Texas Twinkies: Jalapeños Stuffed with Brisket & Creamy Cheese, Wrapped in Crispy Bacon
If you love bold flavors, smoky heat, and gooey cheese, these Texas Twinkies are about to become your new favorite appetizer! These jalapeños stuffed with smoky brisket, cream cheese, and cheddar, then wrapped in crispy bacon and glazed with BBQ sauce, are the ultimate Texan BBQ snack.
Perfect for game days, backyard cookouts, or as a show-stopping appetizer, these Texas Twinkies are spicy, smoky, creamy, and irresistibly delicious!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
🔥 Smoky, Spicy, & Cheesy – The perfect flavor combo.
🥓 Bacon-Wrapped Perfection – Crispy, savory goodness in every bite.
🥩 Stuffed with Brisket – A true Texas BBQ classic.
🍽 Great for Parties – A guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
🔥 Cooked on the Smoker, Grill, or in the Oven – Super versatile.
Ingredients for Texas Twinkies
These stuffed jalapeños are loaded with flavor and require just a few key ingredients.
Main Ingredients:
- 8 large jalapeños (or more, depending on how many you want!)
- 1 cup smoked brisket, chopped (or pulled pork as an alternative)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (for glazing)
How to Make Texas Twinkies
Step 1: Prep the Jalapeños
- Slice the tops off the jalapeños and hollow out the seeds and membranes using a small spoon or knife.
(For milder Twinkies, remove all seeds; for extra heat, leave some in!)
Step 2: Make the Filling
- In a bowl, mix chopped brisket, cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Spoon the mixture into each hollowed-out jalapeño, pressing in firmly.
Step 3: Wrap with Bacon
- Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a strip of bacon, making sure to cover the opening so the cheese doesn’t leak out.
- Secure with toothpicks if needed.
Step 4: Cook the Texas Twinkies
🔥 Smoker or Grill Method (Best for BBQ Lovers!)
- Preheat your smoker or grill to 275°F (135°C).
- Place the bacon-wrapped jalapeños on the grates.
- Smoke for 1 to 1.5 hours until the bacon is crispy and the jalapeños are tender.
- Brush with BBQ sauce in the last 10 minutes for a sticky glaze.
🔥 Oven Method (For Indoor Cooking!)
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the jalapeños on a baking sheet lined with foil or a wire rack.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
- Brush with BBQ sauce and broil for 2-3 minutes for extra caramelization.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
- Let cool slightly, then serve with extra BBQ sauce, ranch, or a creamy dipping sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh touch.
What to Serve with Texas Twinkies
🔥 BBQ Ribs or Brisket – Keep the Texas BBQ theme going!
🥗 Coleslaw or Potato Salad – Adds a cool, refreshing contrast.
🥓 Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers – Double the spice!
🥒 Pickles or Pickled Onions – Cuts through the richness.
Customizations & Variations
🥩 No brisket? Use pulled pork, shredded chicken, or sausage crumbles.
🌶 Want extra heat? Add diced habanero or ghost pepper to the filling!
🧀 Extra cheesy? Mix in pepper jack, gouda, or smoked provolone.
🍯 Sweet & Spicy? Drizzle with hot honey instead of BBQ sauce.
How to Store & Reheat Texas Twinkies
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in a 400°F oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the bacon.
- Freeze: Freeze uncooked Twinkies for up to 3 months; cook straight from frozen.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
✔ Authentic Texas BBQ flavors in one bite.
✔ Perfect balance of spicy, smoky, creamy, and crispy.
✔ Make-ahead friendly & great for parties.
✔ Smoked, grilled, or baked—delicious every way!
Final Thoughts
Texas Twinkies are THE ultimate BBQ appetizer—cheesy, smoky, spicy, and completely addictive. Whether you’re hosting a game day, backyard BBQ, or just craving bold flavors, these stuffed jalapeños wrapped in crispy bacon will steal the show!
🔥 Try them out and let me know—what’s your favorite filling variation? 🍽️🔥