The Ultimate Texas Twinkies Recipe: Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Goodness

Savory jalapeño poppers take on a bold new dimension with this texas twinkies recipe that promises mouthwatering excitement.

Crispy bacon wraps around cream cheese and jalapeño-stuffed sausages, creating an irresistible appetizer.

Southwestern flavors dance together in each bite-sized morsel.

Unexpected combinations make these poppers stand out from typical party snacks.

Bold ingredients blend perfectly to deliver maximum taste impact.

Smoking hot and creamy, these texas twinkies will become your go-to crowd-pleaser that leaves everyone asking for seconds.

You won’t be able to resist their delicious charm.

Smart Tips For Cooking Texas Twinkies

• Manage Pepper Heat: Remove seeds and membranes to control spiciness while keeping jalapeño structure intact.
• Perfect Meat Coating: Mix spices thoroughly into ground beef for consistent, flavorful seasoning throughout each bite.
• Cheese Distribution Trick: Blend cream cheese and cheddar smoothly, ensuring even filling in each jalapeño half.
• Bacon Wrapping Pro Tip: Wrap bacon strips carefully, covering entire meat-wrapped pepper to create crispy, golden exterior.
• Glaze for Extra Flavor: Brush with barbecue sauce during final cooking minutes to add tangy caramelized finish.

Custom Styles Of Texas Twinkies

• Low-Carb Jalapeño Poppers: Replace ground beef with ground turkey or chicken, and wrap in prosciutto instead of bacon for a leaner protein option.
• Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers: Substitute ground meat with black beans or quinoa, using plant-based cheese and vegetarian bacon alternatives.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Use ground pork instead of beef, add extra sharp cheddar, and wrap with sugar-free bacon to maintain low-carb macros.
• Mild Heat Alternative: Remove jalapeño seeds completely, or substitute with poblano peppers for a gentler spice profile that's more family-friendly.

What Goes Well With Texas Twinkies

• Cooling Companion: Ranch Dipping Sauce – Creamy, herbal ranch provides soothing counterpoint to fiery peppers and smoky bacon, enhancing overall taste experience.
• Complementary Side Kick: Pickled Vegetable Salad – Tangy, acidic pickled vegetables offer bright contrast to dense, meaty jalapeño poppers, cleansing palate between bites.
• Beverage Boost: Hard Cider – Slightly sweet, effervescent cider neutralizes spiciness while complementing savory meat and cheese flavors with light, crisp finish.

Storage Tips For Texas Twinkies

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Separate layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Wrap individually in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers or ziplock bags. Frozen jalapeño poppers can last up to 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Arrange poppers on a baking sheet, loosely covered with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through, crisp bacon returns to its original crunch.
• Set air fryer to 350°F. Place poppers in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.

Common Texas Twinkies Questions

• Are jalapeños too spicy for me?

Remove seeds and membranes to reduce heat while keeping pepper flavor. This technique significantly cuts down intense spiciness, making them more enjoyable for those sensitive to hot foods.

• Can I use different ground meat?

Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken work perfectly as substitutes for beef. Each meat option provides a unique flavor profile while maintaining the recipe’s core preparation method.

• How do I prevent bacon from becoming soggy?

Ensure bacon is tightly wrapped and cook at high enough temperature (375°F). Using a wire rack during baking helps excess fat drip away, creating crispy bacon exterior.

• What cheese alternatives can I use?

Swap cream cheese and cheddar with pepper jack, monterey jack, or goat cheese. Choose cheeses that melt well and complement the spicy jalapeño flavor.

Why Texas Twinkies Are Worth Trying

• Spice Up Your Appetizer Game: Transform ordinary jalapeño poppers into a mouthwatering sensation that'll impress everyone at your gathering.
• Master Complex Flavors with Ease: Combine ground beef, bacon, and cheese in a single bite that delivers incredible taste complexity without professional cooking skills.
• Quick Party Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare these stuffed jalapeño poppers that guarantee to be the star of any social event, from game nights to casual get-togethers.
• Customize Heat Levels Perfectly: Control spiciness by carefully removing seeds, making these poppers adaptable for different taste preferences and heat tolerances.

Ingredients For Texas Twinkies

• Jalapeño Peppers: Fresh peppers that provide a spicy base and unique structure for the appetizer.
• Ground Beef: Lean meat that creates a flavorful outer layer for the stuffed peppers.
• Bacon Strips: Crispy meat that adds rich flavor and creates a delicious outer wrapping.

• Cream Cheese, Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Smooth and melty cheeses that create a rich, creamy interior for the jalapeño poppers.

• Chili Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Black Pepper: Classic spices that enhance the ground beef's flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps promote even browning and prevents sticking during cooking.
• Barbecue Sauce: Adds a tangy, caramelized glaze to the final dish.

Making Texas Twinkies At Home

Step 1: Prepare Jalapeño Peppers

Slice jalapeño peppers lengthwise and carefully remove seeds and membranes to reduce heat while keeping the pepper structure intact.

Step 2: Season Ground Beef

• Chili powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Thoroughly mix spices into the meat until well combined.

Step 3: Create Cheese Filling

• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Blend until the ingredients are uniformly combined.

Step 4: Stuff Jalapeño Peppers

Fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution and covering the edges completely.

Step 5: Wrap with Ground Beef

Encase each cheese-filled jalapeño with the seasoned ground beef, creating a complete meat layer around the pepper.

Step 6: Add Bacon Wrap

Carefully cover each meat-wrapped jalapeño with bacon strips, securing the entire package.

Step 7: Prepare Cooking Surface

Preheat outdoor grill or oven to 375°F, ensuring consistent heating.

Step 8: Apply Olive Oil

Brush the wrapped jalapeños with olive oil to promote even browning and prevent sticking.

Step 9: Cook to Perfection

Grill or bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure uniform cooking and achieve a crispy bacon exterior.

Step 10: Add Barbecue Glaze

During the final 5 minutes of cooking, brush with barbecue sauce to create a tangy caramelized finish.

Step 11: Rest and Settle

Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to stabilize internal temperatures.

Step 12: Serve and Enjoy

Slice diagonally and serve hot as a spicy appetizer or game-day snack.

Texas Twinkies Recipe

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4.8 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Jalapeño poppers meet barbecue magic in these mouthwatering Texas Twinkies, packed with cream cheese and wrapped in crispy bacon. Smoky, spicy, and irresistibly indulgent, you’ll crave these game-day sensations that bring serious flavor to any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Cheese:

• 2 lbs ground beef
• 1 lb cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 lb bacon

Peppers and Seasoning:

• 8 jalapeño peppers
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Wrapping and Topping:

• 1 package bacon strips
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Slice jalapeño peppers lengthwise, carefully removing seeds and membranes to reduce intense heat while maintaining pepper structure.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine ground beef with chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper, thoroughly blending spices into meat.
3. Mix cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese in a separate bowl until uniformly combined.
4. Stuff each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution and filling to the edges.
5. Wrap the cheese-filled jalapeños with seasoned ground beef, completely encasing the peppers in a meat layer.
6. Carefully wrap each meat-covered jalapeño with bacon strips, securing the entire package.
7. Preheat outdoor grill or oven to 375°F, preparing for consistent heat cooking.
8. Brush wrapped jalapeños with olive oil to promote even browning and prevent sticking.
9. Grill or bake for 25-30 minutes, rotating occasionally to ensure uniform cooking and crispy bacon exterior.
10. During final 5 minutes of cooking, brush with barbecue sauce to add a tangy caramelized glaze.
11. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to allow internal temperatures to stabilize.
12. Slice diagonally and serve hot as a spicy appetizer or game-day snack.

Notes

• Reduce spiciness by removing all seeds and membranes carefully, ensuring pepper structure remains intact for best presentation.
• Create uniform meat coverage by gently pressing ground beef around jalapeños, avoiding air pockets or uneven thickness.
• Soften cream cheese at room temperature before mixing with cheddar for smoother, easier blending and more consistent filling.
• Experiment with alternative protein wrappings like turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for dietary modifications and healthier options.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Snacks, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 7 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg