Texas Twinkies
Get ready for a flavor explosion with the Texas Twinkie. This appetizer has taken barbecue by storm. It turns jalapeño peppers into a dish that will excite your taste buds and wow your guests. The Texas Twinkies recipe comes from Texas barbecue culture. It mixes spicy jalapeños, creamy cheese, and smoky brisket, all wrapped in crispy bacon. Each bite is a mix of heat, richness, and texture that's loved at Texas cookouts.
Equipment
- Smoker
- Gloves
- Toothpicks
- Knife
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
- Paper towels
Ingredients
- 14 large jalapeño peppers
- 1 lb smoked beef brisket
- 8 oz cream cheese full-fat recommended
- 1 cup pepper jack cheese freshly shredded
- 28 strips thick-cut bacon
- Barbecue sauce
- Minced garlic
- Chopped scallions
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the jalapeños by wearing gloves to avoid skin irritation.
- Slice peppers lengthwise and remove seeds and inner membranes completely.
- Rinse peppers under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- Create the filling by combining 1 block of cream cheese with 1 cup chopped smoked brisket.
- Add 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, minced garlic, and chopped scallions.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stuff each jalapeño half with the prepared filling.
- Wrap each stuffed pepper with 1-2 bacon strips.
- Secure bacon with toothpicks if needed.
- Preheat smoker to 375°F.
- Smoke at 375°F for approximately 60 minutes until bacon is crispy.
- Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes.
- Let your Texas Twinkies rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Choose regular or thick-cut bacon with a good meat-to-fat ratio for best results.
Slightly cold bacon is easier to work with and keeps its shape better during wrapping.
For less spicy Texas Twinkies, ensure all seeds and membranes are completely removed.
If you don't have a smoker, you can bake them in an oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
Pre-smoking the cream cheese adds a deeper, more complex flavor.
Texas Twinkies can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before cooking.
Leftover Texas Twinkies can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat in oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or air fryer at 370°F for 12-15 minutes.
Slightly cold bacon is easier to work with and keeps its shape better during wrapping.
For less spicy Texas Twinkies, ensure all seeds and membranes are completely removed.
If you don't have a smoker, you can bake them in an oven at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
Pre-smoking the cream cheese adds a deeper, more complex flavor.
Texas Twinkies can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before cooking.
Leftover Texas Twinkies can be stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
Reheat in oven at 350°F for 10-12 minutes or air fryer at 370°F for 12-15 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 15gFat: 28gCholesterol: 75mgSodium: 650mgPotassium: 200mgFiber: 1gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 250IUVitamin C: 15mgCalcium: 100mgIron: 1mg
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