Learn how to make one of my favorite appetizers and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser – bacon-wrapped little smokies. These bite-sized delights are a perfect combination of smoky, crispy bacon and juicy little sausages, guaranteed to disappear from your serving platter in seconds.
As these bite-sized appetizers cook, brown sugar melts and caramelizes, creating a sweet, sticky glaze that coats each bite. It’s the irresistible combination of sweet, salty, and smoky that makes these little bites such addictive appetizers!
And they are ridiculously easy to make with only four simple ingredients. Even kitchen novices can wrap bacon around a sausage and sprinkle on brown sugar. It’s a fantastic recipe for beginners and perfect for those busy nights when you need a delicious snack or appetizer with minimal effort.
I will walk you through making these bacon-wrapped little smokies in this blog post. We’ll chat about the ingredients needed, the step-by-step instructions, and some of my tips and tricks to get them perfectly crispy and delicious.
Looking for more easy appetizer recipes? Try Crock Pot Little Smokies, Meatball Crescent Rolls, or Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms.
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🥘Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Little Smokies: These little fellows are mini-smoked sausages. You can usually find them in the refrigerated meat section of your local grocery store.
- Bacon: It’s best to use thinly sliced bacon here because it cooks more evenly and crisps up nicely.
- Brown Sugar
- BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite brand or flavor.
🥣How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and cut each piece of bacon into thirds.
- Wrap each sausage in a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick.
- Arrange them in a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top. That’s the secret to getting the bacon nice and caramelized.
- Put them in the oven, and they go for a quick 15-minute bake.
- After 15 minutes, take the pan out and brush it with BBQ sauce. Then, back into the oven for an additional 10 minutes. This double-bake method ensures a crispy exterior and a juicy, flavorful interior.
- Let them cool slightly before serving so you don’t burn your tongue.
🍴Serving Ideas
Nothing says party like a platter of warm, bacon-wrapped little smokies. These toothpick-friendly treats are a hit at every family gathering, but they’re not just for parties.
You can serve them at family dinners or as finger food for game day. I’ve even caught my husband sneaking a few for breakfast (don’t tell him I told you)!
Here are a few of my favorite combinations:
- Why not serve them alongside a creamy potato salad? The bacon’s smokiness and the potato salad’s tang are a match made in culinary heaven.
- They’re also great with mac and cheese. The salty, smoky flavor of the little smokies complements the richness of the cheesy pasta.
- And for a lighter option, try them with a refreshing green salad. The contrast in tastes and textures is simply delightful.
💭How to Store
If you realize you’ve overestimated your family’s appetite (or underestimated their concern for their waistlines), no worries, leftover smokies store beautifully.
Once they’re at room temperature, pop them into an airtight container. They will happily chill in your fridge for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze them. Just freeze the cooled smokies in a single layer on a baking sheet until they’re firm. Then you can transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months.
To reheat, bake them at 375°F for 10-15 minutes if they come from the fridge or 20-25 minutes frozen. Be sure to keep an eye on them – we don’t want them to go from perfectly crispy to, well, charcoal.
⭐Tips
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Thinner is better when it comes to bacon. You want your bacon to crisp up nicely without worrying about overcooked sausages.
- Toothpicks are your friends, so use them to secure the bacon.
- You can air fry these bacon-wrapped smokies, but you must cook them in batches. In the air fryer, cook them at 390 degrees F for 7 minutes, brush them with BBQ sauce, and cook for three more minutes. Don’t overcrowd them, or the bacon won’t get crispy.
📝Reader Questions
Absolutely! If you want to reduce calories, turkey bacon is a great substitute. Adjust the cooking time, as it tends to cook faster than regular bacon.
Yes, you can. Prepare your smokies, wrap them up, and pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them. Just remember, cold smokies might need a little longer in the oven.
Well, my kids swear by ketchup, but I’m a barbecue sauce kind of gal. You can’t go wrong with any dipping sauce you love.
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Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 package little smokies 14 ounces
- 12 slices bacon about 1 pound of bacon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cut each slice of bacon into thirds.12 slices bacon
- Wrap each sausage sausage in bacon and place it in a baking dish. Use a toothpick to secure the bacon.1 package little smokies
- Sprinkle the brown sugar over all the sausages, pressing into the top of the bacon pieces.1/4 cup brown sugar
- Bake them in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then remove the pan and brush with BBQ sauce.1/3 cup BBQ sauce
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Allow the sausages to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use thin bacon so it crisps up nicely without worrying about overcooked sausages.
- You can air fry these, but you must cook them in batches. In the air fryer, cook them at 390 degrees F for 7 minutes, brush them with BBQ sauce, and cook for 3 more minutes. Don’t overcrowd them, or the bacon won’t get crispy.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
