Texas Toothpicks

Crispy Texas Toothpicks—jalapeño strips battered & fried to golden perfection! Quick & easy, customizable heat, ready in under 30 minutes!

Course Snack / Appetizer

Cuisine Tex-Mex

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings Servings

Calories 637kcal

Slice the jalapeños into halves, the remove the seeds and the white membrane inside. And then slice them into thin strips.
In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg with water.
In another bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, ground black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
Dip the jalapeño strips into the egg mixture, coating them well.
Dredge them in the flour mixture until fully covered. Shake gently to remove excess flour.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy pan to 350°F.
Fry the coated jalapeño strips in batches for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Serve hot with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.

Adjust heat levels by removing seeds for milder bites or keeping some for extra spice. Add cayenne or ground black pepper for more heat.
You can also bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until crispy, spraying with cooking oil for a better texture.
Serve hot with dipping sauces like spicy salsa, guacamole, chipotle mayo, or ranch dressing.
Best to enjoy as freshly made, these Texas toothpicks become soft and soggy once stored.