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This Jalapeno Poppers Recipe for Pretzel Bites are the perfect snack that’s easy to make, whether you want something easy for yourself, or you’re making them for the big game or an easy appetizer for the tailgate you won’t be disappointed, ever!
Let’s Prep:
First step that I always talk about is to get all of the ingridietns ready that you need. Grab your King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Bites, bacon, jalapeno, cheese, and BBQ Rub / Seasoning. I really like using Pork’N from Blazing Star for this one. You can grab the seasoning at this discount link
I always start by frying up the bacon. You want it crispy, so it mixes evenly into the filling. Chop it up finely once it’s cooked – the smaller, the better. Next, dice up a jalapeno. If you like extra heat, leave in some seeds, but I usually take them out for a balanced kick.
Now let’s talk about the cream cheese. You’ll want to unwrap it and place it on a piece of foil, but here’s a little tip: score the top of the cream cheese with a sharp knife in a crisscross pattern. This is a small and quick cooking hack that makes a big difference. When you cross-hatch the cream cheese, you’re providing more surface area for the seasoning to flavor, and smoke to hit. More area = more flavor for sure!
Let’s Cook:
Now that the smoker is at it’s target temperature, it’s time to put the cream cheese on. After you’ve scored it, give it a good sprinkle of Blazing Star Pork’N Rub (don’t hold back!). Place it directly on the smoker and let it go for about 15 to 20 minutes. The goal is to get it warm and smoky without melting it. You’ll know it’s ready when it jiggles slightly but still holds its shape.
While the cream cheese is taking on that amazing smoky flavor, let’s prep the pretzel bites. Take a sharp knife and carefully cut a small hole in the side of each one. Be gentle here – you don’t want to cut too deep. Just make a little pocket for that cheesy filling. Make sure to save the bit of bread you cut out because we’re going to seal it back up later.
Now that the cream cheese is done, it’s time to make the filling for the pretzel bites. In a bowl, mix the smoked cream cheese along with the jalapeno, bacon, and cheese. If your cheese isn’t finely shredded it’ll be helpful to chop it up before adding. This will make it easy to mix up and fill into the pretzel. Trust me, you want every bite to have a bit of everything.
Filling the Jalapeno Poppers Recipe
Now, you can spoon the filling into the pretzel bites, but if you want to save yourself some hassle, use a piping bag (or even a Ziploc with the corner snipped off). Trust me, this makes the process a lot easier and cleaner. Pipe the mixture into each pretzel bite until it’s nicely filled, then pop the little bread plug back in to seal it up.
Once all your bites are stuffed, it’s time to get them back on the smoker. Set them in for about 10 minutes, just to heat everything through and let the pretzel bites absorb that last bit of smoke.
Want another Jalapeno Poppers Recipe ? Check out my Jalapeno Popper Cheese Ball Recipe
Let’s Eat:
When they come off the smoker, this Jalapeno Poppers Recipe is irresistible. The smoky cream cheese mixed with the bacon and jalapeno gives you a little heat, a little crunch, and a whole lot of flavor. The flavor of the pretzel bites is out of this world! You get a slightly sweet taste, that is followed by a salty finish making it the perfect party snack. Adding in the texture of the cream cheese, and saltiness of the bacon takes this up 1000 levels!
You’ll have some leftover cream cheese mixture from this jalapeno poppers recipe, this is a good thing! You’ll find many different uses for it. Stick it in an airtight container and pop it in the fridge. I love using the extra as a spread for crackers or bagels, or even stirring it into mashed potatoes. It adds a smoky kick to just about anything.
Next time you’re looking for a unique flavor this Jalapeno Poppers Recipe for Pretzel Bites need to be at the top of your list. They are a unique treat with awesome recognizable flavors that will be a hit every single time you serve them!
Jalapeno Popper Pretzel Bites
Ingredients
- 15 King's Hawaiian Pretzel Bites or similar
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 5 strips Bacon cooked crispy, and chopped finely
- 1 Jalapeno Pepper small to medium size
- Blazing Star Pork'N Rub
- 1/2 C Cheddar Cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225F
- Unwrap cream cheese and place on aluminum foil, score in a cross-hatch fashion and liberally cover with Blazing Star Pork'N BBQ Seasoning
- Place in smoker and smoke for 15-20 minutes until the cream cheese jiggles slightly, but doesn't melt. Make sure it's holding it's shape.
- In a mixing bowl, combine smoked cream cheese, diced jalapeno, bacon and mix well to incorporate. Place into a piping or ziploc bag and set aside.
- Using a sharp knife, use the end to cut a hole in the side of a King's Hawaiian Pretzel bite. This will form a cavity that will hold the cream cheese mixture. Don't discard the "plug" shaped bread you removed.
- Fill hollowed out pretzel bites with cream cheese mixture via the piping bag, taking care not to overflow. Place the bread that was removed back in to seal it up the best you can.
- Place back on smoker for about 10 minutes to heat up and add smoke flavor.
- Remove and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Grab the seasoning for this jalapeno poppers recipe (discount link)
