If you’ve never had the opportunity to devour a Texas Twinkie from Hutchins BBQ in McKinney, Texas, you my friend are in luck! If you love a Jalapeno Popper you’re going to love this Texas Twinkie Recipe as it’s stuffed with smoked brisket, cream cheese and wrapped in bacon!
Unfortunately, we live some 1,500 miles away from McKinney, Texas. While doing research for this post, I realized you can now get Texas Twinkies delivered to your home from Hutchins BBQ! However, if you’re like me and can’t wait, we’ve got the recipe for you!
A few years ago I decided to make Texas Twinkies with leftover brisket a friend had. Needless to say it was a hit and one that has become a tradition at our Super Bowl Parties. But, you don’t have to just enjoy these bad boys on game day. They are perfect all year long!
What is a Texas Twinkie?
You might be thinking Texas Twinkies have something to do with those little yellow spungy things with cream inside. But, you my friend deserve so much better than that!
A Texas Twinkie is a jalapeno, that has been stuffed with cream cheese and smoked brisket and hugged with a thick cut of bacon! Then the Texas Twinkie is put back on the smoker to cook the bacon and heat everything through. It’s seriously pure heaven.
How do I smoke a brisket?
Because I have a reason for everything, you can read how I Smoke a Brisket with our electric smoker. A tip when it comes to smoking brisket is…PATIENCE. Listen, I have ZERO patience, but when it comes to smoking a brisket, it’s really not that bad. Once the brisket is in the smoker, set it and forget it….at least with the electric smoker.
Also, make sure to season the meat liberally. Don’t be afraid of the seasoning, it’s what gives the meat it’s flavor.
Can I use the Air Fryer To Make Texas Twinkies?
The first time I ever made Texas Twinkies was in the Air Fryer. If you are only doing a handful of Texas Twinkies, yes you can! Place the Texas Twinkies in the bottom of the air fryer basket. Set to 350° for 10-18 minutes. Be sure to watch so that the bacon doesn’t burn.
I wouldn’t recommend cooking anymore in the Air Fryer as the bacon grease sets in the bottom of the basket and will burn and leave your home all smokey. I learned the hard way!
How to Make Texas Twinkies?
Start by preparing your jalapenos. When selecting your jalapenos at the store, just like they say in Texas “bigger is better”!
I truly believe in serving food the way it is suppose to be eaten. Therefore, I trim the top of the jalapeno off. Next, using a sharp pairing knife, slice a straight line down the backside of the jalapeno (it’s often the flat part). Using your fingers spread the jalapeno open.
Grab your pairing knife and carefully de-seed the jalapeno. This is where all the heat is. If you want to leave the jalapeno a little spicy, leave the white rib portion and remove the seeds.
Rinse your jalapenos under water to clean them.
TIP: You’ll want to dry them as much as you can so that the cream cheese is sure to stick.
Using a knife stuff half of the inside of the jalapeno with cream cheese. Ensure there is enough as this will help the brisket stick to and keep in tact.
Once the jalapenos have been stuffed with cream cheese it’s time to add the brisket. Take your shredded or chopped brisket and stuff each jalapeno.
On a flat surface, lay out a slice of thick cut bacon.
Beginning at one side, secure the bacon to the jalapeno with a toothpick. Wrap the jalapeno with the bacon and secure the other end with another toothpick.
When all of the jalapanos have been wrapped in bacon it’s now time to cook them. You can choose to cook them in the oven or the smoker.
OVEN COOKING: Preheat your oven to 400°. Place the Texas Twinkies on a baking sheet (preferably on a wire rack with a baking sheet under to catch the drippings), this will allow the bacon to crisp up nicely. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the bacon has cooked through and done to your liking.
SMOKER COOKING: Preheat your smoker to 275°. Place the Texas Twinkies directly on the wire rack. Allow to cook for 60-90 minutes, until the bacon has cooked through.
Can I add BBQ Sauce on Texas Twinkies?
Honestly, there’s no need to. Just like a well seasoned steak, you shouldn’t have to add flavor with liquid sauce! You’re simply taking away the flavors that are just beautiful. However, if you must, use the bbq sparingly.
How do I Re-Heat Texas Twinkies (Jalapeno Poppers)?
Place a few in an air fryer basket and set on 350° for 6-8 minutes. Remember not to overcrowd your air fryer basket.
If you don’t have an air fryer you can place in the oven at 375° and cook for 10-12 minutes until the Texas Twinkie has heated through.
What to serve with Texas Twinkies
Texas Twinkies are a bbq thing, right? Go big or go home! Here’s a few of my suggestions:
- Smoked Brisket (obvious choice here!)
- Banana Pudding
- Baked Beans
- Mac N Cheese
- Mashed Potatoes
- Homemade Biscuits
Texas Twinkies (Aka Jalapeno Poppers Stuffed with Brisket)
Ingredients
- 8 jalapenos sliced and de-seeded
- 8 slices thick cut bacon
- 12 tbsp cream cheese room temp
- 2 c smoked brisket chopped or shredded
Instructions
- Start by preparing your jalapenos. When selecting your jalapenos at the store, just like they say in Texas “bigger is better”!
- I trim the top of the jalapeno off. Next, using a sharp pairing knife, slice a straight line down the backside of the jalapeno (it’s often the flat part). Using your fingers spread the jalapeno open.
- Grab your pairing knife and carefully de-seed the jalapeno. This is where all the heat is. If you want to leave the jalapeno a little spicy, leave the white rib portion and remove the seeds.
- Rinse your jalapenos under water to clean them and rinse any seeds away.
- Using a knife stuff half of the inside of the jalapeno with cream cheese. Ensure there is enough as this will help the brisket stick to and keep in tact.
- Once the jalapenos have been stuffed with cream cheese it’s time to add the brisket. Take your shredded or chopped brisket and stuff each jalapeno.
- On a flat surface, lay out a slice of thick cut bacon.
- Beginning at one side, secure the bacon to the jalapeno with a toothpick. Wrap the jalapeno with the bacon and secure the other end with another toothpick.
- When all of the jalapanos have been wrapped in bacon it’s now time to cook them. You can choose to cook them in the oven or the smoker.
- OVEN COOKING: Preheat your oven to 400°. Place the Texas Twinkies on a baking sheet (preferably on a wire rack with a baking sheet under to catch the drippings), this will allow the bacon to crisp up nicely. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the bacon has cooked through and done to your liking.
- SMOKER COOKING: Preheat your smoker to 275°. Place the Texas Twinkies directly on the wire rack. Allow to cook for 60-90 minutes, until the bacon has cooked through.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
don’t forget to pin please!
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