Description
Sizzling pig shots combine crispy bacon cups with creamy cheese filling for an irresistible appetizer. Savory bites deliver rich flavors that party guests will devour quickly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) smoked sausage, cut into ½-inch thick slices
- 1 lb (454 g) thick-cut bacon, cut in half
- 8 oz (227 g) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (113 g) shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup (14 g) green onions, finely chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Preparation: Craft bacon-sausage vessels by wrapping thin bacon slices around sausage rounds, creating circular cups. Secure each cup with a toothpick to maintain structural integrity.
- Cheese Mixture: Blend cream cheese, sharp cheddar, green onions, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne into a harmonious, flavor-packed filling.
- Assembly: Carefully fill bacon vessels with the creamy mixture, ensuring complete coverage without overflowing the delicate bacon boundaries.
- Baking Setup: Arrange pig shots on a lined baking sheet, providing ample space between each morsel to promote even browning and crisp development.
- Oven Transformation: Roast in a preheated oven at 400F (200C) for 25-30 minutes. Watch as bacon edges turn golden and crisp while the cheese interior bubbles and caramelizes into a decadent appetizer.
- Serving: Remove from oven and allow a brief cooling period to stabilize the molten cheese and enhance textural perfection before serving these savory bites.
Notes
- Bacon Selection Matters: Choose thin, high-quality bacon slices that crisp evenly and wrap smoothly around sausage rounds for optimal texture and structural integrity.
- Prevent Bacon Shrinkage: Partially cook bacon before wrapping to reduce excessive fat rendering and minimize cup distortion during final baking.
- Cheese Mixture Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for seamless blending, creating a smooth, lump-free filling that distributes evenly within bacon vessels.
- Toothpick Removal Timing: Remove toothpicks carefully after baking when pig shots have slightly cooled to prevent burning fingers and maintain appetizer presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg