If you’ve never tried jalapeno popper pig shots, you’re in for one of the easiest and most ridiculous backyard snacks I’ve made in a long time.

Sliced sausage with visible herbs and cheese on a wooden cutting board, with two unsliced sausage links in the background.

Introduction

I’ve been making jalapeno popper pig shots for years, and they somehow get better every single time. These things check every box for a perfect cookout snack because they’re smoky, creamy, cheesy, and loaded with jalapeno flavor without being overpowering. I love how simple they are to prep and how impressive they look once they come off the smoker.

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Sliced raw bacon and several round slices of sausage are arranged on a wooden cutting board, ready for cooking or preparation.

Why You’ll Love It

Jalapeno popper pig shots are one of those snacks that disappear the second you set them down. They deliver that perfect mix of smoky bacon, cheesy jalapeno filling, and sausage that feels like a full appetizer in one bite. They also work on any smoker or grill, so you can make them no matter what setup you’ve got.

Slices of bacon wrapped around slices of pepperoni and secured with toothpicks are arranged on a metal cooling rack on a wooden surface, ready to be cooked.

Ingredients and Tools

You only need a few ingredients for jalapeno popper pig shots, and they’re probably things you already have in your fridge. I use thick-cut bacon, jalapeno cheddar sausage, smoked cream cheese, a finely diced jalapeno, and shredded cheddar cheese. A smoker running steady at 250 to 325 degrees gives them the perfect render and sets the filling just right.

A block of seasoned tofu with a crosshatch pattern sits on aluminum foil next to a pile of chopped green bell peppers, both placed inside an oven.

How to Make It

Prep
I start jalapeno popper pig shots by smoking a block of cream cheese at 250 degrees for about 30 minutes to soften it and pick up some smoke. I throw my diced jalapeno in there too so it mellows and takes on flavor. Once the cream cheese is soft, everything mixes together easily into a smooth and pipeable filling.

Several jalapeno popper pig shots filled with a creamy cheese mixture are arranged on a wire rack over a wooden surface, ready to be cooked.

Cook
Next, I slice jalapeno cheddar sausage into half inch rounds and wrap each round with a half slice of thick bacon to form a little cup. A toothpick helps hold the cup shape, especially if the bacon wants to unwind. From there I pipe the jalapeno popper filling into each cup so they’re full but not overflowing - the cream cheese will expand as it heats.

Several bacon-wrapped meat bundles, possibly stuffed, are arranged on a wire rack inside a barbecue grill, ready to be cooked.

I season the outside with a light layer of BBQ rub just to help the bacon caramelize. Then I set the jalapeno popper pig shots onto the smoker around 325 degrees and let them go for 30 to 45 minutes. They’re ready once the bacon is rendered and the filling is warm and set.

Serve
Once the jalapeno popper pig shots look perfect, I pull them off and let them cool for a minute so the filling firms slightly. They’re best served warm while the bacon is crispy and the inside is creamy. These always hit the table first when I have friends over.

Bacon-wrapped jalapeño poppers secured with toothpicks and topped with a golden cheese mixture, arranged on a metal grill rack for cooking.

Serving Tips and Variations

Jalapeno popper pig shots pair great with ranch, BBQ sauce, or even a drizzle of hot honey. You can switch things up by using different sausages like spicy andouille or maple breakfast sausage for a sweet twist. If you want more heat, add extra diced jalapeno or swap in pepper jack cheese.

Pro Tips and Recipe Notes

Use thick-cut bacon so the cups hold their shape without collapsing as they render. Don’t overfill the cups because the cheese mixture will rise a bit as it heats up. If you want deeper smoke flavor, keep the cream cheese in the smoker longer before mixing the filling.

Wrapping Up

Jalapeno popper pig shots are one of my go-to snacks when I want something easy, fun, and guaranteed to get people talking. They look fancy but take almost no effort, which is the best kind of cookout food. If you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer that never misses, jalapeno popper pig shots need to be on your next spread.

Four bacon-wrapped appetizers filled with a creamy, orange-colored mixture are arranged on a wooden surface. A whole green jalapeño pepper lies in the background.

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