There's something undeniably addictive about the sweet-and-savory combo of smoky sausage and crispy bacon glazed in brown sugar. This Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe is one of my go-to party favorites because it hits all the right notes: sticky, salty, and oh-so-satisfying in every bite. Trust me, once you make these, they'll disappear fast!

The image shows many small bites of sausages wrapped in crispy bacon, arranged neatly in rows on a white marbled surface. Each piece has a deep reddish-brown color from the cooked sausage and a golden-brown crispy texture from the bacon, with some parts showing a slight charring. Each bite is held together with a light brown wooden toothpick pushed through horizontally. The bacon looks caramelized and shiny, with a slightly crunchy crust on top, and the sausages peek out from each end with a smooth, glistening surface. The bites sit close together, fitting tightly in a rectangular arrangement, and the whole scene is brightly lit, showing the moisture and texture clearly. 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 Little Smokies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made this Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe countless times for everything from game days to last-minute potlucks—and it never fails to wow the crowd. It's incredibly simple but delivers maximum flavor with minimal fuss.

Easy to Prepare: Wrapping little smokies in bacon and tossing them in brown sugar takes mere minutes—perfect for busy days or unexpected guests.
Perfect Sweet & Savory Balance: The brown sugar caramelizes beautifully on the bacon, giving a deliciously sticky finish that’s so addictive.
Great Crowd-Pleaser: Whether it's an appetizer or finger food at a party, everyone loves grabbing these minis straight from the platter.
Adaptable & Customizable: You can easily tweak seasoning or bacon type to fit your taste—making it your own signature snack.

Ingredients & Why They Work

These few simple ingredients come together to make magic. Each plays a key role to ensure the perfect texture and flavor combo, plus, they’re pretty straightforward to find at any grocery store.

Flat lay of fresh little smokies sausages arranged neatly, long thin slices of raw bacon cut into thirds laid flat, a small white ceramic bowl filled with packed brown sugar, a small white bowl holding freshly ground black pepper, all ingredients separated and symmetrically placed 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 juicy and flavorful on their own, making them ideal for individual portions wrapped in bacon.
Thin-cut bacon: Thin bacon crisps up perfectly in less time, wrapping snugly around each smokie without overpowering it.
Brown sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness that caramelizes and contrasts with the smoky, salty bacon.
Freshly grated black pepper: A light seasoning touch that balances the sweet and salty notes without overwhelming the flavor.

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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 love switching things up depending on the occasion. Sometimes I add a pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick or use a thicker applewood-smoked bacon for deeper flavor. You can make these your own with simple tweaks that suit your taste buds or dietary needs.

Spicy Variation: Mixing in cayenne or hot paprika with brown sugar gives the little smokies a nice heat that your guests will adore. I tried this during a football game once, and it was a hit!
Sweet Twist: Try a touch of maple syrup mixed with the brown sugar for a richer sweetness that pairs beautifully with the smoky bacon.
Diet-Friendly Option: Use turkey bacon if you want to lighten things up a bit without sacrificing too much flavor.

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

The image shows three small sausages wrapped in crispy bacon on a small, round, white plate with a thin brown rim. The bacon is golden-brown and looks crunchy with some sugar crystals sprinkled on top, giving a shiny and textured look. The sausages inside are a reddish-brown color and slightly visible at both ends. Behind the small plate, there is a larger white plate filled with more of these bacon-wrapped sausages, placed on a white marbled surface. Several toothpicks are scattered nearby, adding to the casual, snack-like presentation. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat the Oven

I always grease my baking dish well with nonstick spray—this step saves you from scrubbing sticky leftover brown sugar later. Then I preheat the oven to 350°F, which is the perfect temperature to cook the bacon just right without burning the sugar glaze.

Step 2: Wrap Each Smokie in Bacon

Pat those little smokies dry before wrapping them with a slice of bacon. Cutting the bacon into thirds gives you just enough to wrap each smokie snugly. Toothpicks are a must here—to keep everything together while baking.

Step 3: Coat with Brown Sugar

Here’s a little trick I picked up: put the brown sugar in a large zip-top bag, add a few wrapped smokies at a time, and give it a good shake. This coats them evenly without mess, plus it builds up a nice sugary crust once baked.

Step 4: Bake Until Bubble and Crisp

Bake for about 30–35 minutes, but keep an eye on the bacon as ovens vary. If you want a crisper finish, pop them under the broiler for a couple of minutes—just don’t wander too far or the sugar can burn quickly.

Top Tip

After making these little treats several times, I've realized a few key tips help them turn out just right—and they might save you some kitchen stress too!

Choose Thin-Cut Bacon: It crisps up faster and wraps neatly without making the smokies too bulky.
Don’t Skip Drying the Smokies: Removing excess moisture helps the brown sugar stick better and prevents sogginess.
Shake in a Bag for Easy Coating: This keeps hands clean and distributes sugar evenly for that perfect caramelized finish.
Watch the Broiler Closely: A quick broil crisps the bacon perfectly, but it can turn to burnt sugar in seconds if you’re not careful.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these, a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or a few sliced green onions adds a pop of color and freshness that cuts through all that sticky sweetness. Sometimes I offer little dipping bowls of mustard or ranch too—great for guests who like a bit of extra tang.

Side Dishes

These little smokies pair beautifully with simple sides like coleslaw, crispy kettle chips, or a fresh garden salad to balance the richness. I’ve also brought these along with a cheese board for a casual gathering—people love having different flavor options.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to arrange these on a wooden charcuterie board with little piles of nuts, olives, and pickles to create a festive spread. You could also serve them skewered with colorful toothpicks for easy grab-and-go party snacks.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (which I doubt!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They still taste great reheated and actually have even more time for the flavors to meld.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these wrapped smokies pre-baking for busy nights—just thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. After baking, leftover cooked smokies freeze well too; I freeze in single layers on parchment first, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.

Reheating

To keep the bacon crispy when reheating, I pop the leftovers in a 350°F oven on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. Microwave works in a pinch, but you might lose that nice crispiness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can you make this Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can wrap the smokies in bacon and coat them with brown sugar a day in advance, then keep them covered in the fridge until ready to bake. This step really speeds up party prep.

What type of bacon works best for this recipe?

Thin-cut bacon is my favorite because it crisps up fast without making the little smokies too bulky. However, feel free to use your preferred bacon—thicker slices just may need longer baking time.

Can I bake these in an air fryer?

Yes! You can air fry the wrapped little smokies at 350°F for about 15-18 minutes. Just make sure to check halfway and adjust for your air fryer’s size. Less sugar caramelization might occur compared to oven baking.

How do I prevent the brown sugar from burning?

Keep an eye on them during baking and especially if broiling. Using a moderate temperature like 350°F helps. If broiling, just a minute or two is enough—stay close and watch carefully to avoid burning.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe is one of those crowd-pleasing, stick-to-your-ribs snacks that always gets rave reviews. I love how easy it is to prepare yet so indulgently tasty—the perfect welcome treat to any gathering or even just a cozy night snack. Give it a go, customize it your way, and I promise it’ll become a favorite in your recipe rotation just like it did in mine.