These slow cooker 4-ingredient brown sugar bacon wrapped smokies are the sort of little party bite that disappears faster than you can set down the platter. Around here, anything wrapped in bacon and sweetened with brown sugar is bound to bring folks to the kitchen, and this easy appetizer does it every time. Lil smokies have long been a Midwestern gathering staple, especially for game days, potlucks, and holiday snack tables, and this version turns them into a sticky, savory-sweet treat with hardly any fuss at all.
Serve these warm right from the slow cooker with plenty of toothpicks and a stack of napkins. They fit right in beside chips and dip, a crisp veggie tray, baked beans, macaroni salad, or a simple bowl of pickles for something tangy to cut the sweetness. For game day, they pair especially well with sliders, wings, and cold drinks, and if you're setting out a party spread, a little fresh fruit on the side helps round things out nicely.
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Servings: 10 to 12 appetizer servings
Ingredients
1 (14-ounce) package Lil Smokies sausages
1 pound bacon, cut into thirds
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
1. Pat the lil smokies dry with paper towels. Cut the bacon into thirds, then wrap one piece of bacon around each little sausage and secure with a toothpick if needed.
2. Sprinkle a spoonful of brown sugar in the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the wrapped smokies in a single layer as much as possible, then scatter some of the remaining brown sugar and the black pepper over the top. Continue layering the smokies and brown sugar until everything is in the cooker.
3. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the bacon is cooked through and the brown sugar has melted into a glossy glaze. If you'd like a little extra color, gently turn the smokies once during the last 30 minutes.
4. Serve warm straight from the slow cooker or transfer to a platter. Spoon a little of the glaze over the top and set out toothpicks for easy serving.
Variations & Tips
Make-Ahead Tip: You can wrap the smokies in bacon and refrigerate them a day ahead. When it's time to cook, layer them in the slow cooker with the brown sugar and pepper, then switch it on and let it do the work.
Keep Them Warm: Once the bacon is cooked and the glaze is bubbling, turn the slow cooker to WARM for serving. Give everything a gentle stir now and then so the glaze stays evenly distributed.
Sweeter Party Version: For an even more candy-like finish, add an extra 2 to 3 tablespoons of brown sugar over the final layer before cooking. That little bit makes the glaze thicker and stickier.
Spicier Option: If your crowd likes a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne or a few shakes of crushed red pepper along with the black pepper. That sweet-and-heat combination goes over mighty well at watch parties.
Bacon Tip: Regular-cut bacon works best here because it wraps neatly and cooks more evenly in the slow cooker. Thick-cut bacon can take longer and may not get as tender by the time the glaze is ready.