not all!
You’ll also add Parmesan, chopped pickles, garlic, dill, salt, red pepper flakes, and onion powder.
Oh, and a layer of chopped pickles because…well, why not?
8. Savory Spinach Artichoke Cheesecake
Spinach and artichoke dip is excellent. But do you know what is even better? Spinach and artichoke cheesecake!
It delivers the same salty and savory bite, but the cheesecake base makes it light and fluffy.
Throw in a Ritz cracker crust, and I’m in heaven.
9. Roasted Red Pepper and Crab Savory Cheesecake
This roasted red pepper and crab cheesecake is tasty and pretty in pink.
Roasted red peppers deliver a subtle smokiness that pairs perfectly with savory crab and rich seasonings.
Serve this with a backyard boil, and everyone might forget all about the crawfish!
10. Sausage Cheesecake Appetizer
If your party guests have a pulse, they’ll love this sausage cheesecake. I mean, what’s better than a punchy sausage in a creamy cheesecake filling?
The heavy sausage flavors earn a bright lift from a creamy cheesecake filling, garlic, and Parmesan cheese.
Be warned: if you serve this appetizer before the main course, your guests might not have room for anything else!
11. Savory Sour Cream Chives Cheesecake with Potato Chip Crust
These cute single-serve savory cheesecakes are ideal for your next party or potluck.
Thanks to the potato chip crust, they have built-in crunch. Though more chips and crackers are a must for all that filling!
A blend of cream cheese, sour cream, chives, spring onion, garlic powder, and eggs, this baked dish is dense, creamy, and impossible to resist
12. Savory Seafood Cheesecake
Seafood cheesecake is not a novel idea in the South. For the holidays, it’s a staple on dinner tables as a showstopping main course.
So, ditch the holiday ham this Christmas (or this Tuesday) and give this salty, savory, and mouth-watering seafood cheesecake a try!
It pairs shrimp, crab, and crawfish tails in a buttery cheesecake base and incorporates goat cheese for a tangy twist.
How can you beat that?
13. Savoury Baked Ricotta Cheesecake with Exotic Tomatoes
I think this is the most straightforward recipe on the list. But that doesn’t mean it’s not brimming with flavor!
Along with a plain cracker crust, you’ll make a quick blend of cream cheese, ricotta, flour, Parmesan, and salt for the filling.
But what makes this one shine is the tomato topping.
Use cherries, heirlooms, or anything colorful you can get your hands on.
And if you want to boost the flavor even more, try roasting them with onions and garlic first.
14. Herb and Ricotta Cheesecake Recipe with Roasted Tomato Pesto
How incredible does this one sound?
Herby pesto, salty Parmesan, acidic tomatoes, and a creamy cheese filling? I’ll take the biggest piece you have!
It doesn’t have a crust, so be sure to serve it with plenty of crackers.
15. Savoury Butternut Cheesecake with Sesame & Cumin Crust
I think my favorite thing about this one is the color. I just adore that orange hue!
And luckily, it tastes just as good as it looks.
From the crunchy, cumin-infused crust to the garlic and onion-flavored butternut filling, it’s a delight in every bite.
You’ll use ricotta and cream cheese for the silkiest finish. And if you want even more flavor, try topping it with spiced pumpkin seeds.
16. Jalapeño Popper Cheesecake
A jalapeño cheesecake sounds crazy, but it makes sense when you think about it.
Jalapeño poppers are just cream cheese and bacon baked inside a pepper. So, why not transform it into an entire pie?
The finished product is creamy with a salty kick from the bacon and spiciness from the jalapeños.
Plus, it’s less fussy than stuffing all those individual peppers!
17. Mini Basil Parmesan Cheesecakes with Tomato Jam
These mini basil and Parmesan cheesecakes scream summertime.
They deliver plenty of herby goodness and a pleasant kiss of acidity from the delicious tomato jam.
I love the simple, buttery Graham Cracker crust. But you can play around with that as you like.
Either way, they’re creamy, salty and pack a ton of flavors into one delicate bite. This recipe is a must-try for your next summer BBQ.
Kim, do you have the recipe for #15 the savory butternut cheesecake with sesame & cumin crust? The link no longer works. Thanks.
Hi Cathy!
Here’s the recipe:
For the crust:
170 g whole wheat crackers
150 g butter, melted
5 ml ground cumin, toasted
100 g sesame seeds
For the cake:
250 g ricotta, at room temperature
500 g cream cheese, at room temperature
3 extra large eggs
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, roasted and mashed
16 oz cooked butternut puree
1 tablespoon finely chopped chives
100 g toasted pumpkin seeds, to garnish
1 packet of crackers (optional)
Method:
1. Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).
2. For the crust, blitz the crackers in a food processor until finely chopped, or crush the biscuits in
a plastic bag with a rolling pin.
3. Combine the crackers with the rest of the ingredients and press into a greased and lined 20 cm to 22 cm
springform pan (8 or 9 inch). Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
*Increase the oven to 250°C 485°F)
4. To make the cheesecake filling, cream the ricotta and cream cheese together in an electric mixer.
5. Add the eggs, salt, pepper, garlic, butternut puree and chives and mix until well combined. Pour into the lined springform pan and place in the hot oven.
6. After 5 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 100°C (210°F) and continue baking the for another hour, until
the cheesecake is cooked but still slightly wobbly in the center.
7. Remove the cheesecake from the oven and let it cool in the tin.
8. Once cool, loosen the edges of the springform pan, and lift the cheesecake onto a serving plate. Garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds and enjoy!