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    Home » Appetizers

    Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

    Published: May 18, 2020 by heather · This post may contain affiliate links

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    Air fryer bacon wrapped little smokies is a classic recipe cooked up in the air fryer. Crispy bacon wrapped around a cocktail smokie coated in brown sugar and spice.

    If you like your food wrapped in bacon be sure to try bacon wrapped asparagus, bacon wrapped water chestnuts, and bacon wrapped pineapple.

    bacon wrapped smokies on a plate

    Little smokies wrapped in bacon, sometimes referred to as crack little smokies, is the ultimate party food. They are a great 5-ingredient appetizer for any gathering or even as a meal served with a few veggies. 

    Why this works

    The air fryer is a great option for cooking many things but I especially love the way is crisps up bacon. This makes it a great way to cook this little smokie appetizer and in half the time of cooking in the oven.

    Ingredients needed

    Lil’ Smokies – These can be found in the refrigerated section usually by the hot dogs.

    Bacon – I like using center cut bacon. I would recommend against using thick cut bacon because it will take longer to cook.

    Brown Sugar – This gives a nice sweet balance to the saltiness of the meat.

    Ground Black Pepper – This adds spice and a little heat to the mixture. 

    Garlic Salt – Enhances the salt from the sausage. Could be substituted with sea salt. 

    bowl of smokies, bowl of brown sugar, bowl of bacon

    How to make bacon wrapped little smokies in the air fryer

    Scroll down for full printable recipe, ingredients and video.

    1. Prepare: Spray a foil lined cookie sheet with non-stick spray. 
    2. Wrap: Cut bacon strips into 3 smaller pieces. Wrap a small piece of bacon around a smokie and secure with toothpick. 
    3. Coat: Place brown sugar, black pepper and garlic salt in a large plastic bag or bowl. Place wrapped smokies in the sugar mixture to coat. 
    4. Cook: Place in the air fryer basket, being sure to not put on top of each other. Cook at 390 degrees F for 5 minutes then flip over and cook another 3-4 minutes or until bacon crispy. 

    bacon wrapped smokies in a bag with brown sugar, in an air fryer and cooked

    Recipe tips

    • Bacon – You can use bacon or turkey bacon to wrap. I really like using center cut because there is not a lot of extra fat. Thicker bacon will have a hard time crisping up.
    • Cocktail Sausage – I like using the original Lil’ Smokies, you could also use the beef, turkey, and cheddar versions. 
    • If you aren’t in a hurry, wrap and coat with brown sugar and then let them sit in the refrigerator for an hour to “marinate” before cooking. 
    • I like to preheat my air fryer before cooking this appetizer. If you forget, no big deal. Preheating helps the bacon get cooked evenly.
    • Don’t stack. Again, to get your food to cook evenly and allow the hot air to circulate, don’t stack on top of each other. 
    • Remember, each air fryer model cooks a little bit different. 

    Variations

    • If you like a little spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the brown sugar mixture.
    • Add some BBQ sauce at the end as a glaze.
    • You could also glaze with warmed grape or apricot jelly. 

    How many lil smokies are in a package?

    There should be about 40 per package so you could figure about 3-5 per person for a party. 

    Can you make these ahead of time?

    Yes, these can be assembled ahead of time. Get them wrapped, leaving sugar off, and then keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to eat, coat in sugar mixture and cook.

    How to store

    Store any leftovers in an airtight container for 4 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes or in the oven for 5-10 minutes. 

    Can you freeze?

    Yes, you can freeze. Place in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator and then coat with sugar mixture and cook. 

    How to make in the oven

    If you don’t have and air fryer and want to cook in the oven, leave the bacon wrapped smokies on the baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. 

    hand holding bacon wrapped smokie

    More easy appetizer recipes

    • Chipped beef dip – Creamy dip filled with dried beef and onions.
    • Ranch crackers – Fast and easy appetizer that can be made in minutes.
    • Vegetable pinwheels – Colorful vegetables wrapped with a cream cheese mixture in a tortilla. 
    • Sausage balls – Few simple ingredients to make this family favorite.

    For more information on air fryer cooking times, download this free cooking times and temps cheat sheet.  

    ***If you made this recipe, please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

    bacon wrapped smokies on a plate
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    5 from 6 votes

    Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

    This bacon wrapped little smokies are cooked in the air fryer.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time8 mins
    Total Time18 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: lil smokies, little smokies
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 341kcal
    Author: Heather

    Ingredients

    • 1 16 oz package lil smokies
    • 1 lb bacon slices cut into 3 pieces each
    • 1 cup brown sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

    Instructions

    • Line baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick spray. Place smokies on the prepared pan.
    • Begin by cutting bacon into thirds. Wrap one bacon piece around each little smokie and place back on pan.
    • Place brown sugar, black pepper and garlic salt in a large bag or bowl. Working in batches, place wrapped smokies in the brown sugar mixture to coat.
    • Preheat air fryer.
    • Add wrapped smokies to air fryer basket, being sure not to stack on each other. Will probably have to cook 2 batches depending on size of air fryer.
    • Cook at 390 degrees for 5 minutes, flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 149mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 21IU | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Follow me @foodlovinfamily or tag #foodlovinfamily!

     

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    Comments

    1. Barbara

      July 14, 2022 at 4:48 pm

      5 stars
      The only thing I would change is either the amount of time to cook them at 390 or change the heat to 400. I cooked at 390 for 9 minutes but wasn’t long enough – did for another 3 minutes. Could have used a little longer but they were still good. I think I’ll try 400 at 9 minutes next time. I just used a bowl to put my brown sugar in and spices and rolled the smokies in the mixture. Came out perfect – not overly coated – just right. Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Barbara

        July 14, 2022 at 4:49 pm

        Also – I broke the toothpicks in half so they wouldn’t get in my way when turning them.

        Reply
    2. cameron

      August 13, 2021 at 2:48 pm

      5 stars
      I add this in my parties dishes .
      Its really awesome to made this .Its really very tasty.
      Thank you so much for making this .

      Reply
    3. Eden

      May 18, 2020 at 4:31 pm

      5 stars
      These were so flavorful and delicious… we loved them so much and can’t wait to make them again!

      Reply
    4. Matt Taylor

      May 18, 2020 at 3:12 pm

      5 stars
      I love making bacon-wrapped smokies! They are great for parties. I haven’t made them in my air fryer yet though. Will definitely give it a go!

      Reply
    5. Kara

      May 18, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      These look so good! I love your suggestion of adding a bit of cayenne pepper to give them a kick. I really need to get me an air fryer!

      Reply

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