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 I LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE:

  • 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.
  • These flavor bombs are sure to be a hit at your next party. Let’s go.

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:

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

SUBS AND VARIATIONS:

  • 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.

LOOKING FOR MORE EASY AIR FRYER RECIPES?

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White Spinach Queso Dip

4 Ingredient, 5 Minute (warm) Mexicali Dip

Enjoy!

Tried this Pig Shot Cups recipe? Leave a comment, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and TAG ME on social media! @agoudalife or #agoudalife

Air Fryer Pig Shots

Crispy bacon cups filled with sliced smoked sausage base, melty cheese, jalapenos and bbq flavor. The ultimate game day recipe!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 20 pig shots
Calories

Equipment

  • Air fryer
  • 20 toothpicks
  • medium mixing bowl
  • piping bag, sandwich bag OR ziploc bag
  • baking sheet or large plate or platter

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces smoked sausage kielbasa used, any smoked works
  • 8 ounces softened cream cheese
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded (divided)
  • 1/4 cup pickled jalapenos minced
  • 1 tablespoon jalapeno brine juice from the jar
  • 2 teaspoon dry bbq rub seasoning your favorite/any kind
  • 1 pound thick cut bacon

Instructions
 

  • Slice sausage into 20 1″ pieces. Cut bacon strips in half and and set both aside.
  • In a medium bowl blend the softened cream cheese, 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, minced jalapeno, jalapeno brine and bbq seasoning.
  • Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a piping bag or sandwich baggie.
  • Wrap a bacon slice around a piece of sausage forming a cup for the cream cheese filling.
  • Secure with a toothpick (use 2 if necessary) then transfer to a baking sheet or large plate. Repeat until all the pig shots are formed.
  • Snip a small corner of the piping bag then fill the sausage cups with the cream cheese filling.
  • Divide the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded cheese over the top then give them all 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.
  • Remove from the air fryer, cool slightly then serve.
Keyword pig shots, air fryer pig shots, air fryer pig cups, pig cups
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
5 from 1 vote

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