Bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar is a classic party food and easy appetizer. With only 3 ingredients and minimal prep this baked snack is great for game days and holidays.

Plate of bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar.

Party Food

It’s that time of year for lots of parties. And with lots of parties, comes lots of appetizers.

Appetizers, spreads, and dips are great for sharing. These bacon wrapped little smokies are a crowd favorite and a family tradition for the holidays.

Save This recipe

Enter your email below to get a link to this recipe emailed straight to you to save later! Plus be signed up for all new recipes.

Looking for more holiday appetizers? You might like my green onion cheese ball, cranberry salsa with cream cheese, Pillsbury brie bites, and deviled eggs.

Platter of bacon wrapped cocktail weenies with toothpicks inserted.

Little Smokies Recipe

Cocktail smokies are a classic appetizer because they are the perfect single-serving size. Making them easy to simmer in sauce like my crockpot little smokies or wrap in bacon and brown sugar like this little smokies recipe.

These bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies are a family-favorite snack come Christmas or New Year’s Eve.

They are simple to make and taste great. The addition of the brown sugar gives these bacon wrapped cocktail weenies a caramelized sweet topping. It’s basically meat candy. So delicious!

If you like sweet and savory combinations, then this appetizer is for you.

Bacon wrapped little smokies with toothpicks inserted for serving.

Ingredients for Bacon Wrapped Smokies

For this easy appetizer you will need only three ingredients:

Little Smokies – I use Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies, but any pre-cooked Cocktail Wieners/Mini Sausages will work. There are many varieties. Beef, Pork and Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar etc. Pick your favorite.
Bacon – Regular, not thick cut. Center cut bacon will have more meat, if you don’t like it to be super fatty.
Brown Sugar – Sweetens and caramelizes the outside.

How to Assemble

To make bacon wrapped smokies:

Steps. 1- Place a little smokie on a strip of bacon. 2- Roll it up and insert toothpick. 3- Sprinkle and press brown sugar onto the outside of the bacon.

Cut bacon slices into thirds. Wrap bacon around the little smokies and place them seam side down onto a foil-lined baking sheet.
Place a toothpick through the tops for easy serving.
Sprinkle and press brown sugar onto the outside of the bacon wrapped smokies.
Bake at 375˚F for 25-30 minutes or until bacon is crisp and browned. May broil the last 3-5 minutes to help crisp it up. Serve hot.

It’s hard to eat just one. I dare you! Just make these and watch how fast they disappear. Delicious!

Before and after baking bacon wrapped smokies on a sheet tray with foil.

Close up of baked smokies with bacon and brown sugar just out of the oven.

To Make Ahead

To make these ahead of time, wrap the lil smokies in bacon, insert the toothpicks, cover the pan with plastic wrap, and store it in the fridge overnight. Add the brown sugar just before baking.

Technically you can add the sugar when assembling these a day ahead of time, but the sugar will dissolve into the bacon and become juicy, or look melted. However, they will bake up the same.

Pile of bacon wrapped smokies on a plate.

Serving and Storing

Serve this appetizer fresh from the oven. If not consuming immediately, place the brown sugar bacon wrapped smokies in a crockpot with a lid on the warm setting for up to 2 hours.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. Nuke leftovers thoroughly (to an internal temperature of 165˚F).

Cocktail wieners with bacon and brown sugar.

More Holiday Appetizers

16 Servings

Ingredients

▢ 12-14 oz packaged little smokies, (about 32 in a pack)
▢ 16 oz packaged bacon
▢ ½ cup brown sugar

Equipment

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cut bacon slices into thirds. Wrap bacon around the little smokies and place them seam side down onto a heavy duty foil-lined baking sheet.
Place a toothpick through the tops for easy serving.
Sprinkle and press brown sugar onto the outside of the bacon wrapped smokies.
Bake at 375˚F for 25-30 minutes or until bacon is crisp and browned. May broil the last 3-5 minutes to help crisp it up. Serve hot.

Notes

May keep smokies in a crockpot on warm for up to 2 hours if not consuming immediately.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 3-4 days. Nuke leftovers thoroughly (to an internal temperature of 165˚F).

Nutrition

Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.

Sharing this recipe with a link is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying/pasting and/or screenshots of full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected.

Did you make this?

Don’t forget to leave a rating below and make sure to follow on Pinterest and Instagram for more!

Originally published 12/22/13. Updated 11/19/21.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies with Brown Sugar