Bacon Wrapped Smokies

5 from 11 votes
19 Comments

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Bacon wrapped smokies are a guaranteed hit for parties! These sweet and savory bites come together with just four ingredients. Make a bunch and watch them disappear! 

Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies Appetizer with toothpicks in each one served on a white tray.
Featured With This Recipe
  1. Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  2. How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  3. Tips for Making Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  4. Variations for Easy Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Storing and Making Ahead
  7. More Meaty Bite-Sized Appetizers
  8. How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
  9. Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe

Bacon wrapped smokies are definitely going to be on our Super Bowl buffet spread this year. They’re so easy to make and only call for four simple ingredients which makes them one of the easiest appetizer recipes for game days. Every time I bring them to a gathering, people always beg for the recipe. And they’re shocked to find out how easy they are! Try them for yourself and you’ll never go back to plain little smokies again.

These make for a great appetizer or snack at your next gathering! The flavor combination of the savory bacon, and sweet maple glaze, is a satisfying taste everyone loves. There is a crispy texture on the outside with a softer texture from the sausages. These bacon-wrapped smokies are also known as bacon-wrapped pigs in a blanket. So fun, and delicious in every bite!

Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Four simple ingredients are all you need to create these savory yet sweet appetizers! They are a great party or appetizer dish that is always crowd-pleasing. These bacon-wrapped smokies are a balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of salty deliciousness!

  • Bacon – Use a good quality thick bacon, or center-cut bacon. Cut each bacon slice in half to make the bacon go further. The smokies are small and you don’t need a large slice of bacon for it.
  • Little Smokies – We prefer to use the all-beef Little Smokies sausages. Hillshire Farm brand is our favorite. They also have pork, turkey, or even cheddar cheese-filled smokies.
  • Brown sugar – Is added for sweetness but will carmelize the bacon
  • Maple syrup – This is drizzled overtop the bacon. When it is cooking the bacon maple syrup mixture carmelizes and adds that sweet flavor with every bite!

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies

There are a couple of ways to cook these appetizers, but we love baking them in the oven. Why? The brown sugar and maple syrup caramelize over the bacon and create a sweet crust that complements the savory sausages and bacon to perfection. If you have a smoker, they’d be deliciously prepared in that too. We like to transfer them from the oven to a crock pot to keep them nice and hot during serving time.

  1. Prepare – Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray.
  2. Wrap – Wrap each Little Smokie with a piece of bacon. If you are using regular bacon instead of the center-cut bacon, you may have to secure it with a toothpick.
  3. Assemble – Place the wrapped Little Smokies on the lined baking pan and sprinkle generously with brown sugar.
  4. Pour – Drizzle a little maple syrup over all the smokies once they are covered in brown sugar. 
  5. Bake – Bake for about 40 minutes or until the sugar is bubbly and brown.
  6. Serving – To serve, put all the wrapped smokies in a slow cooker on low and add a little more maple syrup. Stir well so each Smokie is coated with the sugary glaze.
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Appetizers served on a white tray close-up view.


Tips for Making Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Create the best bacon wrapped little smokies recipe by following these helpful tips and suggestions. Learn just what you need to balance the flavors, cook for a party, and watch the video we have created to help you along the way. These tips can make these even easier!

  • Quality – Use good quality little smokies and a brand that you know and trust.
  • Frozen smokies – Make sure to thaw the smokies before wrapping them in bacon. This will ensure even cooking while in the oven.
  • Toothpicks – If needed, secure the bacon around the little smokies with toothpicks. This will help hold the bacon securely in place and won’t fall off the little smokies.
  • Extra crispy bacon – Slightly cook the bacon ahead of time to give that extra crispy texture.
  • Spicy – Add a little cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mixture to add a little extra spice.
  • Keep warm – If serving at a party, keep the smokies warm by placing them in a crockpot on low heat or on the “warm” setting.
  • Dipping – These bacon-wrapped smokies are great on their own, but for a fun flavor twist you can try dipping them in honey mustard or BBQ sauce
  • Video – Watch the video on the recipe card for a tutorial on how to make them. Our brother, Devin, is a pro and gives step-by-step instructions.

Variations for Easy Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe

Make it sweet, tangy, or spicy with all these fun variations! You can’t go wrong with trying variations of spices, flavors, and your favorite pantry staples baked into bacon wrapped smokies. So many combinations and flavors to try!

  • Cheese – Add a small piece of cheese into the little smoke before wrapping it with bacon. You can use cheddar cheese, pepper jack, or Monterey cheese.
  • Spicy seasoning – Mix together chili powder, cayenne pepper, and brown sugar. You can sprinkle the mixture over the maple syrup before baking.
  • Barbeque – For the BBQ lovers out there! Brush barbecue sauce overtop the bacon. Choose your favorite barbeque sauce or make a homemade barbeque that is tangy and sweet.
  • Buffalo sauce – Create a spicy and tangy flavor with buffalo sauce tossed over the little smokies and then wrapped in maple syrup bacon. This combination can be served with ranch or blue cheese dressing!

“These are the BEST!! I love how easy they are to make and the sweet-savory flavor combo.”

-Lisalia

Frequently Asked Questions

Are little smokies already cooked?

These bite-size cocktail sausages are fully cooked, but obviously taste much better when heated. They’ll heat through perfectly when baked in the oven and wrapped in delicious bacon.

How do I prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking?

The best way you have found is to use a toothpick. This will secure the ends of the bacon around the little smokies.

Can I use a different type of sausage for bacon wrapped smokies?

Yes! Create different types of sausages and flavors. Cocktail franks or other small sausages work for this recipe too!

What do I do if my bacon wrapped smokies are not getting crispy?

You can broil the smokies ahead of time or cook the bacon ahead of time. This is a jump start to baking them and will take less time.

A hand holding a portion of a bacon wrapped lil smokies on a toothpick with a tray of Lil Smokies in the background.

Storing and Making Ahead

These bacon-wrapped smokies are perfect for parties! You can make them ahead of time, store leftovers, and even freeze them if needed. Bacon-wrapped smokies are the perfect appetizer and side dish for any fun event!

  • Making ahead – These tasty treats take a bit of time to assemble, so it’s actually a great idea to make them a day or so before serving. Wrap them up and throw them in the freezer until the day of. To make them right from frozen, allow an extra five minutes or so of cooking time. They’ll be perfectly crisp, sweet, savory, and oh-so scrumptious!
  • Fridge – Keep leftovers covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to four days.
  • Reheat – To reheat, just pop them in the microwave for a few seconds or toss them back in the oven until warm.
  • Freeze – Store leftover smokies in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freeze in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, place in a bag and store in the freezer for three months.

More Meaty Bite-Sized Appetizers

Who doesn’t love little meaty bite-sized appetizers? Here are some delicious protein-packed appetizers for your next Super Bowl party or family gathering.

Read Next: 75+ Super Bowl Recipes

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies Appetizer with toothpicks in each one served on a white tray

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

5 from 11 votes
Bacon wrapped smokies are a guaranteed hit for parties! These sweet and savory bites come together with just four ingredients. Make a bunch and watch them disappear! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Video

Equipment

  • Conventional Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon center cut
  • 1 (14 ounce) package Little Smokies
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • maple syrup to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bacon into halves or thirds.
  •  Wrap each Little Smokie with a piece of bacon. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Place the wrapped Little Smokies on the lined baking pan.
  • Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Drizzle a little maple syrup over all the smokies once they are covered in brown sugar. 
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until the sugar is bubbly and brown.
  • To serve, put all the wrapped smokies in a slow cooker on low and add a little more maple syrup. Stir well so each Smokie is coated with the sugary glaze.

Notes

    • If you are using regular bacon instead of the center-cut bacon, you may have to secure it with a toothpick.
    • These bacon-wrapped smokies are great on their own, but for a fun flavor twist you can try dipping them in honey mustard or BBQ sauce
    • Add a little cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mixture to add a little extra spice.
    • If serving at a party, keep the smokies warm by placing them in a Crockpot on low heat (or on the “warm” setting).
    • Store leftover smokies in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 227.54kcalCarbohydrates: 18.47gProtein: 4.8gFat: 15.03gSaturated Fat: 5.03gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 256.22mgPotassium: 99.23mgSugar: 17.79gVitamin A: 13.99IUCalcium: 17.11mgIron: 0.28mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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Comments

  1. Have you ever tried wrapping anything inside the bacon like a strip of jalapeño or chunk of water chestnut? I’m wondering if it would withstand the heat.

  2. They sound delicious! I would like to make them for my daughter wedding reception, can I make them up ahead of time? If so, do you have any suggestions. Thanks!

    1. How far ahead of time are we thinking? If just an hour or so, you can cover them in foil and keep them warm in the oven on a low heat. 🙂

      1. I did make these up for my other daughters graduation party. They were a big hit!

        I put them in a crock-pot adding maple syrup to the pot. The only problem I had was by the end of the party the few that were left burned slightly.

        I’m going to make another batch for work tomorrow, but this time I think I will add just a little liquid to the crock pot with the maple syrup. I’m thinking a little water, or some type of broth. What do you think?

  3. When I make these, I dredge the smokie AND the bacon in brown sugar, and then wrap! They are soooooo caramelly and delicious!!!

  4. Great recipe. We made them for our New Years party and even my daughter ate them- she is such a picky eater and I think she had four or five.