Crispy Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies: The Ultimate Sweet & Savory Appetizer
Prepare to elevate your appetizer game with these truly irresistible Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies! This simple recipe requires just three core ingredients and minimal prep time, making it an absolute winner for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a lively football party, a casual family gathering, or simply craving a quick, delicious snack, these little cocktail sausages enveloped in crispy bacon and a sweet brown sugar glaze are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. They’re quick to make, incredibly flavorful, and perfectly bite-sized – truly the ideal party food!
If this is your first time delving into the wonderful world of these delectable lil’ smokies, you are in for an absolute treat. They consistently rank as one of the most beloved recipes because they offer an incredibly easy path to creating the perfect game-day snack or a festive dish for any party. The magic happens in the air fryer, which crisps the bacon to perfection while keeping the cocktail sausages juicy and tender inside, all thanks to that irresistible sweet and savory brown sugar coating.
Beyond their amazing taste, the convenience factor of making these yummy appetizers in an air fryer is unparalleled. They take significantly less time to cook compared to traditional oven methods, and the cleanup is an absolute breeze. This efficiency makes them a staple in my kitchen and, I predict, soon to be a treasured recipe in yours too. The blend of salty bacon, savory sausage, and sweet caramelization creates a flavor profile that everyone adores.
Craving another effortless air fryer snack? You’ll be delighted by how easy and delicious air fryer popcorn is to make!
For those who love the taste of bacon but are exploring lighter options, consider trying this delicious air fryer turkey bacon. And if you’re keen on exploring more delightful bacon-wrapped creations, don’t miss out on these flavorful air fryer bacon wrapped asparagus. Discover even more of our favorite bacon wrapped recipes made in the air fryer for endless delicious possibilities.
Why the Air Fryer is Your Secret Weapon for Perfect Smokies
The air fryer truly shines when it comes to recipes like bacon-wrapped smokies. Its unique cooking method delivers results that are often superior to traditional ovens, especially for achieving that desirable crispy texture:
- Achieve Unbeatable Crispiness: The powerful circulating hot air in an air fryer cooks the bacon quickly and evenly, rendering its fat and resulting in perfectly crispy, golden-brown strips every single time. No soggy bacon here!
- Faster Cooking Times: An air fryer heats up rapidly and cooks food much faster than a conventional oven. This means your appetizers can go from prep to plate in a fraction of the time, perfect for unexpected guests or sudden snack cravings.
- Effortless Cleanup: Most air fryer baskets are designed with non-stick coatings and are dishwasher-safe. This significantly reduces the time and effort spent on scrubbing, letting you enjoy your food and company more.
- Even Heat Distribution: The consistent, all-around heat ensures that every single bacon-wrapped smokie cooks uniformly, preventing hot spots and undercooked areas.
- Healthier Approach to Frying: While these are an indulgent treat, air frying uses considerably less oil compared to deep frying, making them a slightly lighter option without sacrificing that satisfying crunch.
Simple Ingredients for a Sensational Snack
The beauty of this recipe lies in its elegant simplicity. You only need three readily available ingredients to craft a batch of these undeniably delicious bacon-wrapped smokies. Quality ingredients, even in small numbers, make all the difference!
- Package of Little Smokies: These delightful mini cocktail sausages are the foundation of this appetizer. You can easily find them in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores, typically alongside other sausages or hot dogs. Both pork and beef varieties work wonderfully, so choose your preference. Remember to drain them thoroughly before you begin wrapping.
- Bacon: The type and thickness of your bacon play a crucial role in the final texture. Regular cut bacon is perfectly suitable, but a slightly thicker cut, such as center-cut bacon, is often preferred. It provides a more substantial bite and tends to crisp up beautifully without becoming overly brittle. Avoid extremely thin-cut bacon (which can easily burn) or excessively thick-cut slab bacon (which may not render and crisp fully in the recommended cooking time).
- Brown Sugar: This key ingredient is responsible for creating that irresistible sweet, sticky, and caramelized glaze that perfectly complements the salty bacon and savory smokie. Both light and dark brown sugar can be used; dark brown sugar will impart a slightly richer, deeper molasses flavor.
How to Make Bacon Wrapped Smokies in Your Air Fryer
Creating these sweet and savory air fryer bacon wrapped smokies is incredibly straightforward. Follow these detailed steps to ensure perfectly crispy, glazed bites every single time!
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Prepare the Bacon Strips.
Begin by laying out your bacon strips and cutting each one into thirds. This specific sizing ensures that each piece of bacon is just the right length to wrap snugly around a single little smokie. Using sharp kitchen shears can make this task incredibly simple and result in uniform strips.
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Wrap Each Smokie and Secure with a Toothpick.
Take each little smokie and carefully wrap a single piece of the cut bacon around its circumference. To ensure the bacon remains tightly in place throughout the cooking process, firmly secure it with a wooden toothpick. This not only keeps your appetizers intact but also makes them easy to handle and serve.
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Coat with Brown Sugar.
Pour the brown sugar into a wide, shallow bowl, making a bed of sugar. Take each bacon-wrapped smokie and gently roll or toss it in the brown sugar, ensuring a thorough and even coating on all sides. This sugar will melt and caramelize beautifully in the air fryer, creating that signature sweet and sticky glaze.
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Air Fry to Crispy, Glazed Perfection.
Carefully arrange the brown sugar-coated smokies in a single layer within your air fryer basket. It’s crucial not to overcrowd the basket; doing so will prevent proper air circulation and result in less crispy bacon. Work in batches if necessary. Air fry at 380°F (195°C) for 10-12 minutes. At the halfway point (around 5-6 minutes), gently shake the basket or use tongs to flip the smokies to ensure even cooking and browning on all sides. Continue cooking until the bacon is delightfully crispy and the brown sugar has melted into a beautiful, sticky, golden-brown glaze. Keep an eye on them, as air fryer models can vary slightly in cooking times.
Achieve Perfection: Top Tips for Your Smokies
While this recipe is incredibly forgiving, a few expert tips can ensure your Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies turn out absolutely perfect every single time:
- Avoid Overcrowding: This is arguably the most crucial tip for any air fryer recipe, especially for achieving crispy results. Overlapping or piling up the smokies in the basket will trap moisture and prevent the bacon from crisping properly. Always arrange them in a single layer, cooking in batches if necessary.
- Secure Bacon Tightly: Make sure the toothpicks firmly hold the bacon ends in place. If the bacon starts to unravel during cooking, it won’t crisp evenly and might become chewy.
- Monitor for Burning: The brown sugar is essential for that delicious glaze, but sugar can burn quickly if the temperature is too high or if left too long. Keep a close eye on your smokies, especially during the last few minutes, to ensure the glaze turns golden and caramelized, not burnt.
- Pat Dry the Smokies: Before you even begin wrapping, gently pat the little smokies dry with paper towels. Excess moisture can prevent the bacon from adhering well and hinder the crisping process.
- Preheat Your Air Fryer: Although not always mandatory, preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes at the specified temperature helps create a more consistent cooking environment and ensures a quicker, more even crisping of the bacon.
- Consider Parchment Paper: For easier cleanup and to catch any dripping grease or melted sugar, you can line the bottom of your air fryer basket with air fryer-safe parchment paper. Just ensure it doesn’t block air circulation.
Delicious Variations to Elevate Your Bites
The classic brown sugar glaze is phenomenal, but these air fryer bacon-wrapped smokies are also incredibly versatile, lending themselves to numerous delicious variations. Don’t hesitate to get creative and customize them to your taste!
- Add BBQ Sauce: For an extra layer of savory and tangy flavor, brush some of your favorite BBQ sauce onto the bacon-wrapped smokies during the last 2-3 minutes of air frying. This creates a beautifully sticky, sweet, and smoky glaze that’s utterly divine and incredibly popular.
- Introduce a Spicy Kick: If you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle a pinch of cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or a dash of your preferred hot sauce into the brown sugar mixture before coating. For a bolder spice, place a thin slice of fresh or pickled jalapeño pepper under the bacon wrap before securing it.
- Cheese, Please!: For an even more decadent bite, introduce a small sliver of cheese. Place a tiny piece of cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even cream cheese (for a creamy, savory balance) onto the smokie before wrapping it with bacon. The cheese will melt into a luscious pocket during cooking.
- Maple Glaze: Swap out half of the brown sugar for pure maple syrup for a richer, more complex sweet glaze with delightful earthy undertones. You can also mix a tablespoon of maple syrup directly into the brown sugar for added depth.
- Savory Herb & Garlic: For a purely savory twist, skip the brown sugar entirely. Instead, season the bacon-wrapped smokies generously with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a sprinkle of dried parsley or chives before air frying.
- Alternative Sausages: If little smokies aren’t available, or you simply want to try something different, you can adapt this recipe by wrapping thick-cut bacon around cut-up hot dogs, small cooked sausages, or even chicken apple sausage for a unique flavor profile. Just ensure the pieces are small enough for easy wrapping.
- Healthier Twist with Turkey Bacon: To significantly reduce the fat content, simply substitute traditional pork bacon with turkey bacon. The air fryer will still crisp it up beautifully, offering a lighter yet equally satisfying and delicious alternative.
If you’re a true fan of bacon-wrapped delights or enjoy appetizers with a kick, we highly recommend exploring more fantastic air fryer recipes from our collection. Try this savory air fryer Texas Twinkie recipe, these delicious air fryer jalapeno popper egg rolls, or these incredibly addictive air fryer pickle poppers. Each offers a unique and satisfying air-fried experience!
Common Questions About Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help you master this delightful appetizer and tackle any concerns you might have:
As presented with brown sugar, this recipe is not considered low carb due to the sugar content. However, it’s very easy to make it keto-friendly or low carb! Simply substitute the brown sugar with a suitable low-carb or keto sweetener, such as erythritol, allulose, or a brown sugar alternative. Alternatively, you can omit the sweet coating entirely and opt for a sugar-free, keto-friendly BBQ sauce brushed on at the end, or season the bacon-wrapped smokies with savory spices like garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. With these simple modifications, these mini sausages can absolutely fit into a low-carb diet!
For achieving the best results with these great recipes, regular-cut bacon works well. However, you do want to think about ensuring that the bacon you use will hold its shape securely as it’s wrapped and cooked. The most satisfying aspect of this appetizer is that perfect bite of crispy bacon combined with the juicy smokie inside. Therefore, ensuring the bacon remains wrapped tightly and crisps up evenly during the cooking process is key. I highly recommend using a slightly thicker cut of bacon, such as center-cut bacon. This type is less prone to tearing, breaking, or falling off when wrapping and during the air frying process, and it delivers a more substantial crispy texture. Avoid extra-thin bacon which can burn, and extra-thick slab bacon which may not cook evenly in the time given.
While these delicious bacon-wrapped smokies are often devoured quickly, it’s certainly possible to have leftovers! To store them, first allow the cooked smokies to cool down completely to room temperature. Once cooled, transfer them into an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. They will maintain their quality and flavor for 1-2 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheating is best done in the air fryer to restore that desirable crispy bacon texture. Simply place them back in the air fryer basket at 350°F (175°C) for about 3-5 minutes, or until they are heated through and the bacon has re-crisped to your liking. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the bacon may lose some of its crispiness.
Absolutely! These are fantastic for meal prepping or preparing for a party in advance. You can complete the first two steps of the recipe – cutting the bacon, wrapping each smokie, and securing them with toothpicks – up to 24 hours ahead of time. Once wrapped, arrange them on a plate, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to cook, simply take them out, coat them in brown sugar, and proceed with air frying as directed. For the freshest and crispiest results, always coat them in sugar and air fry just before serving.
If your bacon isn’t crisping up as desired, several factors could be at play. The most common issue is overcrowding the air fryer basket. For proper air circulation, which is essential for crispy bacon, always cook the smokies in a single layer with a little space between each piece. If your air fryer is small, work in multiple batches. Another factor could be the bacon’s thickness; very thick bacon might require a minute or two longer to render and crisp. Ensure your air fryer is preheated and consider flipping the smokies halfway through the cooking time to ensure even exposure to the hot air. If your air fryer runs cooler, you might need to increase the temperature slightly or extend the cooking time.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes to Explore
If you’ve enjoyed making these deliciously crispy bacon-wrapped smokies, you’re in for a treat! The air fryer is an incredibly versatile kitchen appliance, perfect for whipping up a wide array of quick, easy, and undeniably delicious dishes. Expand your air frying repertoire with some of our other top-rated recipes that we’re sure you’ll love:
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts and Bacon: A fantastic side dish that makes eating your greens exciting with a savory bacon twist!
- Air Fryer Sausage Rolls: Ideal for a quick savory snack, a party finger food, or even a light lunch.
- Italian Sausage in Air Fryer: A simple and efficient way to cook flavorful Italian sausages, perfect for pasta, subs, or a standalone meal.
- Air Fryer Biscuits: Achieve perfectly fluffy, golden-brown biscuits in a fraction of the time compared to oven baking.
- Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Dates: Another exquisite sweet and savory appetizer that’s sophisticated yet surprisingly easy to make and always impresses guests.
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6 votes
4
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies
5 minutes
12 minutes
Rate
Equipment
-
1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
-
1
package
Little Smokies -
1
pound
bacon -
½
cup
brown sugar
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Instructions
-
Cut bacon strips into thirds.
-
Wrap each smokie with a piece of bacon and then secure with a toothpick.
-
Add brown sugar to a large bowl. Toss bacon wrapped smokies with bacon, coating each piece.
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Place smokies in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 380 degrees F for 10-12 minutes until bacon is crispy.
Nutrition
Calories:
974
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
31
g
,
Protein:
52
g
,
Fat:
70
g
,
Saturated Fat:
24
g
,
Polyunsaturated Fat:
10
g
,
Monounsaturated Fat:
32
g
,
Trans Fat:
0.2
g
,
Cholesterol:
184
mg
,
Sodium:
3063
mg
,
Potassium:
797
mg
,
Sugar:
28
g
,
Vitamin A:
42
IU
,
Calcium:
48
mg
,
Iron:
3
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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