Sweet and spicy Bacon Wrapped Smokies with brown sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of cayenne pepper makes a mouthwatering easy appetizer recipe.
I love making easy appetizers for party on holiday, game day, birthday, or just because!
This appetizer is the best of both worlds. The brown sugar and maple syrup caramelize when baking and the cayenne pepper gives it a nice kick at the end.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies Ingredients
To make Little Smokies appetizers, you will need the following (go to the recipe below for exact amounts and instructions):
- Little smokies
- Bacon
- Maple syrup
- Light brown sugar
- Cayenne pepper
How to Make Sweet and Spicy Smokies Wrapped in Bacon
- Marinade the meat. Cut bacon slices into thirds. Add bacon slices and little smokies to a large baking dish. Pour maple syrup and 1/2 cup of the brown sugar over the bacon and smokies and stir gently to combine. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 425° F.
- Wrap the smokies in bacon. Mix remaining 1 cup brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. Dip each bacon piece into the sugar mixture and flip to coat each side. Wrap each little smoke with a piece of bacon and place seam side down in a 9×13 baking dish. (You can also secure the bacon with a toothpick if you prefer.) Sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
- Bake in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until bacon is crispy. (The syrup and sugar mixture will become bubbly as it bakes.)
How to Serve Lil Smokies Wrapped in Bacon
Serve warm with toothpicks. Dip in BBQ sauce, ketchup, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce if desired.
Storage Instructions
Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Substitutions
- There are a variety of flavors of both little smokies and bacon. Feel free to experiment and mix and match your favorite flavors and types of meat! You could also use link sausage in place of little smokies and slice into small pieces.
- To make the smokies more kid-friendly (or for those who like them less spicy), omit the cayenne pepper.
- Try my Honey Garlic Little Smokies.
How Can I Keep These Warm for a Party?
After baking, add the smokies to a Crock Pot and set to Warm or Low to keep them warm for a few hours.
What if I’m Short on Time?
If you’re in a pinch, skip the refrigeration step. Pour the maple syrup and brown sugar in the bottom of your baking pan and proceed with the next steps.
More Crowd Pleasing Game Day Appetizers
- Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
- Hawaiian Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Pull Apart Pizza Bread
- Cheesy Chicken Dip
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Sweet and spicy Bacon Wrapped Smokies with brown sugar, maple syrup, and a touch of cayenne pepper makes a mouthwatering easy appetizer.
Ingredients
- 14 ounce package Lil Smokies
- 1 pound bacon
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cut bacon slices into thirds.Add bacon slices and little smokies to a large baking dish.
- Pour maple syrup and 1/2 cup of the brown sugar over the bacon and smokies and stir gently to combine.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 425° F.
- Mix remaining 1 cup brown sugar and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish.
- Dip each bacon piece into the sugar mixture and flip to coat each side.
- Wrap each little smoke with a piece of bacon and place seam side down in a 9x13 baking dish. (You can also secure the bacon with a toothpick if you prefer.) Sprinkle with any remaining sugar mixture.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until bacon is crispy. (The syrup and sugar mixture will become bubbly as it bakes.)
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 5 smokiesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 582Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 1388mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 0gSugar: 40gProtein: 25g