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Baked up crispy and sweet these Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Brown Sugar are a fun and easy appetizer to serve at any gathering or to have at home just because.
This Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Brown Sugar is hands down one appetizer that I make the most often, we cannot get enough of them around here.
These bacon-wrapped smokies are super easy, soooo flavorful and everyone absolutely loves them.
I love that they have minimal ingredients in them because some of the easiest recipes are absolutely the best recipes in my opinion.
There is so much you can do with Little Smokies and so many flavor combinations but this Brown Sugar Bacon has and always will be my favorite.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies and Brown Sugar will stick in your memory for a long time to come.
Some of my other favorite appetizers we have on our site include: Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms, Crock Pot Grape Jelly Meatballs and Parmesan Potatoes.
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Minimal and easy-to-find ingredients!
- You can switch up your little smokie flavors.
- This makes a nice large batch, but you can double if needed!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Bacon
- Little smokies
- Light brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Cayenne pepper
- Parsley for garnish, optional
HOW TO MAKE BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES AND BROWN SUGAR:
- Cut the bacon into thirds. Pat the little smokies dry with a paper towel. Wrap a little smokie with a piece of bacon and place it into a 9×13 baking dish seam side down. Repeat with all the smokies, you may have a few slices of bacon left.
- In a small bowl stir together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne until combined.
- Sprinkle this mixture over the wrapped smokies. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Uncover the baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. If the brown sugar is not mostly dissolved, cover with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Turn the broiler and high, uncover, and broiler until lightly golden brown.
- Serve immediately with an optional parsley garnish.
FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHY DO THESE NEED TO BE REFRIGERATED?
Refrigeration helps these Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies by slightly melting before baking which in turn will make all the brown sugar melt while baking.
With all the brown sugar melting while baking, this also helps these not burn and gives the bacon a chance to crisp up and caramelize.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO KEEP THESE WARM WHILE SERVING?
We like to place the little smokies with the juice in a crockpot set to warm so these stay heated throughout our gatherings and place toothpicks beside for serving.
WHAT IS THE BEST BACON TO USE?
For this recipe we use regular cut bacon, I would not suggest using thick cut for this recipe.
We have it formulated so that the cooking time will be so regular bacon can crisp up.
If you were to use thick-cut bacon you could either have the bacon not fully cooked or it could also burn, so stick with regular cut bacon.
ANY ADDITIONS?
Little Smokies can be done in so many different ways. Check it out!
- Sprinkle chili powder over the brown sugar mixture for a little spice in this delicious appetizer.
- Drizzle barbecue sauce on the bacon-wrapped smokies for a smoky, tangy kick.
- Add black pepper to the brown sugar smokies for a bold, peppery bite.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color on this great appetizer.
- Mix maple syrup into the brown sugar mixture for extra sticky sweetness in your meat candy.
- Toss in sesame seeds for a nutty crunch on these cocktail smokies.
- Serve with a dipping sauce like ranch for a creamy twist at your holiday party.
- Include red pepper flakes for a spicy edge to this irresistible appetizer.
- Top with a small amount of leftover sauce for a glossy finish on the little sausages.
- Pair with toothpicks for easy grabbing at a Super Bowl party or New Year’s Eve bash.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
There are some pretty simple swaps to be made here.
- Use turkey bacon instead of package of bacon for a leaner bacon-wrapped smokies option.
- Swap light brown sugar with maple syrup in the brown sugar mixture for a sweet smokies twist.
- Replace little smokies sausages with cocktail sausages or hot dog pieces for a similar salty bacon vibe.
- Substitute kosher salt with sea salt in the brown sugar smokies seasoning.
- Swap cayenne pepper with chili powder for a milder little spice in this easy recipe.
HOW TO STORE:
ROOM TEMPERATURE: Best not to keep meat at room temp for too long. Be sure to refrigerate!
REFRIGERATOR: These can be stored in an airtight container with the liquid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
FREEZER: These can be frozen for up to 3 months, no problem. Again, be sure to keep them in an airtight container.
To reheat place them with the sauce in a pan, pot, or bowl and heat in the oven, stovetop, or microwave until heated through.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- You can use beef, pork, or turkey little smokies for this.
- Make sure that you refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Make sure that you use thin-cut bacon for this recipe.
- These can be kept warm in a crockpot while serving.
- Double this recipe if you are holding a larger gathering.
Want that one appetizer recipe that everyone will love?
Then you have to make these Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies and Brown Sugar.
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If you’ve tried this BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES AND BROWN SUGAR let me know in the comments how it turned out! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bacon
- 14 ounces little smokies
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cut the bacon into thirds. Pat the little smokies dry with a paper towel. Wrap a little smokie with a piece of bacon and place it into a 9×13 baking dish seam side down. Repeat with all the smokies, you may have a few slices of bacon left.16 ounces bacon, 14 ounces little smokies
- In a small bowl stir together the brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne until combined.1 cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Sprinkle this mixture over the wrapped smokies. Cover with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Uncover the baking dish and bake for 45 minutes. If the brown sugar is not mostly dissolved, cover with foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
- Turn the broiler and high, uncover, and broiler until lightly golden brown.
- Serve immediately with an optional parsley garnish.fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Notes
- You can use beef, pork or turkey little smokies for this.
- Make sure that you refrigerate for at least an hour.
- Make sure that you use thin cut bacon for this recipe.
- These can be kept warm in a crock pot while serving.
- Double this recipe if you are holding a larger gathering.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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