Texas Armadillo Balls
Get ready to wow your taste buds with Texas Armadillo Balls—a quintessential appetizer that combines bold flavors and gooey goodness in every bite! These irresistible treats start with spicy jalapeños stuffed with a creamy blend of cheddar and cream cheese, wrapped in seasoned ground sausage, and finished with a smoky jacket of crispy bacon. Sprinkled with barbecue rub and optionally glazed with tangy barbecue sauce, these meaty morsels are baked or grilled to perfection, delivering a smoky, cheesy, and spicy explosion of flavor. Perfect for game day, backyard barbecues, or any gathering, Texas Armadillo Balls are as impressive to serve as they are easy to make. With just 25 minutes of prep and customizable heat levels, these savory bites are bound to be your new go-to crowd-pleaser!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 whole jalapeños
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pound ground sausage (spicy or mild, as preferred)
- 12 slices bacon
- 24 pieces toothpicks (soaked in water for 15 minutes)
- 2 tablespoons barbecue rub
- 0.5 cup barbecue sauce (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) or prepare a grill for indirect cooking at medium heat.
Wash the jalapeños, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and membranes for a milder flavor (leave some seeds for extra spice if desired).
In a medium bowl, mix the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese until fully combined.
Using a spoon or piping bag, fill each jalapeño half with the cheese mixture and set aside.
Divide the sausage into 12 equal portions. Using your hands, flatten each portion into a thin patty.
Wrap each stuffed jalapeño half with a sausage patty, ensuring the sausage completely covers the stuffed jalapeño.
Wrap each sausage-covered jalapeño with a slice of bacon, securing it in place with 1 or 2 soaked toothpicks.
Sprinkle the bacon-wrapped jalapeños with barbecue rub for extra flavor.
Place the armadillo balls on a baking sheet lined with a wire rack (or directly on the grill over indirect heat).
Bake or grill for 25-30 minutes, or until the sausage is fully cooked and the bacon is crispy. Turn halfway through cooking for even browning.
If desired, brush the armadillo balls with barbecue sauce during the last 5 minutes of cooking for a glaze.
Remove from the oven or grill, let cool slightly, then serve warm. Enjoy these smoky, cheesy, spicy bites!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
277 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.7 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.9 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 65 mg | 22% | |
| Sodium | 641 mg | 28% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.4 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 0.6 g | 2% | |
| Total Sugars | 6.3 g | ||
| Protein | 12.4 g | 25% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 103 mg | 8% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 182 mg | 4% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
