These bacon-wrapped Little Smokies combine savory cocktail sausages, crisp bacon, and a sweet seasoned coating. They're an easy air fryer appetizer that's ready in under 30 minutes.
Serve these bite-sized smokies for game day, parties, holidays, or an afternoon snack. The small-batch recipe makes just enough for two but can easily be scaled up when you're feeding a crowd.
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I've made these Little Smokies wrapped in bacon a few times, and they're one of my favorite appetizers when I want something easy that still feels worth putting out for guests. I love the combination of smoky bacon, cocktail sausages, and a little brown sugar because you get plenty of flavor without needing a long ingredient list. After making them a couple times, I've learned that keeping the bacon from overlapping too much helps it cook more evenly and get crisp around the sausage.
The air fryer makes these especially convenient because I can have a small batch ready in under 30 minutes without heating the oven. When I'm putting together a larger appetizer spread, I also like serving bacon wrapped chicken bites or bacon wrapped salmon bites for more easy finger foods with that same savory appeal. I find these little smokies especially handy for game days, holidays, and casual get-togethers because they're easy to serve and can be scaled up when I need more.
Ingredients
The basic recipe requires only bacon and cocktail sausages. But this recipe takes it up a notch by adding brown sugar and seasonings.
To make our recipe, you need to have the following on hand:
- little smokie sausages
- bacon slices
- light brown sugar
- BBQ seasoning
- smoked sweet paprika
- ground black pepper
- chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
- toothpicks (to secure the bacon)
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities used.
Instructions
If you use an air fryer to cook your little smokies wrapped in bacon, they will have a crisp exterior and juicy interior. Oven cooking is a better option for cooking a larger batch and gives similar results.
Preheat oven or air fryer to the proper temperature and gather all your ingredients. Then, follow the simple step-by-step directions below.
In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar, BBQ seasoning, smoked sweet paprika, and ground black pepper. Set aside.
Cut bacon into thirds or fourths. Wrap one piece of bacon around each little smokies, then secure with toothpicks.
Arrange bacon-wrapped little smokies onto the Air Fryer trays or oven baking sheet.
Sprinkle one side of each bacon-wrapped cocktail sausage with the light brown mixture.
Cook for half the suggested time then flip each one and sprinkle with the remaining light brown sugar mixture.
Continue cooking and remove once they are crisp and the sugar mixture has caramelized on top.
Variations
There are many ways to make the recipe. You'll find a few ideas below.
- Add chili powder or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix for a sweet and spicy twist. The combination of heat and sweetness is perfect for those who enjoy a little kick.
- Stuff the little smokies with cheese before wrapping them in bacon. Cut a small slit in each sausage and insert a small piece of your favorite cheese, such as cheddar or pepper jack. The cheese will melt as the sausages cook, creating an ooey-gooey surprise inside each bite.
- Add a sweet and tangy glaze. After wrapping the sausages in bacon, you can brush them with a mixture of brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce instead of simply cooking them as is.
- Experiment with different combinations of spices, sauces, and toppings to create a personalized flavor profile that suits you perfectly.
Tips
Keep the following things in mind to ensure the appetizer comes out right every time.
- Use high-quality bacon for wrapping around the smokies. Thick-cut bacon works best as it won't fall apart during cooking.
- Avoid overlapping the bacon pieces. To ensure even cooking, do not overlap the bacon when wrapping them around the little smokies. This will help each piece cook uniformly and prevent undercooked or overcooked spots.
- Monitor them closely towards the end of cooking time. You want the bacon to be crispy but not burnt, so keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- For easier cleanup, use aluminum foil to line the baking sheet or under the air fryer tray.
Serving suggestions
When serving bacon wrapped little smokies, the dipping sauce can make all the difference. For a classic touch, try ketchup or mustard. Alternatively, mix things with a sweet and savory dip like honey mustard or maple syrup with sriracha sauce. Barbecue sauce is another popular choice that pairs well with smoky bacon.
Storage
Bacon wrapped lil smokies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can also be stored in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to two months. If storing them in the freezer, ensure they are tightly sealed and labeled with the date so you know when they were frozen.
To reheat bacon wrapped little smokies, preheat your oven or air fryer to 350°F and cook until heated throughout. You can also heat them in a microwave on high until warmed through. If reheating from frozen, add an extra minute or two to ensure that they are heated evenly.
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Recipe
Bacon-Wrapped Little Smokies
Ingredients
- 7 ounces Little Smokies about 20
- 5 to 6 slices bacon preferably thick-cut
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon BBQ seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
- ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper or to taste
- finely chopped fresh parsley for garnishing
Instructions
- Pre-heat Air Fryer at 370°F (188°C). Set at 15 minutes. Or, preheat oven to 400°F (oven cooking time is about 20 minutes).
- In a small bowl, combine light brown sugar, BBQ seasoning, smoked sweet paprika, and ground black pepper. Set aside.
- Pat dry bacon and little smokies - cocktail sausages.
- Divide each slice of bacon into 4 equally, measuring that each piece would completely wrap one cocktail sausage.
- Wrap little smokies in bacon then properly secure with toothpicks.
- Arrange bacon-wrapped little smokies onto the Air Fryer trays or oven baking sheet. Do not overcrowd. You can add 9 to 11 little smokies per air fryer tray. Preferably use two Air Fryer trays. *See notes and tips when using two trays.
- Sprinkle one side of each bacon-wrapped little smokies with the light brown mixture.
- Slowly insert the first Air Fryer tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch. The second tray placed below the first. Or, place baking sheet in oven.
- Half-way through, flip each bacon-wrapped little smokies. Place the Air Fryer tray in your resting tray then turn food. Sprinkle with the remaining light brown sugar mixture. Return trays onto the cooking chamber.
- Remove bacon-wrapped little smokies once crisp and golden in color.
- Transfer to a serving plate or bowl. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- When turning food while using 2 Air Fryer trays, remove the first Air Fryer tray, then transfer the second tray into the middle cooking chamber, near the rotisserie catch.
- Upon returning the first tray with turned food, remove the second Air Fryer tray beforehand and return the first tray to the middle cooking chamber. This way, the contents of the first Air Fryer tray will finish cooking first.
- Flip each bacon-wrapped little smokies in the second tray, then return to the cooking chamber below the first Air Fryer tray.
- Bacon-wrapped little smokies in the first Air Fryer tray will finish cooking earlier than in the second tray. Remove the first Air Fryer tray after 8 to 10 minutes of cooking or when bacon reaches your desired crispness.
- Once the contents of the first Air Fryer tray have finished cooking, transfer the second tray into the middle cooking chamber.
Carol Werntz says
what oven temperature setting for AF or oven please...
Lisa MarcAurele says
It's in the recipe's first step: Air Fryer at 370°F or oven at 400°F.
Dennis says
We loved this smokie appetizer!
Zoey says
Such a perfect quick afternoon snack and they taste so flavorful and delicious! This was so easy to make and the best part is it's wrapped in bacon which I LOVE! Thanks a bunch for the recipe!