Bacon Wrapped Smokies are a sweet and savory crowd-pleaser that’s quick and simple to prepare. They make an ideal snack for weekends or a popular appetizer for parties.
This version is baked in the oven, but you can also cook them in an air fryer for a crisp finish. Either way, line the tray with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
Why You’ll Love Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- Easy to make: Only three main ingredients — wrap, roll, and bake. You’ll have a tasty appetizer in about 45 minutes total.
- Versatile: The recipe uses Lit’l Smokies, but any pre-cooked cocktail sausage works well, so you can choose based on taste or dietary preference.
- Great for gatherings: These bite-sized morsels disappear fast at parties, so they’re perfect for serving a crowd.
- Kid-approved: Little ones especially love bacon-wrapped snacks, but adults will reach for seconds too.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies Ingredients
- Lit’l Smokies: Classic beef cocktail sausages are used here, but cheddar, smoked, turkey, or other pre-cooked cocktail sausages are fine substitutes.
- Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar adds sweetness and helps the bacon caramelize to a sticky, golden glaze.
- Maple bacon: Maple-flavored bacon gives an extra touch of sweetness, but regular sliced bacon works well too. Avoid thick-cut bacon for best results.
See the recipe card below for exact amounts.
How To Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies
- Preheat the oven: Heat to 400°F (about 200°C).
- Prepare the bacon: Cut bacon slices crosswise into thirds so each piece is roughly half the original length or the appropriate size to wrap each smokie.
- Prepare the sugar: Pour the brown sugar into a shallow dish for easy coating.
- Assemble: Press a bacon piece into the brown sugar so both sides are coated, wrap it around a smokie, and place on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all smokies are wrapped.
- Bake: Cook for about 25 minutes, then broil briefly if you want the bacon extra crisp. Serve hot.
Variations, Substitutions, and Tips
Line your baking sheet – Use foil or parchment to make cleanup effortless.
Swap sausages – Any precooked cocktail sausage works. If using full-size sausages, slice them into smaller bites before wrapping.
Brown sugar options – Light or dark brown sugar can be used depending on how rich you want the caramel flavor to be.
Secure with toothpicks – The bacon generally stays in place, but toothpicks can help keep wraps tight during baking.
Dipping sauces – These are delicious on their own, but you can serve them with a simple dip like mayo mixed with BBQ sauce and brown sugar, or a blend of BBQ sauce, Dijon mustard, and honey. Add hot sauce for heat if desired.
Make-ahead – They’re best fresh, but you can assemble them the night before and reheat at 350°F until warmed through before serving.
What To Serve With Bacon Wrapped Smokies
As a finger food, Bacon Wrapped Smokies stand well on their own. For a fuller spread, pair them with classic dips and chips, a chopped salad, macaroni salad, or pasta salad. Warm sides like mac and cheese also complement the savory-sweet flavors nicely.
Storage and Freezer Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days. Freeze for up to two months in a freezer-safe container. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warm or briefly in the microwave.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
40 Smokies
20 minutes
25 minutes
45 minutes
These Bacon Wrapped Smokies are simple to prepare and always a party favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 package Lil’ Smokies
- 1 pound maple bacon, cut crosswise into thirds (regular bacon works fine; avoid thick-cut)
- ¾ cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Pour brown sugar into a shallow dish. Press a bacon piece into the sugar to coat both sides, wrap a Lil’ Smokie in the bacon, and place on a lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
- Bake for about 25 minutes. If desired, broil briefly to crisp the bacon further. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 334Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 970mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 0gSugar: 17gProtein: 19g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix.
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