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Texas Twinkies

Texas Twinkies Recipe – Smoky, Cheesy Jalapeño Brisket Poppers


  • Author: Sarah White

Description

Try this flavorful Texas Twinkies recipe featuring brisket, jalapeños, cream cheese, and bacon for the ultimate smoked appetizer.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 large fresh jalapeños
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
  • 12 oz chopped smoked beef brisket (home-smoked or store-bought)
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 24 oz thick-cut bacon
  • Rounded toothpicks (for securing bacon)
  • ¾ cup sweet & tangy barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s or similar)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Jalapeños
    Slice each jalapeño lengthwise on one side without cutting fully through the other side. Remove seeds and membranes for a milder flavor, or leave some in for extra heat.
  2. Make the Filling
    In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese, shredded pepper jack, chopped brisket, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper until well combined.
  3. Stuff the Jalapeños
    Fill each jalapeño generously with the brisket-cheese mixture, pressing the filling in firmly.
  4. Wrap with Bacon
    Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a strip of thick-cut bacon, securing it with a toothpick to hold everything in place.
  5. Smoke or Bake
    Place the wrapped jalapeños on a smoker at 250°F for 1.5–2 hours, or bake in the oven at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until the bacon is crisp.
  6. Glaze with Barbecue Sauce
    Brush the jalapeños with barbecue sauce during the last 10–15 minutes of cooking.
  7. Serve Hot
    Remove the toothpicks and serve immediately while warm and melty.

Notes

Use large jalapeños; smaller ones are harder to stuff.

For extra smoky flavor, use hickory or mesquite wood.

If using the oven, broil for 2 minutes at the end for crispier bacon.

Want them milder? Soak seeded jalapeños in cold water for 20 minutes.