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If you’re looking for the best smoker appetizer recipe, then trust me—you’re in the right place. Later we’ll talk about chicken wings, jalapeno poppers, and many other types of the perfect appetizer – but for now, we’re talking about Pulled Pork Bombs!
Please leave me a comment at the bottom if you love this Smoker Appetizer Recipe!
This smoker appetizer recipe is perfect for the backyard BBQ, the next tailgate next weekend, or just something new to add to your usual game day menu, this simple smoker appetizer recipe will be a hit every time! These Pulled Pork Bombs pack everything I love about BBQ into a single bite: tender pulled pork, melty cheddar cheese, a drizzle of tangy BBQ sauce, all wrapped up in a warm, flaky biscuit.
It’s a pork-on-pork recipe that’s as fun to make as it is to eat, and I guarantee you’ll want to keep these in your smoker appetizer recipe rotation.
You can use your favorite BBQ sauce for this smoker appetizer recipe, but for this recipe, I used Blazing Star BBQ sauce (discount link) for this smoker appetizer recipe. I like it specifically because it’s not overly sweet to steal flavors away from the savory delicious flavors in the dish! Instead, it adds just the right amount of tang and spice to take these Pulled Pork Bombs to the next level.
Let’s Prep:
Before we dive into cooking, let’s talk prep. For this smoked appetizer recipe, I love using leftover pulled pork. If you’ve got some from your last BBQ session, this is the perfect way to put it to good use. I typically use about 8 tablespoons of pulled pork, which is enough to fill the biscuits without overloading them. If you don’t have any leftovers, don’t sweat it. You can make a fresh batch of pulled pork just for this smoked appetizer recipe. I recommend using pork shoulder because it’s fatty enough to stay juicy and flavorful, even after spending hours in the smoker.
The beauty of these Pulled Pork Bombs is how customizable they are. Not in the mood for pulled pork? The idea of this dish is that it’s super versatile. You can fill these with ground beef, leftover brisket, chicken breast, or whatever other protein you’ve got on hand – but if you make this exact smoker appetizer recipe, I know you’ll be happy with this easy snack, and it’ll for sure be added to your list of favorite smoker appetizer recipes.
You can use whatever cheese you want on the inside, however I prefer to stick to the classic flavor of cheddar cheese – I use extra sharp, but use whatever you’d like! . It melts well, and stands up to the bold flavor of the smoked pulled pork. A smoked cream cheese block would be an awesome variant of this cheesy dish, but I’ll save that for another day. Smoked cheese is a great way to elevate any dish, and it pairs so well with the pork, so put away that cheese knife for now, I’ll link back to it soon.
You’ll also need a can of refrigerated biscuits. I go with Pillsbury, but any similar biscuit dough will do the trick. We’re going to split these open, stuff them with pork and cheese, and then seal them up into perfect little pockets of flavor. Lastly, before we start cooking, you’ll need an egg handy for the egg wash and some sesame seeds to put on top should you choose. You can also use a dry rub in your mixture with the cream cheese, but if the pork already has great flavor, there’s no reason to with to with this great appetizer.
Now, before you start assembling, here’s a quick tip: Don’t overfill the biscuits. It’s tempting to go heavy on the pulled pork and cheese, but trust me, if you pack them too full, the biscuit won’t seal properly and you’ll end up with a mess in the smoker.
Let’s Cook:
Now that we’re ready to get cooking preheat your smoke to 375F. You’ll want the smoker preheated to ensure even cooking for this easy smoked appetizer recipe. The biscuits will develop that golden brown crispy skin and inside will be cooked through perfectly when cooked at the same temperature throughout.
Grab the BBQ Sauce used for this recipe (discount link)
For something like this, you can use a pellet smoker or gravity fed smoker for the best results, if you have the offset smoker fired up from a cook and want to throw this on there, it’ll still be a next level dish!
While your smoker is heating up, let’s assemble the Pulled Pork Bombs. On a clean work surface, butterfly open each biscuit—basically just split it in half so you can stuff it. On the bottom half, pile on about a tablespoon of pulled pork, a sprinkle of shredded cheddar cheese, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Be careful not to over stuff, or the biscuit won’t close properly.
Once your filling is in place, take the top half of the biscuit and gently stretch it over the filling. It might take a little finesse, but you want the top to completely cover the bottom half.
Grab a fork and use it to crimp the edges all the way around the biscuit to seal it up. If there is too much pork, or cheese in there, this will be the time that you can see where that’s an issue. If it’s a small amount and can get it pressed into the dough, that’s fine. If not, remove it.
Time to lay down the pulled pork bombs on a baking sheet. Give a light brush with egg wash, that’ll help them be a beautiful color when done, and sprinkle on a pinch of sesame seeds to your preference – there’s really no right or wrong answer there.. The sesame seeds add a little extra crunch and make these bites look even more appetizing. Pop the baking sheet into your preheated smoker, and let them cook for about 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they’re golden brown on the outside. Keep an eye on them—nobody wants burned biscuits!
The beauty of using a smoker for this smoker appetizer recipe is that you get that unmatched wood-fired flavor infused into the biscuits. It’s a subtle, smoky taste that pairs perfectly with the pork and cheese inside. The biscuits come out flaky, golden, and full of that irresistible BBQ goodness. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll never want to go back to making these in a regular oven.
Let’s Eat:
When the Pulled Pork Bombs are ready, take them out of the smoker and let them cool for just a couple of minutes—though good luck resisting the urge to dive right in! When they come off the smoker – give them a few minutes to rest so that you’re not biting into molten meat or cheese, then grab some more of your Blazing Star BBQ Sauce (discount link) to dip in if desired. I love this sauce because it’s got a great blend and balance of flavors without being too sweet.
These bites are the perfect smoker appetizer recipe to kick off any party or BBQ. They’re small enough to be served as finger foods, but trust me, after one bite, you’ll be going back for more. The combination of the smoky pulled pork, sharp cheddar, and soft biscuit is simply unbeatable. Plus, the addition of the sesame seeds gives them a bit of crunch, which is a nice contrast to the gooey cheese inside.
If you want to make a snack or appetizer board to serve at the big party, you can do that with other perfect appetizers like potato skins, crispy bacon wrapped around jalapeño poppers, or even a side of tortilla chips and delicious dip like smoky crab dip – you can also serve other dishes without cream cheese, or sour cream, of course – but those are some of my favorites. The ease of cooking these pulled pork bombs makes them a great option whether you’re hosting a backyard cookout or just looking for some easy game day appetizers or tailgate appetizers.
Plenty Smoker Appetizer Recipe to Try
Once you’ve mastered these Pulled Pork Bombs, I’ve got plenty of other smoker appetizer recipes to choose from. I’ve got a ton of favorites, and trust me, these will elevate your BBQ game.
If you’ve never tried shotgun shells, you’re missing out. These are manicotti pasta shells stuffed with ground sausage and cheese, then wrapped in bacon and smoked.
Another favorite that you might’ve heard of armadillo eggs. The delicious treats are made from bacon-wrapped stuffed jalapeños filled with cream cheese and sometimes sausage. The combination of the spicy jalapeno, creamy cheese, and crispy bacon is just what you need to spice up your backyard BBQ.
Let’s not forget about smoked cream cheese. It’s the simplest thing to throw on the smoker, but the flavor it delivers is out of this world. Pair it with salty pork rinds or tortilla chips for a dip that’s a hit at every gathering.
Looking for something a little more filling? How about chicken lollipops? These are drumsticks that have been prepped so the meat is pushed up to one end of the bone, giving them a lollipop appearance. They’re smoked until the skin is perfectly crispy, then tossed in a BBQ glaze. They make an impressive presentation and taste just as good as they look.
If you want to keep the pork-on-pork smoker appetizer recipe theme going, try pork belly burnt ends. These little cubes of pork belly are seasoned with your favorite BBQ rub, smoked, and then glazed with a sweet and sticky sauce. They’re like candy for BBQ lovers and a perfect addition to your usual game day menu.
For those of you who love nachos, you’ve got to try loaded cowboy nachos with pulled pork and gooey nacho cheese sauce. It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover pork, and it’s a dish that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser at any backyard BBQ or game-day party. The nachos are covered in cheddar cheese, salty pork rinds, and all kinds of delicious toppings, so you know they’re going to be delicious.
Wrapping-Up: The Perfect Smoker Appetizer Recipe
Anytime that you’re looking for a a smoker appetizer recipe that’s easy, delicious, and guaranteed to impress, these Pulled Pork Bombs are the way to go, but to be honest with you, I’ve got tons more appetizers and flavor bombs to share. They’re packed with flavor, super simple to make, and they take your BBQ game to the next level. These are a great way to use up leftover pulled pork and put a fun twist on classic BBQ flavors.
Next time you’re hosting, or going to a backyard BBQ or looking for something new to serve at your tailgate you’ll love these. There’s so many flavors in this smoker appetizer recipe dish to love: tender pulled pork, gooey cheddar cheese, or delicious biscuit that takes no time to make – I can just say that I bet you won’t eat just one! If there’s any left, store them in an airtight container in the fridge – they reheat well in an air fryer.
Ingredients
- 8 TBSP Leftover Pulled Pork
- 4 oz Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 8 Refrigerated Biscuits Pillsbury or similar
- 1 Egg for egg wash
- Sesame Seeds for garnish
- BBQ Sauce to taste
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 375F
- Butterfly open a biscuit on a clean work surface
- On the bottom half of the raw biscuit add pulled pork, cheese, and BBQ Sauce. Be careful not to overflow any of the ingredients or the biscuit won't seal correctly.
- Place the top half of the biscuit on top, stretch a little if needed to cover the filled biscuit. Crimp edges with a fork all the way around to seal tightly.
- Place on baking sheet and after being brushed lightly with egg wash add a pinch of sesame seeds on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on the outside, being careful not to burn
- Serve hot with a side of extra Blazing Star BBQ sauce if desired.
