Looking for the absolutely perfect appetizer for game day or your upcoming backyard BBQ? These smoked jalapeno poppers are here to deliver with big flavor. They’re also the perfect size for finger food for just about any occasion.

Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

Classic jalapeño poppers have been a backyard BBQ staple for years and for good reason. They’re absolutely delicious! I’ve taken those simple flavors and added my own smoky BBQ twist to this smoked jalapeno poppers recipe.

Crumbled sausage, shredded cheddar, and cream cheese make the best version of a popper filling I’ve ever had. They also get a full covering of bacon and are seasoned with my Sweet Rub for a kiss of old-school smokehouse flavor.

The smoker is the perfect place to cook these poppers. The low heat renders the bacon to a perfect bite-through texture while leaving the jalapeños at that ideal tender-crisp consistency. You’ll never need another popper recipe. This one is the ultimate winner!

Ingredients for Smoked Jalapeno Poppers

These smoked jalapeno poppers aren’t too complicated, but you will need a few ingredients to give you all that amazing jalapeno popper flavor. Here’s what you need to make these poppers.

• 9 jalapenos
• 18 slices bacon (1 slice for each half of a jalapeno)
• 2 Tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
• 1 pound pork sausage
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 4 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub

My Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub is the perfect seasoning for these jalapeno poppers. You can purchase a bottle of this amazing rub from the Hey Grill Hey Store, or you can make some from scratch using my recipe for Best Sweet Rub.

How to Smoke Jalapeno Poppers

Once you have all your ingredients purchased and assembled, you’re ready to get into this recipe! Here’s how to smoke jalapeno poppers.

1. Preheat. Snag your favorite smoker and turn it on to 275 degrees F. Allow the smoker to preheat while you make your jalapeno poppers.
2. Make the filling. Cook the sausage in a medium skillet. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheese, Sweet Rub, and add the sausage.
3. Stuff the jalapenos. Cut your jalapenos in half and remove all the seeds and ribs. Scoop a large amount of the filling into each of the jalapeno halves.
4. Wrap in bacon. Next, wrap each stuffed jalapeno in a slice of bacon. You can tuck the ends or use a toothpick to secure the bacon (just make sure it is secure so it doesn’t unravel on the smoker). You should now have 18 delicious jalapeno poppers ready to go on the smoker. Set them on a baking rack and season well with Sweet Rub.
5. Smoke. Place the rack holding the jalapeno poppers on the grill grates of the smoker. Close the lid, and smoke for 45 minutes.
6. Dig in! Once the bacon is fully cooked on the smoked jalapeno poppers, remove them from the smoker and serve. These make amazing appetizers or snacks during your backyard party.

How Long to Smoke Jalapeno Poppers

Plan on around 45 minutes to smoke these jalapeno poppers. This time may vary slightly each time you cook these depending on the size of your jalapenos, the thickness of the bacon, and the consistency of the head on your smoker. Keep an eye on the bacon, and remove them when the fat has rendered throughout.

Tips for Smoking Jalapeno Poppers

Hold tight for just a moment before diving into the recipe below! Here are some tips for smoking these amazing jalapeno poppers.

• Use regular bacon. No thin-cut or thick-cut types are necessary here. Too thin and it will fall apart.  Too thick and it won’t cook through. Regular bacon is all you need.
• Get a flat baking rack. Once you’ve assembled your poppers, set them on a flat baking rack to cook. This makes moving them around so simple and saves loads of time.
• Prep in advance. Assembling poppers takes time. You can make these the day before, cover them with plastic wrap, and store them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them.

More Jalapeno Popper Recipes

If you love jalapeno poppers, you’ll love these other scrumptious jalapeno popper recipes from Hey Grill Hey.

• Grilled Jalapeno Poppers
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Popper Chicken
• Raspberry Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers

Smoked Jalapeno Popper Recipe

Cooking dinner for your friends or family should be easy. If you’re looking for the ultimate way to help you make better BBQ, feed the people you love, and become a backyard BBQ hero, follow along on my social channels. You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!