If you love party appetizers that are packed with flavor and a little bit of fun, you are going to be head over heels for this Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe. Imagine juicy smoked sausage wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with a zesty, creamy mixture that has just the right amount of kick and sweetness from honey BBQ glaze. These bite-sized delights deliver an explosion of smoky, spicy, and sweet notes in every mouthful, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser at any gathering or casual night in. Trust me, once you try these pig shots, they’ll quickly become one of your all-time favorite snacks to whip up again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe uses simple but thoughtfully chosen ingredients that come together beautifully to balance taste, texture, and color. Each component plays a vital role to create that irresistible harmony of smoky, creamy, spicy, and sweet flavors.
- Smoked sausage or kielbasa (1 pound): Provides a flavorful, juicy base with a nice meaty bite.
- Thick cut bacon (12 ounces): Adds that delicious crispiness and savory smokiness that wraps the sausage perfectly.
- Cream cheese (4 ounces, room temperature): Creates a smooth, creamy topping to balance the heat and sweetness.
- Sour cream (¼ cup): Adds a tangy richness that brightens up the cream cheese mixture.
- Jalapeno (1, stem and seeds removed, diced): Infuses a fresh spicy kick without overwhelming the palate.
- Sharp cheddar cheese (½ cup): Gives a savory, melty boost of flavor and a bit of texture.
- Slap Ya Mama seasoning (½ teaspoon): Brings a Cajun-inspired blend of spices that sprinkle in an exciting depth.
- BBQ sauce (¼ cup, any brand): The sticky sweet and tangy star in the honey BBQ glaze.
- Honey (⅛ cup): Balances the spice with a natural, comforting sweetness.
- Brown sugar (1 ½ teaspoons): Intensifies the caramelized sweetness in the glaze.
- Jalapeno slices: For extra heat and a colorful garnish on top.
How to Make Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by setting your oven to 375°F. This temperature is perfect for rendering the bacon perfectly crispy without drying out the sausage inside.
Step 2: Prepare the Honey BBQ Glaze
In a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, honey, and brown sugar until fully combined. This glaze will add a shiny, sweet, and slightly sticky finish that makes each pig shot irresistibly delicious.
Step 3: Wrap the Sausage
Cut each bacon strip in half so it’s easier to wrap. Then take your smoked sausage chunks and wrap each piece tightly with a half strip of bacon. This ensures there’s just the right balance of bacon to sausage in every bite.
Step 4: Secure and Arrange
Arrange the bacon-wrapped sausages in a muffin pan or use toothpicks to secure the bacon in place. If you don’t have a muffin pan, a baking sheet works just fine—just be careful they don’t unravel during cooking.
Step 5: Mix the Spicy Cream Cheese Topping
In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, diced jalapeno, sharp cheddar cheese, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning. Mix well until everything is evenly blended into a creamy, spicy, cheesy topping that will perfectly complement the smoky meat.
Step 6: Prepare for Topping
Transfer the cream cheese mixture to a quart-sized baggie and snip off a small corner. This makes it easier to pipe the topping neatly over each pig shot.
Step 7: Add the Cream Cheese Mixture
Pipe the cream cheese blend on top of each bacon-wrapped sausage, fully covering the surface to create a luscious topping that melts as it bakes.
Step 8: Garnish and Glaze
Add a jalapeno slice on top of each pig shot for an extra pop of color and spice. Then brush each one generously with the honey BBQ glaze, ensuring every bite has that perfect balance of sweet and smoky flavor.
Step 9: Bake Until Crispy
Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes. This bakes the bacon to crispy perfection and melts the creamy topping beautifully, locking in all those amazing flavors.
Step 10: Serve and Enjoy!
Carefully remove your pig shots from the oven and let them cool just enough to handle. Serve warm and watch how quickly they disappear at the table!
How to Serve Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh jalapeno slices are the obvious choice for adding a fresh, vibrant heat on top, but you can also sprinkle chopped green onions or a little chopped fresh cilantro to bring a touch of color and brightness that balances the richness.
Side Dishes
These pig shots pair wonderfully with light, crisp sides like a mixed green salad, coleslaw, or even roasted veggies to cut through the richness. If you want to keep the Southern barbecue vibe going, mac and cheese or baked beans make excellent accompaniments.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, serve these pig shots in a lined basket or on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of extra glaze or ranch dip on the side. You can also skewer two pig shots per toothpick for easy grab-and-go finger food that’s perfect for social gatherings or game day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days and taste great when reheated.
Freezing
Pig shots freeze quite well. After baking and cooling, place them individually on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They keep for up to 2 months this way.
Reheating
To reheat, place pig shots on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the bacon re-crisps. Avoid microwaving if possible, so you keep that satisfying crunch.
FAQs
Can I use regular sausage instead of smoked sausage?
Yes, but smoked sausage adds extra depth of flavor and smokiness that really makes this Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe stand out. If using regular sausage, consider adding a bit of smoked paprika for a smoky touch.
How spicy are the pig shots?
The heat level is moderate with fresh jalapeno mixed in the cream cheese and slices on top, but it can be adjusted easily by reducing or increasing the jalapeno or leaving off the slices for a milder version.
Can I make these vegetarian?
While the recipe relies heavily on sausage and bacon, you could experiment with vegetarian smoked sausage and plant-based bacon to make a vegetarian-friendly version, though the flavor profile will naturally change.
What’s the best way to serve these at a party?
Serve pig shots warm with toothpicks for easy handling alongside small bowls of extra honey BBQ glaze or ranch dressing. They’re perfect as finger food and get eaten up quickly!
How do I make the cream cheese mixture easier to spread?
Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing. Using the plastic baggie as a piping tool helps get a neat, uniform topping on each pig shot with no mess.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a snack or appetizer that truly delivers on flavor, texture, and wow-factor, give this Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe a try. It’s the kind of dish that invites smiles and second helpings every time. So gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and prepare yourself for some seriously delicious bites that will keep everyone coming back for more.
Print
Pig Shots with Spicy Cream Cheese and Honey BBQ Glaze Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 18 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Pig Shots are a delicious appetizer featuring smoked sausage chunks wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with a creamy jalapeno cheddar cheese mixture and brushed with a sweet and tangy honey BBQ glaze. Baked to perfection, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Sausage and Bacon
- 1 pound smoked sausage or kielbasa sausage, cut into ¾ inch chunks
- 12 ounce thick cut bacon
Cheese Mixture
- 4 ounce cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 jalapeno, stem and seeds removed, diced
- ½ cup sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning
BBQ Glaze
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (any brand)
- ⅛ cup honey
- 1 ½ teaspoon brown sugar
Garnish
- Jalapeno slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pig shots.
- Prepare the BBQ glaze: In a small bowl, combine BBQ sauce, honey, and brown sugar. Mix well and set aside for later use.
- Wrap the sausage: Cut the bacon strips in half. Wrap each sausage chunk with one strip of bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed.
- Arrange on baking tray: Place the bacon-wrapped sausages into a muffin pan or lay them out on a baking sheet if preferred.
- Mix cheese topping: In a medium bowl, blend together cream cheese, sour cream, diced jalapeno, sharp cheddar cheese, and Slap Ya Mama seasoning until well combined.
- Fill piping bag: Transfer the cheese mixture into a quart-sized plastic baggie and clip one corner to use as a piping bag.
- Top the sausages: Squeeze the cheese mixture evenly onto the top of each bacon-wrapped sausage chunk.
- Add jalapeno slices and glaze: Place a sliced jalapeno atop each cheese-covered pig shot, then brush the tops generously with the honey BBQ glaze.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the cheese topping is set.
- Serve: Carefully remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these savory, sweet, and spicy pig shots as a perfect party appetizer.
Notes
- Ensure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeno or remove seeds for less heat based on your preference.
- Using toothpicks is helpful to keep the bacon wrapped tightly around the sausage.
- These pig shots can be made ahead and baked just before serving for convenience.
- Serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping if desired.
