Name: Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Appetizer
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 12 bacon slices; 1 cup cream cheese (softened); 2 tablespoons BBQ spice mix; 8 ounces Cheddar cheese (cut into ½ inch cubes); 1 link smoked sausage (kielbasa, etc., cut in ½ inch pieces); ¼ onion (minced)

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Air Fryer Pig Shots are a fun, easy way to turn everyday ingredients into a crowd-pleasing snack that’s all about flavor and convenience. You get that unbeatable combo of smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and a cheesy, seasoned filling in one bite-sized treat. Whether you’re a fan of finger foods or just want something different to shake up your usual spread, these Pig Shots are a must-try.

Air Fryer Pig Shots, savory bacon-wrapped appetizers presented on a plate with toothpicks, are perfected by a light sprinkle of seasoning. — Air Fryer Pig Shot Appetizer. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

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Air Fryer Pig Shots are a total win for game days or any family gathering. I love how these bite-sized snacks bring together smoky, cheesy, and savory flavors all in one. They’re easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser – everyone just seems to gravitate toward them! Plus, they cook up quickly in the air fryer, so you’re not spending all your time in the kitchen.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.

Ingredients laid out on a counter include cheddar cheese, cream cheese, BBQ spice mix, chopped onion, bacon strips, smoked sausage, and toothpicks. — Air Fryer Pig Shot Appetizer Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make Air Fryer Pig Shots with Step-By-Step Instructions

Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.

Making these Pig Shots is a breeze if you follow my easy steps. Let’s get started!

Mix the Cream Cheese Filling

In a small bowl, mix your softened cream cheese with the BBQ spice until it’s smooth and packed with flavor. Set this aside for later.

A kitchen counter displays ingredients including a bowl of seasoning, chopped onions, sour cream with spices, a block of cheese, slices of bacon, sausages, and a small container of toothpicks. — Mix the cream cheese and BBQ spice mix.

A bowl of seasoned cream cheese with a spoon, surrounded by chopped onions, slices of bacon, uncooked sausages, toothpicks, and spices on a countertop. — Stir until you get a smooth mixture.

Build the Bacon Cups

Take your bacon slices, cut each in half, and wrap a half slice around a piece of smoked sausage to form a small, sturdy cup.

Hands wrapping cheese and sausage pieces with bacon strips on a wooden cutting board; additional cheese cubes, sausage slices, and seasoning visible nearby. — Cut bacon slices in half and wrap around each sausage.

A hand holding a piece of sausage wrapped in bacon with a toothpick. In the background, there are cheese cubes, sausage slices, onion pieces, and a small bowl of spices on a wooden cutting board. — Secure with a toothpick.

Secure with a toothpick to keep it all together.

Fill the Bacon Cups

Spoon in some of that creamy BBQ cheese mixture, filling each bacon cup just right.

A close-up of bacon strips rolled into a cup shape, secured with toothpicks, and filled with seasoned cream cheese, placed on a wooden cutting board. A similar bacon roll with cheese is in the background. — Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each bacon-wrapped sausage.

A close-up of bacon-wrapped appetizers held with toothpicks, filled with diced onions, and topped with cheese cubes, displayed on a wooden surface. — Top with minced onion.

Two bacon-wrapped cubes of cheese, secured with toothpicks and topped with a spice blend, sit on a wooden surface. — Add a cube of cheddar cheese and sprinkle with BBQ spice mix.

Sprinkle on a little minced onion, then top with a cheddar cube. For a final kick, add a pinch more BBQ spice.

Cook in the Air Fryer

Place your filled Pig Shots in a single layer in the air fryer basket on air fryer parchment paper.

Bacon-wrapped potato cubes, resembling air fryer pig shots, rest on parchment paper. They're secured with toothpicks and sprinkled with spices for a deliciously crispy treat. — Place the filled Pig Shots in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Bacon-wrapped scallops, reminiscent of air fryer pig shots, are skewered with toothpicks and neatly arranged on parchment paper in an air fryer basket. — Bake for 10 minutes.

Bake in the air fryer at 320°F (160°C) for approximately 10 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted and gooey.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Bacon-wrapped chicken bites, reminiscent of air fryer pig shots, rest on parchment paper beside a small bowl of seasoning on a pristine white plate. — Serve immediately and enjoy!

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

Here are a few tips I think you’ll find helpful for making the best Air Fryer Pig Shots.

Soft Cream Cheese: Starting with softened cream cheese helps everything mix smoothly, giving you that creamy texture in every bite.
Uniform Pieces: Cutting the sausage and cheese cubes to a similar size helps them cook evenly, so every Pig Shot has that balanced bite of smoky, creamy, and cheesy goodness.
Toothpick Tip: Make sure the toothpick is secure so the bacon doesn’t unravel while cooking.
Adjust Seasoning: Feel free to play around with the BBQ spice to make it as smoky or spicy as you like.
Single Layer for Best Results: Don’t overcrowd – leave space between the Pig Shots for even cooking.
Watch the Time: Keep an eye on these around the 8-minute mark, as air fryers can vary. You want the bacon crispy but not overdone, so checking early helps avoid overcooking.
Garnish Option: After they’re cooked, add a sprinkle of fresh green onion for extra flavor.

Air Fryer Pig Shots wrapped in bacon and secured with toothpicks on parchment paper, boasting a seasoned topping. — Air Fryer Pig Shot Appetizer. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftover Pig Shots

If you have any leftovers (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat them in the air fryer to keep that crispy bacon texture.

Freezing isn’t recommended as it can change the texture, so enjoy these fresh if possible.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Pig Shots

These Pig Shots are a hit on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can make them the star of your spread!

Try serving them with a creamy BBQ sauce or a cool, tangy ranch dip to balance the smoky bacon and cheese. For a complete snack setup, add some fresh veggie sticks like celery, carrots, and cucumber slices to lighten things up.

They also pair well with other finger foods like loaded potato skins, deviled eggs, or even a side of crispy onion rings.

If you’re serving these for game day, consider setting out some sliders or nachos to round out the table – they’re guaranteed crowd-pleasers!

Air Fryer Pig Shots, wrapped in savory bacon and secured with toothpicks, rest on a paper towel-lined plate. These delightful appetizers are perfectly seasoned, creating an irresistible treat. — Air Fryer Pig Shot Appetizer. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes for You to Try at Home

Here are a few more of my favorite air fryer recipes you might enjoy!

Air Fryer Shrimp
Cheesy Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
Air Fryer Pork Chops
Air Fryer Million Dollar Chicken Casserole
Air Fryer Hamburger Casserole

Close-up of several bacon-wrapped scallops, browned and seasoned, each secured with a toothpick and placed on a piece of parchment paper.

Crispy Air Fryer Pig Shots Appetizer

Air Fryer Pig Shots combine smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and a cheesy filling in a bite-sized treat that’s perfect for any occasion. They’re quick to make, thanks to the air fryer, and bring together all the flavors you crave in one easy snack. Whether for game day or family gatherings, these tasty bites are always a hit. With minimal prep, you get a crowd-pleasing snack that’s fun to make and even better to share!

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 10

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Pig Shots

Servings:

Calories: 515kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate | Hungry Cooks Kitchen

Ingredients

12 bacon slices
1 cup cream cheese softened
2 tablespoons BBQ spice mix
8 ounces Cheddar cheese cut into ½ inch cubes
1 link smoked sausage kielbasa, etc., cut in ½ inch pieces
¼ onion minced

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine the softened cream cheese with the BBQ spice mix until smooth. Set the mixture aside.
1 cup cream cheese, 2 tablespoons BBQ spice mix
Cut each bacon slice in half. Wrap each bacon half around a piece of smoked sausage, creating a small cup shape, and secure it with a toothpick.
12 bacon slices, 1 link smoked sausage
Fill each bacon-wrapped sausage with the cream cheese mixture, then top with a sprinkle of minced onion and a cheddar cube. Add a pinch of BBQ spice mix on top for extra flavor.
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, ¼ onion
Preheat the air fryer to 320°F (160°C). Arrange the filled Pig Shots on air fryer parchment paper in the air fryer basket, and bake for approximately 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Soft Cream Cheese: Starting with softened cream cheese helps everything mix smoothly, giving you that creamy texture in every bite.
Uniform Pieces: Cutting the sausage and cheese cubes to a similar size helps them cook evenly, so every Pig Shot has that balanced bite of smoky, creamy, and cheesy goodness.
Toothpick Tip: Make sure the toothpick is secure so the bacon doesn’t unravel while cooking.
Adjust Seasoning: Feel free to play around with the BBQ spice to make it as smoky or spicy as you like.
Single Layer for Best Results: Don’t overcrowd – leave space between the Pig Shots for even cooking.
Watch the Time: Keep an eye on these around the 8-minute mark, as air fryers can vary. You want the bacon crispy but not overdone, so checking early helps avoid overcooking.
Garnish Option: After they’re cooked, add a sprinkle of fresh green onion for extra flavor.

Nutrition

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About the Author

A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

Air Fryer Pig Shots

Ingredients You’ll Need