Description
Savory air fryer pig shots blend crispy bacon with zesty cream cheese and jalapeño kick. Hungry souls will discover a party-perfect appetizer that delivers maximum flavor in one irresistible bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 12 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 pound (454 grams) smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa), cut into 24 pieces about 1/2 inch thick
Cheese and Dairy:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (113 grams) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings and Additions:
- 2 tablespoons finely diced jalapenos
- 1 tablespoon jalapeno brine (juice from the jar)
- 2 teaspoons BBQ seasoning
- 1/4 cup finely minced onion
- BBQ sauce for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Craft bacon vessels by halving bacon slices and wrapping each around sausage segments, creating compact circular cups secured with toothpicks.
- Blend cream cheese with shredded cheddar, incorporating diced jalapeños, jalapeño brine, minced onion, and BBQ seasoning into a smooth, zesty filling.
- Generously load each bacon-wrapped sausage cup with the cheese mixture, allowing a slight dome-like elevation for visual appeal and flavor intensity.
- Dust the filled cups with additional cheddar cheese, ensuring comprehensive cheese coverage.
- Warm the air fryer to 350°F, preparing a cooking environment that promotes crispy exterior and melted interior.
- Arrange the pig shots inside the air fryer basket with strategic spacing, preventing contact between individual pieces to guarantee even cooking.
- Execute air frying for 12-15 minutes, monitoring until bacon achieves a deep golden crispness and cheese transforms into a bubbling, molten state.
- Extract the pig shots and permit brief cooling to stabilize their structural integrity.
- Carefully extract toothpicks to enhance presentation and edibility.
- Optional: Enhance flavor profile by delicately drizzling BBQ sauce across the surface for an extra layer of smoky sweetness.
Notes
- Bacon Wrapping Trick: Use partially cooked bacon strips to ensure a crispier exterior without burning when air frying, creating perfect texture and preventing soggy bottoms.
- Spice Level Control: Adjust jalapeño quantity based on heat preference, substituting with milder peppers or removing seeds for a gentler kick.
- Cheese Variation: Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack, smoked gouda, or blue cheese to customize flavor profiles and add unique taste dimensions.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare pig shots in advance and refrigerate, then air fry directly from cold for a convenient party appetizer or game day snack.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 293
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 16 g
- Cholesterol: 57 mg