Air Fryer Pig Shots

Air Fryer Pig Shots – crispy bacon cups with sliced smoked sausage base, melty cheese, jalapenos and bbq seasoning. The ultimate game day recipe!

Crispy bacon-wrapped sausage forming a little shot glass that’s filled with gooey, melty cheese and pickled jalapeno. 

This delicious appetizer recipe is a game winning touchdown for any gathering.

What’s in Air Fryer Pig Shots?

Equipment needed:

• air fryer
• toothpicks
• medium bowl
• piping bag or sandwich bag or ziploc bag
• baking sheet or large platter

Ingredients needed:

• softened cream cheese
• sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• pickled jalapenos (from a jar)
• pickled jalapeno brine (juice from the jar)
• dry bbq rub seasoning
• smoked sausage (kielbasa used – any works)
• thick bacon

Note: thicker cut bacon holds the cup shape better than thin.

How to make Air Fryer Pig Shots:

Slice sausage into 20 1″ pieces. Cut bacon strips in half and and set both aside.

Blend the cream cheese filling in a medium bowl: softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, minced jalapeno slices, jalapeno brine and bbq seasoning.

Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag (or baggie).

Starting with one sausage slice, wrap the bacon slice around the piece of sausage leaving a little room for the cream cheese filling.

Use toothpicks to secure the entire thing, then transfer to a baking sheet or large platter. 

Note: if needed, add a second toothpick to make sure they’re secure.

Repeat until all sausage slices are wrapped with a piece of bacon.

Snip a small corner of the piping bag then fill the sausage cups with the cream cheese filling.

Divide the remaining cheese over the top along with a light sprinkle of the bbq seasoning.

Preheat the air fryer to 350° for 3 minutes.

Transfer the pig shots to the air fryer leaving a little space between them (don’t overcrowd – work in batches if necessary).

Air fry 12-15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the cheese on top is golden brown.

How to serve Air Fryer Pig Shots:

These pig shots come out of the air fryer scalding (speaking from personal experience) — hot.

I recommend you give them a little time to come to room temperature then dig in.

The only thing you need to do is remove the toothpicks to eat them, but you can also serve with a small bowl of your favorite bbq sauce for dipping.

Optional garnishes:

•  chopped cilantro
• sliced mini bell peppers
•  fresh sliced jalapeno peppers
• sliced pickled jalapeno peppers

Why this recipe works:

• Pig Shots are an absolute flavor explosion in your mouth!
• Crispy, salty bacon, creamy – spicy – melty cheese – they’re an unexpected treat you won’t see at every party.
• You only need a few basic ingredients from the grocery store to make this Pig Shot recipe.
• Crispy bacon, smoked sausage and a bbq – cream cheese – jalapeno mixture … pork shots are the ultimate spicy appetizer.

Subs and variations to this recipe:

• Green chiles can be added to the cream cheese mixture.
• Whipped cream cheese can be used instead of block cream cheese.
• Drizzle a little maple syrup over the top of the pig shots after they’re air fried for a sweet-spicy flavor combo.

What to do with leftover Pig Shots:

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3 days. Reheat in the micro or air fryer.

More easy air fryer recipes:

Jalapeno Poppers Pigs in a Blanket

White Spinach Queso Dip

4 Ingredient, 5 Minute (warm) Mexicali Dip

Enjoy!

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