Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies
Add Preferred SourceBacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies are a playful appetizer that marries the irresistible sweetness of brown sugar with the smoky goodness of bacon and sausage. Simple ingredients, straightforward prep, and a crowd-pleasing taste make these little bites a go-to choice for any party table or impromptu snack session.
Why You Will Love Making Bacon-Wrapped Sugar Smokies
This appetizer is a true crowd-pleaser that’s as enjoyable to make as it is to eat. Here’s why you’ll want to add these to your recipe rotation:
- Quick Prep: You can have these ready for the oven in just a few minutes, which is perfect for last-minute plans.
- Versatile: Serve them at a casual game day gathering or dress them up for a more formal event—they fit any occasion.
- Sweet and Savory: The combination of brown sugar and bacon hits all the right flavor notes, creating a balance that’s just addictive.
- Party Favorite: These smokies never fail to get the party started. Watch them disappear as soon as you bring them out!
- Fun to Customize: Experiment with different spices or dipping sauces to create a unique twist every time you make them.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients in the photograph below.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies with Step-By-Step Instructions
A complete printable recipe and the measurements in both US customary and metric are available in the recipe card below.
Getting these bacon-wrapped delights ready is a breeze. Here’s how to do it:
Prep Your Bacon and Smokies
Start by preheating your oven to 180ºC (350°F). While it’s warming up, cut your bacon strips in half. Wrap each little smokie sausage in a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. This keeps everything together and makes them easy to grab and enjoy once they’re cooked.
Assemble and Bake
Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and arrange your bacon-wrapped smokies on the tray. Sprinkle a generous amount of brown sugar over each one, as this will melt and caramelize, giving them a lovely glazed finish. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
Serve and Enjoy
Once they’re nicely browned and crispy, take them out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Plate them up with a bowl of spiced mayo for dipping, and watch them vanish before your eyes!
Ingredients
- 1 pound bacon strips 16 strips, thin cut
- 14 ounces little smokies sausages around 32 pieces
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- Spiced mayo to serve
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350°F).
- Cut the bacon strips in halves.1 pound bacon strips
- Wrap each smokie sausage in one bacon piece and secure with a toothpick.14 ounces little smokies sausages
- Arrange bacon in a baking tray – lined with parchment paper – and sprinkle with brown sugar.¼ cup brown sugar
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until bacon is golden brown.
- Serve with spiced mayo.Spiced mayo
Notes
- Bacon: Opt for thin-cut bacon as it cooks faster and wraps easily without overpowering the smokies.
- Brown Sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar based on how sweet you want your smokies. More sugar leads to a sweeter, more caramelized exterior.
- Secure Wrapping: Make sure the bacon is securely fastened with a toothpick to prevent it from unraveling during baking.
- Even Baking: For even cooking, make sure none of the smokies are touching each other on the baking sheet.
- Watch the Oven: Keep an eye on them as they bake to ensure the bacon doesn’t burn, especially since sugar is involved and can char quickly.
- Spice It Up: If you’re a fan of heat, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or chili powder over the smokies before baking for an extra spicy kick.
- Make Ahead: You can wrap the smokies in bacon and sprinkle them with sugar, then store them in the refrigerator overnight. Just pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Cool: Make sure the smokies are completely cool before storing.
- Refrigeration: Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For best results, separate the layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat the smokies in the oven or in a toaster oven at 180ºC (350°F) for about 5-10 minutes, or until they’re heated through and the bacon is crispy again.
- Don’t Microwave: It’s best to avoid the microwave for reheating these as it can make the bacon rubbery rather than crispy.
Nutrition
Recipe Notes and Expert Tips
To ensure your bacon wrapped sugar smokies turn out perfectly every time, here are some handy tips and tricks:
- Bacon: Opt for thin-cut bacon as it cooks faster and wraps easily without overpowering the smokies.
- Brown Sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar based on how sweet you want your smokies. More sugar leads to a sweeter, more caramelized exterior.
- Secure Wrapping: Make sure the bacon is securely fastened with a toothpick to prevent it from unraveling during baking.
- Even Baking: For even cooking, make sure none of the smokies are touching each other on the baking sheet.
- Watch the Oven: Keep an eye on them as they bake to ensure the bacon doesn’t burn, especially since sugar is involved and can char quickly.
- Spice It Up: If you’re a fan of heat, sprinkle a little cayenne pepper or chili powder over the smokies before baking for an extra spicy kick.
- Make Ahead: You can wrap the smokies in bacon and sprinkle them with sugar, then store them in the refrigerator overnight. Just pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve.
How to Store Leftover Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies
Leftovers are rare with these treats, but just in case you have some, here’s how to keep them tasty for later:
- Cool: Make sure the smokies are completely cool before storing.
- Refrigeration: Place them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For best results, separate the layers with parchment paper to keep them from sticking together.
- Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat the smokies in the oven or in a toaster oven at 180ºC (350°F) for about 5-10 minutes, or until they’re heated through and the bacon is crispy again.
- Don’t Microwave: It’s best to avoid the microwave for reheating these as it can make the bacon rubbery rather than crispy.
Our Top 3 Money-Saving Tips for This Recipe
Here are some smart ways to keep costs down while making these delicious bacon-wrapped sugar smokies:
- DIY Toothpicks: If you’re out, use uncooked spaghetti noodles as a clever substitute for securing the bacon.
- Parchment Paper Reuse: Reuse parchment paper when baking in batches to save on supplies.
- Leftovers Transformation: Transform leftover smokies into new meals like adding them to breakfast omelets or pizzas.
What to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Sugar Smokies
Here are some great ideas to serve beside these little treats:
Perfect Pairing Dips
Dips can elevate these smokies from great to absolutely irresistible. Try a classic BBQ sauce for a smoky touch, a creamy garlic aioli for a bit of zest, or a honey mustard for a sweet-tangy kick. Each dip brings out a different facet of the smokies’ flavor, making every bite exciting.
Complementary Side Dishes
To balance the richness of the bacon and the sweetness of the sugar, consider serving these with something light and refreshing. A pasta salad, a tangy coleslaw, or even some steamed veggies with a squeeze of lemon can add a nice contrast. These sides help cleanse the palate and make the smokies even more enjoyable.
Drinks that Pair Well
When thinking about what drinks to serve, consider the setting. If it’s game day, a cold beer pairs wonderfully, cutting through the fat and complementing the smokiness of the bacon. For a non-alcoholic option, iced tea or lemonade can be refreshing and keep things casual.
Really fun and easy to make. Highly recommend this recipe
So happy to hear that! Thanks for the recommendation,glad you had fun making it!
Always delicious. Talking about it makes you want some.
That’s true! Just thinking about it makes you hungry. 😄