Smoked Texas Twinkies with Pepper Jack Cheese
These Smoked Texas Twinkies with Pepper Jack Cheese are stuffed with smoky chopped brisket and shredded pepper jack cheese, wrapped in bacon, and cooked low and slow until the jalapeños are tender and the bacon is perfectly cooked.
Traditional Texas Twinkies are typically made with a cream cheese filling, but this version skips the cream cheese and uses shredded pepper jack cheese instead. The cheese melts right into the chopped brisket for a gooey, cheesy, smoky filling with just the right amount of heat.
They're an easy smoked appetizer for cookouts, game days, backyard barbecues, or anytime you have leftover brisket to use up. And if you don't have brisket on hand, you can make a "poor man's brisket" by smoking a chuck roast instead.
Why You'll Love These Texas Twinkies
Loaded with smoky chopped brisket
Made without cream cheese
Pepper jack adds a cheesy kick
Wrapped in bacon for even more smoky flavor
Perfect for using leftover brisket
Easy smoker appetizer
Great for BBQs, game days, and parties
What Are Texas Twinkies?
Texas Twinkies are a barbecue-style stuffed jalapeño appetizer. Large jalapeños are typically filled with smoked brisket and cheese, wrapped in bacon, and then smoked until the peppers are tender and the bacon is cooked.
For my version, I use pepper jack cheese instead of cream cheese. The shredded cheese melts into the brisket as the peppers cook, creating a gooey, cheesy center surrounded by smoky bacon.
Using Leftover Brisket
Leftover smoked brisket is perfect for this recipe. Chop it into relatively small pieces so it's easy to pack inside the jalapeños and combines well with the melted pepper jack.
Don't have brisket? You can also make a poor man's brisket using chuck roast. Smoke the chuck roast until tender, then chop the finished meat and use it as the filling.
Smoked Texas Twinkies with Pepper Jack Cheese
Smoked Texas Twinkies stuffed with chopped brisket and pepper jack cheese, wrapped in bacon, and smoked until tender, cheesy, and delicious.
Recipe Details
Category: Appetizer
Cuisine: Texas BBQ
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 16 Texas Twinkies
Ingredients
16 large jalapeños
2 1/2 cups cooked brisket, finely chopped
1 1/3 cups shredded pepper jack cheese
16 slices bacon
Toothpicks, for securing the bacon
How to Make Smoked Texas Twinkies
1. Prepare the Smoker
Preheat your grill or smoker to 300°F.
2. Prepare the Jalapeños
Wash and dry the jalapeños.
Instead of slicing the peppers completely in half, make a T-shaped cut in each jalapeño. Make a small slit across the top of the pepper without cutting all the way through, then make another cut lengthwise down the center.
Carefully open the pepper along the cuts and remove the seeds and inner membranes.
Tip: Removing more of the white membrane will generally give you a milder Texas Twinkie. Leave some membrane behind if you want more heat.
3. Make the Filling
Add the chopped brisket and shredded pepper jack cheese to a large mixing bowl.
Mix until the brisket and cheese are evenly combined.
4. Stuff the Jalapeños
Carefully stuff each prepared jalapeño with the brisket and pepper jack mixture.
Pack the filling inside without forcing so much into the pepper that it splits.
5. Wrap with Bacon
Wrap one full slice of bacon around each stuffed jalapeño.
Secure the bacon with one or more toothpicks as needed to keep everything together while it cooks.
6. Smoke the Texas Twinkies
Place the stuffed and bacon-wrapped jalapeños directly on the smoker or grill.
Cook at 300°F for approximately 60 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked to your liking, the jalapeños have softened, and the pepper jack filling is hot and melted.
Because smokers and grills can vary, use the bacon and pepper tenderness as your main indicators of doneness.
7. Serve
Carefully remove the Texas Twinkies from the smoker and allow them to cool slightly before serving.
Remove all toothpicks before eating and serve warm.
Tips for the Best Texas Twinkies
Choose larger jalapeños. Bigger peppers are much easier to core and stuff with plenty of brisket and cheese.
Shred your own pepper jack. Freshly shredded cheese generally melts more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
Finely chop the brisket. Large chunks can make the jalapeños difficult to stuff. Smaller pieces also combine better with the melted pepper jack.
Don't cut the peppers completely open. The T-cut creates an opening for removing the seeds and adding the filling while helping the jalapeño hold everything together.
Don't overstuff the jalapeños. Pack the filling in firmly, but leave enough room for the pepper to close around it.
Watch the bacon for doneness. Smokers and grills can cook differently, so use the 60-minute cook time as a guide. The Texas Twinkies are ready when the bacon is cooked and the peppers are tender.
Are Texas Twinkies Spicy?
They can be, but removing the seeds and white membranes from the jalapeños takes away a significant amount of their heat.
The pepper jack cheese adds another mild kick, so these still have some spice even after the jalapeños are cleaned out.
If your family prefers milder food, thoroughly remove the membranes from each pepper before stuffing them.
Can I Make Texas Twinkies Without Brisket?
Yes! Smoked chuck roast is a great substitute.
Chuck roast is sometimes called a "poor man's brisket" when it's prepared using a similar smoking method. Once the chuck roast is cooked until tender, chop the meat and use it exactly as you would brisket in this recipe.
It's also a great option if you want to make Texas Twinkies without smoking an entire brisket.
Can I Make Texas Twinkies Ahead of Time?
Yes. You can prepare the jalapeños, make the brisket and pepper jack filling, stuff the peppers, and wrap them in bacon ahead of time.
Keep the assembled Texas Twinkies covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to put them on the smoker.
For food safety and the best texture, don't leave the assembled peppers at room temperature for an extended period before cooking.
How to Store Leftover Texas Twinkies
Store leftover Texas Twinkies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
For the best texture, reheat them in an oven, air fryer, or on the grill until heated through. This helps the bacon crisp back up better than reheating them in the microwave.
What to Serve with Texas Twinkies
These are perfect alongside your favorite barbecue foods. Try serving them with:
Smoked brisket
Pulled pork
Ribs
Burgers
Old-fashioned baked beans
Coleslaw
Mac and cheese
Potato salad
Your favorite barbecue sauce
They're also hearty enough to serve on their own as a game-day or party appetizer.
Final Thoughts
These Smoked Texas Twinkies are one of my favorite ways to turn leftover brisket into something completely different. The smoky chopped brisket, melted pepper jack, tender jalapeño, and crispy bacon come together for an appetizer that's packed with bold BBQ flavor.
They're easy to assemble, the smoker does most of the work, and they're perfect for everything from backyard cookouts to game-day gatherings. If you have leftover brisket sitting in the fridge, this is definitely a recipe worth trying.