Irresistible Armadillo Eggs Recipe: Smoked Jalapeños Wrapped in Bacon

Do you love trying new recipes? Do you enjoy delicious and fun meals?

If so, then you need to try this smoked Armadillo Eggs recipe! This unique dish is perfect for a fun and exciting dinner with friends or family.

Armadillo Eggs — also known as armadillo poppers or Texas Armadillo Eggs — are jalapeño poppers stuffed with a rich cheese mixture, wrapped in breakfast sausage, and then coated in crispy bacon. They are a true BBQ appetizer staple in Texas cuisine.

Let’s go over an easy armadillo eggs recipe that you can make at home.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s start cooking!

Ingredients Needed for This Armadillo Egg Recipe

• 4 large jalapeños (hollowed out)
• 12 slices bacon
• 6 tbsp BBQ rub
• 4 tbsp BBQ sauce
• 1 block of cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 1 lb spicy breakfast sausage (or your favorite pork sausage)
• Garlic powder

Instructions: How to Make Armadillo Eggs

1. Preheat the grill or smoker to 300°F.
2. Remove the cores from your jalapeños with a butter knife and trim the tops.
3. In a small mixing dish, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and 2 teaspoons of BBQ rub to create your delicious cheese mixture.
4. Fill the jalapeño peppers with the cheese filling using a piping bag.
5. Divide the breakfast sausage into portions, then wrap each jalapeño to form an egg shape. These become your armadillo balls.
6. Wrap each sausage-covered jalapeño with 2–3 slices of bacon.
7. Sprinkle BBQ rub on top of the bacon.
8. Place the armadillo eggs on the grill or smoker and cook for 2 hours.
9. Baste each egg with BBQ sauce halfway through and return them to the grill for another 30 minutes.
10. Let cool for 15–20 minutes before slicing and serving.

Watch How to Make Smoked Armadillo Eggs

[su_youtube url=”https://youtu.be/WFgFb7fkGtw” autoplay=”yes” mute=”yes” title=”How to Cook Smoked Armadillo Eggs on the Grill”]

 

Making Smoked Armadillo Eggs: A Step-by-Step Guide

To prep your smoked armadillo eggs recipe, start by hollowing out the jalapeños. You can use a butter knife to remove the core and seeds. Dragging the knife in a circular motion ensures a clean, hollow pepper.

Make The Cheese Filling

The cheesy center of armadillo poppers is what makes them so irresistible.

Mix together:

• 1 block of softened cream cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar
• Garlic powder
• A generous sprinkle of BBQ rub

Use gloves to mix everything by hand until soft. Stuff the cheese mixture into the jalapeños using a piping bag or form the mixture into egg shapes and push them into the peppers manually.

It’s now time to add the actual meat.

Wrap with Sausage and Bacon

Next, wrap your cheese-stuffed jalapeño with spicy breakfast sausage or pork sausage until fully covered in a smooth, egg-shaped ball. Then, wrap each one with bacon — 2 to 3 strips usually work best.

Tip: Avoid overlapping bacon too much to ensure even cooking.

Turn On The Smoker

Set your smoker to low and slow — about 250°F. Place your smoked armadillo eggs on the grates and cook for around 2 hours.

Halfway through, baste with your favorite BBQ sauce and continue cooking for 20–30 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the internal temperature of the sausage reaches 160°F.

Let them cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

The Best Smoked Armadillo Eggs Recipe

This smoked armadillo eggs recipe is a mouthwatering blend of smokiness, creaminess, and just the right amount of heat.

Whether you call them armadillo bites, armadillo balls, or Texas armadillo eggs, they’re perfect as a party appetizer or a hearty BBQ side dish.

Give them a try today — fire up your smoker and enjoy!

If you’re into steak pairings, check out our New York Strip vs. Sirloin comparison for the perfect combo with your armadillo poppers!

FAQs About Smoked Amardillo Eggs