If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s easy to make and utterly delicious, look no further than these Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies. These bite-sized delights are a perfect combination of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors that are sure to be a hit at any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a game day party, holiday event, or casual get-together, this recipe is guaranteed to impress your guests and leave them craving more.
Ingredients:
- 16 oz package of little smokies (or small cooked sausages), such as Hillshire Farm brand
- 15 strips of bacon, each divided into three smaller pieces.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, then set a wire rack on top for optimal air circulation. This setup will allow the bacon to crisp up nicely while the fat drips away.
- Prepare the Smokies: Remove the little smokies from their package and pat them dry with paper towels to help the bacon stick better.
- Wrap the Smokies: Take one piece of the cut bacon and wrap it around each little smoky, securing it with a toothpick. Place each bacon-wrapped smoky seam-side down on the prepared baking rack.
- Make the Brown Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the light brown sugar with the cayenne pepper and a pinch of black pepper (if using). Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your desired level of spiciness.
- Coat the Smokies: Generously sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the bacon-wrapped smokies, ensuring each piece is well-coated. You can use your fingers to press the sugar onto the bacon to help it adhere.
- Bake the Smokies: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sugar has caramelized. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to prevent the sugar from burning.
- Serve: Remove the smokies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.
Conclusion:
These Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies are a perfect blend of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The sweetness of the brown sugar combined with the smokiness of the bacon and the heat from the cayenne pepper creates an irresistible appetizer that everyone will love. Quick to prepare and even quicker to disappear, these little bites are the ultimate party snack for any occasion.
Sweet & Spicy Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies: The Ultimate Party Snack
Ingredients
- 16 oz package of little smokies or small cooked sausages, such as Hillshire Farm brand
- 15 strips of bacon each divided into three smaller pieces.
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
- Pinch of black pepper optional
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper, then set a wire rack on top for optimal air circulation. This setup will allow the bacon to crisp up nicely while the fat drips away.
- Prepare the Smokies: Remove the little smokies from their package and pat them dry with paper towels to help the bacon stick better.
- Wrap the Smokies: Take one piece of the cut bacon and wrap it around each little smoky, securing it with a toothpick. Place each bacon-wrapped smoky seam-side down on the prepared baking rack.
- Make the Brown Sugar Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the light brown sugar with the cayenne pepper and a pinch of black pepper (if using). Adjust the cayenne pepper according to your desired level of spiciness.
- Coat the Smokies: Generously sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the bacon-wrapped smokies, ensuring each piece is well-coated. You can use your fingers to press the sugar onto the bacon to help it adhere.
- Bake the Smokies: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sugar has caramelized. Keep an eye on them in the last few minutes to prevent the sugar from burning.
- Serve: Remove the smokies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter.