I have to be honest—this recipe surprised me the first time I tried it. I’d already loved Texas Twinkies on their own, but once I wrapped that smoky, cheesy, jalapeño goodness inside a crispy egg roll shell and finished it with warm honey, I knew I’d stumbled onto something dangerous… in the best way. If you’re anything like me, you’re going to take one bite and think, “Okay, this might be my new favorite party snack.”

What This Recipe Is All About

Think of this as a fun mashup between barbecue comfort food and crispy finger food. Traditional Texas Twinkies are jalapeños stuffed with cream cheese and brisket, then wrapped in bacon and smoked. Here, we take that same filling—creamy, smoky, spicy—and tuck it into egg roll wrappers instead. When fried or air-fried, they turn shatteringly crisp, warm, melty on the inside, and just sweet enough from the honey drizzle.

Why This Recipe Is Special

I love dishes that make people pause mid-bite and go, “Wait… what did you put in this?” This one does exactly that. It’s familiar but unexpected, indulgent but still easy enough for a weeknight, and it blends smoky barbecue flavor with crunchy texture in a way that feels comforting and exciting at the same time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy outside, creamy inside—every bite feels like a perfect contrast
• Easy to assemble even if you’ve never rolled an egg roll before
• Uses leftover brisket, so nothing goes to waste
• Great for game nights, parties, or quick snacks
• Kid-friendly spice level (you can adjust heat easily)
• Works with frying, air-frying, or baking
• The honey drizzle ties everything together without feeling too sweet

Tools You’ll Need

I like keeping things simple in the kitchen, so everything here is basic and easy to use.

• Cutting board – Gives you space to handle the jalapeños and brisket.
• Sharp knife – Makes chopping brisket and slicing jalapeños smoother.
• Mixing bowl – For combining the filling.
• Spoon or small spatula – Helps you pack the filling neatly.
• Egg roll wrappers – Any brand works; keep them covered so they don’t dry out.
• Small dish of water – You’ll use this to seal the edges.
• Deep skillet, pot, or air fryer – For cooking the egg rolls.
• Tongs – Makes flipping and removing them safer.
• Cooling rack or paper towels – Helps keep the rolls crisp.

Ingredients (US + Metric)

Filling

• 1 cup chopped smoked brisket (about 150 g)
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened (115 g)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (55 g)
• 2–3 jalapeños, seeds removed and finely diced
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (2 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder (2 g)
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (1 g)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Wrapping & Cooking

• 12 egg roll wrappers
• Water for sealing
• Oil for frying (about 2–3 cups / 475–700 ml), or use an air fryer
• Warm honey for drizzling

How to Make Texas Twinkies Egg Rolls with Honey

This is the fun part. Don’t worry—I’ll walk you through every step.

1. Mix the filling
2. Combine the brisket, cream cheese, cheddar, jalapeños, and seasonings in a bowl. The mixture should be creamy but still chunky enough to feel hearty. If it looks too stiff, give it a minute to soften; the warmth of your hands will help.
3. Set up your wrapping station
4. Lay an egg roll wrapper on the counter like a diamond. Keep the rest under a damp towel so they don’t dry out.
5. Add the filling
6. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the mixture onto the lower third of the wrapper. Don’t overfill—if you do, it’ll be harder to seal and might burst while frying.
7. Fold and roll
   • Fold the bottom corner over the filling
   • Fold in both sides
   • Roll tightly toward the top corner
   • Dip your finger in water and seal the edge. If the wrapper feels loose, tighten the roll gently; it should feel snug but not stretched.
8. Heat your oil or preheat your air fryer
   • For frying: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
   • For air fryer: Preheat to 380°F (193°C). Lightly spray rolls with oil.
9. Cook the rolls
   • Frying: Cook 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until golden brown.
   • Air frying: Cook 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway.
   • Either way, they should look beautifully crisp and sound hollow when tapped.
10. Drain and drizzle
11. Let them rest on a rack or paper towels. Drizzle with warm honey right before serving. The smell alone is going to pull people into the kitchen.

Serving Ideas

You can serve these just as they are, but here are a few ideas if you want to take things up a notch:

• With ranch or chipotle mayo
• Over a board with pickles, sliced jalapeños, and smoked sausage
• With extra warmed brisket on the side
• Chopped into bite-size pieces for appetizers

Variations & Customizations

Make this recipe yours—there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.

• Replace brisket with pulled chicken or pulled pork
• Use pepper jack instead of cheddar for extra spice
• Add minced onion or roasted poblano for deeper flavor
• Skip the jalapeños and use mild green chiles
• Add a piece of cooked bacon inside each roll for crunch

Storage & Make-Ahead

These store surprisingly well.

• Fridge: Keep in an airtight container for 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to crisp up again.
• Freezer: Freeze un-fried egg rolls individually, then store in a bag for up to 2 months.
• Make-ahead: Prep and roll everything earlier in the day; just fry or air fry right before serving.

Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Pro Tips

• Keep wrappers covered so they stay soft and easy to fold.
• Let the filling chill for 10–15 minutes—it makes rolling easier.
• Seal edges twice if you’re worried about leaks.
• Drizzle honey right before eating so the wrappers stay crisp.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t overcrowd the pan; it cools the oil and makes rolls soggy.
• Don’t use cold cream cheese—it won’t mix smoothly.
• Don’t roll too loosely; air pockets can cause bursting.
• Don’t skip draining; excess oil softens the shell.

Recipe Info

• Yield: 12 egg rolls
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
• Total Time: 30–35 minutes

Nutrition (Approx. per roll)

• Calories: 190
• Protein: 7 g
• Carbs: 13 g
• Fat: 12 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Sugar: 3 g

I really hope you give these Texas Twinkies Egg Rolls a try. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and always a hit with friends and family. If you do try them, let me know how they turned out—or share your own twist on the recipe. I love hearing how other home cooks make it their own. Enjoy!