Name: Smoky Bacon Pig Shots Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 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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If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing snack that’s loaded with flavor, Smoky Bacon Pig Shots are a must-try. These bite-sized gems combine crispy bacon, savory sausage, and a creamy cheese filling with a hint of BBQ spice. They’re perfect for any get-together, whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ or game day or just need a quick appetizer that’ll keep everyone coming back for more.

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I love making these; not only do they look great, like you’ve made an effort, but they are really easy to make. You’ll have them cooked and ready in 15 minutes, and they’ll probably disappear even quicker! A real crowd-pleaser, they are perfect for the holidays, tailgating, and potlucks, and it’s a recipe that you’ll want to make again and again.

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. — Pig Shots Ingredients. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Make 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 so easy; all you have to do is follow my simple instructions.

Mix the Cream Cheese Filling

In a bowl, stir together the softened cream cheese and BBQ spice mix. This simple combo packs in loads of flavor and will be your go-to filling for these tasty bites.

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.

Prep the Bacon and Sausage

Take your bacon slices and cut them in half. Wrap each half around a piece of sausage, forming a little “shot glass” shape. Secure the bacon with a toothpick so it stays snug around the sausage.

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.

Load Up the Filling

Spoon the cream cheese mixture into each bacon-wrapped sausage. Once filled, sprinkle some minced onion on top and add a cube of cheddar cheese for a cheesy finish. A bit more BBQ spice on top gives it that extra kick.

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.

Bake to Perfection

Set your oven to 350°F (180ºC). Line up your Pig Shots on a baking sheet, and bake them for about 10 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is nicely melted.

Once they’re out of the oven, let them cool just enough to handle, then enjoy!

Plate with bacon-wrapped appetizers on a paper towel, accompanied by a small bowl of seasoning. Some appetizers are secured with toothpicks. White background. — Let them cool and serve.

Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

While this recipe is straightforward and easy, here are some of my top tips to help you with it.

Even Bacon Wrapping: Make sure the bacon overlaps just enough to keep everything tight. Loose bacon can unravel during baking.
Cheese Melt: Use cheddar or any firm cheese that melts well without making the dish greasy.
BBQ Spice Choice: Pick a spice mix that suits your taste, whether it’s sweet, spicy, or smoky.
Toothpick Tip: Use wooden toothpicks to avoid any melting in the oven.
Oven Rack Placement: Place your baking sheet in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on them; overcooked bacon can get too crunchy and dry out the sausage.
Optional Garnish: For extra flair, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top before serving.

Close-up of bacon-wrapped scallops secured with toothpicks next to a small bowl of seasoning on a white surface. — Pig Shots. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

How to Store Leftover Pig Shots

If you have any leftovers (though that’s unlikely!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, pop them in the oven at 350°F (180ºC) for about 5 minutes until warmed through.

Close-up of bacon-wrapped scallops secured with toothpicks, seasoned with spices, and placed on a white surface. — Pig Shots. Photo Credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen

More Easy Appetizer Recipes for You to Try at Home

Take a look at these appetizer recipes; I think you’ll love them!

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Creamy Baked Brie
Charcuterie Board
Chicken and Bacon Ranch Crack Dip
Shrimp Toast

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots Recipe

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots are the kind of snack that everyone loves—crispy bacon, savory sausage, and creamy cheese with a kick of BBQ spice. They’re a hit at any event, whether it’s a backyard BBQ, game day, or just a quick appetizer for friends. They may look like you’ve spent hours in the kitchen, but they’re super easy to make and ready in just 15 minutes. Perfect for holidays, tailgates, and potlucks, this is a recipe you’ll be making again and again.

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Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 10

Total Time: 15

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Pig Shots

Servings:

Calories: 515kcal

Author: Mandy Applegate

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, mix the softened cream cheese with the BBQ spice mix until well combined. Set aside.
1 cup cream cheese, 2 tablespoons BBQ spice mix
Cut the bacon slices in half. Wrap each bacon half around a piece of smoked sausage, forming a small cup, and secure it with a toothpick.
12 bacon slices, 1 link smoked sausage
Fill each bacon-wrapped sausage with the cream cheese mixture, and top with a sprinkle of minced onion, followed by a cube of cheddar cheese. Add a dash of BBQ spice mix on top.
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, ¼ onion
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Place the filled Pig Shots on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese is melted.
Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

Even Bacon Wrapping: Make sure the bacon overlaps just enough to keep everything tight. Loose bacon can unravel during baking.
Cheese Melt: Use cheddar or any firm cheese that melts well without making the dish greasy.
BBQ Spice Choice: Pick a spice mix that suits your taste, whether it’s sweet, spicy, or smoky.
Toothpick Tip: Use wooden toothpicks to avoid any melting in the oven.
Oven Rack Placement: Place your baking sheet in the middle of the oven for even cooking.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on them; overcooked bacon can get too crunchy and dry out the sausage.
Optional Garnish: For extra flair, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or green onions on top before serving.

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.

Smoky Bacon Pig Shots Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need