If there’s one appetizer that disappears first at every party, it’s these. 🥓 Brown Sugar Bacon Smokies are little smokies wrapped in bacon, rolled in brown sugar, and baked until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.

Print Recipe

You only need five ingredients: little smokies, bacon, brown sugar, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne if you like a little heat.

They’re perfect for Christmas parties, game day, or New Year’s Eve. Serve them warm, right on the toothpicks.

Why You’ll Love It

Five ingredients. Smokies, bacon, brown sugar, garlic powder and optional cayenne.
Sweet and salty. Caramelized brown sugar over crispy bacon is hard to beat.
Party ready. They’re already on toothpicks, so they’re easy to grab.
Make your own heat. Add the cayenne or leave it out.
Always a hit. Kids and grown-ups both go for them.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Little smokies: One pound of the cocktail-size sausages.
Bacon: One pound, cut in thirds so each piece wraps one smokie.
Brown sugar: It makes the sticky, caramelized coating.
Garlic powder: Mixed into the brown sugar for a savory touch.
Cayenne: Optional, for a little kick.

You’ll find the exact amounts and steps in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make It

Wrap each little smokie in a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. Mix the brown sugar with the garlic powder (and cayenne, if you’re using it) and roll each one in it. Set them seam-down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until the bacon is crisp and caramelized. Serve them warm.

Tips for the Best Brown Sugar Bacon Smokies

Seam-side down. Place each one seam-down so the bacon stays wrapped while it bakes.
Line the pan. The brown sugar melts and gets sticky, so use parchment.
Cut the bacon in thirds. That’s just the right size to wrap each smokie.
Bake until crisp. Wait until the bacon is crisp and caramelized.
Serve warm. They’re best right out of the oven.

Bet you can’t eat just one. Honestly, I can’t. 🥓