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!
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!
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!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
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 in a 13×9 glass baking dish.
- After all the sausages have been wrapped in bacon, sprinkle with the brown sugar. A smaller dish 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.
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.
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 Popper 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
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 ItIngredients
- 1 pound bacon NOT thick sliced
- 14 oz little smoked sausages 1 package
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- 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.
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into thirds.
- Tightly wrap one piece of bacon around one little sausage. Place seam down in a glass 13×9 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.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on Nov 25, 2018.
Amanda Davis
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Crystal Ropp says
These sound absolutely delicious! However, if I would like to make them for a hospitality room, where we are not allowed to have anything but a crockpot, and I make these a day before. How would you recommend reheating them? Or are they just as good cold?
Amanda Davis says
While I haven’t tested this myself, if I were in your position my thought would be to cook according to the package, then place in a crockpot on warm.
CHRISTINE FORTIER says
OMG these are the best. Took no time in preparing, put in the fridge for 2 hours and baked for 50 minutes. They were all gone within 30 minutes. This recipe is a keeper.
Deanna L says
Made these today, and oh my goodness they are so good! Definitely a keeper.
Cathy says
What temperature to bake?
Amanda Davis says
350°F – it’s stated in the printable recipe at the end of the post
Carol says
Will these turn out as well if they are prepared, covered, refrigerated overnight and then baked the next morning?
Amanda Davis says
That should be fine!
Catrina says
Hi. Can I make these in the air fryer? My oven will have a Turkey in it. Please advise. Thank you.
Amanda Davis says
Yes you should be able to. I would air fry them at 370 for about 8-10 minutes
Yvette L says
Thank you for sharing. They were a big hit at my gathering. They disappeared FAST!!!
Tru says
Good idea! I love a ton of your recipes so ….
Brenna Montesino says
I doubled the recipe for a Super Bowl party and they disappeared quickly!
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.
Tru says
I originally. DID use a foil lined sheet pan, but I decided to try this recipe. We’ll, I’m sorry to say the fat from the bacon did not cook and I was very disappointed in the outcome. We like to provide a variety of sauces/dips for this dish, but with all that sweet liquid, not a good combo. ….I’m sticking to the old recipe.
Thx, but no thx
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!!!!!
Tru says
Good idea!
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.
Carol says
How to serve …
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!