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, holiday entertaining, 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. Cocktail 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!
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!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- 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.
- Cocktail Weenies – Small hotdogs also known as cocktail wieners, cocktail 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
- Prep – Preheat oven.
- Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- Place – Place tight in a baking dish and generously coat with brown sugar.
- Bake – As directed. Drizzle sauce in the bottom of the pan over the little smokies, halfway through baking time. Bake again.
In a Slow Cooker
- Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- 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.
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.
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.
More Bacon Appetizers
Little Smokies
Ingredients
- 12 strips bacon
- ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
- 14 ounces cocktail 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
- Assemble – Cut bacon into thirds. Wrap each weenie with a piece of bacon and secure with a toothpick.
- 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
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
other things to make with little smokies&little weiners
You just can’t eat one!!! mmmm good
Thanks for taking a moment to rate!
Yelena, they are so easy and delicious. Your kids can even help make them! Hope you enjoy them as much as our family does!
So cute! I am definitely going to make these. They are tiny, it takes a short time to make them and I think that my kids will love them. Thank you so much!
🙂