Smoked Keto Armadillo Eggs Recipe

Smoked keto armadillo eggs are the PERFECT snacky appetizer you can prepare that will keep you from cheating as well as appeal to your non-keto friends and family.

Smoked keto armadillo eggs on a white platter with garnish.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These armadillo eggs bring all of it. You have your favorite sausage, some heat from the spicy jalapeños that are cooled down from the cheesy center, and a kiss of smoke flavor.

It is really a great blast of flavor and texture in each bite.

Smoked Keto Armadillo Eggs on a white platter with Jalapeno Cilantro Dip in a white ramekin
One of our favorite recipes when on the keto train. A perfect combination of flavors!

The beauty of this recipe for those that are serious about their keto is that one of these very delicious eggs is only one carb! You are also satisfying your proteins and fats.

For the folks on the keto diet, it can sometimes be hard to find something different to eat that is actually fun and different. This is it.

Another bonus, you can toss this thing together in 15 minutes.

So, let’s sum up: A great dish that has tons of flavor and texture that appeal to everybody and is probably one of the most keto friendly dishes out there.

Win-win all the way around! We’re calling this an appetizer but it could be a main dish as well. Two of these filled me up!

If you’re looking for other delicious appetizers, you can check out our Redneck Egg Rolls, Smoked Pig Shots, or Smoked Shotgun Shells. They all use the smoker, and they all rock!

Ingredients Needed

Each ingredient in an armadillo egg dish serves a specific purpose to create a flavorful and satisfying culinary experience:

  1. Sausage: Sausage, whether it’s breakfast sausage, ground pork sausage, or a spicy variant, is the primary wrapping for the armadillo eggs. It provides a savory and seasoned flavor profile and a juicy texture that complements the other ingredients.
  2. Jalapenos: Jalapenos are a key component of armadillo eggs, adding a spicy kick and a distinct flavor. They contribute a balance of heat and a slight tanginess to the dish. The jalapenos are often seeded to reduce their spiciness. Still, some prefer to keep the seeds for an extra fiery taste.
  3. Cream cheese: Cream cheese is used as a filling for the jalapenos. It brings a creamy and smooth texture to the dish, complementing the spiciness of the jalapenos. The cream cheese also helps balance the flavors and provides a slight cooling effect.
  4. Cheddar cheese: Cheddar cheese is a classic choice for armadillo eggs, adding richness and a sharp, tangy flavor. It contributes to the overall creaminess and enhances the cheesy indulgence of the dish.

Combined, these ingredients create a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in armadillo eggs.

The sausage provides a hearty and flavorful base, the jalapenos add heat and tanginess, the cream cheese brings creaminess and balance, and the shredded cheddar cheese adds a delightful cheesy element.

This combination makes armadillo eggs a delicious and satisfying appetizer or snack option.

Moreover, armadillo eggs are often considered a good recipe for those following a ketogenic (keto) diet.

This is because they are low in carbs, high in fat from the sausage and cheese, and moderate in protein from the sausage and cream cheese.

This makes armadillo eggs suitable for those aiming to maintain ketosis and regulate their carbohydrate intake while still enjoying a tasty treat.

How To Make Smoked Keto Armadillo Eggs

Start up the grill or smoker to reach a temperature of 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

While your grill is preheating, combine cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese together in a small bowl. To make the mixing a bit easier, set out the cream cheese and allow it to reach room temperature.

Cut the stem end off of the jalapenos and slice them in half lengthwise. Core the jalapenos, removing the seeds and membranes. If you want a spicier experience, you can leave the membranes.

jalapenos stuffed with cheese mixture
Cheesy goodness awaits!

Fill all the jalapeno slices with the cheddar and cream cheese mixture, making sure that the filling goes to the end of each jalapeno.

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Divide the sausage into six equal parts and flatten it into a patty. Place one jalapeno into a sausage patty and form the patty around it.

Pay close attention to each end, sealing completely to keep the cheese from melting out.

raw formed armadillo eggs ready for the grill
They should have an egg shape.

Repeat until all the jalapenos are wrapped in sausage.

Place into the freezer for 10 minutes for all the sausage to set up. The fat from the sausage has probably started melting from your hands.

When the grill reaches temperature, place eggs onto the grill (smoker) over indirect heat on the smoker racks.

Keto armadillo eggs on the grill
For best results, use an aggressive smoke, such as hickory wood.

Add wood chips (we use hickory wood) to your grill or smoker and cook for about 1 hour or until the internal temperature of the sausage reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure that the eggs are fully cooked.

Final step, remove from the grill and serve hot!

Smoked Keto Armadillo Eggs on a white platter with Jalapeno Cilantro Dip in a white ramekin
A perfect appetizer for keto and non-keto alike!

You can serve these as-is or as a final touch with your favorite barbecue sauce.

We actually used our go-to Jalapeno Cilantro Dip. We put this stuff on everything, even our salads!

As far as keto recipes go, this one is a keeper. It’s great to break up the salads and grilled chicken with something everybody can love and ask for again and again.

Smoked armadillo eggs are a great appetizer that combines the spicy crunch of the pepper with a delectable center of jalapeño filled with a creamy cheese mixture, all wrapped in flavorful and smoky sausage meat.

Tips And Variations

  • To ensure the armadillo eggs are fully cooked, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage, which should be at least 165°F (74°C).
  • Wrap the armadillo eggs in bacon for an additional hit of flavor and texture. Wrap the slices of bacon around and tuck it in or secure it with toothpicks. Just remove the toothpicks before serving. Bacon-wrapped armadillo eggs are still keto, too!
  • No smoker, no problem. Place the armadillo eggs in the oven and bake as the instructions state. Place a pan under the eggs to catch any drippings.
  • Want to use your air fryer? Put the basket with the armadillo eggs into the preheated air fryer. Cook for approximately 15-20 minutes or until the sausage is browned and cooked through. You may want to flip the armadillo eggs halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
  • The jalapeno will still have a bit of a bite to it. If you want a completely soft jalapeno, roast them for about 4-5 minutes before de-seeding and stuffing them. Allow them to cool before handling, though.
  • Even though our recipe does not state it, feel free to use your favorite rub on these smoked armadillo eggs for even more flavor. You can also add bbq rub to the sausage and mix it in, then put your eggs together.
  • You can use ground beef to make beef armadillo eggs. I’d add some rub to the beef to bump up the flavor.
  • Use your favorite bbq sauce for dipping, or you can add the sauce at the end of the smoke, let them go for about 15 more minutes, pull and serve.

FAQ’s

Why are they called Armadillo Eggs?

Armadillo eggs are named after their appearance. The filling of cheese bears a resemblance to a yolk, while the outer texture, with a slightly rough exterior, can be reminiscent of an armadillo’s skin.

How many calories are in an armadillo egg?

One armadillo egg contains approximately 377 calories. It provides 2 grams of carbohydrates, 17 grams of protein, 33 grams of fat, and 14 grams of saturated fat.

What are armadillo eggs made of?

Armadillo eggs are made by wrapping jalapenos with sausage, typically breakfast or spicy sausage. The jalapenos can be seeded and sometimes filled with warmed cream cheese. Cheddar cheese is often included in the recipe as well. The dish is known for its delicious taste and is popular as a keto recipe due to its low carbohydrate content and high fat and protein content.

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Smoked keto armadillo eggs on a white platter with garnish.

Smoked Keto Armadillo Eggs Recipe

Keto armadillo eggs are the PERFECT snacky appetizer you can prepare that will keep you from cheating as well as appeal to your non-keto friends and family.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Appetizer, Main
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 377kcal
Author: Brad Harris

Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb Sausage breakfast, spicy, etc.
  • 6 Jalapenos
  • 4 oz Cream cheese warmed
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions

  • Start up your grill or smoker to reach a temperature of approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • While your grill is preheating, mix shredded cheese and warmed cream cheese. 
    4 oz Cream cheese, 1 cup Cheddar cheese
  • Cut the stem end off of jalapenos and slice lengthwise.
    6 Jalapenos
  • Core the jalapenos, removing all stems and membrane.
  • Fill all jalapeno slices with filling, making sure that the filling goes to the end.
  • Put the slices of filled jalapenos back together into a whole and set aside.
  • Divide sausage into 6 equal parts and flatten into a patty.
    1 lb Sausage
  • Place one jalapeno into a sausage patty and form patty around jalapeno making sure the entire jalapeno is sealed.
  • Repeat until all jalapenos are wrapped in sausage.
  • Place into freezer for 10 minutes to allow the sausage to set it up. The fat from the sausage has probably started to melt from your hands.
  • When the grill has reached temperature, place eggs onto the grill over indirect heat.
  • Add wood to your grill or smoker and cook for approximately 1 hour or until the temperature of the sausage reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove from grill and serve.

Notes

Leftovers
Store any leftover armadillo eggs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheating
To reheat armadillo eggs, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the armadillo eggs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
Place the armadillo eggs on a baking sheet or in an oven-safe dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
Once heated, remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Egg | Calories: 377kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 664mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 650IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 160mg | Iron: 1mg

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4 Comments

  1. Outstanding!
    We cooked this in the oven, (on a rack on top of a foil lined baking sheet.) We added 1/4 tsp. of Liquid Smoke, so we wouldn’t miss out on the smokey flavor. We baked at 400 degrees for 40 minutes.5 stars

  2. Wow! Glad I found this website, Armadillo Eggs sound absolutely delicious. You correct about needing a good snack from time to time to avoid cheating. Thanks for sharing!

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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