These bacon wrapped little smokies have been one of my favorite appetizers since I was a kid! Smoked sausages are wrapped in crispy bacon and smothered in sticky brown sugar. A game day or party must-have!
We’ve always been huge bacon fans. That’s apparent from our love of this Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta, so be sure to check that out for dinner!
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
When my mom first gave me this recipe it was nothing more than a few vague directions on a slip of paper. There are only three ingredients to these addictive appetizers, but the first time I made them on my own they didn’t taste as good as hers always do.
So I went back and asked for her secrets and I’m sharing them with you for the BEST bacon wrapped little smokies with brown sugar ever!
Cooking Tips
- Start with cutting the bacon into thirds. If you leave the strips any longer they will never crisp up. There may be a few pieces of bacon left over.
- You can make this ahead and bake when you are ready!
- As for the pan you use, this makes a big difference. I asked my mom how she did it and she said she uses a glass baking dish, not a foil-lined baking sheet. To clean up after, she fills the pan with hot tap water and lets it sit for a few minutes. The caramelized sugar dissolves away.
- Letting them marinate makes all the difference in flavor.
Ingredients you will need:
- 1 pound bacon (not thick sliced)
- (14 oz) 1 package little-smoked sausages
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
Helpful kitchen tools:
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies
- Wrap one piece of bacon around one little sausage and place in pan. No need to secure with a toothpick, just place it seam down.
- After all the sausages have been wrapped in bacon, sprinkle with the brown sugar. A smaller pan works well for this so the sugar ends up on top of the sausages and not in between cracks and rows.
- Next, cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours. They can be cooked right away if you wish, but they come out 10 times better if you wait!
- When ready to bake, remember to uncover the pan. Start checking after 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the bacon is crispy and the sugar is melted and caramelized.
Want more great game day appetizers?
- Well, who doesn’t love pizza? Especially in bite-size portions, we all know everything is better in miniature form. These pepperoni pizza puffs are quick, easy & delicious!
- Or for a dip appetizer, this warm Crockpot crack dip is a delicious combo of bacon, cheddar, and ranch. It’s only fitting this queso appetizer is called crack dip, it is so addicting!
- Try more bacon appetizers like Bacon Goat Cheese Log or Jalapeño Cream Cheese Dip.
- Crispy, crunchy Onion Rings battered and dredged in breadcrumbs and fried to a mouth-watering golden brown in under 25 minutes!
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
Little Smokies wrapped in crispy bacon and smothered in sticky brown sugar. An easy 3-ingredient party appetizer!
IMPORTANT - There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate It Text ItServings: 10 servings
1 hr 45 mins
Calories: 392
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon NOT thick sliced
- 14 oz little smoked sausages 1 package
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
Things You'll Need
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into thirds.
- Tightly wrap one piece of bacon around one little smokie. Place seam down in a glass 13x9 dish. Repeat with remaining little smokies.
- Sprinkle evenly with brown sugar. There should be a thin layer over all the little smokies. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover little smokies and bake for 40-50 minutes. Bacon should be crispy and sugar deeply caramelized.
Video
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Start with cutting the bacon into thirds. If you leave the strips any longer they will never crisp up. There may be a few pieces of bacon left over.
- You can make this ahead and bake when you are ready!
- As for the pan you use, this makes a big difference. I asked my mom how she did it and she said she uses a glass baking dish, not a foil-lined baking sheet. To clean up after, she fills the pan with hot tap water and lets it sit for a few minutes. The caramelized sugar dissolves away.
- Letting them marinate makes all the difference in flavor.
Nutrition
Serving: 4smokies | Calories: 392cal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 712mg | Potassium: 187mg | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Follow on Pinterest @AmandaFormaro or tag #AmandasCookin!
This post originally appeared here on Nov 25, 2018.
Rebekah Garcia
Blogger at Kitchen Gidget
Rebekah Garcia is the food blogger behind Kitchen Gidget. She creates recipes influenced by her Midwestern roots, Hispanic heritage and insatiable sweet tooth. When she’s not cooking, you can find her at the beach with a good book. She is married to the man of her dreams and home is where the military sends them. She believes food is better when shared…unless it’s the last bite!
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Cindy says
Can I put the lil smokies on a cookie rack in the baking pan to let the grease drip away from the wrapped smokies.
Amanda Formaro says
We don’t recommend it because the grease helps to cook and crisp the bacon.
Terry says
My family of 3 ate an 8 x 8 pan of these in a heartbeat. Delicious!!!
Pam Anderson says
I have been making these for years. I find that if I partially cook the bacon before wrapping them on smokies, they crisp up better and just take then about 20 minutes to bake!!!! You can’t make them fast enough and everyone loves them!!!!!
Lisa Rudolph says
A favorite at our get -to-gethers!
Elizabeth Baker says
Do you put the toothpick in before baking?
Amanda Formaro says
No they are just used for picking them up
Chris says
Wonderful! Big hit at the party! Everyone wanted the recipe!
Bev says
Everyone loves these…huge hit wherever I take them & are gobbled up and gone quickly!
Gigi says
Could these be done in an air fryer?
Amanda Formaro says
We have not tried that, but I’m sure they could be. However you would need to cook the sauce separately.
Kara Ranieri says
Could not be EASIER OR YUMMIER! Super recipe!!!
EVERY single person loved this appetizer and it was the one thing that disappeared fast!
Great recipe. Be sure to plan for the hour refrigeration time.
Marie A Ginder says
When baking these, should I drain the bacon grease throughout while I was baking them ? It seems to me if Inot the bacon wouldn’t crisp.
Cheryl says
If you were doubling the recipe, could you use a big aluminum pan to fit them all on & they would be as good or do I need to use glass baking dish?
Amanda Formaro says
That should be fine!