Crockpot Brown Sugar Bacon Lil’ Smokies: Addictive Party Appetizer Tips, FAQ & printable recipe

Tips for success

For the best texture, use center-cut bacon, which is leaner and crisps up better in the slow cooker. If you can only find regular bacon, trim off any excess fat before wrapping.

To make wrapping easier, partially freeze the bacon for 10 minutes—this makes it less slippery and easier to handle. You can also secure the bacon with toothpicks, but remember to remove them before serving or warn guests.

The cayenne pepper is adjustable—start with 1/2 teaspoon for a milder version, or add up to 1 1/2 teaspoons for more heat. For a smoky twist, replace cayenne with smoked paprika.

If you want a richer flavor, substitute half of the dark brown sugar with maple syrup, but reduce the amount to 1 cup total. Always taste the glaze before serving and adjust seasoning if needed.

Variations

• Spicy Maple Bacon Smokies: Swap the dark brown sugar for 1 cup of maple syrup and add 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes instead of cayenne. Cook as directed. The maple syrup creates a thinner glaze with a distinct maple flavor that pairs beautifully with bacon.
• Honey Garlic Smokies: Replace the brown sugar with 1 cup of honey and add 2 minced garlic cloves. Reduce cayenne to 1/4 teaspoon. The honey-garlic glaze is savory-sweet and sticky, perfect for those who prefer a less spicy version.
• Smoky BBQ Brown Sugar Smokies: Mix 1/2 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce into the brown sugar mixture and reduce the cayenne to 1/2 teaspoon. The BBQ sauce adds a tangy, smoky depth that complements the bacon and sausages.
• Cranberry Chipotle Smokies: Stir 1/2 cup of whole-berry cranberry sauce and 1 teaspoon of chipotle powder into the brown sugar mixture. The cranberry adds a tart brightness, while chipotle gives a smoky heat. Cook as directed, and the glaze will have a festive red tint.

Storage and make-ahead

Fridge

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The glaze will set as it cools; reheat gently with a splash of water.

Freezer

Freeze cooked and cooled smokies in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

Reheat

Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the glaze.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The glaze will thicken as it cools, so you may need to add a splash of water or apple juice when reheating to loosen it. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.

You can assemble the smokies up to 24 hours in advance. Wrap the smokies in bacon, place them in the slow cooker insert, and sprinkle with the brown sugar mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, place the insert in the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 hours, adding 15–30 minutes to the cooking time if starting from cold.

Serving ideas

Serve these smokies straight from the slow cooker to keep them warm and sticky. Provide wooden party picks for easy grabbing.

They pair wonderfully with other game-day snacks like chips and dip, or a fresh crudité platter to balance the richness. The sweet and spicy glaze also makes them a hit at holiday parties—they're festive and crowd-pleasing.

If you want to elevate the presentation, transfer the smokies to a serving platter and drizzle with some of the glaze from the slow cooker. Garnish with chopped scallions or fresh parsley for a pop of color (though the video doesn't call for it, it's a nice touch for guests).

For a more substantial appetizer, serve them over creamy grits or polenta, or skewer them with a cube of pineapple for a sweet-tart contrast.

Frequently asked questions

Recipe card

Crockpot Brown Sugar Bacon Lil' Smokies: Addictive Party Appetizer

Prep 15 minCook 3 hTotal 3 h 15 minServes 12

Ingredients

• 2 packages Lil' Smokies cocktail sausages (about 14 oz each)
• 1 lb center-cut bacon, halved crosswise
• 1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Cut each bacon slice in half crosswise. Wrap each Lil' Smokie with a half-slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick if needed. Arrange the wrapped smokies in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker insert, packing them snugly in a single layer.
2. In a small bowl, stir together the dark brown sugar and cayenne pepper until well combined. Sprinkle the sugar mixture evenly over the bacon-wrapped smokies, using your hands to pack it down gently over the tops.
3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 3 hours. Do not lift the lid during the first 2 hours to allow the heat to build. After 3 hours, the bacon should be rendered and the sugar melted into a bubbling amber syrup.
4. Turn off the slow cooker. Use tongs to lift the candied smokies from the glaze and transfer to a serving platter. Insert wooden party picks into each smokie and serve immediately while warm and sticky.

Contains: gluten, milk, soy

Estimated nutrition per serving

Calories

320

Protein

9 g

Carbohydrates

28 g

Fat

19 g

Automatic estimate from the ingredient list, not laboratory-verified.