Bacon-Wrapped Smokies Appetizer (Printable)

Mini sausages wrapped in crispy bacon with sweet caramelized brown sugar glaze. Perfect for parties and gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Meats

01 - 24 mini cocktail sausages (12 oz)
02 - 12 slices bacon (8 oz), cut in half

→ Glaze

03 - 1/2 cup brown sugar
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, optional

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
02 - Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise to create 24 pieces.
03 - Wrap each cocktail sausage with a half-slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick.
04 - Place bacon-wrapped smokies seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper if using.
06 - Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over the smokies. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for enhanced caramelization if desired.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bacon is crisp and glaze is bubbling. For extra crispiness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, monitoring closely.
08 - Cool slightly before serving. Present warm with toothpicks for easy handling.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • Only three main ingredients, and you probably already have them in your kitchen.
  • They bake hands-free while you focus on everything else, no flipping or fussing required.
  • The sweet and salty combo hits every craving at once, and the crispy bacon seals the deal.
  • They work for any occasion, from casual movie nights to fancy holiday spreads.
02 -
  • Do not skip lining the pan, because the sugar hardens into cement as it cools and you will regret it.
  • Use toothpicks that are sturdy and long enough to poke through cleanly, because flimsy ones snap and make the bacon unravel.
  • If the bacon is not crisping, your oven might run cool, so bump the temp to 425°F or give them an extra five minutes.
03 -
  • Pat the bacon dry with a paper towel before wrapping so it crisps faster and does not steam in its own moisture.
  • If your bacon is extra thick, parcook it for 3 to 4 minutes in the microwave before wrapping so it finishes at the same time as the sausages.
  • Double the batch and freeze half before baking, then bake from frozen whenever you need a last-minute appetizer.
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