These Bacon Wrapped Smokies are the Perfect New Year’s Eve App!
Here’s an easy snack that’s sweet, smoky, spicy… and totally addictive! You’ll only need 5 ingredients to create these bacon-wrapped smokies.
Spicy lil smokies are a family favorite party snack or appetizer!
If you’re looking for a no-fail appetizer that disappears faster than you can refill the tray, these jalapeno bacon lil’ smokies are it. They hit every note: sweet from brown sugar, smoky from sausage & bacon, spicy from cayenne, and tangy heat from pickled jalapeños.
Best part? They’re ridiculously easy and made with just 5 ingredients. The main ingredient is delicious mini smoked sausages that are perfect for cocktail parties.
Warning: These bacon-wrapped smokies with brown sugar disappear fast.
This is one of those recipes that feels fancy but secretly takes minimal effort. Perfect for game day, holiday parties, potlucks, or anytime you need a “wow” snack that people hover around. The caramelized bacon with the sausage is so tasty and has an unexpected bite with the jalapeno.
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Lil Smokies Recipe
yield: 30 SERVINGS
prep time: 15 MINUTES
cook time: 30 MINUTES
total time: 45 MINUTES
An easy cocktail weenie snack that's sweet, smoky, spicy… and totally addictive!
Ingredients
- 13 oz. cheddar Lit'l Smokies
- 1 pound bacon, sliced in half
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- pinch of black pepper
- pickled jalapeno peppers
Directions
1
Line a baking sheet with parchment, and preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2
Lay out a half slice of bacon and place a sausage at one end. Add a slice of pickled jalapeño on top of the sausage, then roll everything up snugly in the bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
3
Mix brown sugar with cayenne pepper and black pepper. Roll each sausage in the brown sugar mixture to coat it. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the bacon is browned and crisp.
More tips for making bacon-wrapped lil smokies:
- Want more heat? Sprinkle extra cayenne or add two jalapeno slices.
- Prefer mild? Feel free to omit the cayenne pepper altogether if desired.
- Party prep idea: These can be compiled ahead of time and then just bake them in the oven right before your gathering.
- If you have leftovers, these reheat beautifully in the oven or air fryer.
Serve these spicy lil smokies warm on a platter and watch them vanish!
Make these for New Year’s Eve this year! They’re messy in the best way, dangerously snackable, and guaranteed to earn you recipe requests before the party’s even over. For a larger crowd, consider doubling the recipe, as it tends to be a crowd favorite!
Have you tried these popular cocktail weenies before? How do you prepare them? Share with us in the comments so we can all get ideas!
ok so today an tonight no one was interested in much to eat. lets face it the holiday will cure you of hunger for a good couple days when done right. So I decide since I have a package of smokies, and some bacon that needs to be used up and all the rest of what few ingredients I need I will give this recipe a whirl…45 minutes later it was the hit of the evening….I loveddddd it, the grandson loved it…daughter loved, son in law loved! highly highly recommend…going into the rotation for a while
YAY! 🙌 So happy to hear these were a hit with everyone, carol! Thanks for the awesome feedback! ❤️
I once heard these referred to as pig candy and it’s never been forgotten. Always a crowd pleaser, for sure!
haha that’s funny! Yes agree so GOOD!