Description
Texas Twinkies are a bold and cheesy appetizer made with jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cream cheese, wrapped in bacon, and finished with barbecue sauce. They’re the perfect bite-sized treat for BBQ lovers looking for a quick, smoky, and crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10 jalapeño peppers
- 16 ounces of bacon
- 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups chopped leftover beef brisket
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Slap Ya Mama seasoning (or Cajun seasoning of choice)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ cup barbecue sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to allow air circulation and even crisping of the bacon.
- Prep the Peppers: Wash and dry the jalapeños. Cut down one side lengthwise without slicing them in half completely. Carefully remove the seeds and inner membranes using a spoon or your fingers, then set aside. Remember to avoid touching your eyes and wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
- Make the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth and fluffy. Add in the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped brisket, Slap Ya Mama seasoning, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix until well combined and evenly distributed.
- Fill the Peppers: Gently open each jalapeño and use a spoon or small spatula to stuff the filling into the cavity. Be generous but ensure you can still close the pepper for wrapping.
- Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed pepper tightly with a slice of bacon, starting at one end and spiraling to the other. Secure with a toothpick if needed to prevent unwrapping during baking.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on the prepared rack. Bake in the oven for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the bacon is golden brown and crispy. Remove from the oven briefly.
- Add the BBQ Glaze: Brush the tops of each Texas Twinkie with barbecue sauce, then return them to the oven for another 10 to 15 minutes. The sauce will caramelize slightly and add a sticky-sweet finish.
- Let Cool Before Serving: Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving, as the filling will be very hot. Enjoy warm as an appetizer or snack.
Notes
- To reduce spice, use gloves while preparing peppers and remove all seeds and membranes. Mini bell peppers are a great mild substitute. Use a piping bag or zip-top bag with the corner cut off for easy filling. For extra smoky flavor, try smoking them at 250°F for 90 minutes or using the air fryer for a quicker method. You can also freeze unbaked or baked Twinkies for up to a month.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Texas Twinkie
- Calories: 423
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1083mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 101mg