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Bacon Wrapped Brown Sugar Smokies

Bacon wrapped brown sugar smokies with a crisp bacon exterior and a bubbly caramelized brown sugar crust. Oven-baked at 350°F for 30–35 minutes, then cooled briefly so the glaze sets.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

little smokies
  • 14 oz little smokies
thin-cut bacon
  • 1 lb thin-cut bacon
brown sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
cayenne pepper
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper
butter
  • 2 tbsp butter melted

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Prep and preheat
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with foil and parchment. Set up the pan so the smokies can go straight in after coating.
Wrap and coat
  1. Wrap each little smokie with a piece of thin-cut bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Keep the bacon tight so it crisps evenly.
  2. Mix the brown sugar and cayenne pepper together. The mixture should be evenly speckled.
  3. Roll each bacon-wrapped smokie in the brown sugar mixture to coat. Press lightly so the crust clings all around.
  4. Arrange the coated smokies on the lined baking sheet, leaving space between them. Drizzle with the melted butter and sprinkle any remaining sugar over the tops.
Bake and finish
  1. Bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the sugar is bubbly and caramelized. Look for browned, glassy edges on the glaze.
  2. Cool for 5 minutes so the glaze sets, then serve warm. The syrupy crust should thicken slightly as it rests.

Notes

For best caramelized coating, use packed brown sugar and roll the smokies right after mixing so it adheres before it clumps. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat on a sheet pan in a 325°F oven for 6–8 minutes. Freeze cooked smokies for up to 2 months, thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat until hot and crisp. For a lower-sodium option, choose reduced-sodium bacon and reduce added cayenne slightly if your seasoning blend is already spicy.