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.
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 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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Nan says
Will they work without marinating? I’m in a hurry!
Thank you
Amanda Formaro says
Sure, you could do that
Jennifer Webb Callicutt says
I made these for a Christmas Pot luck, my Husband was sad that I had none left to bring back home. Everyone loved these..LOVE
John says
Loved this recipe! It was so easy & tasted great. Letting it sit covered in fridge for 90 minutes allowed the brown sugar to start that wonderful crystallization, and 40 minutes later….WOW.
Grace says
Super easy and delicious recipe. I was worried they would be too sweet but they were perfect! The bacon didn’t get very crispy for me but I actually didn’t mind that at all. Toddler approved as well!
Margaret Roberts says
I swipe the bacon with honey when I make these 😊
mary baron says
WE CALL THEM MEAT CANDY. THEY ARE THE FIRST TO GO AT PARTIES. SOOO GOOD.
Gigi says
In thirds…..length wise or width wise?
Amanda Formaro says
You want the width of the strip of bacon to remain the same. You are dividing the length by three.
Vicki says
Can I back them at home and then put in a crock pot to keep warm at someone else’s home?
Amanda Formaro says
I think that would work!
Bertille Doublet says
Can you reheat those? I’m planning on bringing them for Christmas Eve but the oven is already used with other things? Thanks
Amanda Formaro says
Yes you should be able to. Wrap the pan with foil and heat in a 375 oven.
brushjl says
Probably would cook 1/2 as long , but delicious. Gone in the blink of an eye.
Marcie says
Could you make these low carb using a sugar substitute like monk fruit golden or swerve brown sugar?
Amanda Formaro says
I’m sure you could, I have used Swerve in equal measurements on many recipes :)
Linda says
Am I missing something, I don’t see on here the oven setting to bake them. Is it 350 or 375 or 400?
Amanda Formaro says
Hi Linda! The full instructions are in the printable card at the end of the post. Step 4 says “Preheat oven to 350°F. Uncover little smokies and bake for 40-50 minutes. Bacon should be crispy and sugar deeply caramelized.” Hope that helps!
Rhonda Whaley says
So you serve them cold?
Amanda Formaro says
You can serve them both at room temperature or warm. We recommend putting them on a platter and serving right after they come out of the oven :)
Katrina Crain says
Perfect every time! No need for toothpicks! So easy!
Debbie says
I’ve been making these for years but after covering with the brown sugar I cover them & refrigerate them overnight. They are always a hit & go fast. So yummy!!
Carla Kamp says
So good and easy. Granddaughters loved these. Will definitely be made again.
Amanda Formaro says
So glad you liked them, thank you!
Al McNic says
Can these be prepared & stored the night before?
Cooked the next day?
Amanda Formaro says
I don’t see why not!
Debbie says
I’ve been making these for years & always refrigerate overnight & bake them the next day before serving. They are always the first appetizer to disappear!
Missy says
Will this work with turkey bacon?
Amanda Formaro says
We haven’t tried it with turkey bacon, but I think it should be ok. Please let us know how it turns out!