Bacon-Wrapped Li’l Smokies
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These brown sugar bacon-wrapped Li’l Smokies are sweet, smoky, a little sticky, and packed with bold BBQ flavor. They’re so good, I even enjoy them at room temperature and that’s saying something.
These are always a hit at parties but also work well on a brunch table or as a sweet-and-savory bite at a cookout. If you’re building a full spread, pair them with something cold from my roundup of cold appetizer recipes to balance out the hot dishes.
Brown Sugar Little Smokies are an oven baked appetizer!
Wrapping smoked sausages in bacon is already a win, but adding brown sugar and a sprinkle of BBQ seasoning on top gives them that sticky-sweet, caramelized brown sugar finish everyone loves. These are oven-baked for easy prep, and you can serve them hot, at room temp, or even reheat them later.
They’re perfect for summer BBQs, game days, and holiday gatherings, especially when served with other easy summer appetizers or a few picks from my best slider recipes list.
Ingredients
- 1 package (14 oz) Li’l Smokies cocktail smoked sausage links (about 36–42 links)
- 12 regular slices uncooked bacon (not thick cut)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- Barbecue seasoning or dry rub, to taste
How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Li’l Smokies
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or use a stoneware pan with sides (I used a 9.5-inch square pan).
Cut each slice of bacon into three equal pieces. Wrap one piece of bacon around each sausage, placing it seam-side down in the baking dish. The sausages can be placed close together, and it’s fine if they touch.
Once all sausages are wrapped and arranged in the pan, break apart the brown sugar and sprinkle it generously over the top.
Then season everything with your favorite dry BBQ rub or seasoning blend.
Bake uncovered for 30 minutes until the bacon is cooked and lightly crisped. Let them rest for five minutes before serving.
Tips for Best Results
- Use regular sliced bacon. Thick-cut takes too long to cook and doesn’t wrap as easily.
- The 14 oz sausage package typically contains 36 to 42 links. I had 37 in mine, so adjust the number of bacon slices as needed.
- Use any BBQ rub you love. I used Weber’s Cowboy seasoning, but McCormick’s Grill Mates Smokehouse Maple, Brown Sugar Bourbon, and Sweet & Smoky Rub all work great. Or skip the seasoning altogether because, honestly, they’re still delicious with just brown sugar.
- Little smokies are best served with toothpicks or stacked on a platter with a set of tongs for easy grabbing.
Serving Suggestions
These are a perfect addition to any appetizer spread. Serve them with fresh bites like Cucumber Cream Cheese Bites, or mix them in with other savory sliders from my best slider recipes. They pair great with hot and cold items for a party-ready table.
If you’re a fan of bacon-wrapped appetizers, don’t miss my Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños for a creamy, spicy bite, Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus for something a little lighter, Bacon-Wrapped Mini Potatoes for a hearty side, or even Bacon-Wrapped Tomatoes as a fresh and savory twist.
Storing and Reheating
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 minutes or in the oven until warm. Avoid microwaving if you want the bacon to stay crisp.
Bacon-Wrapped Li’l Smokies with Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 14 oz Li’l Smokies cocktail sausages about 36-42 pieces
- 12 slices regular bacon cut into thirds
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- Barbecue dry rub or seasoning to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish or stoneware pan with sides.
- Cut each slice of bacon into three equal pieces.
- Wrap one piece of bacon around each sausage and place it seam-side down in the baking dish. It’s okay if the pieces touch — just keep them in a single layer.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top, breaking apart any large clumps.
- Generously season with your favorite barbecue rub or dry seasoning.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the bacon is fully cooked and starting to crisp.
- Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutritional Disclaimer: The nutritional data provided here is auto-calculated and intended for your convenience only. As it’s generated via automation, its accuracy may be compromised. For precise nutritional insight, please compute the values utilizing the actual ingredients in your recipe through your chosen nutrition calculator or application.
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