Easy Bacon-Wrapped Smokies: The Best Game Day Appetizer
These easy bacon-wrapped smokies are the ultimate game day appetizer—smoky sausage wrapped in crispy bacon with a caramelized brown sugar glaze. Quick to prep and impossible to resist, they disappear faster than anything else on the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 14 ounces Little Smokies sausages (about 40–45 sausages)
- 1 pound thin-cut bacon (about 40–45 slices)
- ½ cup packed brown sugar (100 grams)
- Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper
- Optional: ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Optional: 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. If using foil, give it a light spray of nonstick cooking spray. Place a wire rack on top if you have one.
- Cut your bacon slices in half crosswise.
- Wrap each little smokie with a half-slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick pushed through the overlap.
- Pour the brown sugar into a shallow bowl. Roll each bacon-wrapped smokie in the brown sugar, pressing gently so the sugar adheres.
- Arrange the smokies on your prepared baking sheet, about ½ inch apart.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. Check at the 20-minute mark. If not using a wire rack, flip each smokie halfway through cooking.
- Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Soak wooden toothpicks in water for 10-15 minutes before using to prevent burning. For crispier bacon, use a wire rack on the baking sheet. Assemble up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate; add 5 minutes to baking time if baking from cold. Double the batch for a crowd—plan on 5-6 smokies per person.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5-6 smokies
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 16
- Protein: 13
Keywords: bacon-wrapped smokies, game day appetizer, easy appetizer, bacon wrapped sausages, brown sugar bacon smokies