Armadillo Eggs Recipe is a popular Tex-Mex dish combining spices, jalapeno, creamy cheese, savory sausage and delicious BBQ sauce. All these ingredients are then wrapped in a crispy bacon shell.
It’s a magical dish perfect for appetizers, gatherings or dinners. It is also proteinous because of the addition of jalapeno and cheese. It is a must on my menu when I arrange family gatherings or birthday parties. Each bite-sized creation is a compelling blend of contrasting flavors and textures, creating a flavor explosion in your mouth.
What Are Armadillo Eggs?
Armadillo Eggs Recipe is a Texas staple dish. As the name shows, this recipe does not contain actual eggs. Instead of eggs, it has jalapeno stuffed with a flavorful, creamy mixture, then wrapped in a slice of delicious bacon and drizzled with BBQ sauce.
Armadillo Eggs are commonly cooked on a grill or oven until the bacon is crispy, and the peppers are tender just like Pollo Asado Chipotle. The cooking process results in a mouthwatering combination of spicy, creamy and savory notes
Why Are They Called Armadillo Eggs?
This dish is called Armadillo Egg because of its shape and appearance. The elongated and tapered form of jalapeno pepper stuffed and wrapped in bacon resembles the armadillo shell and the egg. This delicious appetizer is so named because of its visual resemblance to the shape.
What is in the Armadillo Eggs Recipe?
Bacon: We use slices of bacon to wrap the stuffed jalapenos. It will give a crispy texture and add a smoky element to the dish.
Jalapenos: It is a star ingredient in the dish. The peppers are usually sliced in half lengthwise, and seeds and membranes are removed for a milder heat level.
Pork Sausage: It is part of a filling mixture. It adds additional savory flavors and enhances the overall richness of the dish.
BBQ Sauce: After baking the Armadillo Eggs, the sauce is drizzled to give a tangy and sweet element.
Cream Cheese and Cheddar Cheese: Both are used to make the filling more creamier and rich. It helps to balance the spiciness of the jalapeno and provides a smooth texture.
Spices: Various spices like Garlic Powder, salt, pepper and smoked paprika are used in the dish to add depth of flavor and enhance the overall taste.
How To Make Armadillo Eggs?
- Preheat the barbecue to 360°C
- Start with jalapenos, slice them half the length, and remove the seeds from the membrane as it reduces heat.
- Take a medium size bowl and mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt and paprika for extra heat.
- Fill each hollow jalapeno with cream mixture and press firmly to ensure it is fully packed inside.
- Remove the sausages covering and slice into eight pieces. Wrap it around the stuffed jalapeno and shape it into an oval egg.
- Now it’s bacon turn; wrap the jalapeno with two slices of bacon. Make sure to secure both ends of the bacon with a toothpick.
- Give Armadillo Eggs direct heat on the barbecue for 2 minutes and then place it on the grill. Cook approximately for about 20-25 minutes and keep checking the temperature. It would be best to cook until the internal temperature reaches about 160°C.
- Brush each Armadillo Egg with BBQ Sauce and cook until the sausage temperature reaches 165°C.
- Transfer it to the serving plate and let it rest for 10 minutes. Now serve it with your favorite snacks and sauces.
Additional Pro Tips
- Remove all the seeds and white membranes from the jalapeños if you prefer milder heat. The spiciness of jalapeños can vary, so taste a small piece before using them to gauge their heat level.
- To ensure the bacon becomes crispy during cooking, you can partially pre-cook the bacon slices before wrapping them around the jalapeños. It will help prevent undercooked or chewy bacon.
- Armadillo Eggs can be cooked either on a grill or in the oven. Grilling will give you that smoky flavor, and charred edges while baking in the oven can provide a slightly more even cooking result. Choose the method that works best for you.
- You can prepare the Armadillo Eggs in advance by assembling them and refrigerating them until you’re ready to cook. It can be convenient for parties or gatherings, as you can pop them on the grill or in the oven when your guests arrive.
FAQs
Can I freeze Armadillo Eggs?
A: Yes, you can freeze Armadillo Eggs before cooking them. Prepare them as instructed and place them on a baking sheet in a single layer. Freeze until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When ready to cook, thaw them in the refrigerator and proceed with grilling or baking.
Can I make Armadillo Eggs without bacon?
A: While bacon adds a distinct flavor and texture to Armadillo Eggs, you can make a variation without bacon. Instead, you can try wrapping the stuffed jalapeños with thin slices of prosciutto or even phyllo dough for a different twist.
Armadillo Eggs Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 Jalapenos
- 1 Cup½ Cream Cheese
- ½ Cup Cheddar Cheese
- 1 Tbsp Garlic Powder
- ¼ Tbsp Ground pepper
- ¼ Tbsp Salt
- 16 Slices Bacon
- ½ Cup Barbecue sauce
- 2 Lb Pork Sausage
Instructions
- Preheat the barbecue to 360°C
- Start with jalapenos, slice them half the length, and remove the seeds from the membrane as it reduces heat.
- Take a medium size bowl and mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, salt and paprika for extra heat.
- Fill each hollow jalapeno with cream mixture and press firmly to ensure it is fully packed inside.
- Remove the sausages covering and slice into eight pieces. Wrap it around the stuffed jalapeno and shape it into an oval egg.
- Now it's bacon turn; wrap the jalapeno with two slices of bacon. Make sure to secure both ends of the bacon with a toothpick.
- Give Armadillo Eggs direct heat on the barbecue for 2 minutes and then place it on the grill. Cook approximately for about 20-25 minutes and keep checking the temperature. It would be best to cook until the internal temperature reaches about 160°C.
- Brush each Armadillo Egg with BBQ Sauce and cook until the sausage temperature reaches 165°C.
- Transfer it to the serving plate and let it rest for 10 minutes. Now serve it with your favorite snacks and sauces.
