Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Twists Recipe

My First Kitchen Mess

I first made these twists for my grandson’s birthday. He wanted something “spicy and awesome.” I was a little nervous. The kitchen looked like a flour bomb went off. But his smile was worth the mess. I still laugh at that.

This matters because cooking is about making memories, not perfection. A messy kitchen means you are having fun. What was your first big kitchen mess? I would love to hear about it.

Let’s Get Twisting

First, heat your oven to 350°F. Get two baking sheets ready. Now for the fun part. Lay out your pizza dough on a floured counter. Press the two pieces together into one big sheet.

Then, roll it out and cut it into four rectangles. The filling is cream cheese, bacon, onion, and jalapeño. Doesn’t that smell amazing? You will layer it all up like a tasty sandwich.

The Secret to a Good Twist

Now you slice your stack into strips. Here is the secret. Give each strip a few good twists. Then pinch the ends to make a circle. This makes them pretty and helps them bake just right.

Fun fact: twisting the dough gives it more edges. More edges get crispy and golden in the oven. Do you like your snacks more crispy or more soft? Tell me in the comments.

Why We Share Food

While the twists bake, make the garlic butter. Just melt butter with a little garlic and salt. This step is simple but makes everything taste richer. Brushing it on at the end is my favorite part.

This matters because sharing warm food brings people together. A warm twist can start a happy conversation. It is a little bit of love on a plate.

Time to Eat!

When the twists are golden, take them out. Let them cool for just five minutes. Then brush on that garlic butter. The smell will fill your whole house.

Serve them warm. Watch how fast they disappear. Which ingredient are you most excited to try – the cheesy bacon or the spicy jalapeño?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Pizza Dough	2 tubes (13.8 ounces each)
Cream Cheese	1 package (8 ounces)	softened
Bacon	4 slices	thick-cut, cooked, crumbled
Red Onion	1 small	finely diced
Jalapeño Pepper	1 medium	seeded, diced
Chives	2 teaspoons	minced
Garlic	2 teaspoons	minced
White Cheddar Cheese	2 cups (226 g)	shredded, divided
Unsalted Butter	3 tablespoons
Kosher Salt	1 teaspoon

My Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Twists

My grandson Leo calls these my “magic twists.” He gobbles them up every time he visits. They are a little bit of work, but so much fun to make. I love how the whole house smells of garlic and cheese. It reminds me of big family parties. Let’s make some happy kitchen memories together.

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Dough

First, get your oven warming up to 350°F. Line your baking sheets with parchment paper. This little trick saves so much scrubbing later. Now, take your two pizza doughs and stack them. Press them together gently into one big dough. I still laugh at the time I used frozen dough straight from the fridge. What a sticky mess that was!

Step 2: Shape and Mix the Filling

Cut that big dough into four equal pieces. Roll each one out into a rectangle. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect. Mine never are! In another bowl, mix the soft cream cheese with the bacon and all those yummy bits. The red onion and jalapeño make it so colorful. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?

Step 3: Layer the Dough and Filling

Here comes the fun part, the layering. Take one dough rectangle and spread some of the cream cheese mix. Place another dough on top and do it again. Keep going until you’ve used all four dough pieces. You’ll have a tall, wobbly stack. (A hard-learned tip: press down gently between layers. This keeps it from sliding apart later!).

Step 4: Cut and Twist

Now, take a sharp knife and slice the stack into strips. Then cut those strips in half. You’ll have lots of little strips ready for twisting. Hold one strip by the ends and give it a few good twists. Then, bring the ends together to make a little circle. Pinch the ends to seal it. See? You’re making magic.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place all your pretty twists on the baking sheets. Sprinkle that lovely white cheddar cheese over the top. Be generous! Now, pop them in the oven for about 25 minutes. They will turn a beautiful golden brown. What’s your favorite smell coming from the oven? Share below!

Step 6: The Garlic Butter Finish

While they bake, make the garlic butter. Just melt the butter with garlic and salt. It sizzles and smells so good. When the twists are done, let them cool for just five minutes. Then brush that warm garlic butter all over them. This is the secret step that makes them irresistible. I promise you won’t regret it.

Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
Total Time: About 50 minutes
Yield: 16 twists
Category: Appetizer, Snack

Let’s Get Creative!

You can change up these twists so easily. It’s fun to play with the fillings. Here are a few ideas from my kitchen to yours.

• Pizza Twist: Swap the filling for pepperoni and mozzarella cheese. It’s like a mini pizza in a twist!
• Garden Veggie Twist: Skip the bacon. Use chopped spinach and sun-dried tomatoes instead. So fresh and tasty.
• Everything Bagel Twist: Mix everything bagel seasoning right into the cream cheese. It gives that famous savory crunch.

Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Up Smiles

These twists are wonderful all on their own. But I love to make a little meal out of them. They are perfect for sharing with friends. A simple side can make everything feel special.

I like to serve them with a cool bowl of tomato soup for dipping. A crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette is also lovely. For a real treat, put them on a big wooden board with some pickles. It looks so inviting.

To drink, a cold glass of milk is my go-to. It cools the slight spice from the jalapeño. For the grown-ups, a light lager beer pairs wonderfully. It cuts through the rich, cheesy flavor. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Twists Tasty

These cheesy twists are best eaten warm from the oven. But they keep well too. Let them cool completely first. Then pop them in a container in the fridge. They will stay good for three days.

You can also freeze them for later. I once made a double batch for my grandson’s visit. We froze the extras for a quick snack. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid first.

This stops them from sticking together. Then you can put them all in a freezer bag. This matters because a ready-made snack saves a busy day. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

To reheat, use your oven or toaster oven. It keeps them crispy. A microwave will make them soft. Bake at 350°F for about 10 minutes. They will taste fresh and delicious again.

Simple Fixes for Common Twists Troubles

Sometimes the dough can be tricky. If it tears, do not worry. Just pinch it back together. I remember when my dough stuck to the counter. A little more flour fixes that easily.

If your filling oozes out, you used too much. Just use a lighter hand next time. This matters because the right amount lets every layer cook perfectly. It builds your cooking confidence.

Are your twists not turning golden brown? Your oven might be too cool. An oven thermometer helps a lot. This small tool ensures everything bakes just right. Which of these problems have you run into before?

Fun fact: The twisting action helps the heat cook the dough evenly all the way through. Getting it right means a better flavor in every bite. That is why these little fixes matter so much.

Your Twists Questions Answered

Q: Can I make these gluten-free? A: Yes, just use your favorite gluten-free pizza dough. It works just as well.

Q: Can I prepare them ahead of time? A: Absolutely. Assemble the twists and keep them in the fridge. Bake them right before your guests arrive.

Q: What is a good bacon swap? A: Try chopped ham or skip it for a veggie version. It will still be very tasty.

Q: Can I make a smaller batch? A: Of course, just cut the recipe in half. You will get eight lovely twists.

Q: Any optional add-ins? A: A sprinkle of everything bagel seasoning on top is wonderful. Which tip will you try first?

Sharing the Kitchen Love

I hope you love making these cheesy twists. They always make my kitchen feel happy and warm. I would love to see your creations.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest! You can find me at Olivia’s Kitchen Table. Sharing food is one of life’s great joys.

Happy cooking!

—Olivia Hartwell.