When it comes to barbecue, sometimes the simplest recipes bring the biggest smiles—and bacon is always a winner. Inspired by BBQ legend Brian Misko from “Grilling with House of Q,” this bacon bites recipe is a perfect example of how a few quality ingredients and smart techniques can create a mouthwatering snack that’s perfect for game day, family gatherings, or anytime you want to impress with minimal fuss.

Getting Started: Preparing the Bacon

The foundation of this recipe is a 2-pound slab of cured bacon, skin removed, ready to be transformed. Instead of using pre-sliced bacon strips, this recipe calls for cutting the slab into roughly 1-inch wide strips. This approach doubles the surface area exposed to seasoning and smoke, which means more flavor in every bite. Note this recipe used slab bacon and not an uncured pork belly. The texture is different in the end and curing process can be unique from the “bacon-maker”.

After cutting the bacon into strips, a light coating of Slow Smoke Gold BBQ Sauce acts as a binder. It might sound unusual, but mustard is a classic barbecue secret—it helps the seasoning stick without overpowering the meat’s natural flavor.

Seasoning with Competition Rib Rub

For seasoning, House of Q Comptition Rib Rub is the go-to choice. Known for its balanced sweetness and saltiness, this rub packs a punch that complements pork beautifully. The rub is applied evenly on all sides of each bacon strip, ensuring every bite bursts with that classic barbecue flavor.

Smoking the Bacon: Low and Slow

The seasoned bacon strips are then taken to the smoker. For us, a Yoder Smokers YS640 pellet grill is set to 250°F. Placing the bacon on the second shelf with enough space allows the smoke to circulate, infusing the bacon with a rich, smoky aroma while cooking it gently.

The goal here is to smoke the bacon until it reaches an internal temperature of about 200°F. After roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes, the bacon develops a fantastic color and becomes tender to the touch—almost ready for the next step.

Finishing Touch: Glazing and Direct Grilling

To add a sticky, sweet glaze, the smoker temperature is cranked up to 400°F. The bacon strips are brushed with House of Q Apple Butter BBQ Sauce. This sauce brings a unique combination of sweetness and a subtle tang that pairs perfectly with the smoky, salty bacon.

Next, the bacon is placed directly over the firebox, allowing the heat to caramelize the sauce and create beautiful grill marks. This direct grilling step takes about 5 to 10 minutes, enough time for the glaze to tack up and become irresistibly sticky.

Serving and Enjoying Bacon Bites

Once glazed and grilled, the bacon is cut into bite-sized cubes. The result is a tender, salty, and sweet snack with a rich mouthfeel thanks to the bacon’s natural fat. The combination of smoky, savory, and fruity flavors makes these bacon bites a fantastic game day treat or a crowd-pleaser at any barbecue.

This recipe’s simplicity, paired with the quality of products from House of Q, shows how you can elevate classic bacon into something special without a lot of effort.

Why Use House of Q Products?

House of Q’s Apple Butter BBQ Sauce is a standout in this recipe. Its sweetness and subtle spice perfectly complement the smoky bacon, creating a balanced flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting. Using quality rubs and sauces like these not only enhances the flavor but also makes the cooking process more enjoyable and consistent.

An alternate sauce from House of Q for this recipe would be Five Star BBQ Sauce. It is sweet and tangy – both characters that work really well with pork.

Try It Yourself!

This bacon bites recipe is a keeper. Whether you’re looking for a simple appetizer or a flavorful snack, it’s easy to prepare and a guaranteed hit. Grab your slab of bacon, some House of Q rubs, and some Apple Butter BBQ Sauce, and get ready to impress your friends and family with this deliciously smoky and sweet treat.

Bacon Bites

Print Recipe

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine Grill, Smoker

HoQ Product Apple Butter BBQ Sauce, Competition Rib Rub, Five Star Competition BBQ Sauce, House Rub, Slow Smoke Gold BBQ Sauce

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 4 hours hrs

Servings 4 people

Author House of Q

Ingredients

• 5 lb pork belly
• 1/4 cup House of Q Slow Smoke Gold BBQ Sauce
• 1/2 cup House of Q Competition Rib Rub or House Rub
• For the wrap:
• 1/2 cup Apple Juice
• 3 tbsp Honey
• For the glaze:
• 1 cup House of Q Apple Butter BBQ Sauce
• 3 tbsp Honey

Instructions

• Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
• Slice the pork belly into 2” cubes. Rub the cubes with a light coat of Slow Smoke Gold BBQ Sauce. Season with the Competition Rib Rub. Place the pork cubes on a jerky rack and transfer to the smoker, leaving space around each cube. Smoke until a mahogany brown bark is formed on the outside, about 3 hours.
• Remove the pork cubes from the grill. Transfer the pork to a sheet of foil, laid out in a single layer. Pour the apple juice and 3 tablespoons honey over the pork. Wrap tightly with the foil. Return the foil to the smoker.
• Increase the grill temperature to 300°F. Continue cooking until the cubes are very tender, nearly falling apart, about 45 minutes. The internal temperature will be around 205°F-210°F.
• Open the foil packet. Pour about 1/2 cup House of Q Apple Butter BBQ Sauce over the pork burnt ends. Drizzle the remaining 3 tbsp honey over the top as well. Toss gently to coat. Return to the grill and cook until the sauce is tacky, about 15-20 minutes.
• Remove from the smoker and serve warm.

Made with VideoToBlog using Bacon Bites Recipe from Chef Tom at All Things Barbecue.

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Want to See the Video?

Chef Tom from All Things Barbecue made a video for this recipe. He’s a great chef and has lot’s of great recipes for BBQ fans and those that use smokers. Check out their YouTube channel.