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Best Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies for Easy Tailgating

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These easy bacon-wrapped little smokies are the ultimate tailgating appetizer—salty, smoky, and sweet with a brown sugar glaze. Ready in about 35 minutes, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 14 oz package little smokies (e.g., Hillshire Farm or Lit’l Smokies)
  • 1 lb thin-cut bacon
  • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark)
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder or cayenne pepper (optional)
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (optional)
  • Toothpicks (soaked in water for 10 minutes)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Place a wire rack on top if available.
  2. Cut each bacon strip crosswise into three equal pieces.
  3. Optional: Par-cook bacon pieces on a microwave-safe plate lined with paper towels for 30-45 seconds until fat starts to render but bacon is still pliable.
  4. Wrap each little smokie with a piece of bacon, overlapping the ends slightly. Secure with a toothpick inserted through the overlap.
  5. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar with optional spices. Roll each wrapped smokie in the brown sugar mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
  6. Arrange coated smokies on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack, leaving space between each one.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until bacon is crispy and brown sugar has melted into a sticky glaze.
  8. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Serve warm.

Notes

For best results, use thin-cut bacon and par-cook it slightly before wrapping. Soak toothpicks in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning. Keep warm in a slow cooker on ‘warm’ setting for up to 2 hours. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: bacon-wrapped little smokies, tailgating appetizer, game day snack, easy appetizer, brown sugar bacon smokies

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/best-bacon-wrapped-little-smokies-for-easy-tailgating/