Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies (3 Ingredients)

Name: Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies (3 Ingredients)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 30 min
Ingredients: 1 (14 oz. package) Little Smokies Cocktail Sausages; 1 package Bacon (thinly sliced, cut into thirds); 1/2 cup Brown Sugar; 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper or Favorite Seasonings (optional)

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are a delightful appetizer that always seems to be the hit of the party. This delectable treat combines little smokies with brown sugar and the irresistible crispiness of bacon. They are baked until crispy and slightly caramelized. So good and so addicting.

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If you’re looking for a show-stopping appetizer that combines sweet and savory, look no further than these easy bacon-wrapped little smokies. These bite-sized delights, wrapped in a crispy piece of bacon and then glazed with brown sugar, will become one of your favorite appetizers. With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe promises to elevate your appetizer table with raving reviews.

These Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are easy to make and will be your next go-to appetizer for a party or gathering. You can make these ahead of time if so desired, and they will be ready and waiting for you.

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies {3 Ingredients}

Why This Recipe Is Fabulous

This recipe stands out as genuinely fabulous for several reasons. It is an easy recipe and will be a hit at your next party.

Easy Recipe and Flavor: The bacon-wrapped smokies are simple yet sophisticated. This recipe calls for simple ingredients with unforgettable flavor.

Double Duo: Bacon and little sausages are perfect together for a smoky and crispy bite.

Make Ahead Convenience: Wrap the sausages with the bacon slices ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator. When ready, add the brown sugar mixture, bake, and enjoy.

What Are Little Smokies

Little smokies are small pre-cooked cocktail sausages. They are typically sold in packages and are a popular appetizer ingredient, especially bacon wrapped little smokies. They are versatile and convenient, making them the perfect party snack.

Ingredients Needed For Party Cocktail Smokies

We are huge bacon fans in my house, so this recipe is always a hit with the family. Plus, it comes together in minutes, which is always a winner.

This recipe only has a handful of ingredients, makes a delicious appetizer, and is always a crowd pleaser.

Bacon: Bacon serves as the outer layer with a crispy texture and infuses the dish with smokiness. There is a nice contrast between the crispy outside and the juicy inside. Choose your favorite bacon.

Sausages: Little Smokies are the star of this dish. The sausages absorb the flavor of the bacon and make a delicious bite. These are bite-sized, making them ideal for finger foods. There are several brands, so choose your favorite brand.

Brown Sugar: Brown sugar balances the saltiness of the bacon and enhances the flavor. You’ll only need half a cup of brown sugar. The brown sugar caramelizes during cooking, creating a sweet and slightly sticky brown sugar glaze.

Cayenne Pepper – This spice is optional but adds a kick of spice to the dish.

How To Make Little Smokies

Prepare the cast iron skillet or baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will make clean up easier.
Mix brown sugar and cayenne pepper.
Cut bacon into thirds and wrap bacon around a sausage. Continue until the cocktail sausages are wrapped with the slices of bacon.
Place bacon-wrapped sausages into the prepared pan in a single layer and sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture.
Bake.

Cooking Tips and Variations for Cocktail Sausages

Feel free to get creative and customize the recipe to your tastes and preferences. These tips and variations add helpful tidbits and exciting twists to these classic and tasty treats.

Recipe Tips:

•Parchment Paper or Foil is highly recommended for this dish. Believe me, line your pan before beginning. If not, you will undoubtedly need a hammer and chisel to break apart the cooked sugar from the bottom of the dish or skillet. Been there and done that– Live and Learn!

•Sausages–There are several varieties of Little Smokies at the market. Choose your favorite. Personally, I like the original.

•Bacon— Go with the brand you like the best. I use a pack of bacon and prefer the thinly sliced regular bacon for this recipe. It wraps and cooks better than the thick-sliced bacon. For extra crispiness, broil the bacon.

•Spices— Cayenne pepper is optional but does kick these babies up a notch. Feel free to leave it out if children will be eating them. I also like to use Everything Bagel, Garlic Powder, Red Pepper Flakes, Chili Powder, and a few sprinkles of Black Pepper.

Recipe Variations:

Serve alongside a cheese tray. This makes an easy appetizer option.

Brush some teriyaki sauce over the top of the sausages.

Toss the little smokies sausages in buffalo wing sauce for a spicy and tangy kick.

How to Serve This Appetizer

Serving this dish is straightforward, allowing you to present this dish appealingly. Here are a few suggestions for serving this easy appetizer recipe.

Arrange on a Platter – Arrange the sausage on a serving platter. This will make it easier if you are serving them to a large crowd.

Add Garnish – Garnish is optional, but a touch of freshness and color adds to the appeal of the dish.

Dipping Sauce: Add several varieties of dipping sauces to the side. Some good choices might be: favorite bbq sauce, honey mustard, sweet chili sauce, or your favorites.

Toothpicks – Serve with toothpicks inserted into each sausage or add them next to the appetizer tray. This will allow guests to pick up individual smokies without getting their hands messy.

Keep Warm – Using a slow cooker set in a warm setting is great for keeping these addictive appetizers warm for your guests.

When To Serve This Appetizer

Bacon wrapped little sausages are a versatile appetizer that can be served at various occasions. Here are some suggestions for the best time to serve this appetizer:

Holiday Gathering: These are perfect for holiday celebrations and make a delightful appetizer during Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Eve.

Game Day Parties: Whether it’s a Super Bowl party, college football game, or a casual sporting event, these make the perfect game day appetizer.

Cocktail Parties: The small size and the convenience of eating these appetizers with a toothpick make them ideal for cocktail parties.

Family Gathering: Family events call for comfort foods, and this recipe is it.

Casual Dinner or Cookout: Add these little smokies to the menu to serve as appetizers while your guests wait for dinner.

Making Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Ahead Of Time

You can undoubtedly make Little Smokies ahead of time. Wrap the sausages with bacon and place them in a bag or baking dish. Please keep them refrigerated until you are ready to bake. Go ahead and mix the sugar and spices if desired. Place them next to the sausages in the refrigerator.

I have also prepared the dish, put the sugar and seasonings in a bag, and transported them to the party. I cooked the sausages when I arrived. This was also a family gathering, so my family didn’t mind me cooking when I got to their house.

You can also make these ahead of time (omitting the sugar) and freeze them. When you are ready to cook, remove them from the freezer, add the sugar and seasonings, and bake. If they are frozen, just add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.

How Long To Bake Little Smokies

I usually start checking at the 30-minute mark. All ovens cook differently, so watch these babies during the last few minutes. Mine cooked for 35 minutes. For the last 2-3 minutes, I switched the oven to broil to crisp the bacon slightly. DO NOT walk away for even a second while doing this. They will burn “quickly” if you do not keep an eye on them.

How To Store Leftover Appetizers

Store all leftovers in an airtight container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Make This Recipe in Advance?

Wrap the sausages with bacon, place them in the baking dish, and refrigerate until ready to bake. Mix the sugar and spices if desired, and put them next to the sausages in the refrigerator.

Should I Cook the Bacon Before Wrapping?

It’s not necessary to precook the bacon. The bacon will be cooked in the oven.

Can I Freeze Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies?

You can freeze these appetizers before cooking. Place them on a baking pan to freeze, then transfer them to a zip-top bag until you are ready to cook them. Thaw, add the brown sugar, and cook.

More Party Appetizers:

Pimento Cheese and Crackers

Vidalia Onion Dip

Honey Sriracha Chicken Wings

Spicy Party Shrimp

Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Skillet Baked Meatballs and Cheese