Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Get the party started with these irresistible Bacon Wrapped Smokies with brown sugar! Juicy cocktail sausages wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with just enough brown sugar to caramelize beautifully, these 4-ingredient bites are downright addictive. 

The holidays are the perfect excuse to indulge in some seriously tasty treats, and these Bacon Wrapped Smokies with brown sugar are a holiday hit! Juicy sausages wrapped in crispy bacon, sprinkled with brown sugar, and baked until sticky and caramelized—these bites are the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory flavors. 

Effortlessly festive and full of flavor, these little smokes wrapped in bacon will disappear faster than you can say “happy holidays!” They’re simple to prepare, require 4 easy ingredients, and pack of delicious goodness that’ll leave your guests asking for the recipe. Who doesn’t love a treat that looks as good as it tastes?

I implore you to add a little sparkle to your next party with these bacon wrapped smokies. They look so elegant at a party alongside our Boursin Stuffed Mushrooms and Ricotta Bruschetta with Roasted Tomatoes!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Super Easy Appetizer: Only a 4 ingredients, and minimal prep, these little smokies are perfect for busy weeknights or last-minute parties.
• Deliciously Sweet & Savory: The sugar and bacon combo creates a perfect caramelized coating with smoky, salty flavor.
• Great for Feeding a Crowd: This little smokies recipe is the perfect finger food for potlucks, tailgates, or game day snacks. They’re a guaranteed hit at any gathering.
• Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, add spice with cayenne, or drizzle honey for extra richness.

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card 

• Cocktail Smokies: The main protein, providing juicy, savory bites that become even more flavorful when wrapped in bacon.
• Thick-Cut Bacon: Adds a crispy, smoky exterior and balances the sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Creates a caramelized sticky brown sugar glaze that melts and bonds with the bacon.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds a touch of heat.
• Honey (optional): Drizzled over or mixed with brown sugar, honey adds extra sweetness and helps create a sticky, glossy finish.

Tools You’ll Need

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Mixing Bowl
• 13”x9” Baking Dish

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Brown Sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cut each slice of bacon into thirds. 

3. Wrap each cocktail smokie with a piece of bacon such that it overlaps. Place in a 13×9-baking dish seam side down. Repeat this process until all of the smokies are wrapped. You can also line sheet pans with aluminum foil and bake them.

4. In a large bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Evenly sprinkle the mixture over the tops of the wrapped smokies.

5. Bake 45-50 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar has caramelized. Broil 1 minute if desired.
6. Remove from the oven, and cool slightly. Serve from the baking dish or transfer to a serving platter. Drizzle with honey or hot honey if desired.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

• Bacon Choices. There are lots of cuts and thickness variations of pork bacon in the store. Personally, I prefer to use Oscar Mayer Thick Cut Bacon which is 1/4-inch thick. If you use bacon thinner than this variety, you’ll decrease the bake time 10-15 minutes. If using thicker bacon, increase 10-15 minutes. 
• Rolling Tips. Make sure to cut the bacon into thirds evenly so that they wrap around the sausages evenly. Make sure they’re placed seam side down as well. If your bacon variety is shorter, you can also secure the bacon around the smoky with a toothpick. You can then serve them with the toothpicks in them or remove them after baking. DO NOT use dyed or plastic toothpicks.
• Sausage Choices. There are lots of varieties of cocktail wieners at the store. You can make these with beef, pork, or turkey smokies, BUT I would not recommend using the cheese weenies varieties.
• Add Spices. Incorporate ranch seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, barbecue seasoning or chili powder in the brown sugar mixture for additional flavor variations.
• Sweeteners. Instead of an extra drizzle of honey, you could use maple syrup or agave nectar.
• Make it Spicier. Increase cayenne or add chopped jalapeños for a spicy twist. You can also drizzle them with hot honey or use a spicy style cocktail smoky variety.
• Keep em’ Warm. You can bake these then store in a crockpot to keep them warm. Set the temperature to low, pour in a mixture of 2 tablespoons water and 2 tablespoons honey, then carefully transfer the caramelized smokies into the pot. Cover until ready to serve. 

Storage and Freezing

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 

For the best crispiness, reheat in the oven at 350°F about 15-20 minutes or in the air fryer at 350°F 6-8 minutes. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the crispiness will be compromised. 

You can also freeze leftovers. Store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2-3 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

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