These savory brown sugar beef bacon little smokies are sticky, smoky, and perfectly caramelized. Crispy bacon wraps juicy beef smokies while a sweet brown sugar and BBQ glaze forms a glossy, slightly sticky coating. They smell like comfort and party food combined. They take little hands-on time and always disappear fast at gatherings.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 40–45 minutes
- Servings: 12 appetizer servings
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
(Approximate per serving)
- Calories per serving: 315 kcal
- Protein: 7 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fat: 22 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 590 mg
Values are estimates based on the listed ingredients. Exact values will vary by brands and portion size.
Why Make This Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
These bacon-wrapped smokies are a classic for a reason. They are sweet, salty, and smoky all at once. The brown sugar caramelizes and gives a glossy glaze that contrasts with crisp bacon. You can make them ahead, reheat easily, and serve warm at parties. They need minimal skill and deliver big flavor. They work for game day, potlucks, holidays, or a simple weeknight snack with friends.
How to Make Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
This recipe is straightforward: mix a sweet-savory glaze, wrap each little smokie in a small strip of bacon, arrange them, pour the glaze on top, and bake until sticky and caramelized. The oven does most of the work. Use a foil-lined baking dish or a wire rack for easier cleanup and crisper bacon. Follow the steps below for best results.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef little smokies
- 1 pound bacon, cut into thirds
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions:
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. If you want extra-crispy bacon, place a wire rack inside the pan and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Have toothpicks ready to secure each wrap.
Step 2: Mixing
In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth. The mixture should be thick but pourable. Taste and adjust seasoning if you like a bit more heat or tang.
Step 3: Cooking
Wrap each little smokie with a piece of bacon (use a third-length strip), and secure with a toothpick. Place the wrapped smokies in the prepared baking dish or on the wire rack in a single layer. Pour or spoon the brown sugar mixture evenly over the bacon-wrapped smokies so each one gets coated.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is bubbling and caramelized. If any spots brown too quickly, tent with foil for the last few minutes.
Step 4: Finishing
Remove from the oven and let the smokies rest 3–5 minutes to set the glaze. Transfer to a serving platter. Serve warm as an appetizer, garnish with chopped parsley or a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired.
How to Serve Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
- Serve warm on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
- Offer dipping sauces like spicy mustard, ranch, or extra BBQ sauce.
- Pair with crackers, cheese, and pickles for a snack board.
- Serve as a game-day finger food or at holiday parties.
- For a family dinner side, serve with mashed potatoes or a crisp green salad.
How to Store Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Cool to room temperature before refrigerating.
- Freezer: Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–12 minutes, or crisp in an air fryer at 350°F for 5–7 minutes. You can microwave slices, but they may lose crispness.
Expert Tips for Perfect Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
- Partially cook bacon if you’re worried about it undercooking; par-bake for 4–6 minutes so the bacon finishes crisping with the smokie.
- Use a wire rack in the pan for air circulation and crispier bacon. The glaze will drip below and caramelize nicely.
- Soak wooden toothpicks in water 10 minutes before using to reduce burning risk.
- For even coating, spoon glaze over halfway through baking as well as before baking.
- Watch closely in the last minutes to avoid burning the sugar glaze. If it browns too fast, lower oven temp by 25°F or tent with foil.
Delicious Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add 1–2 teaspoons sriracha or a pinch of cayenne to the glaze.
- Maple-Glazed: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a deep maple flavor.
- Tangy Mustard: Stir 1 tablespoon Dijon or whole-grain mustard into the glaze.
- Pineapple Twist: Spoon a small pineapple jam or crushed pineapple on top before baking for a Hawaiian touch.
- Healthier Swap: Use turkey little smokies and center-cut turkey bacon; baking time may be shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make these ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble and store covered in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. You can also fully bake them, cool, and refrigerate; reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8–12 minutes.
Q: Can I use frozen little smokies?
A: Thaw frozen smokies in the fridge overnight before wrapping. If they are only partially frozen, the bacon may not adhere or cook evenly.
Q: How do I prevent the brown sugar from burning?
A: Use moderate oven temperature (350°F). If the glaze is browning too fast, tent with foil or reduce the temperature by 25°F and bake a bit longer. Placing them on a rack helps drips fall away so the glaze caramelizes rather than burns.
Q: Can I make them less sweet?
A: Reduce the brown sugar to 3/4 cup and add 1–2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard or apple cider vinegar to balance the sweetness.
Q: Are toothpicks necessary, and can I use metal picks?
A: Toothpicks help secure the bacon. Metal picks work well and are reusable; if using wooden picks, soak them in water 10 minutes to reduce charring.
Q: How do I make them crispier?
A: Use a wire rack, cook at the higher end of the time range, and avoid overcrowding the pan so heat circulates around each piece. Air frying at 350°F for 5–7 minutes after baking also crisps them up.
Q: Is it safe to leave these out at a party?
A: Try not to leave cooked meat at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Keep them warm in a chafing dish or small slow cooker if you plan to serve for longer.
Conclusion
These Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies are an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer with a perfect mix of sweet, salty, and smoky flavors. They crisp up beautifully and develop a sticky, caramelized glaze that guests love. If you want a similar idea or another take on bacon-wrapped sweet smokies, check out this Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies recipe for inspiration: Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies.
Give them a try at your next gathering — they’re simple, satisfying, and always a hit. Enjoy!
Print
Savory Brown Sugar Beef Bacon Little Smokies
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 appetizer servings 1x
- Diet: None
Description
These savory brown sugar beef bacon little smokies are sticky, smoky, and perfectly caramelized. Crispy bacon wraps juicy beef smokies with a sweet brown sugar and BBQ glaze that forms a glossy coating.
Ingredients
- 1 pound beef little smokies
- 1 pound bacon, cut into thirds
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking dish with foil for easy cleanup. If you want extra-crispy bacon, place a wire rack inside the pan and spray it lightly with cooking spray. Have toothpicks ready to secure each wrap.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, BBQ sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth. The mixture should be thick but pourable.
- Wrap each little smokie with a piece of bacon (use a third-length strip), and secure with a toothpick. Place the wrapped smokies in the prepared baking dish or on the wire rack in a single layer. Pour or spoon the brown sugar mixture evenly over the bacon-wrapped smokies.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the glaze is bubbling and caramelized. If any spots brown too quickly, tent with foil for the last few minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let the smokies rest for 3–5 minutes to set the glaze. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
Notes
For even coating, spoon glaze over halfway through baking as well. You can make these ahead and reheat easily for gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
