Can I use homemade pizza dough instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Homemade pizza dough works wonderfully in this recipe. Prepare your favorite recipe and divide it into portions equivalent to the two tubes called for. The texture might be slightly different, but many people prefer the flavor of homemade dough.

How do I make these less spicy for kids or sensitive palates?

The heat in this recipe comes primarily from the jalapeños. For a milder version, reduce the amount of jalapeño or substitute with green bell pepper for the same color and crunch without the spice. You can also serve the spicier ones with cooling dips like ranch or sour cream to balance the heat.

Can I prepare these the night before a party?

Yes! These twists are perfect for make-ahead preparation. Assemble them completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, simply bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to account for the chilled dough. The convenience makes them perfect for entertaining!

Why did my twists unravel during baking?

This typically happens if the ends weren't pinched together firmly enough. Make sure to press the ends together with a bit of pressure to create a proper seal. Also, avoid overhandling the dough, which can make it too warm and more likely to come apart during baking.

Cheesy Bacon Jalapeño Twists with Garlic Butter Recipe

Description

Delicious Cheesy Bacon Jalapeno Twists with garlic butter – a perfect savory snack or appetizer bursting with creamy, cheesy, and spicy flavors.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Dough

2 tubes (13.8 ounces each) pizza dough

Filling

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked, crumbled
1 small red onion, finely diced
1 medium jalapeno pepper, seeded, diced
2 teaspoons chives, minced
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
2 cups (226 g) white cheddar cheese, shredded, divided

Topping

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. Set them aside.
Prepare the dough: On a lightly floured surface, unroll both tubes of pizza dough and stack one on top of the other, aligning them. Gently press them together so they stick.
Divide and roll out sections: Cut the layered dough into 4 equal sections. Roll each section into approximately 8×10-inch rectangles and set them aside.
Make the filling: In a small bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, crumbled bacon, diced red onion, diced jalapeño, minced chives, and minced garlic.
Layer the cream cheese mixture: Take one piece of dough and spread ⅓ of the cream cheese filling evenly across it. Place another section of dough on top and repeat until all dough layers and the filling are used, finishing with the fourth dough layer on top. Gently press down to seal the layers.
Cut the dough strips: Using a sharp knife, slice the dough stack into 8 equal strips (about 1 inch wide). Cut each strip in half for shorter pieces, yielding 16 strips approximately 5 inches long.
Twist and form circles: Gently stretch and twist each strip (3-5 twists), then bring the ends together to form a circular twist. Pinch the edges to seal and repeat for all the strips.
Sprinkle cheese topping: Arrange the twists on the prepared baking sheets and sprinkle about 2 tablespoons of shredded white cheddar cheese on top of each twist.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Prepare garlic butter topping: While the twists are baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and kosher salt, stirring for 1 minute before removing from heat.
Serve: Once the twists are baked, let them cool for 5 minutes. Brush the warm garlic butter mixture over each twist and serve immediately.

Notes

Stacking the pizza dough makes rolling easier and creates a stronger structure for the twists.
You can customize the spiciness by adjusting the amount of jalapeño in the filling.
If you prefer, substitute white cheddar with other cheese varieties like mozzarella or gouda.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 twist
Calories: 218
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 14g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 35mg