Bacon-Wrapped Smokies Appetizer (Printer View)

Mini sausages wrapped in crispy bacon with a sweet, caramelized brown sugar glaze. Perfect party appetizer.

# What you'll need:

→ Meats

01 - 24 mini cocktail sausages (12 oz)
02 - 12 slices bacon (8 oz), halved crosswise

→ Glaze

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

# Method:

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 brown sugar mixture evenly over smokies. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for additional caramelization if desired.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bacon is crisp and glaze is bubbling. Optional: broil for 1 to 2 minutes for extra crispiness, monitoring closely.
08 - Cool slightly before serving. Present warm with toothpicks for convenient handling.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Easy to prepare with only a handful of ingredients.
  • The perfect balance of salty bacon and sweet brown sugar glaze.
  • Great for game days, parties, or holiday appetizers.
  • Can be made ahead and baked just before serving.
02 -
  • Placing the smokies seam-side down helps keep the bacon from unraveling during baking.
  • Always check the labels of your cocktail sausages if you have allergies, as they may contain soy, wheat, or dairy.
  • If you want them extra crispy, don't skip the short broiling step at the very end.
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