Bacon-Wrapped Smokies (Printable)

Mini cocktail sausages wrapped in smoky bacon, baked with a sweet, caramelized glaze until crispy. A perfect appetizer.

# What You 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 (optional)
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
02 - Slice each bacon strip in half crosswise to create 24 shorter pieces, one for each sausage.
03 - Wrap each cocktail sausage with a half-slice of bacon, securing it with a toothpick to hold the bacon in place during cooking.
04 - Place the bacon-wrapped smokies seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces for even cooking.
05 - In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Mix until evenly distributed.
06 - Sprinkle the brown sugar mixture evenly over all the smokies. For extra caramelization, drizzle with maple syrup or honey.
07 - Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until bacon is crisp and glaze is bubbling and caramelized. For extra crispiness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
08 - Let cool slightly for about 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm while the bacon is still crispy and the glaze is sticky.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The combination of smoky bacon and sweet brown sugar creates that perfect addictive salty sweet balance that disappears from parties faster than you can replenish the platter
  • These come together in under 15 minutes of active prep time but taste like you put in way more effort
02 -
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment paper, the brown sugar caramelizes into something resembling concrete and foil might not save your pan
  • The broiler is your friend but it turns on you fast, literally count to sixty and check or you will burn the sugar
03 -
  • Pat the bacon dry with paper towels before wrapping if it seems wet, this helps it crisp up better
  • Let them rest for just 5 minutes after baking so the glaze sets slightly and doesn't burn everyone's fingers
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