There’s something about bacon sizzling in the oven that makes your whole house feel like a party. These bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies are pure crowd-pleasing magic, and they show up at every football gathering because let’s be honestwho doesn’t love tiny sausages wrapped in crispy bacon?
Picture little smokies getting cozy in a bacon blanket, then rolled in brown sugar that caramelizes into sticky perfection. Just three ingredients, one sheet pan, and about 20 minutes in the oven. They’re like candy and dinner had a delicious baby that everyone fights over at parties.
Started making these for Super Bowl parties back in 2015 when I was testing appetizer recipes for the blog. My neighbor’s teenager grabbed six in one hand and declared them “better than wings.” The secret I discovered? Don’t skip that final broil stepit turns the brown sugar into this gorgeous caramelized shell that cracks when you bite it.
PrintBacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies: Irresistible Football Food
These bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies are a crowd-pleaser perfect for football food appetizers. Enjoy little smokies with bacon brown sugar for a sticky, flavorful snack at your Super Bowl party or any gathering.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 45 servings (may vary) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American, Southern
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
- 1 14-oz package lil smokies cocktail links
- 1 lb maple flavored bacon cut into thirds
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp ground chipotle or ancho chili pepper
- Toothpicks
- Barbecue sauce for serving
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with foil or parchment and spraying with cooking spray.
- Dry the lil smokies with a paper towel after removing them from their package.
- Roll each smokie in a piece of bacon and secure it in place with a toothpick.
- Combine the brown sugar and chipotle pepper in a large resealable bag.
- Add the bacon wrapped smokies to the bag and shake to coat them evenly with the sugar mixture.
- Spread the coated smokies out on the baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes until the bacon is crisp.
- Serve hot with barbecue sauce or honey mustard for dipping if you like.
Notes
- Sausages – You can use beef or pork or turkey smokies for this recipe
- Spice – Adding ground chipotle pepper to the brown sugar mixture gives a nice kick but you may omit or replace it with ancho chili powder, cayenne pepper or dark chili powder
- Bacon – Use classic smoked bacon if you prefer, though maple bacon adds extra flavor
- Alternate Pan – If baking on a sheet pan directly, line the pan bottom with foil and spray with cooking spray to make cleanup easier
- Dipping Options – Serve with barbecue sauce, hot honey, Dijon mustard, maple syrup or honey mustard for variety
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 135kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 96mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g + 5g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 17mg
Why This Recipe Will Become Your Go-To Appetizer
These bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies offer that perfect sweet-salty balance, ensuring everyone keeps coming back for more. The maple bacon introduces an additional layer of smoky sweetness that beautifully complements the caramelized brown sugar coating.
What truly makes these special is how the ground chipotle pepper introduces a subtle, slow-building warmthit’s never overwhelming, just enough to make you pause and wonder about that unique flavor. Plus, with a total time of just 40 minutes, you can have impressive football appetizers ready without any stress.
- Crowd-Pleasing: These disappear faster than you can make them!
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Assemble early, then bake when guests arrive.
- Budget-Friendly: Just four main ingredients create maximum flavor impact.
Key Ingredients That Make the Magic
The beauty of this smokies recipe truly lies in how each ingredient plays its part. Maple-flavored bacon brings an extra layer of sweetness that beautifully complements the brown sugar, while the ground chipotle pepper adds just enough heat to perfectly balance the richness.
Pro Tip: Pat the little smokies dry before wrappingthis simple step helps the bacon adhere better and prevents excess moisture from making your brown sugar coating soggy.
| Ingredient | Why It Matters | Easy Swaps |
|---|---|---|
| Maple flavored bacon | Extra layer of sweet smokiness | Regular smoked bacon works great too |
| Light brown sugar | Caramelizes into sticky coating | Dark brown sugar for deeper molasses flavor |
| Ground chipotle pepper | Subtle heat and smoky depth | Ancho chili powder or cayenne |
| Little smokies | Perfect bite-sized portions | Beef, pork, or turkey varieties all work |
Step-by-Step: Getting That Perfect Caramelized Coating
The secret to achieving evenly coated brown sugar bacon little smokies lies in using a gallon-size bag for the coating step. This method distributes the brown sugar mixture much more effectively than trying to roll them individually.
When wrapping each smokie with bacon, don’t worry about perfectiona slight unevenness actually helps the brown sugar adhere in all the right places. Just ensure the toothpick goes right through the center to keep everything securely in place.
- Prep Smart: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for effortless cleanup.
- Wrapping Technique: Use one piece of bacon per smokie, secured with a toothpick through the middle.
- Coating Magic: Shake gently in the bag until every piece is evenly coated.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
The most common question I receive concerns bacon that isn’t quite crispy enough after 30 minutes. Since oven temperatures can vary, if your bacon appears a bit pale, simply pop them under the broiler for 2-3 minutes. However, watch them very closely, as that brown sugar can quickly go from perfectly caramelized to burnt.
Note: If the brown sugar appears to be browning too quickly but the bacon isn’t crispy yet, tent loosely with foil and continue baking. The steam will help finish cooking the bacon while protecting the sugar coating from over-browning.
Serving and Storage Made Simple
These little smokies with bacon and brown sugar are best served warm, fresh out of the oven when the coating is still slightly sticky. Present them with small napkins and consider offering a few different dipping saucesbarbecue sauce is a classic choice, but hot honey or Dijon mustard can add a delightful variety.
| Storage Method | Timeline | Reheating Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Room temperature | 2 hours max | Best served immediately |
| Refrigerated | 3-4 days | 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes |
| Make-ahead assembly | 1 day ahead | Add coating right before baking |
Pro Tip: If you’re preparing these for a Super Bowl party, you can wrap and coat them the morning of the event, then simply pop them into the oven when guests begin to arrive. The enticing aroma alone will draw everyone toward the kitchen!
Expert Says
The combination of bacon and brown sugar in Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies creates a balanced contrast of savory and sweet flavors that caramelize beautifully during cooking. Wrapping helps ensure the smokies stay moist, while the sugar encourages browning through the Maillard reaction, significantly enhancing both taste and texture.
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Mastering the Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies
Perfecting bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies was a slow dance of trial and errorremembering times when the sugar caramelized too hard or the bacon didn’t crisp just right. After many batches, I finally discovered the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and tender that makes this recipe a true family favorite, born from patient, flavorful experimentation.
FAQs ( Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies
)
How long do I cook bacon wrapped smokies for the best result?
For tender, caramelized bacon wrapped smokies, bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes. Turn halfway through for even cooking. This ensures the bacon crisps up without burning and the brown sugar melts to form a delicious glaze.
What’s the best way to wrap the smokies with bacon?
Use half slices of bacon to wrap each little smokie tightly, securing with a toothpick if needed. Wrapping snugly helps the bacon stay in place as it crisps. Also, sprinkle brown sugar over the wrapped smokies before baking to enhance flavor and achieve caramelization.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep these smokies a few hours ahead and refrigerate them unbaked. Keep them covered and bake just before serving to maintain crispiness. Alternatively, bake and reheat gently in the oven to keep the bacon from becoming soggy.
What side dishes pair well with the dish?
This meal pairs perfectly with fresh veggie trays, creamy dips, or simple macaroni salad. Serving alongside football food appetizers like chips or a crisp coleslaw complements the sweet and savory flavors, making it a hit for any casual gathering.
Can I use other types of sausages or bacon?
Absolutely, mini sausages similar in size will work fine. For bacon, regular cut is best to get crispy results, but turkey bacon can be used for a leaner option. Just adjust cooking time as needed to ensure bacon crisps without overcooking the sausages.
These bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies truly deliver that perfect sweet-smoky balance in just 40 minutes, and you’ll adore how that caramelized coating gently cracks under your teeth. The subtle chipotle pepper adds a gorgeous warmth that builds slowly, ensuring each bite is more interesting than the last. They disappear so quickly at parties, I now always make a double batch!
For an extra layer of depth, consider swapping in dark brown sugar or adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the coating mix. Should you have any rare leftovers, they reheat beautifully in a 350°F oven for about 8 minutes. A little trick I’ve discovered: letting them rest for just 2 minutes after baking helps that sugar coating set perfectly, preventing them from being too sticky to handle.
I’d love to see your batch in actionbe sure to tag me if you share photos! These little flavor bombs have a magical way of bringing people together around the kitchen island, grabbing napkins, and sharing laughs. Save this recipe for your next gathering, or better yet, share it with someone who loves feeding a crowd. Happy cooking, friends!
