This Jalapeno Poppers Recipe for Hawaiian 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 ingredients 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 I prefer to do this in the oven, but however you like is fine. 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 and goes perfectly with these soft pretzels.

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 the Hawaiian pretzel bites 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, stir or 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, way better than using a tablespoon or a teaspoon. 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!

Serving Suggestions

These game day treats sure pack a huge amount of flavor, from the sea salt on top, to the baked crust, to the chewy inside with it's golden brown color. Can we elevate it more? Absolutely! These can be finished with a cinnamon sugar dip after some melted butter.

My preference though is a cheese sauce or a beer cheese dip that pairs perfectly. If you want something easy, your favorite mustard does the trick.

Variations:

Instead of sea salt or kosher salt on top, try these as cinnamon sugar pretzel bites. These are also great to just brush a little butter on top of and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning. If you love new recipes, this is the one to play with!

Anyway you do it - flavor them how you like, throw some of them on a baking sheet and you're ready to go!

Why use Premade Pretzel Bites?

There is definitely something to making your own homemade soft pretzel bites. However by the time you get out the tools like the bowl of a stand mixer, the dough hook, and mixing ingredients like the flour, yeast, and melted butter along with the baking soda that you'd use in the boil just to make a batch of pretzels that you can get at the store with the same quality? I prefer to take the easy route!

Furthermore, there's no need for items like all purpose flour, egg wash, doing a baking soda bath etc. When the quality of what's at the store is there - I prefer that. Especially when it takes the total time of making it down to basically nothing.

Grab the seasoning for this jalapeno poppers recipe (discount link)

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