When it comes to appetizers, these bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages are about as easy and crowd-pleasing (and completely addictive) as they come. I also love them because you can pop them in a slow cooker set to low and keep them warm all evening.
Ingredient and Recipe Notes
- Lit’l Smokies – AKA cocktail sausages. You will find these in a couple of varieties. All beef will taste like tiny hot dogs. Traditional will be a mix of pork and chicken. Either variety works well. Just like Hot dogs, quality and flavor can vary depending on brand. I prefer name brands that I’m familiar with (like Hillshire Farms) or ones I’ve at least tried before.
- Bacon – Use whatever your favorite regular bacon is, as long as it’s not turkey bacon. Use the real stuff here, original thickness, not thick cut, or it won’t get crispy in the oven. With good old standard bacon, you can wrap 3 little smokies per piece. Center cut will probably only wrap 2 per piece.
- Brown sugar – Light or dark, doesn’t matter, either one will work!
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Cocktail Sausages
- Preheat your oven to 325 and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut the slab of bacon into thirds.
3. Sprinkle brown sugar over sausages
4. Bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes or until bacon has cooked and is starting to brown.
If you’re serving these at a party, they taste even better after a little time in the slow cooker on low heat. And that bacon grease that has co-mingled with the brown sugar? That salty-sweetness is a perfect glaze for these little suckers.
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead of time? These are actually at their very best when they’ve had a chance to hang out in a slow cooker for a bit. Feel free to make them a few hours ahead and transfer to a slow cooker set to low to hang out before serving. I would still make them the day of serving, though.
Related Recipes
Looking for some other appetizer recommendations? Check out these Our Best Bites favorites:
- Sweet and Sour Meatballs {Easy!}
- Cranberry Orange Goat Cheese Bites
- Honey Cranberry Orange Baked Brie
- Mini Pastry Wrapped Brie Bites
- Pastry Wrapped Asparagus With Prosciutto
- Bacon Wrapped Green Bean Bundles
Did You Make This?
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Bacon-Wrapped Cocktail Sausages
Ingredients
- 1 14- ounce package Little Smokies cocktail sausages
- 1 12- ounce package lean bacon
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Using a pair of kitchen shears, cut the slab of bacon into thirds.
- Wrap 1/3 of each slice of bacon around each sausage, secure with a toothpick and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with remaining sausages and bacon.
- Sprinkle brown sugar over sausages and bake at 325 for 40-45 minutes or until bacon has cooked and is starting to brown.
Questions & Reviews
Julie,
Search google for Gluten Free Hormel. http://www.hormelfoods.com/brands/glutenfree/default.aspx
I believe that the Lil Smokies are gluten free.
Jessica–I truly have no idea. 🙂 Honestly, the Little Smokies are definitely "sturdier" and they are smoked, so those things ultimately contribute to the flavor and texture. But it's kind of a trend in the food world right now to wrap hot dogs in bacon. But then those are usually grilled.
Ultimately, your niece's safety is the most important thing and you don't want to make anything that will make her sick. But this is one thing I think you'd have to try to see how it would turn out.
Sorry I can't be of more help!
Does anyone know if I can substitute Nathan's cocktail franks in place of the lil' smokies? I have to make gluten-free options for my niece because she has celiac disease, and those are the only certified gluten free. They're not smoked, just regular franks. Thank you!
We have made the little cocktails with bacon around them for years now. I just made them for New Years & the only ones that my store had were the Nathans brand & they turned out great. No difference. Hope this helps.
yes, they are all mine (love the name, by the way! 🙂 )–They'll still stick together just fine in the crockpot, just leave the toothpicks in them after you bake them. Does that make sense?
Going to sound dumb but here goes…. How do you keep them together in the crockpot?? you stick them with a tooth pick in the oven but what do you use in the crockpot? Thnk you for helping the crockpot challenged 🙂
Cooking Smokies in the crockpot are super easy. You make them the same way, skewering them with the toothpick. Place in the crockpot and sprinkle with brown sugar. I cook mine on high about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Always a big hit at parties! Enjoy!
my friend made these for us only she used the lower fat little smokies and used turkey bacon! They were still yummy and a little better for you!
Oink, oink, oink!!!!
YUM! I made these last night for our superbowl party- Defiantly the fan favorite! thanks for the super easy recipe!
These little babies were delish! I'm not an eater of cocktail weinies, but these were yummy and I couldn't resist. Thanks!
These were the biggest hit at our New Years Eve bash! I know they will become a tradition from here on out! Thank you Kate & Sara!
So yummy–these have been a new year's tradition for us since we got married!
These are delish! 🙂 I usually add more brown sugar and a little pinepple juice about half way through cooking. The juice adds just a little more flavor/sweetness, and yes, these are better when served out of a slow cooker. Happy New Year!
Have you made bacon wrapped water chestnuts? So yummy…everyone kind of frowns when I say what it is but they absolutely love them! Wrap bacon around the water chestnuts and hold together with a toothpick and bake for an hour. Pour the sauce over (1 cup sugar and 1 cup ketchup mixed) and change the toothpicks so they are clean and back for another hour. It's my favorite appetizer for Christmas time and New Year's!
I've been making these for a few years and my family can't get enough of them. They're requested for nearly every potluck and get together. Unfortunately, I've probably single-handedly shortened all our life spans. =P
I won!!! How awesome! I emailed you guys yesterday. These look so good. My sister and her boyfriend are coming over for NYE and I think we may have to try these! We made the pretzel/rollos over Christmas and they were a HUGE hit, yummy!
looks good, but the only thing i fear is it being too salty. lil smokies alone are already salty for me. plus bacon too? i can see how brown sugar may balance out the saltiness, but we'll see! 🙂 thanks for the inspiration.
My husband loves these. They are delish.
These have been a long-time New Year's tradition in my family. So delicious!
OOOOOHH I love those! We had them in the dutch oven and you CAN NOT just eat one–very bad for the waistline!
I'll take a few 🙂
These look REALLY tasty. Adding them to my list…
I picked a crappy day to give up bacon. These are so good!
You had me at bacon..yummo!
YUMMY….I've made those and added a wedge of pineapple to the toothpick!
did you add the pineapple before or after they were baked
I have made these before and they are awesome.
And i made the pretzels with the rolo's at Christmas and everyone loved them. And now they will be making them.
Love love your site
I make these more than I probably should…if we're transporting them somewhere, I pour maple syrup in the crock pot before putting the little smokies in. I think it helps them from drying out, but it's also delicious.
mmm, my favorite 🙂
I had these for the first time at a potluck this year. You're right, best not think about what it is and just enjoy the taste 🙂
In England we call these pigs in blankets 🙂
hummmmmmm,I loved it, wonderful, good years