Best Brown Sugar Bourbon Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
These crowd-pleasing bacon-wrapped smokies are made in the slow cooker with a sweet and boozy brown sugar bourbon glaze. They’re incredibly easy to prepare and disappear faster than anything else on the table.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (14 ounces each) little smoked sausages
- 1 pound thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 cup bourbon
- Optional: 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Optional: Pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut each slice of thick-cut bacon into thirds, about 2 to 3 inches long.
- Wrap one piece of bacon around each smoked sausage. Place seam-side down in the slow cooker. Arrange in a single layer if possible, stacking up to two layers.
- In a small bowl, combine the packed brown sugar and bourbon. Stir until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Add optional maple syrup and cayenne if using.
- Pour the brown sugar bourbon mixture evenly over the wrapped smokies. Gently toss to coat each piece.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours. After about 2 hours, gently stir to redistribute the glaze.
- Optional: For crispier bacon, transfer cooked smokies to a parchment-lined baking sheet and broil for 2 to 3 minutes. Watch closely.
- Serve warm from the slow cooker on the WARM setting, or transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired.
Notes
For a non-alcoholic version, substitute bourbon with apple cider or apple juice mixed with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Use thick-cut bacon for best results; thin bacon may become soggy. If glaze is too thin after cooking, remove lid and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 pieces
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 16
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Protein: 10
Keywords: bacon-wrapped smokies, brown sugar bourbon, slow cooker appetizer, party appetizer, game day food