Pork Belly Lollipops
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 3–4 hours (approx.)
Smoker Temp: 250°F–275°F (Recommended for pork belly)
Ingredients
2 lbs Skinless pork belly (cut into 2-inch wide strips)
1 pack Thick-cut bacon
Rub: Your favorite Sweet & Spicy BBQ rub (brown sugar, chipotle, smoked paprika base)
Sauce: Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce
Finish: Hot honey
Tools: Sturdy bamboo skewers and toothpicks
Instructions
The Prep: Cut the pork belly into uniform 2-inch strips. Generously coat all sides with your Sweet & Spicy rub.
The Wrap: Take a 2 slices of thick-cut bacon and wrap it tightly around the pork belly strip. Secure the bacon with a toothpick.
The Lollipop: Thread a bamboo skewer through the center of the pork belly.
The Second Layer: Hit the outside of the bacon-wrapped bundle with another dusting of rub. This ensures the bacon gets that sweet/spicy crust too.
The Smoke: Set your smoker to 250°F or 275°F. Place the lollipops on the grates.
Note: Since you're aiming for an internal temp of 190°F, a lower temp helps render the fat without burning the sugar in the rub.
The Glaze: Once the internal temp hits 190°F and the bacon is crispy, brush each lollipop with the Raspberry Chipotle BBQ sauce.
The Set: Let them smoke for another 10–15 minutes until the sauce is tacky and "set."
The Finish: Remove from the smoker and give them a final, glossy drizzle of hot honey while they are still piping hot.