The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

Little Smokies are the classic crowd-pleasing appetizer. This amazing recipe takes them to a whole new level! These sweet and salty bites are made with just 3 ingredients in the oven or slow cooker in a few minutes. They’re the perfect party food for game day, holidayentertaining, and everyday get togethers.

Bite-sized smokies are as easy to make as they are to devour. They keep you running back for more and you have to, because they disappear!

They are quick and easy, taking just 5 minutes to prep. co*cktail weenies are wrapped in bacon and sprinkled with brown sugar that caramelizes as they cook in the oven or slow cooker. The rich and flavorful sauce is irresistible!

The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (1)

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are one of my childhood favorites. Through the years, I have tested and perfected this recipe using my experience as a caterer that takes them to a whole new level – and readers agree!

“You just can’t eat one!!! Mmmm good.”

— BONNY —

This childhood favorite makes an elegant Hors d’oeuvres or a casual appetizer. Your choice!

The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

Ingredients and Substitutions

The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)
  • Bacon –Center cut bacon has less fat and grease, but you can use your favorite bacon including hickory smoked bacon, turkey bacon, etc.
  • Brown Sugar – Light brown sugar caramelizes with the bacon grease creating an incredible sauce.
  • co*cktail Weenies – Small hotdogs also known as co*cktail wieners, co*cktail franks, little smokies or baby wursts. Pork Little Smokies, Beef Little Smokies, Turkey Little Smokies, Cheddar Little Weiners all work well. It’s your choice!

Variations

Lil Smokies are so versatile! The options are endless.

  • Spice It Up – Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cayenne, fresh cracked ground black pepper on top or wrap with a slice of jalapeño.
  • Make them Cheesy – Sprinkle with blue cheese or cheddar cheese.
  • Extra Sweet – Wrap with a half date or slice of pineapple.

How To Make Little Smokies

See printable recipe card below.

In the Oven

  1. Prep – Preheat oven.
  2. Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick. The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)
  3. Place – Place tight in a baking dish and generously coat with brown sugar. The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (5)
  4. Bake – As directed. Drizzle sauce in the bottom of the pan over the little smokies, halfway through baking time. Bake again.
      The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)

In a Slow Cooker

  1. Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
  2. Fill – Place half of them in the slow cooker. Cover with half of the brown sugar. Add another layer of smokies and cover with remaining brown sugar. Cover with lid and cook 3+ hours.
The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (7)

Tips

  • Make Ahead – Wrap weenies with bacon, sprinkle with brown sugar, cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Bake or transfer to a slow cooker and serve.
  • Low and Slow – Baking or cooking these in a slow cooker low and slow allows the flavor to marinate.
  • Serve Warm – Place them in the oven at 200 degrees F or in in a slow cooker on low.
  • Make without Toothpicks – Place seam down. The sugar will caramelize and seal as they bake. I prefer making them with toothpicks because it is easy to transfer and serve them.
  • Easy Clean Up – Use a ceramic or glass baking dish for easy cleanup. Use oil or butter spray for a clean release. Fill the pan with hot water to dissolve sugar.
The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (8)
The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (9)

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – These bacon wrapped lil smokies can sit out for up to two hours while serving.
  • Refrigerate – Refrigerate in an airtight container up to four days. Reheat in oven preheated to 350F for 15 minutes or in the microwave 15 seconds at a time until heated through.
  • Freeze – Freeze in baking dish for 10 minutes to set. Transfer to freezer bag and freeze up to three months. Refrigerate to thaw and follow reheating instructions above.

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The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (14)

Little Smokies

By Julie Blanner

Bacon wrapped smokies are the ultimate party appetizer! They're made with just 3 ingredients in minutes!

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Cook: 30 minutes mins

Total: 35 minutes mins

Servings: 35

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Ingredients

  • 12 strips bacon
  • ¾ cup brown sugar packed
  • 14 ounces co*cktail weenies about 35

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease glass or ceramic baking dish.

  • Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick or place seam down to seal.

  • Place tight in dish and generously coat with brown sugar. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven.

  • Using a spoon, take the grease, brown sugar mixture from the bottom of the pan and distribute on top of weenies. Bake another 15 minutes.

  • Allow to cool 3 minutes before serving or transferring them to a platter.

Julie’s Tips

  • Serve Warm.
  • How to Keep them Warm – Store them in the oven at 200 degrees F or in a crockpot on low.
  • Use a ceramic or glass baking dish for easy cleanup. You can use a little oil or butter spray if you’d like as well. Fill the pan with hot water and the sugar will dissolve.

Variations

  • Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon cayenne, fresh cracked ground black pepper on top or wrap with a slice of jalapeño.
  • Add blue cheese or cheddar cheese.
  • Wrap with a half date or slice of pineapple.

Make in a Slow Cooker

  1. Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
  2. Fill – Place half of them in the slow cooker. Cover with half of the brown sugar. Add another layer of smokies and cover with remaining brown sugar. Cover with lid and cook 3+ hours.

To Store

  • Refrigerate – Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days. Reheat in oven preheated to 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or in the microwave 15 seconds at a time until heated through.
  • Freeze – Freeze in baking dish for 10 minutes to set. Transfer to freezer bag and freeze up to 3 months. Refrigerate to thaw and follow reheating instructions above.

Video

Calories: 49kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 51mg | Potassium: 21mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 1mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

Equipment

Toothpicks (optional)

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The BEST Little Smokies Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

Are little smokies and smoked sausage the same thing? ›

Also known as co*cktail sausages (yes, the same ones you'd use for pigs in a blanket!), little smokies are mini smoked sausages. Look for them in the refrigerated aisle of your grocer, near the hot dogs.

How do you thicken BBQ sauce in little smokies? ›

You can use either flour or cornstarch to thicken BBQ sauce. Just mix together 2 tbsp (16 g) of flour and ¼ cup (62.5 mL) of water, or combine 1 tbsp (9 g) of cornstarch with 1 tbsp (15 mL) of water. Continue mixing the thickener until there are no lumps of flour or cornstarch.

Can you eat little smokies without cooking? ›

To prevent foodborne illness, uncooked sausages that contain ground beef, pork, lamb or veal should be cooked to 160°F. Uncooked sausages that contain ground turkey and chicken should be cooked to 165°F. Ready-to-eat sausages are dry, semi-dry and/or cooked. Dry sausages may be smoked, unsmoked or cooked.

Can you eat Smokies without cooking them? ›

Simply put, fresh sausage is raw and uncooked, making it great as an ingredient, but you'll need to cook it yourself. Smoked sausage is fully cooked, so you can eat it as is. In other words, you don't need to cook smoked sausage for it to be safe for consumption, though you can if you prefer your sausage warmed up.

How many little smokies is one serving? ›

Cloverdale Meats
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 link (11.34g)
How many calories are in Lil' Smokies Smoked Sausage? Amount of calories in Lil' Smokies Smoked Sausage: Calories 34Calories from Fat 25.2 (74.1%)
% Daily Value *
13 more rows

How long will little smokies last in the refrigerator? ›

Packaged hot dogs can be stored in the refrigerator 2 weeks before opening. After opening a package of hot dogs you can keep them for a week in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less). These meats can also be frozen for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Frozen foods are safe indefinitely.

How long are little smokies good for after cooking? ›

Information. All sausages- except dry sausage - are perishable and therefore must be kept refrigerated or frozen. Uncooked fresh sausage can be stored in the refrigerator one to two days; after cooking, keep for three to four days refrigerated (40 °F or less).

What are the black spots on little smokies? ›

Bacteria, Carnimonas nigrificans, was found responsible for the development of these spots, or black spots in cured meat products. Its development is favored by the addition of dextrose, maltose or dextrin, while inhibited by the addition of sodium nitrite or potassium bisulphite.

Does Oscar Mayer make little smokies? ›

Great for entertaining. Franks made with chicken, pork & beef. Visit us at: oscarmayer.com.

What kind of meat is in little smokies? ›

Ingredients. Beef, water, corn syrup, Contains 2% or less: salt, potassium lactate, dextrose, natural flavor, calcium lactate, sodium phosphate, monosodium glutamate, sodium diacetate, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

What is the best way to heat up little smokies? ›

Cover with a paper towel. Microwave on High for 20-25 seconds or until hot. (For compact or microwave ovens lower than 850 watts add 5-10 seconds, if needed). Let stand in microwave for 1 minute, before serving.

Can Smokies be cooked in the oven? ›

Baking them in the oven allows the bacon to crisp, the liquids to be released from the Smokies, and the brown sugar to caramelize on them deliciously. It also allows to you control the fat content of them a bit more easily, as most of the bacon drippings will remain on the sheet pan after cooking.

Are Smokies always precooked? ›

Preparation. This product is fully cooked and only requires heating. Grill, roast, microwave or steam.

How long to cook precooked smokies? ›

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the pre cooked sausage on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This method ensures even cooking and preserves the flavors of the sausage.

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