Bacon Wrapped Smokies

5 from 13 votes
21 Comments

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Make the perfect bacon-wrapped smokies with just 4 ingredients! Sweet and savory, they’re perfect for game day, parties, and family gatherings.

Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies Appetizer with toothpicks in each one served on a white tray.
Featured With This Recipe
  1. The Perfect Easy Party Appetizer
  2. Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  3. How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  4. Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  5. Fun Variations for Smokies
  6. Reviews About Our Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  7. Questions About Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  8. Storing and Reheating Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  9. More Fun Party Snacks
  10. Bacon Wrapped Smokies Recipe

The Perfect Easy Party Appetizer

If you’re looking for a super simple, crowd-pleasing snack for your next gathering, bacon-wrapped smokies are where it’s at! With just four ingredients—savory bacon, sweet maple syrup, juicy sausages, and brown sugar—these little bites are always a hit. The crispy bacon and caramelized glaze create the perfect flavor combo, and they’re always the first thing to disappear at my parties.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people beg for the recipe after I bring these to a party. They’re shocked at how easy they are to make, and trust me, once you try them, you’ll never go back to plain little smokies again!

Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Now, I know you probably think bacon-wrapped anything sounds complicated, but I promise this is as simple as it gets! You only need four ingredients, and they come together so quickly:

  • Bacon – I love using thick-cut or center-cut bacon for this recipe. You’ll cut each slice in half, so you don’t need anything too thick.
  • Little Smokies – I always go for Hillshire Farm All-Beef Little Smokies (they’re my favorite!), but any brand works just fine. Feel free to experiment with different flavors too!
  • Brown Sugar – This is what makes the bacon caramelize and gives it that yummy sweetness.
  • Maple Syrup – The maple syrup is key to adding a perfect sweet glaze that’ll have everyone coming back for more!

How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Making these bacon-wrapped smokies is SO easy—it’s pretty much a “set it and forget it” situation. Here’s how I make them:

  1. Prepare – Start by lining a baking sheet with aluminum foil. I always spray the foil with a little cooking spray to keep things from sticking. Trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze!
  2. Wrap – Take each Little Smokie and wrap it in a slice of bacon. If you’re using regular bacon (not center-cut), you might need a toothpick to keep the bacon in place.
  3. Assemble – Place the bacon-wrapped smokies on the baking sheet. Don’t be shy with the brown sugar—sprinkle it generously over the top.
  4. Drizzle – Drizzle a little maple syrup over everything. I like to make sure each smokie gets a nice coating of that syrupy goodness.
  5. Bake – Pop them in the oven at 375°F for about 40 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the bacon is crispy and the brown sugar is all bubbly and caramelized.
  6. Serve – If you’re serving these at a party, I recommend transferring them to a slow cooker to keep them warm. You can add a little extra maple syrup to keep the glaze nice and sticky.
Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Appetizers served on a white tray close-up view.


Tips for Perfect Bacon Wrapped Smokies

I’ve made these bacon-wrapped smokies enough times to have a few tricks up my sleeve! Here are some of my best tips:

  • Quality Ingredients – It’s worth investing in good bacon and trustworthy smokies. The better the ingredients, the better the taste!
  • Thaw Frozen Smokies – If you’re using frozen smokies, make sure they’re fully thawed before wrapping them in bacon. This helps them cook evenly in the oven.
  • Toothpicks – If the bacon isn’t sticking, use a toothpick to hold it in place while it cooks. It’s an easy fix!
  • Crispier Bacon – Want extra crispy bacon? I’ve found that cooking the bacon just a little bit before wrapping it around the smokies works wonders.
  • Spicy Kick – Add some cayenne pepper or chili powder to the brown sugar for a little extra heat if you’re into that!
  • Keep Warm – If you’re serving these at a party, keep them warm in a slow cooker on low heat. I promise they’ll stay gooey and delicious that way.

Fun Variations for Smokies

Once you’ve mastered the classic version, there are so many fun ways to switch things up! Here are a few of my favorite variations:

  • Cheese-Stuffed Smokies – Add a little piece of cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, or even mozzarella) inside the smokie before wrapping it in bacon. So good!
  • Spicy Seasoning – For a spicy twist, mix chili powder and cayenne pepper with the brown sugar and sprinkle it over the smokies before baking.
  • BBQ Bacon Smokies – Brush your bacon-wrapped smokies with your favorite BBQ sauce before baking. Sweet, tangy, and smoky all in one!
  • Buffalo Bacon Smokies – If you love spicy, toss the bacon-wrapped smokies in buffalo sauce before baking. Serve them with ranch or blue cheese dressing for the ultimate snack!
A hand holding a portion of a bacon wrapped lil smokies on a toothpick with a tray of Lil Smokies in the background.

Reviews About Our Bacon Wrapped Smokies

“These are the BEST!! I love how easy they are to make and the sweet-savory flavor combo.”

-Lisalia

Questions About Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Are smokies already cooked?

Yes! Little Smokies are fully cooked, which is why they’re so quick and easy to work with. Just wrap them in bacon and bake!

How do I prevent the bacon from unraveling during cooking?

Use a toothpick to secure the bacon around the smokies. It’s a simple trick that keeps everything in place.

Can I use a different type of sausage for bacon-wrapped smokies?

Absolutely! You can use cocktail franks or any other small sausage you prefer. Get creative and make them your own!

What do I do if my bacon wrapped smokies are not getting crispy?

If your bacon isn’t crispy after baking, you can pop them under the broiler for a minute or two. Keep an eye on them, though—they’ll crisp up fast!

Storing and Reheating Bacon Wrapped Smokies

If you have leftovers (which is rare, honestly), here’s how to store them:

  • Fridge – Keep them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat – You can reheat these in the microwave, or pop them back in the oven for a few minutes to get them nice and warm.
  • Freeze – To freeze, lay the bacon-wrapped smokies on a baking sheet and freeze them in a single layer. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep for about 3 months.

More Fun Party Snacks

If you love these bacon-wrapped smokies, I’ve got plenty of other easy, meaty appetizers for you to try! Here are a few more of my favorites:

Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies Appetizer with toothpicks in each one served on a white tray.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

5 from 13 votes
Bacon wrapped smokies are a guaranteed hit for parties! These sweet and savory bites come together with just four ingredients. Make a bunch and watch them disappear! 
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12

Video

Equipment

  • Conventional Oven

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bacon center cut
  • 1 (14 ounce) package Little Smokies
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • maple syrup to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut the bacon into halves or thirds.
    Bacon cut into thirds on a cutting board.
  •  Wrap each Little Smokie with a piece of bacon. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with cooking spray. Place the wrapped Little Smokies on the lined baking pan.
    Unbaked smokies wrapped in bacon on a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • Sprinkle generously with brown sugar. Drizzle a little maple syrup over all the smokies once they are covered in brown sugar. 
    Bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar on top on a baking sheet.
  • Bake for about 40 minutes or until the sugar is bubbly and brown.
    Baked wrapped smokies on a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
  • To serve, put all the wrapped smokies in a slow cooker on low and add a little more maple syrup. Stir well so each Smokie is coated with the sugary glaze.
    Smokies on a white plate with a toothpick in each one with sauce on the side.

Notes

    • If you are using regular bacon instead of the center-cut bacon, you may have to secure it with a toothpick.
    • These bacon-wrapped smokies are great on their own, but for a fun flavor twist you can try dipping them in honey mustard or BBQ sauce
    • Add a little cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mixture to add a little extra spice.
    • If serving at a party, keep the smokies warm by placing them in a Crockpot on low heat (or on the “warm” setting).
    • Store leftover smokies in an airtight container for 3-4 days.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 227.54kcalCarbohydrates: 18.47gProtein: 4.8gFat: 15.03gSaturated Fat: 5.03gCholesterol: 25mgSodium: 256.22mgPotassium: 99.23mgSugar: 17.79gVitamin A: 13.99IUCalcium: 17.11mgIron: 0.28mg

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Rate and Review

I hope you love these bacon-wrapped smokies as much as I do! They’re perfect for any party, and I guarantee your guests will be begging you for the recipe. Let me know how they turn out—I’d love to hear what you think!



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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

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5 from 13 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This recipe is a lot like the one my family loves. I never thought about adding maple syrup to it. I will have to try it. I’m sure they will love it!

  2. Have you ever tried wrapping anything inside the bacon like a strip of jalapeño or chunk of water chestnut? I’m wondering if it would withstand the heat.

  3. They sound delicious! I would like to make them for my daughter wedding reception, can I make them up ahead of time? If so, do you have any suggestions. Thanks!

    1. How far ahead of time are we thinking? If just an hour or so, you can cover them in foil and keep them warm in the oven on a low heat. 🙂

      1. I did make these up for my other daughters graduation party. They were a big hit!

        I put them in a crock-pot adding maple syrup to the pot. The only problem I had was by the end of the party the few that were left burned slightly.

        I’m going to make another batch for work tomorrow, but this time I think I will add just a little liquid to the crock pot with the maple syrup. I’m thinking a little water, or some type of broth. What do you think?

  4. When I make these, I dredge the smokie AND the bacon in brown sugar, and then wrap! They are soooooo caramelly and delicious!!!

  5. Great recipe. We made them for our New Years party and even my daughter ate them- she is such a picky eater and I think she had four or five.