There’s something downright irresistible about the sweet and smoky combo in this Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe. The way the brown sugar caramelizes on crispy bacon wrapped mini sausages is pure snack magic you don’t want to miss.

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 Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies 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 Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe

I first made these for a casual get-together, and they disappeared faster than I could blink. What makes this recipe so special is how simple ingredients come together to create a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and smoky that's both satisfying and addictive. Plus, they’re super easy to whip up for any occasion.

Sweet & Smoky Flavor: The brown sugar glaze on smoky bacon-wrapped sausages creates a mouthwatering contrast that's hard to beat.
Easy Prep: Just a few minutes and minimal ingredients make this a perfect go-to appetizer or party snack.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep these ahead of time and bake just before serving, which is ideal when guests arrive.
Kid & Crowd Pleaser: Whether for your family or a party, these little bites tend to be a universal hit!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe plays a starring role, working harmoniously to deliver big flavor with minimal effort. Here’s the lowdown on what you’ll need and why these particular items shine:

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: Their size is perfect for bite-sized treats, plus they’re already cooked, which means quicker cooking and easy snacking.
Thin-cut bacon: Wrapping these smoky links in bacon adds another layer of flavor and gets delightfully crispy in the oven when baked right.
Brown sugar: This is your secret weapon for that delicious caramelized coating—it melts over the bacon and sausages to give a sticky, sweet finish.
Freshly grated black pepper: Adds a subtle hint of heat and balances the sweetness of the brown sugar perfectly.

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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

What I love about the Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or your specific tastes. Don’t be shy about adding your own spin—it’s all about making it fit your style.

Variation: Sometimes I swap brown sugar for maple syrup or honey for an extra sticky, glossy glaze that adds a warmer sweetness. You might love it too!
Spicy Kick: Adding a pinch of cayenne or a drizzle of sriracha before baking takes it up a notch if you like a little heat mingling with the sweet.
Herbal Twist: Sprinkle some chopped rosemary or thyme over the coated little smokies before baking for an earthy undertone that’s surprisingly good.
Air Fryer Version: If you’re short on oven space, pop these into the air fryer at 350°F for about 12–15 minutes until crispy and caramelized.

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: Prepping the Pan and Sausages

Start by greasing a baking dish or rimmed sheet pan with nonstick spray so nothing sticks to your perfectly caramelized bacon wrappers. If you prefer easier cleanup, lining the pan with foil works just as well. Pat your little smokies dry with a paper towel—this helps the brown sugar stick better. Then, cut each thin slice of bacon into thirds and wrap each sausage snugly, securing with a toothpick to keep everything together while baking.

Step 2: Coating with Brown Sugar

Grab a large zip-top bag and toss in the brown sugar. Add a handful of the bacon-wrapped sausages and shake the bag gently so every piece gets coated. It’s a fun, hands-on step! Take them out and lay them evenly spaced on your prepared baking pan. Repeat until all are coated. For that little extra flavor boost, I like to freshly grind some black pepper over them before baking, but that’s totally up to you.

Step 3: Baking to Sweet, Crispy Perfection

Pop your tray into a 350°F oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. This slow bake lets the bacon crisp nicely and the sugar caramelize without burning. Keep an eye on them towards the end, and if you want crispier edges, switch to the broil setting for a minute or two. Just be very careful not to burn the sugar—it goes from perfect to burnt pretty fast.

Top Tip

Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to elevate this Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe beyond just "good." These nuggets of wisdom will help you nail it on your first try and every time after.

Use Thin-Cut Bacon: This crisps up so nicely without overcooking the sausage inside. Thick bacon can stay chewy and throw off timing.
Pat the Smokies Dry: Removing excess moisture helps sugar stick and ensures a beautiful caramelized crust instead of soggy bits.
Don't Skip the Toothpicks: Wrapping bacon tightly and securing with toothpicks prevents it from unraveling during baking for even cooking.
Broil with Care: When browning the final bits, watch carefully—brown sugar burns fast under high heat, so seconds matter.

How to Serve Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top right before serving—it adds a pop of color and a fresh note that cuts through the rich sweetness. Some folks love a dash of smoked paprika or a few chili flakes for a little extra smoky warmth and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs beautifully with classic game-day sides like creamy ranch dip, crunchy pickles, or a crisp slaw. If you want to get fancy, serve alongside a tangy mustard sauce or baked beans for a hearty bite.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to thread several bacon-wrapped little smokies onto skewers for fun finger food-style servings. You can also nestle them in mini stockings for festive occasions or arrange them on a tiered appetizer tray to impress your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, just reheat gently in the oven or air fryer to keep the bacon crispy.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these, bake them first, then let them cool completely. Place in a freezer-safe bag or container with parchment between layers to avoid sticking, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

I find reheating in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes keeps the bacon crispy and revives that caramelized magic. Microwave reheating is quick but tends to make the bacon a bit chewy, so use it only if you’re in a rush.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use thick-cut bacon for this recipe?

While thick-cut bacon is delicious, it tends to stay chewy and doesn’t crisp up as nicely. Thin-cut bacon works best to get those perfect crispy bites that complement the little smokies.

Do I need to cook the sausages before wrapping with bacon?

Nope! Little smokies are pre-cooked, so this recipe simply heats them through while crisping the bacon and caramelizing the brown sugar. It’s super convenient and saves time.

How do I prevent the brown sugar from burning?

Keep a close eye during the last 5 minutes of baking and especially if you decide to broil at the end. The sugar can go from caramelized to burnt in seconds, so I only broil for a minute or two, watching constantly.

Can I make this recipe vegan or vegetarian?

This particular recipe relies on bacon and sausage for flavor and texture, so recreating it vegan or vegetarian would require alternative ingredients like plant-based sausage and a smoky sweet glaze. There are delicious vegan versions online but this classic shines with its original ingredients.

Final Thoughts

This Brown Sugar Bacon Little Smokies Recipe holds a special place in my snack repertoire—it’s effortless, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly versatile. Whenever I need a quick appetizer that feels a little indulgent but requires minimal fuss, I come back to these. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy for all your parties, game days, or easy weeknight bites.