Bacon Sugar Smokies

These addictive brown sugar bacon smokies turn basic items into a mouthwatering snack that vanishes quickly at every event. Blending smoky sausages tucked in crunchy bacon with a sweet brown sugar shell creates that perfect sweet-salty combo nobody can turn down.

I first whipped these up for our yearly Super Bowl bash five years back, and now my family asks for them at every get-together. Once, my nephew gobbled down a whole plate by himself before anyone else showed up!

What You'll Need

• Little smokies sausages: They're the tasty meat center that gives each bite its savory punch
• Thin cut bacon: Makes everything crunchy and adds that smoky taste that works so well with the sausages
• Brown sugar: Turns into a sweet glaze that cuts through the bacon's saltiness
• Freshly ground black pepper: Brings a touch of spice that makes all the other flavors pop

How To Make Them

Get Ready:

Turn your oven to 350°F and coat your baking dish with nonstick spray or cover it with foil. Don't skip this part or you'll be scrubbing hardened sugar forever.

Bundle Up The Sausages:

Wipe each sausage completely dry with paper towels so the bacon sticks right. Wrap bacon around each one, slightly overlapping at the end, then push a toothpick through the middle to hold it. Don't wrap too tight since bacon shrinks when it cooks.

Add The Sweet Stuff:

Drop brown sugar in a big ziplock bag and toss in a few wrapped sausages at once. Seal it up and shake gently until they're all coated. This sugar turns into an amazing sweet crust that makes these treats so special.

Set Them Up:

Line up your sugar-covered sausages on the baking dish, leaving room between them so they cook evenly and get that nice caramelization. Sprinkle some fresh ground pepper on top to give them an extra flavor kick.

Cook Them Just Right:

Stick them in your hot oven for 30 to 35 minutes until the bacon browns and sugar turns sticky and caramelized. Keep an eye on them near the end since sugar can burn fast. If you want super crispy bacon, try broiling them for the last minute or two while watching carefully.

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My first try at these, I grabbed thick cut bacon by mistake and it took forever to get crispy. Trust me, thin bacon is the way to go if you want that perfect mix of crisp outside and juicy sausage inside.

Prep Them Early

You can totally get these ready ahead of time. Just wrap all your sausages and keep them in the fridge up to a day before your party. Hold off on the sugar coating until you're ready to bake them for the best results. Having them all set to go makes hosting way less stressful when you've got other food to worry about.

Switch Up The Taste

The original version always goes fast, but you can play with different flavors too. A dash of cayenne mixed with the brown sugar gives you a nice sweet heat combo. Lots of folks love adding a spoonful of maple syrup to the sugar for extra stickiness. Some of my friends even like to swipe a bit of BBQ sauce on the sausages before the bacon goes on.

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Ways To Serve Them

These sweet bacon wrapped smokies work at all kinds of gatherings. For sports watch parties, just put them on a big plate with toothpicks so everyone can grab them easily. At holiday parties, I like to set out some honey mustard dip on the side for an extra flavor boost. They go great with cold drinks and match up well with cheese boards and veggie platters.

Keeping Leftovers

If you somehow end up with extras, put them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To warm them back up, spread them on a baking sheet and heat at 325°F for about 10 minutes until they're hot again. Don't use the microwave or your bacon will turn soggy instead of crispy. They freeze pretty well too, so you can make extra for your next get-together.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these in advance?

Sure, wrap the sausages in bacon the night before, refrigerate them, and bake right before you need them.

→ What can I use besides toothpicks?

No toothpicks? Just place the wrapped sausages seam-side down on the tray, and they'll stay together as they bake.

→ How do I give them more kick?

For a spicier version, sprinkle cayenne pepper into the brown sugar mix—it adds a nice heat to the smoky sweetness.

→ What sides go best with these?

Great alongside salads, baked veggies, or even a creamy dip like ranch dressing or honey mustard.

→ Can turkey bacon or veggie options work?

Turkey bacon crisps beautifully, and plant-based sausages with a vegan bacon alternative can make this dish vegetarian-friendly.