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Crispy Bacon Wrapped Smokies: Best Tailgate Bites

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These crispy bacon wrapped smokies are the ultimate tailgate snack—sticky, crispy, salty, and sweet all at once. Made with just three main ingredients, they come together in about 30 minutes and disappear every single time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 ounces little smokies sausages (about 40–50 sausages)
  • 1 pound thin-cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (optional, for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoons honey (optional, for glaze)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional, for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. If you have a wire rack, place it on top of the baking sheet.
  2. Cut each slice of bacon into three equal pieces, about 2-3 inches long.
  3. Par-cook the bacon (optional but recommended): Place bacon pieces on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels. Microwave for 30-45 seconds, just until the bacon starts to render some fat but is still pliable.
  4. Wrap the smokies: Take one piece of bacon and wrap it around a little smokie. Secure it with a toothpick, pushing the toothpick through both ends of the bacon and into the sausage. Repeat with all the smokies.
  5. Coat with brown sugar: In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar with any optional spices. Roll each bacon-wrapped smokie in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently so it sticks. Place them on the wire rack or directly on the baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar has caramelized. Halfway through, rotate the baking sheet for even cooking.
  7. Optional glaze step: If using the glaze, mix the barbecue sauce, honey, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. During the last 5 minutes of baking, brush the glaze over each smokie. Return to the oven to finish baking.
  8. Let them rest for 5 minutes. The caramelized sugar is dangerously hot straight out of the oven.
  9. Serve immediately. Transfer to a serving platter. Remove the toothpicks or leave them in for easy picking. Serve warm.

Notes

Par-cooking the bacon slightly before wrapping ensures crispy texture. Soak toothpicks in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning. For best results, use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow air circulation. If not using a wire rack, flip the smokies halfway through cooking. Brown sugar can burn quickly; check at the 15-minute mark. Can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and stored in the fridge. Freeze assembled smokies for up to 3 months; bake from frozen at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon wrapped smokies, tailgate bites, game day snack, appetizer, bacon wrapped sausages, little smokies, brown sugar bacon

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