There are just a few appetizers that really never disappoint at a holiday party or with family gatherings, but bacon wrapped smokies rise above the rest. The sweet and savory tones in brown sugar, salty bacon, and beef little smokies themselves quickly make it one of the most wanted and yet least complex to be made. Whether you are hosting a big celebration or attending a potluck, these savory bites are sure to be a hit.
Traditional Smokies vs. Wrapped Smokies
Smokies, also known as Little Smokies and cocktail sausages, are small sausages that are entirely cooked and made from pure beef, pork, or even a combination of both. They are flavorful, with a smoky and savory taste, and are usually served as an instant snack or appetizer. They can be taken straight from the package, heated, and served, or they can be simmered in barbecue sauce, baked in an oven, or thrown into a crock pot with some sweet glaze-type sauce.
What are Bacon Wrapped Smokies?
Bacon wrapped smokies take this to a whole new level when mini sausages are wrapped with bacon, sweetened or savory seasonings added, and baked. Each smoky is wrapped in a strip of bacon and baked until the bacon is crispy for the smokies. A sprinkle of brown sugar and a BBQ rub is much more common before baking; it caramelizes through cooking and adds a sweet and smoky glaze, which enhances the flavor of the bacon and sausages.
Seasonings (and bacon!) are game changers!
The only differences between the two are the addition of bacon and seasoning, turning what was once a humbled smoky into an even more indulgent and flavoursome appetizer. The bacon gives a crispy, salty outside and the seasoning has depth in its taste, aromatic and saliva-wetting, basically elevating the simple bacon wrapped smokies into exceptional ones.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies at your next gathering
One of the all-time favorite appetizers that will light up a gathering, bacon wrapped smokies are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Savory bacon and smoky little mini sausages merge in holy matrimony that is not only effortless to put together but is super delicious.
How to make Bacon Wrapped Smokies?
All you need to make these smokies is bacon, mini sausages, brown sugar, and BBQ rub-your favorite. Cut the bacon into thirds and wrap each Little Smoky with a strip of bacon. If needed, secure the bacon with a toothpick and place in a baking dish. Sprinkle brown sugar and BBQ rub over the top for a sweet-smoky glaze while cooking. Bake at 375°F for 40-45 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
The irresistible flavor of Bacon Wrapped Smokies
That gives the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors with that crunchy satisfaction. These appetizers will turn out great for holiday parties, game days, or any occasion when one wants to impress their guests by putting in very little effort. Easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser, our little smokies wrapped in bacon are an active go-to recipe for any host looking to serve up something tasty.
Ingredients for making Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Bacon wrapped smokies require only a few ingredients to make the magic happen of which are pretty common and probably sitting in your kitchen:
1 lb of Bacon
This recipe works better with regular cut, as it cooks evenly and ends up crispy in the oven. If thick-cut bacon were used, then it wouldn’t be able to reach that texture given the cooking time for such little smokies recipes.
1 1/2 pounds of Beef Little Smokies
Of course, the star of the show, which is these little mini sausages. While one can use all-beef ones, which are highly recommended for a much deeper flavor, one could use pork little smokies as a matter of personal preference.
2/3 cup of Brown Sugar
Bacon wrapped smokies with brown sugar is a great synergy, balancing that smoky and salty taste very well.
1 tbsp of BBQ Rub
A good BBQ rub amplifies the smokiness and adds a layer of depth to the lil smokies recipe. You can use Strawberry’s Grand Champion BBQ Rub, but you can substitute in any BBQ rub that you may have on hand or that you like.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies: Step-by-Step Preparation
1. Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, get your baking dish ready by spraying it with cooking spray to prevent sticking. A 9×13 baking dish is ideal but you will need an additional smaller dish in case you are making a larger batch.
2. Cut and Wrap
Take the pound of bacon and cut it into three equal sections. This will give you the perfect size for wrapping each little smoky. Once your bacon is prepared, take each of your smokies and wrap a piece of bacon around it, making sure the bacon is snug but not too tight. Take each wrapped smoky and place it seam-side down in a prepared baking dish. Proceed to do this until all of your little smokies are wrapped and ready to go.
3. Seasoning
Once the bacons-wrapped smokies are laid in the baking dish, sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over them. It will melt and caramelize when baked, creating this glazed sweet stickiness. Now sprinkle your choice of BBQ rub over the smokies. This adds an extra kick of flavor, which goes well with the sweetness brought about by the brown sugar and smokiness of the bacon
4. Bake to Perfection
Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes. Check on them because as they cook, the tops of the bacon will crisp up, but the bottoms will stay tender, and a bit of softer texture contrast is part of the magic. If you like your bacon extra crispy, feel free to broil the smokies for the last few minutes, but make sure to watch them to avoid burning.
Serving and enjoying Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Once the bacon is crispy and the smokies are cooked through, it’s now time to serve your bacon wrapped smokies. Appetizers are better fresh out of the oven when the bacon is at its crispiest, but they are also great at room temperature, which makes them quite versatile for any type of gathering.
Accompaniments for Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Other appetizers go well with the bacon wrapped smokies, aka bacon wrapped weenies. Cranberry Meatballs or Spinach and Artichoke Dip also go great if you want a well-rounded set of appetizers that will really have a little something for everyone. Salty, sweet, smoky flavors of the smokies complement the tangy and creamy perfectly.
Dips and more
You can also serve these bacon wrapped smokies with an assortment of dips. Use your favorite sriracha or ranch sauces too! Get creative and whip up a dip that matches your fancy. Our suggestion is to try these bacon wrapped smokies with a Thousand Island dip. The zesty creamy freshness of the dip compliments the bacon perfectly.
Our Suggestions and Tips
Course of Little Smokies: Although beef little smokies are preferred because they have a fuller flavor, it is completely okay to use pork ones. It’s up to your preference.
Bacon Choice: For this recipe, regular-cut bacon does the job just well. While thick-cut bacon may be quite delicious, it may not turn out crispy enough within the estimated cooking time given.
BBQ Rub Variations: These are just a few of the many variations you can do with different BBQ rubs. Because each BBQ rub is going to have its own special mixture of spices, you can really tailor your flavor in any way you like.
Toothpicks for Serving: If you’re serving these at a party, consider placing a toothpick in each smoky after you wrap it in bacon. This makes them so much easier to pick up and eat, especially if you are serving buffet-style.
Conclusion
Bacon wrapped little smokies call to every festive occasion, promising to impress your guests with very little effort required. Easy to prepare, with a simple yet irresistible mixture of bacon, brown sugar, and smokies, this is one call no occasion should be without. Quite an easy recipe to follow, even by those with less experience in the kitchen, to make a really tasty dish. Try them soon!
FAQs
What are Bacon Wrapped little smokies?
Answer: Bacon wrapped smokies are regular smokies with the twist of seasonings and the addition of bacon.
Can we make Bacon Wrapped smokies at home?
Answer: Yes! They are exceedingly simple to make.
What do Bacon Wrapped Smokies taste like?
Answer: The smokies are a flavor bomb of savory, sweet, and tangy.
Can Bacon Wrapped Smokies be served at cocktail parties?
Answer: Yes, this recipe can be served at any party that appreciates a simple but effective appetizer.
