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