An event starts as soon as smoke begins to rise off the grill, and with these smoked appetizers, you will be the legend of the cookout. They take a little prep and a lot of skill, and are completely worth the investment to get your smoker going. Grab your favorite wood chips, pour yourself a cold drink, and let's get to making the kind of bites that people will talk about long after the coals go out.
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1) Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños
There is a very good reason these poppers are the benchmark for all cookout appetizers. They are wrapped in bacon, and have a creamy and spicy filling. The combination of these three elements works exceptionally well together.
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Smoked Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeños
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 250F with your favorite wood.
- Mix the cream cheese and cheddar together and fill each jalapeño half.
- Wrap each stuffed half with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Sprinkle with BBQ rub.
- Smoke for 75 to 90 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the peppers are tender.
- Let cool slightly and serve warm.
Notes
2) Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Cream cheese with herbs paired with silky smoked salmon is an easy yet sophisticated appetizer.
Smoked Salmon Pinwheels
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the cream cheese with dill, capers, and lemon juice.
- Spread the cream cheese evenly over each tortilla.
- Lay smoked salmon slices over the cream cheese.
- Roll each tortilla up tightly and chill for 15 minutes.
- Slice into pinwheels and arrange on a platter.
- Serve cold.
Notes
3) BBQ Smoked Deviled Eggs
Classic devil eggs get an update with a smoky barbecue touch that will have people taking a double look and grabbing doubles!
Ingredients
Method
- Smoke the halved boiled eggs at 225F for 30 minutes for a smoky flavor.
- Scoop the yolks into a bowl and let the whites cool.
- Mash the yolks with mayonnaise, mustard, and BBQ rub until smooth.
- Pipe the filling back into the egg whites.
- Top with bacon bits and a dusting of smoked paprika.
- Chill until ready to serve.
Notes
4) Applewood Smoked Brie Bites
Smoked brie with applewood is decandent and is a showstopper when melted.
Applewood Smoked Brie Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 225F with applewood.
- Place the brie in a small cast iron skillet and brush lightly with olive oil.
- Smoke for 40 to 45 minutes until soft and gooey but still holding its shape.
- Drizzle the warm brie with honey and sprinkle with pecans and thyme.
- Serve immediately with crackers for scooping.
Notes
5) Smoked Cheese and Fruit Skewers
Smoky cheese skewers are paired with sweet, juicy fruit to create a surprising combination that has people coming back for more to find out how and why it works so well.
Smoked Cheese and Fruit Skewers
Ingredients
Method
- Cold smoke the cheese cubes at under 90F for about an hour for a gentle smoky flavor.
- Let the smoked cheese chill in the fridge.
- Thread the smoked cheese, grapes, melon, and basil onto small skewers.
- Arrange the skewers on a platter.
- Drizzle lightly with honey and serve cold.
Notes
6) Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings
Wings with smoky flavors and skin that makes them easy to pull off the bone are also a great main course if you aren't paying attention to what you're ordering.
Hickory Smoked Chicken Wings
Ingredients
Method
- Pat the wings dry and toss with BBQ rub, baking powder, and garlic powder.
- Preheat the smoker to 250F with hickory wood.
- Smoke the wings for 90 minutes until cooked through.
- Raise the heat to 375F and cook for 20 more minutes to crisp the skin.
- Toss the wings with BBQ sauce and melted butter.
- Serve hot.
Notes
7) Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Sticky, sweet, and smoky pork belly burnt ends are total candy for meat lovers and a single bite will show you why people hoard their smoker recipes!
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Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Ingredients
Method
- Season the pork belly cubes generously with BBQ rub.
- Smoke at 250F for about 3 hours until deeply colored.
- Transfer to a foil pan and toss with BBQ sauce, brown sugar, butter, and honey.
- Cover and smoke for 1 more hour until tender and sticky.
- Uncover and let the glaze set for 15 minutes.
- Serve hot with toothpicks.
Notes
8) Peppered Smoked Almonds
Your guests will be drawn to the snack bowl with crunchy almonds that have a smoky, peppery flavor.
Peppered Smoked Almonds
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 225F.
- Toss the almonds with melted butter, pepper, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne.
- Spread in a single layer on a perforated pan or foil.
- Smoke for about 1 hour, stirring every 20 minutes.
- Let cool completely so they crisp up before serving.
Notes
9) Smoked Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms
Smoky melted gouda cheese and meaty mushroom caps are rich and savory and, believe it or not, taste even better after coming off the smoker.
Smoked Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 250F.
- Mix the smoked gouda, breadcrumbs, butter, garlic, and parsley together.
- Stuff each mushroom cap generously with the filling.
- Arrange on a perforated pan.
- Smoke for 40 to 45 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and the tops are golden.
- Serve warm.
Notes
10) Maple Glazed Smoked Sausages
People will hover around the platter waiting to grab more of these no-fuss appetizer bites. They are glazed in sweet maple, and feature delicious smoky sausage.
Maple Glazed Smoked Sausages
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 250F.
- Toss the sausage pieces with BBQ rub.
- Smoke for 40 minutes until heated through and lightly browned.
- Whisk the maple syrup, mustard, brown sugar, and butter together.
- Toss the sausages in the glaze and smoke 15 more minutes until sticky.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
11) Bourbon Smoked Shrimp Skewers
The bourbon sauce shrimp with a hint of smokiness are magnificent skewers that the magic of the bourbon shrimp skillet will make them disappear the moment they hit the dinner table.
Bourbon Smoked Shrimp Skewers
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk the bourbon, brown sugar, BBQ sauce, and butter into a glaze.
- Thread the shrimp onto soaked skewers.
- Preheat the smoker to 250F.
- Smoke the shrimp for 20 to 25 minutes, brushing with glaze, until pink and opaque.
- Give them a final brush of glaze before serving.
- Serve warm.
Notes
12) Smoked Paprika Hummus
Creamy hummus with deeply smoky paprika brings a barbecue soul to your veggie tray.
Smoked Paprika Hummus
Ingredients
Method
- Blend the chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and 1 tablespoon smoked paprika until smooth.
- Add a splash of water if needed to reach a creamy texture.
- Spread the hummus in a shallow bowl.
- Drizzle with the remaining olive oil and dust with the rest of the smoked paprika.
- Serve with veggies or pita.
Notes
13) Smoked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Smoky buffalo cauliflower has a smoky twist that makes the veggie snack truly craveable, even to the meat eaters.
Smoked Buffalo Cauliflower Bites
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 275F.
- Toss the cauliflower florets with olive oil, garlic powder, and BBQ rub.
- Smoke for about 40 minutes until tender and lightly charred.
- Whisk the buffalo sauce with melted butter.
- Toss the smoked cauliflower in the buffalo sauce.
- Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Notes
14) Smoked BBQ Meatballs
Sticky barbecue glaze tender meatballs are a smoky and cozy appetizer that works for any event, during any time of the year.
Smoked BBQ Meatballs
Ingredients
Method
- Mix the beef, pork, egg, breadcrumbs, and BBQ rub and roll into meatballs.
- Preheat the smoker to 250F.
- Smoke the meatballs for about 1 hour until cooked through.
- Toss the meatballs in BBQ sauce in a foil pan.
- Smoke for 15 more minutes until the glaze is sticky.
- Serve warm with toothpicks.
Notes
15) Mesquite Smoked Nachos
When a full sheet of cheesy smoky nachos is brought to the table, everyone can't help but gather around!
Mesquite Smoked Nachos
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 275F with mesquite wood.
- Spread the tortilla chips on a large cast iron pan or foil tray.
- Layer the cooked beef, black beans, cheese, and jalapeños over the chips.
- Smoke for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is fully melted.
- Top with salsa and any fresh garnishes.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
16) Smoky Grilled Vegetable Platter
A beautiful variety of smoky charred vegetables is the fresh and vibrant addition to your meat-heavy cookout spread.
Smoky Grilled Vegetable Platter
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the smoker to 275F.
- Toss all the vegetables with olive oil and Italian seasoning.
- Arrange on a perforated grill pan in a single layer.
- Smoke for 30 to 40 minutes until tender and lightly charred, turning once.
- Arrange the smoked vegetables on a platter.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a herby yogurt dip.