The best appetizers with bacon that are great for super bowl parties, get togethers, or as a side dish. Bacon wrapped little smokies with brown sugar are the best recipe with cocktail wieners that’s salty and sweet YUM. Baked in the oven or as air fryer smokies, they’re the bomb.
Who doesn’t love appetizers with bacon? I mean seriously!! Whether you’re going to a potluck, super bowl party, or Christmas party this year. There is nothing like bacon wrapped smokies and more. (originally published 4/15, affiliate links present)
Brown Sugar Bacon Smokies
Before you think about what and how to cook you should first make a bacon charcuterie board! I know right?? Sounds amazing and all you need is to get this ingredient crispy and add all the other things. We have a printable charcuterie board shopping list for you to get started on that.
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies with Brown Sugar
With just the three ingredients in this title you know you are in for a treat. You get a smoky flavor with the mini hot dogs, sweetness with the sugar and bacon OMG I mean…. I bet your mouth is watering right about now right? 😉 The outside gets a bit like our candied bacon with meat inside. It’s always a hit.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar and Butter
Adding pats of butter to the top is optional for a more savory flavor. It is not a necessary ingredient but is wonderful too. If you wanted to try both you could make a tray of each or half and half. Slice 1/2 a stick and lay on the top so it melts down with the sugar as they bake.
Best Appetizers with Bacon
I mean anything can be deemed a starter if you have guests over. it is fun to have a wide variety of choices like our breakfast bundt that can be like a brunch item too. First we will start with this one that you just need 3 ingredients for:
- Bacon (this is the most amazing type of bacon)
- Mini hot dogs (or lil’ smokies sausages are actually the best)
- Secure with a toothpick so you will need a box of those, not colored
- 2 cups Brown sugar
- Non stick aluminum foil is helpful too
Seriously that is all you need to make brown sugar bacon wrapped smokies. Sure do love easy and tasty appetizer recipes!
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
I cut the bacon in half while it is still in the pack so I can store the bacon left in a freezer bag if I am only using half of the package of bacon for this recipe. You can certainly cut this recipe in half or make the larger batch we describe below for you. The technique I use when cooking frozen bacon in air fryer too.
Using a cutting board and put one half of a piece of bacon down, roll the wiener up into it and put a toothpick on the end that is open on top to keep it from unwrapping.
Now you could use other meats inside if you preferred. There are similar sizes that just aren’t smoked beforehand. We used those to make out Instant Pot cocktail wiener recipe which worked quite well. Your choice really, these just have more flavor and a thicker casing.
Then sprinkle brown sugar on the bottom of your baking dish or baking sheet with high sides (I put non stick aluminum foil or parchment paper down first). Then line the bacon bites up on top of the brown sugar mixture. When they are all laid inside in a single layer then sprinkle more brown sugar on top like this.
Easy Smokies Recipe
Now just line them up on a cookie sheet or if you have a lot of them put them in a 9×13 pan so when the sugar boils it will surround the wieners and really soak in. I cook them on 400 for about 20 min. or until bacon looks crisp like this.
Always preheat your oven so the temperature is consistent and even all the way thru. Higher is better because you do want the outside to crisp up well. If you wanted to add a bit of heat and spicy you could sprinkle the top with cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for more heat.
Brown Sugar Bacon Smokies
Take out and let cool just a bit. cook longer if you do not like the bacon soft at all but it is good a bit soft. Enjoy……and don’t count the calories on this one! 😉
If you are having a Super Bowl party, a holiday get together or just want an amazing snack yourself you have got to try these! Bring these and our crack chicken deviled eggs to your next game day get together.
- You cannot go wrong with these sweet and salty brown sugar smokies. I make an entire pan full and many times I only leave with half because my husband and kids get to them first!!
The last time I took them to a Christmas brunch it was the first appetizer that was gone and I was asked for the recipe multiple times. They couldn’t believe it was such an easy bacon in air fryer appetizer and really inexpensive too!
Baking time can vary depending on your oven and desired crispness of the bacon. As a general guideline, bake them for about 20-25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar has caramelized.
Yes, you can prepare them in advance. You can wrap the Little Smokies with bacon and sprinkle them with brown sugar, then cover and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Just remember to remove them from the refrigerator and let them come to room temperature before baking.
Yes, you can experiment with different types of sausages for Brown Sugar Smokies. Mini smoked sausages and cocktail wieners are commonly used, but you can try other small sausages or even vegetarian options if desired.
Appetizers with Bacon
- Pineapple bacon bites seen below have pineapple inside
- Easy layered cornbread salad is great with bacon bits in a layer
- Jalapeno wonton cups with bacon are oh my great
Want to see a few of my favorite things that I am totally obsessed with?? Take a peek and see how many you might already have…twinsies!
Looking for more easy family recipes and tips? LIKE The Typical Mom Facebook page?
Then sign up for my free newsletter, and follow me on Pinterest! 😉
***** If you LOVED this recipe give it 5 Stars below and let everyone know what you thought about it. 😉
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies with Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 pkg smokies or cocktail weiners but smokies are better
- 2 pkg bacon cut in half
- 2 c brown sugar
Instructions
- Cut your entire package of bacon in half.
- Use a cutting board and place your 1/2 piece of bacon down with 1 smokie at one end and wrap it all the way up until it is wrapped up in the bacon, use a toothpick to secure bacon end.
- Use non stick foil to line a 9×13 pan, then sprinkle 1 cup of brown sugar on the bottom.
- With each smokie wrapped in bacon and secured with a toothpick put them inside your pan with the toothpick facing up.
- When all smokies are wrapped in bacon and placed inside your pan preheat your oven to 400 and sprinkle your 2nd cup of brown sugar over the top of all your bacon wrapped weiners.
- Bake for about 20 minutes or until bacon is cooked to desired crispness and brown sugar is bubbling.
- Take out and put them on a plate to serve or leave in the pan for a bit to soak up more of the cooling sugar, then serve.
- Can half this recipe and bake in an 8×8 pan if desired.
Video
