Irresistible Bacon Wrapped Smokies: The Ultimate 3-Ingredient Sweet & Salty Appetizer
Craving a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s unbelievably simple yet bursting with flavor? Look no further than these Sweet and Salty Bacon Wrapped Smokies! Requiring just three essential ingredients, this classic finger food is guaranteed to be a hit at any gathering, from casual game nights to elegant holiday parties. Prepare to delight your taste buds with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Bacon has an undeniable magic, especially when it comes to appetizers. The crispy, savory strips elevate almost any dish, making it an instant favorite. If you’re a fellow bacon enthusiast and eager to explore more mouthwatering options, be sure to also try these Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers for a spicy kick or these comforting Bacon and Cream Cheese Crescent Appetizers. But for pure, unadulterated ease and widespread appeal, our Bacon Wrapped Smokies stand in a league of their own.
Why You’ll Love This Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe
If you appreciate simplicity in the kitchen without sacrificing incredible taste, then this recipe is tailor-made for you. I adore cooking and spending time creating delicious meals, but sometimes, the occasion calls for something effortlessly spectacular. That’s precisely where these Bacon Wrapped Smokies shine. They demand only three ingredients, less than an hour of your time, and disappear from the serving platter in mere minutes. My family can attest to how quickly these savory-sweet bites vanish!
Whether you’re planning an epic game day spread, preparing for a festive holiday gathering, or simply need a quick and satisfying snack, these delightful Bacon Wrapped Smokies are the perfect solution. They offer a delightful contrast of textures and flavors – the crispy, salty bacon perfectly complements the tender, smoky sausage, all brought together by a caramelized brown sugar glaze. It’s a harmonious blend that creates an addictive flavor profile, ensuring everyone reaches for a second (or third!) helping.
The Magic Behind the Ingredients
The beauty of this recipe lies in its minimal yet impactful ingredient list. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the iconic sweet and salty flavor that makes these appetizers so beloved. You don’t need exotic spices or complex techniques; just these three kitchen staples will unlock a world of flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Bacon: For this recipe, I recommend using regular sliced bacon. While thick-cut bacon can be tempting, regular slices provide the ideal bacon-to-sausage ratio, ensuring each bite is perfectly balanced and the bacon crisps up beautifully without overpowering the smokies. When choosing your bacon, look for good quality, evenly sliced strips.
- Lit’l Smokies: These small, fully cooked sausage links are the heart of our appetizer. A 14 oz package typically contains about 32 individual sausages, making it perfect for a decent-sized batch. Their inherent smoky flavor and bite-sized nature make them an excellent canvas for the bacon and brown sugar. Ensure they are fully cooked before wrapping, as this helps with the overall cooking time and ensures they are safe to eat once the bacon is crispy.
- Brown Sugar: This is the secret weapon that transforms a simple bacon-wrapped sausage into a culinary delight. The brown sugar not only adds a wonderful sweetness but also caramelizes during baking, creating a glistening, sticky glaze that perfectly complements the savory bacon and smokies. Light brown sugar is generally preferred for its milder molasses flavor, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
Crafting Your Bacon Wrapped Smokies: A Simple Guide
The preparation process for these Bacon Wrapped Smokies is incredibly straightforward, making them accessible to even novice cooks. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a tray of delicious appetizers ready for the oven.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature for the bacon to crisp evenly.
- Prepare Bacon: Take each slice of bacon and cut it into thirds. This size is ideal for wrapping around the small smokies, allowing for a slight overlap to secure with a toothpick, and ensuring the bacon gets perfectly crispy.
- Wrap the Smokies: Carefully take one piece of the cut bacon and wrap it snugly around a Lit’l Smokies sausage. Secure the bacon in place by inserting a toothpick through the overlapping ends of the bacon and into the sausage. This prevents the bacon from unraveling during baking.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the bacon-wrapped sausages in a single layer in a baking dish or on a baking sheet. Leave a little space between each smokie to allow for even cooking and crisping. For easier cleanup, you might consider lining your baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Sweeten with Brown Sugar: Evenly sprinkle the light brown sugar over the top of all the bacon-wrapped smokies. Don’t be shy; this sugar will melt and caramelize, forming that irresistible glaze.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the baking dish to your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 30-40 minutes, or until the bacon is beautifully crisp and the sausages are thoroughly heated through and glistening with a caramelized coating. The exact time may vary depending on your oven and the thickness of your bacon.
- Serve Warm: For the best experience, serve these Bacon Wrapped Smokies warm. As they cool, the sugar glaze can become quite sticky, which while still delicious, is best enjoyed fresh from the oven.
Prepare Ahead for Effortless Entertaining
One of the many advantages of these Bacon Wrapped Smokies is their make-ahead potential, allowing you to save precious time on the day of your event. This flexibility makes them an ideal choice for busy hosts.
Make Ahead Instructions
To prepare these appetizers in advance, simply complete the first few steps: cut your bacon, wrap each smokie, and secure with a toothpick. Arrange these prepared smokies in your baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes. This helps ensure more even cooking. Just before placing them in the oven, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top, then bake as directed. This method allows for fresh, hot appetizers without the last-minute scramble.
Expert Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Achieving the perfect balance of crispy bacon, tender sausage, and caramelized glaze is easy with these simple tips and tricks.
Tips for Success
- Bacon Cutting Matters: Cutting the bacon into thirds is crucial. This specific size ensures that each strip wraps just once around the smokie, with enough overlap to secure it. If you use too much bacon, it will take longer to crisp up, and the ratio of bacon to sausage might be off, resulting in a less satisfying bite. Aim for even strips to ensure consistent cooking.
- Serve Warm for Best Texture: These appetizers are truly best served warm. As they cool, the brown sugar glaze can firm up and become quite sticky. While still delicious, the warm, gooey glaze and crisp bacon are unbeatable. You can keep them warm in a slow cooker on a “warm” setting if serving a large crowd, or simply reheat them briefly in the oven if they cool down.
- To Toothpick or Not to Toothpick: I prefer to keep the toothpicks in for serving, as it makes them an ideal finger food and keeps hands clean. However, you can absolutely bake them without toothpicks. Simply place the bacon-wrapped smokies seam-side down in the baking dish. The bacon will adhere as it cooks, keeping the little sausages wrapped.
- Manage Excess Fat: Bacon releases a fair amount of fat during baking. To ensure the smokies get properly crispy and not greasy, you might want to drain some of the rendered fat halfway through cooking, especially if using a deeper baking dish. Alternatively, baking them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet allows the fat to drip away, promoting extra crispiness.
- Customize the Sweetness: While 1/3 cup of brown sugar is a great starting point, feel free to adjust to your preference. For a slightly less sweet version, reduce the sugar to 1/4 cup. For an extra sticky, candied effect, you can increase it to 1/2 cup.
Flavorful Variations to Explore
While the classic Bacon Wrapped Smokies are perfect as is, you can easily adapt this recipe to introduce new flavor dimensions.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the brown sugar before sprinkling for a sweet-and-spicy twist.
- Maple Glaze: Instead of solely brown sugar, mix a tablespoon or two of maple syrup with the brown sugar for an even richer, more complex sweetness.
- Savory Herbs: Experiment with a sprinkle of dried thyme or a touch of smoked paprika alongside the brown sugar for a more savory aroma.
- Different Sausages: While Lit’l Smokies are traditional, you could try this recipe with other small, fully cooked sausages, such as mini chicken apple sausages or even cocktail wieners, for a subtle variation in flavor.
Perfect for Any Occasion: Serving Suggestions
These delightful appetizers are incredibly versatile and fit seamlessly into a wide range of social settings.
- Game Day Essential: They are a staple for any sports event gathering, easy to eat while cheering on your favorite team.
- Holiday Feasts: During the bustling holiday season, these quick and easy bites are a lifesaver, providing a delicious appetizer without adding stress.
- Casual Parties: From backyard barbecues to potlucks, they disappear quickly and are always a welcome addition.
- Brunch Spreads: The sweet and savory profile also makes them a fantastic addition to a hearty brunch buffet.
More Easy Appetizer Ideas
If you’re constantly on the hunt for more simple and delicious appetizer recipes, you’re in luck! Here are some other favorites that are just as easy to whip up:
- Crockpot BBQ Grape Jelly Meatballs
- Baked Brie Recipe with Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Classic Cheese Ball Recipe
- Cream Cheese Jalapeño Poppers
- Crockpot Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Quick Pepperoni Pinwheels
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Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe Card
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Ingredients
- 1 pound sliced bacon
- 14 oz package Lit’l Smokies
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400ºF (200°C).
- Cut each slice of bacon in thirds.
- Wrap one piece of bacon around each of the smokies and place a toothpick in the sausage to keep it in place.
- Place the bacon wrapped sausages in a baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top.
- Bake until the bacon is crisp and the sausages are heated through, about 30-40 minutes.
- Serve warm.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information (Estimated Per Serving)
Serving: 2 smokies
Calories: 223 kcal (11%)
Carbohydrates: 5 g (2%)
Protein: 7 g (14%)
Fat: 19 g (29%)
Saturated Fat: 6 g (38%)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 7 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 36 mg (12%)
Sodium: 396 mg (17%)
Fiber: 0 g
Sugar: 4 g (4%)