There’s something magical about the combination of smoky turkey bacon, melty cheese, and spicy jalapeños. And when you wrap all of that into one perfect bite-sized treat? Well, that’s how you end up with Texas Twinkies—aka the ultimate party snack. Whether you’re tailgating, hosting game night, or just craving something cheesy and indulgent, these are the bites you’ll keep coming back to.
Now, I know the name might make you think of something sweet (thanks, Hostess), but these savory little flavor bombs are anything but dessert. The “Twinkie” part actually comes from how they’re shaped and stuffed—like a plump, cheesy, turkey bacon-wrapped snack that’s just begging to be devoured. And let me tell you, once you make a batch, don’t expect leftovers. Trust me—I’ve made them for gatherings where they vanished before I could grab seconds.
These are basically elevated jalapeño poppers. The filling is rich and creamy, with just the right amount of garlic and smoky paprika to balance the heat. Then, everything is hugged by crispy, golden bacon. If you’ve never had a warm, cheesy jalapeño wrapped in turkey bacon fresh from the oven… you’re in for a treat.
So, let’s get started—these Texas Twinkies aren’t going to make themselves.
Ingredients You’ll Need
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12 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
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8 ounces cream cheese, softened
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½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon smoked paprika
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12 slices thin-cut turkey bacon
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Toothpicks for securing
STEP 1: Preheat and Prep Your Baking Setup
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. You’ll want it good and hot to crisp up the turkey bacon just right. Grab a rimmed baking sheet and set a wire rack inside it—this helps the turkey bacon cook evenly and lets the fat drip away, which keeps everything crispy instead of soggy.
STEP 2: Mix the Creamy Filling
In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Give it a good stir until everything is nice and smooth. The smoked paprika adds a subtle depth that really compliments the turkey bacon and peppers.
Pro tip: Let your cream cheese sit out for 20–30 minutes beforehand so it blends easily. Nobody wants to fight with a cold brick of cheese!
STEP 3: Fill the Jalapeños
Slice your jalapeños in half lengthwise, then scoop out the seeds and ribs. If you’re sensitive to spice, removing every last bit of the white membrane helps mellow the heat. I also recommend wearing gloves for this part—pepper oils can linger on your hands and sneak into your eyes hours later (ask me how I know).
Once prepped, spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half. Don’t be stingy—fill them up generously and smooth the tops for an even bake.
STEP 4: Wrap with turkey Bacon and Secure
Here comes the fun part: wrapping them in turkey bacon. Use one slice per stuffed pepper, wrapping it tightly around so the cheese is fully tucked in. You can slightly overlap the turkey bacon as you go. Secure it with a toothpick to keep everything in place while it bakes.
Thin-cut turkey bacon works best here—it gets crispy faster and doesn’t overpower the pepper. If you use thick-cut, you might need to bake a little longer or finish them under the broiler.
Crispy, Creamy, and Totally Irresistible: Finishing Your Texas Twinkies
Alright, we’ve got our jalapeños stuffed and wrapped like the little turkey bacon-clad beauties they are. Now it’s time to bring everything together in the oven—where the magic really happens.
One of the best things about Texas Twinkies is how incredibly simple they are to bake. No frying mess, no fancy gadgets. Just a hot oven and a little patience while everything bubbles and crisps to perfection. And once they’re out? Let’s just say it’s hard to stop at just one.
In this part, we’ll finish up the recipe, walk through baking and cooling, and then I’ll share a few fun ways to customize the flavor based on your spice preference (or sweet tooth). Let’s get back to it.
STEP 5: Arrange and Bake
Place your bacon-wrapped jalapeños on the wire rack you prepped earlier. Make sure they’re spaced out so the hot air can circulate around them—this helps the turkey bacon cook evenly and crisp up on all sides.
Now slide the pan into your preheated 400°F oven and let them bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the turkey bacon is golden brown and crispy and the cheese is bubbling just a bit around the edges.
If your bacon isn’t quite as crispy as you like by the 25-minute mark, you can pop them under the broiler for 1–2 minutes—just keep a close eye so they don’t burn. Bacon goes from crisp to charred pretty quickly under high heat.
STEP 6: Let Them Rest
Once the Twinkies are done baking, take them out and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the cheese set up a bit so it doesn’t completely ooze out when you bite in.
Trust me, they’re worth the wait. Letting them cool slightly also makes them easier to handle—no burnt fingers, and no molten cheese surprises.
Tips & Customizations
Here are a few easy tweaks you can make to take these to the next level or suit different flavor preferences:
1. Milder Version:
If you’re not into spicy foods, try using mini sweet peppers instead of jalapeños. They’re colorful, sweet, and still deliver that awesome cheesy-bacon combo without any heat.
2. Add a Touch of Sweetness:
Before baking, brush the bacon lightly with brown sugar or maple syrup. It caramelizes in the oven and creates an irresistible sweet-salty flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy filling.
3. Kick It Up a Notch:
Want extra heat? Mix in a little chopped chipotle pepper or a dash of hot sauce into the cheese mixture. You can also sprinkle the tops with a pinch of cayenne before baking.
4. Go Extra Cheesy:
Swap out the cheddar for a mix of cheeses—pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or even Gouda all work beautifully. Just keep the total amount around ½ cup for the best texture.
5. For Dipping:
Serve with ranch dressing, blue cheese dip, or even chipotle aioli on the side. That cool, creamy contrast is the perfect partner to the heat and richness of the Twinkies.
Storing and Reheating
If by some miracle you have leftovers, don’t worry—they keep really well. Just store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven until they’re warmed through and the bacon crisps back up—usually about 10 minutes.
Microwaving works in a pinch, but you’ll lose some of that crispy bacon texture. The oven is definitely the way to go if you want to keep that “just baked” feel.
Texas Twinkies FAQ + Final Thoughts for the Perfect Party Bite
We’re in the home stretch! By now, you’ve seen just how simple (and downright delicious) Texas Twinkies can be. These smoky, cheesy, turkey bacon-wrapped jalapeños are the kind of snack that disappears the moment they hit the table—and once you try them, it’s easy to see why.
Before we wrap up, I want to answer a few of the most common questions I get about making Texas Twinkies. Whether you’re making these for the first time or just looking to troubleshoot a previous batch, these tips should have you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make Texas Twinkies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can stuff and wrap the jalapeños up to 24 hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Just keep in mind that cold turkey bacon might take a couple of extra minutes in the oven to crisp up.
2. How do I make them less spicy?
To tame the heat, make sure you remove all the seeds and white ribs from the jalapeños—those parts carry most of the spice. Or, for an extra mild option, swap in mini sweet peppers instead.
3. Can I cook these on a grill instead of in the oven?
Yes! Place them over indirect heat on a medium grill, close the lid, and cook for about 20–25 minutes. Rotate them occasionally to keep the turkey bacon from burning. It’s a great option when you don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
4. What if I don’t have a wire rack?
No problem—you can place the Twinkies directly on a foil-lined baking sheet. Just know the bottoms might get a bit greasier since they’ll be sitting in the turkey bacon drippings. To help, you can crumple foil into a makeshift rack or use parchment paper for easier cleanup.
5. Can I freeze Texas Twinkies?
You can, but they’re definitely best fresh. If you do freeze them, bake them first, let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer. When ready to reheat, bake from frozen at 375°F until hot and crispy—about 20–25 minutes.
6. What’s the best bacon to use?
Stick with thin-cut bacon. It cooks faster and crisps up more evenly around the peppers. Thick-cut tends to stay a little chewy unless you precook it slightly (which can get tricky when wrapping).
7. Can I add meat to the filling?
You sure can! A little chopped brisket, pulled pork, or even crumbled sausage mixed into the cheese filling takes these over the top. Just make sure it’s finely chopped and not too greasy.
Final Thoughts: Why Texas Twinkies Belong at Every Gathering
There’s something so satisfying about food that’s simple, packed with flavor, and a total crowd-pleaser. Texas Twinkies hit every one of those notes. They’re smoky, creamy, a little spicy, and incredibly addictive. Whether you’re making them for a summer cookout, game day, or even as a fun appetizer for your next dinner party, they never disappoint.
What I love most is how versatile they are—you can adjust the heat, the sweetness, even the cheese blend to make them totally your own. And once you’ve made them a couple of times, they come together fast enough to whip up even for a last-minute get-together.
If you give these a try, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Did you add any fun twists—like sweet glaze, extra meat, or a new dipping sauce? Let me know in the comments, and don’t forget to share this recipe with friends and family. Just be warned: once you serve them, you might be on the hook to bring them to every party from here on out.
PrintTexas Twinkies
Spicy jalapeño halves filled with creamy cheese and wrapped in smoky turkey bacon, baked until the turkey bacon is crisp and the cheese is melting. These crowd-pleasing bites deliver a perfect balance of heat, creaminess, and savory sweetness.
Ingredients
12 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
12 slices thin-cut turkey bacon
Toothpicks for securing
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 400 °F and position a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet.
In a bowl combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and smoked paprika until smooth.
Spoon the cheese mixture into each jalapeño half, filling them generously and smoothing the tops.
Wrap each stuffed jalapeño with a single slice of turkey bacon, overlapping slightly, and secure the ends with a toothpick.
Arrange the wrapped peppers on the prepared rack, leaving space between each for even airflow.
Bake until the bacon is deeply browned and crisp and the cheese filling is bubbly, about 20 to 25 minutes.
Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the cheese to set slightly and the peppers to cool.
Notes
For milder bites remove all ribs and seeds from the jalapeños or substitute mini sweet peppers. To add sweetness brush the turkey bacon with a thin layer of brown sugar or maple syrup before baking. Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two days and reheated on a baking sheet at 350 °F until warmed through and crisp.
