Bacon-Wrapped Smokies Appetizer (Printable)

Mini sausages wrapped in bacon with sweet caramelized glaze. Perfect finger food for parties and gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 24 mini cocktail sausages (12 oz)
02 - 12 slices bacon (8 oz), cut in half

→ Glaze

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

# How to Make It:

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 - Arrange the bacon-wrapped smokies seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - In a small bowl, mix brown sugar and cayenne pepper together.
06 - Sprinkle brown sugar mixture evenly over the smokies. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for enhanced caramelization.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bacon is crisp and glaze is bubbling. For extra crispiness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
08 - Cool slightly before serving. Serve warm with toothpicks for easy handling.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They disappear faster than you can refill the tray, which means you did something very right.
  • The sweet and salty contrast hits in a way that feels indulgent but takes almost no skill to pull off.
  • You can prep them ahead and bake right before guests arrive, so youre not stuck in the kitchen.
  • Even people who claim they dont like bacon admit these are dangerously good.
02 -
  • Dont skip lining the pan, the glaze hardens as it cools and scraping it off a bare sheet is a nightmare you dont need.
  • If the bacon isnt crisping up enough, flip the smokies halfway through baking so both sides get direct heat.
  • Let them rest a minute or two before serving, the glaze is molten hot right out of the oven and will burn tongues.
03 -
  • Use a broiler-safe pan if you plan to crisp them up at the end, and stay close because sugar can go from caramelized to burnt in seconds.
  • If the bacon isnt laying flat, press it gently with the back of a spoon after wrapping so it stays snug and cooks evenly.
  • For a less sweet version, cut the brown sugar in half and add a tablespoon of soy sauce to the glaze for a savory-sweet balance.
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