Micah A. Leal
These are not your average smokies—in addition to being wrapped in high-quality bacon, these game-time snacks are coated in a simple mixture of brown sugar, honey, and garlic powder. The brown sugar creates a traditional molasses-sweet coating for the bacon but the touch of honey lends a bright and unique sweetness to the glaze. While in the oven, the bacon wrapped smokies render some bacon fat that encourages the brown sugar-honey mixture to mingle with the other flavors while caramelizing on the surface. The sweetness of the sugar is complimented by a hint of punchy garlic powder. Altogether, this simple combination makes for a rich, salty and sweet snack that is all too easy to eat (and make) on game day. If you like a little spice, we also call for optional red pepper flakes to be sprinkled on top of the smokies before they bake to give a slight kick of heat that cuts through the richness of the bacon and caramelized sugar. Great when eaten by themselves or with your favorite dipping sauce, these Bacon Wrapped Smokies will set a higher standard for this beloved party snack.
How to Make It
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
Step 2
Cut each piece of bacon into thirds, creating three shorter segments from each piece. Wrap each of the smokies in one of the short bacon segments. Insert a toothpick all the way through each of the smokies wrapped in bacon to hold the bacon in place. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining smokies and bacon.
Step 3
In a bowl, stir together brown sugar, honey, and garlic powder. Top each of the smokies with 1/4 teaspoon of the sugar mixture. Sprinkle all of the smokies with red pepper flakes if desired, and transfer to oven until bacon is cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes.
