The Best Carolina Twinkies Recipe (Easy Smoked BBQ Appetizer)

Appetizer
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If you're looking for the ultimate BBQ appetizer, these Carolina Twinkies are guaranteed to steal the show. Smoky, cheesy, savory, and just the right amount of spice, they're loaded with pimento cheese, wrapped in sausage, then finished with crispy bacon and your favorite BBQ seasoning.

Every time I make these for a cookout, tailgate, or family barbecue, they disappear within minutes. The combination of creamy pimento cheese, smoky sausage, crispy bacon, and tender jalapeños creates the perfect bite that's packed with flavor.

Whether you're cooking on your smoker for game day, summer gatherings, or backyard BBQs, this Carolina Twinkies recipe is one everyone will ask you to make again.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Loaded with bold, smoky BBQ flavor

  • Creamy pimento cheese in every bite

  • Juicy sausage wrapped around tender jalapeños

  • Crispy bacon on the outside

  • Easy to prepare ahead of time

  • Perfect for BBQs, tailgates, parties, and holidays

  • Always a crowd favorite

Carolina Twinkies Recipe

These Carolina Twinkies are the ultimate smoked appetizer for any BBQ, tailgate, or backyard gathering. Fresh jalapeños are stuffed with creamy pimento cheese, wrapped in savory sausage and crispy bacon, then seasoned with BBQ rub and smoked to perfection. They're packed with bold flavor, surprisingly easy to make, and guaranteed to be one of the first things to disappear from the table!

Recipe Details

  • Category: Appetizer

  • Cuisine: American

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes

  • Cook Time: About 90 minutes

  • Total Time: About 1 hour 50 minutes

  • Servings: 8 Carolina Twinkies

Ingredients

  • 8 large jalapeños, cored and seeded

  • 8 ounces pimento cheese

  • 2 pounds ground sausage, regular or hot

  • 16 slices bacon

  • BBQ rub of choice, such as Meat Church Holy Cow BBQ Rub

How to Make Carolina Twinkies

1. Prepare the Jalapeños

  1. Wash the jalapeños and slice off the stems.

  2. Carefully remove the seeds and membranes from each jalapeño.

  3. If you prefer a spicier appetizer, leave a little of the membrane intact for extra heat.

  4. Fill each jalapeño completely with pimento cheese.

2. Wrap the Jalapeños in Sausage

  1. Divide the ground sausage into portions large enough to completely cover each stuffed jalapeño.

  2. Flatten a portion of sausage into a thin layer using your hands.

  3. Cover the open end of the stuffed jalapeño first to help seal the pimento cheese inside.

  4. Use additional sausage to completely wrap the jalapeño, pressing the seams together so the sausage fully encloses the pepper.

  5. Repeat with the remaining jalapeños.

3. Wrap with Bacon

  1. Wrap each sausage-covered jalapeño with 2 slices of bacon, slightly overlapping the slices as you go.

  2. Make sure the bacon covers as much of the sausage as possible.

  3. Generously season all sides with your favorite BBQ rub.

4. Smoke the Carolina Twinkies

  1. Preheat your smoker to 300°F.

  2. Place the Carolina Twinkies directly on the smoker grate.

  3. Smoke for approximately 90 minutes, or until the sausage reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the bacon is fully cooked and crispy.

  4. If the bacon isn't as crispy as you'd like, continue cooking for a few additional minutes or finish the Twinkies over higher heat.

  5. Remove from the smoker and allow them to rest for about 5 minutes.

5. Slice and Serve

  1. Slice each Carolina Twinkie into 4–6 bite-sized pieces.

  2. Serve warm while the pimento cheese is creamy and the bacon is crispy.

Tips for the Best Carolina Twinkies

  • Wear gloves when handling jalapeños. This helps prevent the oils from irritating your hands, especially if you're handling a large number of peppers.

  • Don't overstuff the peppers. Leave enough room for the sausage to completely seal the jalapeño so the cheese doesn't leak out during cooking.

  • Seal the sausage completely. Make sure there are no gaps or exposed areas around the pepper before wrapping it in bacon.

  • Use regular or hot sausage. Regular sausage keeps the flavor milder, while hot sausage adds another layer of heat.

  • Watch the bacon toward the end of cooking. If it needs more crisping, increase the heat briefly or finish the Twinkies over higher heat.

  • Let them rest before slicing. A short rest gives the melted cheese time to settle and makes the Twinkies easier to slice.

Variations

Sweet Heat

Brush the Carolina Twinkies with your favorite BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes of cooking for a sweet and smoky finish.

Spicier Carolina Twinkies

Use hot sausage and leave some of the jalapeño membranes intact for extra heat.

Different Cheese

Swap the pimento cheese for softened cream cheese mixed with shredded cheddar for a slightly different flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Carolina Twinkies?

Carolina Twinkies are smoked jalapeños stuffed with pimento cheese, wrapped in sausage, and then wrapped in bacon before being seasoned and smoked until fully cooked.

Can I make Carolina Twinkies ahead of time?

Yes! Assemble the Carolina Twinkies up to 24 hours in advance, cover them tightly, and refrigerate until you're ready to smoke them.

Can I use hot sausage?

Absolutely. Hot sausage is a great option if you want to add more heat and flavor to the recipe.

How do I store leftovers?

Store leftover Carolina Twinkies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat Carolina Twinkies?

Reheat them in a 350°F oven or air fryer for 10–15 minutes, or until heated through and the bacon has crisped back up.

Serving Suggestions

Carolina Twinkies are perfect for serving alongside your favorite BBQ and game-day appetizers. Serve them with:

  • BBQ sauce

  • Ranch dressing

  • Extra pimento cheese

  • Coleslaw

  • Potato salad

  • Baked beans

  • Corn on the cob

They're especially good served warm straight from the smoker while the cheese is still creamy.

Final Thoughts

If you're looking for the ultimate smoker appetizer, this Carolina Twinkies Recipe is hard to beat. Smoky bacon, juicy sausage, creamy pimento cheese, and tender jalapeños come together to create the perfect combination of flavors in every bite.

They're easy to prepare, incredibly satisfying, and always one of the first appetizers to disappear at a BBQ. Whether you're cooking for a backyard gathering, football party, or holiday cookout, these Carolina Twinkies are a fun and flavorful appetizer everyone will be asking you to make again.

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