There’s something about the sweet and savory combo of bacon and brown sugar that just hits the spot every time. This Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe is a classic party favorite that’s so easy to make and incredibly addictive. The caramelized sugar coating with crispy bacon wrapped around juicy little smokies is nothing short of magic on a plate.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I make this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe whenever friends come over or for holiday gatherings because it’s always the first thing to disappear! Honestly, it’s that perfect mix of sticky, smoky, and sweet that keeps everyone coming back for more.
- Super Simple: Only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep means you can have these appetizers ready before the good stuff even starts.
- Flavor Explosion: Brown sugar caramelizes beautifully while the bacon crisps up, coating the smokies in a perfect glaze.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone from kids to adults loves these, and they’re great for game days, potlucks, or anytime snacking.
- Customizable: You can add pepper, spices, or even swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup to put your own spin on it.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe keeps it straightforward but the magic lies in how these ingredients complement each other. When you coat those smoky little sausages with brown sugar and wrap them in bacon, you're locking in moisture and flavor while the sugars caramelize for that perfect stickiness.
- Little Smokies Sausages: These bite-sized sausages are great because they're already flavorful and cook quickly, which makes them ideal for snacks.
- Thin-cut Bacon: Thinner bacon crisps up faster and wraps around the smokies nicely without being too bulky or greasy.
- Brown Sugar: This adds a caramelized sweetness that balances the salty bacon perfectly.
- Freshly Grated Black Pepper: Just a touch to add some subtle heat and complexity, but totally optional based on your preference.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up depending on the occasion. Maybe you want a little heat or a smokier flavor—this recipe is really flexible, so don’t hesitate to experiment with it!
- Spicy Kick: I once sprinkled a bit of cayenne or chili powder on the brown sugar before coating the smokies; it gave a wonderful spicy-sweet flavor combo that my friends raved about.
- Maple Syrup Swap: For an even richer sweetness, try swapping brown sugar for maple syrup—you’ll get a sticky glaze that’s just heavenly.
- Herb Infusions: Adding fresh rosemary or thyme tucked under the bacon before baking adds a great herbal note.
- Easy Gluten-Free: This recipe is naturally gluten-free, which is great for accommodating friends’ dietary needs without any extra changes.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Bacon Wraps
I start by greasing a baking dish or lining a sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup. Then I cut each slice of the thin bacon into thirds—this size is just perfect for wrapping each little smokie snugly without extra bulk. Patting the smokies dry helps the bacon stick better, so don’t skip that!
Step 2: Brown Sugar Bath
Into a large zip-top bag goes the brown sugar, then a handful of your bacon-wrapped smokies. Shake it up gently until each piece is coated in that sticky sugar goodness. Repeat until all smokies are coated and laid out on your prepared pan. Don’t forget to take your time here so every bite is sweet and caramelized.
Step 3: Season and Bake
A quick sprinkle of fresh black pepper adds a subtle peppery contrast to the sweetness, which really enhances the final taste. Bake everything at 350°F for about 30 to 35 minutes, until the bacon is golden and crispy. If you like it extra crispy, a quick broil at the end does wonders—but watch closely so it doesn’t burn!
Top Tip
Like when I first made this recipe, I learned a few tricks to get every batch just right. These tips saved me from soggy bacon and ensured that perfect balance of crispy and sticky every single time.
- Use Thin Bacon: It crisps faster and wraps neatly, helping the little smokies stay juicy while cooking evenly.
- Don’t Skip Drying: Patting the little smokies dry before wrapping helps the bacon adhere better and prevent sogginess.
- Shake Gently: When rolling the smokies in brown sugar, be gentle to keep the coating even without losing too much of the sugar in the bag.
- Watch the Broil: If you choose to broil for crispiness, keep a close eye on the oven—brown sugar burns quickly and you want that perfect caramelization without bitterness.
How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple. A little sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness that balances the richness. Sometimes I drizzle a bit of Dijon mustard on the side for dipping, which adds a nice tangy contrast.
Side Dishes
These little bites go great with classic sides like coleslaw or a crisp green salad to freshen the palate. For party spread, I like pairing them with baked macaroni and cheese or garlic bread—comfort food all around!
Creative Ways to Present
One time, I served these on a beautiful charcuterie board surrounded by cheeses, pickles, and crackers. For a birthday party, I threaded them onto small skewers with colorful bell peppers, making it easy for guests to grab and enjoy. It’s a fun and festive way to impress without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Whenever I have leftovers, I let them cool completely then store in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for 3 to 4 days, and the flavors actually deepen overnight.
Freezing
For longer storage, freezing works great. I flash freeze the wrapped smokies on a tray, then transfer them to a sealed freezer bag. This way, you can bake them from frozen anytime – just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.
Reheating
Reheating in the oven or air fryer is my go-to to bring back that crispiness. I preheat the oven to 350°F and warm them for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and the bacon is nice and crispy again.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can, but thin-cut bacon is better for this recipe because it crisps up faster and wraps around the little smokies more easily without making them too bulky. Regular bacon might take longer to cook and can be heavier.
To avoid burning, bake the smokies at 350°F and keep an eye on them near the end of cooking. If you use the broiler for crispiness, watch closely as the sugar caramelizes quickly and can burn within moments.
Absolutely! You can wrap the smokies in bacon and coat them with brown sugar up to a day ahead, then refrigerate them until ready to bake. This helps the flavors meld and saves time on the event day.
Yes! Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, or even a spicy sriracha mayo pairs wonderfully with the sweet and smoky flavor of these bacon-wrapped smokies.
Final Thoughts
This Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe has become one of those dishes I always turn to when I want an easy crowd-pleaser that never disappoints. It’s simple, flavorful, and hits all the right notes every time. I can’t wait for you to try it and make it your own—you’ll be sharing this one with friends and family for years to come.
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Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies are a sweet and savory appetizer featuring little smokies sausages wrapped in crispy bacon and coated with brown sugar, baked to perfection with a hint of black pepper.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 (16 oz) package little smokies sausages
- 1 lb thin-cut bacon, each slice cut into three
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- Freshly grated black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Grease a baking dish or sheet pan with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 350°F. Optionally, line the pan with foil for easier cleanup.
- Wrap the sausages: Pat the little smokies sausages dry with a paper towel. Wrap each sausage with a piece of thin-cut bacon and secure it with a toothpick to hold it in place.
- Coat with brown sugar: Place the brown sugar into a large zip-top bag. Add a few of the bacon-wrapped sausages at a time, seal the bag, and shake gently to evenly coat them with brown sugar.
- Arrange on pan: Remove the coated sausages from the bag and place them on the prepared baking dish or sheet pan. Repeat the coating for all sausages.
- Season with black pepper: Sprinkle freshly grated black pepper over the sausages as desired to add a touch of spice.
- Bake: Bake the sausages in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the bacon is browned and cooked through.
- Optional broil for crispiness: If you prefer crispier bacon, broil the sausages for a few additional minutes to brown and crisp the bacon further. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve and enjoy: Remove the toothpicks before serving if desired. Enjoy these sweet and savory appetizers warm.
Notes
- Using thin-cut bacon ensures it cooks thoroughly along with the little smokies.
- Securing the bacon with toothpicks prevents it from unraveling during cooking.
- Coating the sausages in brown sugar adds a sweet caramelized flavor after baking.
- For easier cleanup, line the baking pan with foil before greasing.
- Broiling at the end helps crisp the bacon but keep a close eye to prevent burning.
- These make a great party appetizer and can be prepared in advance and reheated.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 pieces)
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg

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