Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies with Brown Sugar Glaze

Bacon wrapped little smokies are sticky, sweet, smoky, and completely addictive. Cocktail sausages are wrapped in strips of bacon, rolled in brown sugar with a pinch of cayenne, and baked until the bacon is crisp and the sugar turns into a glossy caramel glaze.

They need just three main ingredients and are always gone in minutes. They are a favorite at Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve, and game days.

Serve them with my pigs in a blanket, grape jelly meatballs, and kielbasa bites for a hearty party spread.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
• What Is Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
• Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

These are the party snack everyone fights over.

Three Ingredients

Smokies, bacon, and brown sugar.

Sweet and Smoky

Caramelized sugar and crispy bacon.

Make-Ahead

Wrap the day before.

Feeds a Crowd

About 50 pieces per batch.

Gluten-Free

Naturally, if your sausages are.

What Is Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies?

Bacon wrapped little smokies are mini smoked sausages wrapped in bacon and baked with brown sugar. They are sometimes called bacon brown sugar smokies.

They are a classic Midwestern and Southern party appetizer, often served on toothpicks.

The brown sugar melts in the oven and mixes with the bacon fat to make a sticky glaze.

Ingredients

Smokies

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Little smokies cocktail sausages, patted dry	1 package (14 ounces)	Main ingredient
Regular-cut bacon, cut into thirds	1 pound	Wrap
Packed light brown sugar	¾ cup	Sticky glaze
Cayenne pepper (optional)	¼ teaspoon	A little heat
Black pepper	½ teaspoon	Seasoning

Optional Glaze

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Maple syrup	2 tablespoons	Extra shine
Dijon mustard	1 tablespoon	Tang

Kitchen Equipment

• Rimmed baking sheet
• Foil
• Wire rack (optional)
• Toothpicks
• Shallow bowl

Ingredient Tips

Regular-Cut Bacon

Thick bacon stays chewy.

Pat Smokies Dry

Helps the sugar stick.

Light or Dark Sugar

Dark gives a deeper molasses flavor.

Line the Pan

Foil makes cleanup easy.

Check Labels

For gluten-free sausages.

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Step 1: Heat the Oven

Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set a rack on top if you have one.

Step 2: Wrap the Smokies

Wrap each smokie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.

Step 3: Coat in Sugar

Mix the brown sugar, cayenne, and black pepper. Roll each wrapped smokie in the mixture, pressing to coat.

Step 4: Arrange

Place on the pan in a single layer and sprinkle with any remaining sugar.

Step 5: Bake

Bake 30 to 40 minutes, until the bacon is crisp and the sugar is bubbly.

Step 6: Glaze (Optional)

Whisk maple syrup and Dijon and brush over for the last 5 minutes.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Cool 5 minutes so the glaze sets, then serve warm.

Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Use a Rack

Crispier bacon.

Broil at the End

1 to 2 minutes for extra caramelization; watch closely.

Cut Bacon Short

Thirds wrap once without overlap.

Let Them Rest

The glaze thickens as it cools.

Keep Warm in a Slow Cooker

Set on warm for parties.

Delicious Variations

Spicy Sriracha

Brush with sriracha honey.

Maple Bourbon

Glaze with maple syrup and a splash of bourbon.

Slow Cooker

Bake until crisp, then keep warm in a slow cooker with BBQ sauce.

Cheese Stuffed

Use cheddar-stuffed smokies.

Air Fryer

Air fry at 350°F for 10 to 12 minutes.

What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

Serve on a platter with toothpicks and extra napkins.

They pair with sausage balls and a big cheese board.

Great for game day or holiday open houses.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Refrigerator	4 days	Airtight container
Freezer (baked)	2 months	Freezer bag
Refrigerator (unbaked)	1 day	Covered

Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes.

Coat in sugar just before baking if made ahead.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Wrap smokies up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate.

Roll in brown sugar right before baking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Thick Bacon

Never gets crisp.

Sugar Too Early

It dissolves and gets runny.

Pan Too Crowded

Steams instead of crisps.

No Foil

Very hard cleanup.

Serving Immediately

Sugar is extremely hot.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	280
Carbohydrates	16g
Protein	9g
Fat	20g
Saturated Fat	7g
Fiber	0g
Sugar	15g
Sodium	620mg
Cholesterol	40mg

Estimate per 5 pieces, based on 10 servings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Bacon wrapped little smokies are sticky, sweet, smoky, and always a hit.

Make a big tray this holiday season, because they disappear fast.

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