If you’re craving a snack that delivers a perfect crunch, a savory burst of flavor, and a little indulgence all in one bite, you are going to fall head over heels for this Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe. These little bacon-wrapped, cheese-stuffed sausage treats are pure magic when air fried to crispy perfection. The sweet caramelized brown sugar on top balances gorgeously with the smoky sausage and spicy jalapeños inside, making every pig shot an irresistible party appetizer or cozy night in snack. Trust me, once you try this Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe, it will become your go-to for impressing friends or just treating yourself.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe shines because of its straightforward, well-chosen ingredients. Each one brings something key to the table, from bold smoky undertones to creamy, melty cheese and just the right touch of sweetness and heat.
- Smoked sausage: Choose a good-quality smoked sausage like Hillshire Farm for that deep, smoky flavor and firm texture that holds up well when cooked.
- Bacon: Wrapping the sausage in bacon adds smoky richness and incredible crispness as it cooks in the air fryer.
- Brown sugar: A sprinkle of brown sugar caramelizes during cooking, giving a delightful sweet contrast to the savory bacon and sausage.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese creates a smooth and creamy base for the filling, helping bind all the flavors beautifully.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar like Tillamook adds a melty, slightly tangy richness that complements the smoky meat.
- Jalapeños: Fresh or jarred jalapeños provide a kick of heat that wakes up your taste buds with every bite.
- Garlic powder: A subtle layer of garlic flavor enhances the filling without overpowering the other elements.
- BBQ sauce: Choose your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping—Sweet Baby Ray’s is a favorite for a classic, tangy glaze that pairs perfectly.
How to Make Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Sausage and Bacon Wraps
Start by slicing your smoked sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds—aim for about 24 pieces to match the recipe perfectly. Then, cut your bacon slices in half lengthwise so you get long strips that will wrap neatly around each sausage piece. Wrapping these rounds with the bacon strips and securing them with toothpicks is a little step that brings all the flavors together while setting the stage for that irresistible crunch. Stand each wrap upright, seam side down, which helps them hold their shape and makes filling them super easy.
Step 2: Mix the Cream Cheese Filling
Softened cream cheese is the secret weapon here—it blends effortlessly with sharp cheddar, fresh jalapeños, and a pinch of garlic powder for a luscious filling. The cream cheese ensures the filling is smooth and spreadable, hugging every inch inside those bacon cups. If your cream cheese is cold, warm it for just a few seconds to make mixing easier. The balance of creamy, spicy, and garlicky flavors in this step really elevates the overall pig shot experience.
Step 3: Fill and Brown Sugar Topping
Now comes the fun part: spooning or piping that cheesy mixture into each bacon cup until it is generously filled and mounded slightly on top. Don’t be shy here; the filling is the heart of these pig shots! Follow that with a light sprinkle of brown sugar on each cup. This little touch might seem simple, but as it caramelizes, it adds a luscious sweet note that contrasts beautifully with the smoky, spicy filling.
Step 4: Air Fry to Crispy Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F for a few minutes before plopping in your prepared pig shots. Arrange them in a single layer, bacon-side down, so they stand tall and cook evenly. Air frying for about 10 minutes crisps the bacon just right and bubbles up the cheese into gooey goodness. The brown sugar caramelizes, and the sausage cooks through to juicy, smoky perfection. Halfway through, you can gently shake the basket for even cooking, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Keep an eye on them so they turn golden without burning.
Step 5: Cool Briefly and Serve
Take your pig shots out of the air fryer and let them rest for a minute or two—it’s tempting to dive right in, but warming helps set the cheese and cools down the bacon just enough for the perfect bite. Transfer them to a serving plate and get your favorite BBQ sauce ready. These bite-sized delights are a crowd-pleasing appetizer loaded with bold flavors and textures.
How to Serve Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe
Garnishes
Add a pop of freshness and a little color with some chopped green onions or fresh cilantro sprinkled on top just before serving. A few thin slices of extra jalapeño pepper can also bring that eye-catching heat and vibrant green contrast that make these pig shots look as good as they taste.
Side Dishes
Pair your pig shots with crisp veggie sticks like celery and carrots or a light coleslaw to balance the richness. Potato wedges or a simple garlic bread loaf can turn these into a heartier snack or light meal. The creamy and smoky flavors of the pig shots complement lighter or crisp sides perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties or game days, arrange these pig shots on a rustic wooden board or tiered tray surrounded by small bowls of dipping sauces—BBQ, ranch, or even a spicy mustard. Using colorful toothpicks adds charm and makes grabbing them easy. They also make adorable additions to snack platters next to nuts, olives, and cheeses.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay good for about 3-4 days. The bacon might lose some crispness, but reheating them properly will bring back much of that texture and flavor.
Freezing
Want to prepare these ahead of time? You can freeze uncooked pig shots in a single layer on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they’re heated through and crispy.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers in an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to restore that crispy bacon exterior without drying out the filling. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the bacon soggy and the cheese rubbery. Enjoy these reheated bites warm with your favorite dipping sauce.
FAQs
Can I use turkey bacon instead of regular bacon?
Yes, you can substitute turkey bacon if you prefer a leaner option. Keep in mind turkey bacon tends to be less fatty and may not crisp up quite as much as pork bacon, but it will still provide great flavor and texture when air fried.
Is it necessary to use brown sugar on top?
While brown sugar is essential for that signature sweet caramelized finish in this Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe, you can omit it if you want a purely savory bite. Just know you’ll miss that little layer of extra depth and balance it adds.
Can I make these pig shots gluten-free?
Absolutely! The recipe as written is naturally gluten-free, but always double-check ingredients like your sausage, BBQ sauce, and any seasonings to ensure there are no hidden gluten-containing fillers.
What kind of cheese melts best for the filling?
Sharp cheddar is a classic choice for its meltability and bold flavor. Using cheeses like Tillamook sharp cheddar enhances the filling’s creaminess and flavor, but mild cheddar or a cheddar blend works well too!
Can I add more heat to this recipe?
For sure! Increase the jalapeño quantity or add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the cheese mixture if you want a spicier punch. The lovely thing about this Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe is how easily you can tailor the heat level to your liking.
Final Thoughts
Making this Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe is like creating bite-sized bundles of joy that deliver big on flavor and fun. Whether you’re preparing for game day, a potluck, or simply treating yourself to something delicious, these pig shots bring the perfect combination of crispy, melty, smoky, and spicy all in one. Give them a try and watch how quickly they disappear—their charm is totally irresistible!
Print
Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 pig shots
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots are bite-sized appetizers featuring smoky sausage rounds wrapped in bacon, filled with a creamy, cheesy jalapeño mixture, and caramelized with brown sugar for a perfect balance of savory and sweet. These easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing pig shots are crisped to perfection in the air fryer and served warm with classic BBQ sauce.
Ingredients
For the Base:
- 1 lb smoked sausage (Hillshire Farm preferred), cut into 1/2-inch thick rounds
- 6 slices bacon, cut lengthwise in halves
- 1.5 tbsp brown sugar
For the Filling:
- 1.25 cup cream cheese, softened to room temperature (approximately 70°F)
- 0.75 cup shredded cheddar cheese (Tillamook preferred)
- 2 tbsp minced jalapeños
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
For the Sauce:
- BBQ sauce, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s, for dipping
Instructions
- Prepare the Sausage and Bacon Wraps: Slice the smoked sausage into 1/2-inch thick rounds, yielding about 24 pieces. Cut each bacon slice in half lengthwise to create long strips. Wrap one bacon strip around each sausage piece with slight overlap and secure with a toothpick. Stand each wrapped piece upright on a cutting board, bacon seam-side down, in the order they will be placed in the air fryer for easy transfer.
- Make the Cheese Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, minced jalapeños, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until smooth and creamy without lumps. If the cream cheese is too cold to blend easily, microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften further.
- Fill the Bacon Cups: Spoon or pipe the cheese mixture generously into each bacon-wrapped sausage cup, mounding slightly on top. Sprinkle about 1/4 teaspoon of brown sugar over each filled piece to enhance caramelization and add sweetness during cooking. Arrange the filled cups upright in a single layer in the air fryer basket, bacon side down.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for 3 minutes. Carefully place the filled pig shots in a single layer inside the basket, working in batches if necessary to prevent overcrowding. Cook for 10 minutes until the bacon is crisp and browned, and the cheese filling is melted and bubbly. Optionally, gently shake the basket halfway through to ensure even crisping.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pig shots from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes. Transfer to a serving plate and serve warm alongside your favorite BBQ sauce for dipping. Toothpicks make them easy to pick up as appetizers.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing and smoother filling.
- Microwaving cream cheese briefly can help if it’s too cold.
- Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crisping.
- If needed, cook in batches to maintain spacing.
- Brown sugar adds a caramelized sweetness that contrasts nicely with the savory bacon and cheese.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
