Description

Texas Twinkie Stuffed Onion Rings are a decadent BBQ appetizer featuring a flavorful mixture of chopped brisket, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese stuffed inside thick onion rings, wrapped in crispy bacon, seasoned with a bold BBQ rub, and smoked to perfection. Glazed with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, these stuffed onion rings deliver a smoky, savory, and cheesy punch that’s perfect for gatherings and game day snacks.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

1.5 lbs Finely Chopped Brisket
2 small Jalapenos, diced
8 oz Cream Cheese
¼ cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
2 tsp Kosher Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper
1 tsp Garlic Powder

Onion Rings and Wrapping

2–3 Whole Onions (ideally yellow or white), peeled and sliced into 1-inch thick rings
2 lbs Sliced Bacon

Seasoning & Glaze

¾ cup Big Bad BBQ Ale (or your favorite BBQ Rub)
1.5 cups HNY FYR BBQ Sauce (for glaze and serving)

Instructions

Prepare the Filling: In a mixing bowl, thoroughly combine the finely chopped brisket, diced jalapenos, cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until evenly mixed. Set aside.
Prepare Onions: Peel the outer layer off the whole onions and slice them into 1-inch thick rings. Select the largest outer rings and a few smaller inner rings to form the base shapes for stuffing.
Stuff the Rings: Take one large outside onion ring and place a generous handful of the prepared filling in its center. Shape the filling so it forms a solid mound and then insert a smaller inner ring into the filling, creating a “donut” or stuffed ring shape.
Wrap with Bacon: Wrap each stuffed onion ring with bacon slices, ensuring the filling is securely encased. Place the wrapped rings on a tray and repeat this process with the remaining rings and filling.
Season and Chill: Sprinkle all the stuffed and bacon-wrapped onion rings with your favorite BBQ rub (Big Bad BBQ Ale recommended). Place the tray in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the rings to set.
Preheat Smoker: Preheat your smoker to 275°F for indirect cooking. Add wood chunks or chips to enhance the smoke flavor according to your taste preference.
Smoke the Onion Rings: Place the stuffed onion rings in the smoker and cook for 45-60 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, ensuring the bacon crisps and the filling is cooked through.
Glaze with BBQ Sauce: During the last 10 minutes of smoking, drizzle the HNY FYR BBQ sauce over the onion rings to form a sticky glaze. Continue cooking until the sauce becomes tacky and the rings are perfectly done.
Rest and Serve: Remove the stuffed onion rings from the smoker and let them cool for 5 minutes. Serve with additional BBQ sauce on the side for dipping and enjoy your smoky, cheesy treat.

Notes

You can substitute Big Bad BBQ Ale with any robust BBQ rub of your choice if you prefer a dry spice rub over a liquid one.
Use yellow or white onions for best results as they hold their shape well when sliced thick.
If you don’t have a smoker, you can cook the onion rings on a grill with indirect heat at a steady 275°F temperature.
Ensure the internal temperature hits 165°F to safely cook the brisket filling and fully render the bacon.
Letting the rings chill after seasoning helps the bacon adhere better and enhances flavor penetration.

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Category: Appetizer
Method: Smoking
Cuisine: Texan, American BBQ

Keywords: Texas Twinkie, Stuffed Onion Rings, BBQ Brisket Rings, Smoked Onion Rings, Bacon Wrapped Onion, BBQ Appetizer, Game Day Recipe