Name: Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (16 oz) package little smokies sausages; 1 lb thin-cut bacon, each slice cut into three; 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed; Freshly grated black pepper, to taste

Nothing beats the sweet-salty magic of a perfectly caramelized bite-sized snack — and that’s exactly why you’ll adore this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe. It’s the kind of easy, crowd-pleasing treat that brings people together, with that irresistible combo of crispy bacon, smoky sausages, and a caramelized sugary glaze.

The image shows many small sausage bites wrapped tightly in cooked bacon, arranged closely together in neat rows. Each sausage is wrapped in a strip of bacon that is browned and crispy on the outside, with a slightly rough texture from the cooked meat. Toothpicks stick out from each piece, holding the bacon in place. The sausages inside are red and shiny, contrasting with the golden-brown bacon. A glistening layer of oil coats the bites, making them look shiny and juicy. The background is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this recipe has become one of my go-to snacks for parties and casual get-togethers. It’s super simple to make but yields such a flavorful punch. Plus, it’s always the first thing to disappear — and that’s a sign of success in my book!

Easy prep: Wrapping little smokies with bacon and brown sugar is straightforward and quick.
Sweet and savory combo: The brown sugar caramelizes on bacon-wrapped sausages, giving a perfect balance.
Great for any occasion: From game day to holiday parties, these bites always impress without stress.
Flexible and forgiving: You can tweak seasoning or cooking time easily to get your perfect crispiness.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe plays its role perfectly. You want good-quality little smokies and thin bacon so everything cooks evenly and stays juicy. The brown sugar gives sweetness that caramelizes beautifully, while freshly cracked black pepper adds just the right hint of spice to balance.

Flat lay of fresh little smokies sausages, several slices of thin-cut raw bacon, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with freshly ground black pepper, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Little smokies sausages: These bite-sized sausages are perfect for finger foods, and their smoky flavor stands up to the bacon and sugar.
Thin-cut bacon: Using thin bacon means it crisps up nicely without overcooking the sausage.
Brown sugar: It caramelizes into a delectable glaze that enhances both sweet and savory notes.
Freshly grated black pepper: Just a little to cut through the sweetness and add depth.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I like to play around with this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe depending on the crowd or occasion. Sometimes I double the amount for a big game day, or add a little cayenne pepper for a spicy kick. It's a very forgiving recipe — you can easily make it your own.

Variation: Adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika gives it a lovely smoky warmth without overpowering the sweetness.
Dietary tweak: For a slightly healthier option, I’ve tried turkey bacon and it turned out surprisingly good!
Glaze twist: Mixing a splash of maple syrup with brown sugar creates an even richer caramelization.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe

The image shows three bacon-wrapped sausages on a small round white plate with a brown rim. Each sausage is tightly wrapped in a golden-brown crispy bacon layer, with some parts showing a slightly darker red-brown cooked bacon texture. There are small crunchy crumbs sprinkled on top of the bacon. In the background, there is a larger white plate filled with more bacon-wrapped sausages, all placed on a white marbled surface along with some wooden toothpicks scattered nearby. The lighting highlights the shiny, cooked bacon textures clearly. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

First things first — preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a baking dish or sheet pan with nonstick spray. I sometimes line the pan with foil to make cleanup easier, and if you do that, just don’t forget to spray the foil.

Step 2: Wrap Those Smokies

Pat your little smokies dry with paper towels — this helps the bacon stick and crisp better. Cut each slice of thin bacon into thirds, then wrap each little smokie with one piece of bacon. Secure with a toothpick to keep everything snug and in place.

Step 3: Coat with Brown Sugar

Pour about ¾ cup of packed brown sugar into a large zip-top bag. Add a handful of the bacon-wrapped smokies, seal the bag, and gently shake to coat each one evenly in sugar. Remove and place on your prepared pan. Repeat until all are coated.

Step 4: Season and Bake

Sprinkle freshly grated black pepper on top — I find this step adds a lovely contrast to the sweetness. Bake in your preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the bacon is browned and caramelized. If you’re craving extra crispiness, pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes, but keep a close eye to prevent burning.

Top Tip

I learned the hard way that drying the sausages before wrapping them with bacon makes the whole baking process so much better. Moisture on the smokies causes the bacon to steam rather than crisp. Plus, shaking them in the bag with brown sugar is so much easier and less messy than trying to roll each one individually in a bowl.

Dry the Smokies First: Always pat them dry before wrapping — it really helps the bacon crisp up.
Use Thin-Cut Bacon: Thicker bacon can undercook or overpower the smokies, so thin slices work best.
Shake to Coat: I swear by the zip-top bag method for evenly coating with sugar — faster and less sticky.
Watch the Broiler: If you broil to crisp, stay nearby to avoid burning in the last few minutes.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe

bacon wrapped little smokies - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to serve these with a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley; it adds a fresh pop of color and balances the richness. Sometimes a tiny drizzle of spicy mustard on the side gives guests an extra flavor kick if they want it. Simple, but it elevates the whole experience.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with classic party favorites like creamy ranch dip with veggies, buttery dinner rolls, or even a chilled coleslaw to cut through the sweetness. For a heartier spread, adding cheesy mashed potatoes or baked beans rounds it out nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I like to thread the bacon-wrapped smokies onto skewers for a fun presentation. Lining them up on a wooden board with small bowls of dipping sauces makes them feel festive and approachable. You could even add a toothpick flag for themed occasions!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftovers covered tightly in the fridge and they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. When I reheat, I prefer using the oven to keep that crispy bacon texture instead of the microwave, which can make them soggy.

Freezing

If I make these in bulk, I freeze leftovers in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container once solid. This method prevents them from sticking together and means you can reheat just what you need.

Reheating

Reheating in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes works perfectly to warm through and crisp the bacon back up. Avoid the microwave if possible, unless you’re in a real hurry and don’t mind some softness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use thick-cut bacon for this recipe?

Thick-cut bacon tends to take longer to cook and might not crisp up evenly around the little smokies. Thin-cut bacon is preferable because it crisps nicely and cooks at the same pace as the sausage, ensuring that neither ingredient is undercooked or overdone.

How do I prevent the bacon from shrinking and coming loose?

Wrapping the bacon tightly and securing it with a toothpick helps keep it snug around the little smokies. Also, letting the bacon slices rest at room temperature before wrapping can reduce shrinkage during cooking.

Can I prepare these bites ahead of time before baking?

Yes! You can assemble the bacon-wrapped smokies and coat them with brown sugar a few hours in advance. Keep them covered and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. This makes them a convenient make-ahead appetizer option.

What dipping sauces go well with this recipe?

Mustard-based sauces work really well, such as spicy brown mustard or honey mustard. Ranch dressing is another popular choice that complements the smoky sweetness. You can also try a barbecue sauce for a bolder flavor contrast.

Final Thoughts

I always smile when I pull this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Recipe out at a gathering because everyone instantly perks up at those sweet, smoky bites. They’re simple, nostalgic, and full of flavor — just the kind of dish I love to share with friends. Give them a try, tweak them your way, and I promise this will become a favorite snack you’ll want to make again and again.