Description
Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies are a classic, crowd-pleasing appetizer featuring small sausages wrapped in crispy bacon and coated with a sweet and spicy brown sugar glaze. Perfectly baked until caramelized and slightly crisp, these bite-sized treats balance savory, smoky, and sweet flavors, making them ideal for parties or game day snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausages
- 16 oz package of little smokies (or small cooked sausages) (I use Hillshire Farm brand)
Bacon Wrap
- 15 slices bacon, each cut into 3 smaller sections
Glaze & Seasonings
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (more or less, according to your tastes)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare baking sheet and preheat oven. Line a jelly roll pan or a large baking sheet with a rim with aluminum foil, then lightly coat it with non-stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Wrap sausages with bacon. Pat the little smokies dry with a paper towel. Wrap each individual sausage with a piece of the cut bacon and secure it with a toothpick to hold the bacon in place during baking.
- Coat sausages with sugar and spices. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the light brown sugar, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Add a few bacon-wrapped sausages at a time, seal the bag, and gently shake to thoroughly coat each sausage with the sugary spice mixture. Repeat this process until all sausages are coated.
- Bake the bacon-wrapped sausages. Arrange the coated sausages in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake them in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the bacon is nicely browned and cooked through.
- Optional broil for extra crispiness. For a crispier finish, switch the oven to broil and broil the sausages for 2 to 3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
Notes
- Use toothpicks to secure the bacon; soak them in water beforehand to prevent burning.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to control the level of spiciness according to your preference.
- Light brown sugar helps create a caramelized glaze; pack it firmly when measuring for best results.
- To make cleanup easier, line the pan with foil and use non-stick spray.
- Serve warm as an appetizer or party snack for best flavor and texture.
- Can be kept warm in a low oven before serving if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: bacon wrapped little smokies, appetizer, party food, bacon appetizers, sweet and spicy sausage bites
