Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites: The Ultimate Party Appetizer

The grease stain on my apron hasn’t come out since last Thanksgiving. Fourteen people showed up, and I had nothing ready except a bag of chips and a half-empty jar of salsa. That was the day I invented what I now call bacon-wrapped sausage bites.

I had two packs of frozen breakfast sausage links in the freezer and some bacon in the fridge. That is how I stumbled upon this classic party appetizer idea. They saved me that day, and I always follow them up with my refreshing mini lime cheesecakes for a perfect finish.

My buddy Marco walked in while I was shoving toothpicks into the tray and said, “What are you doing?” I told him to grab a beer and sit down. Twenty minutes later, the whole tray was gone.

Why You’ll Love These Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

Look, I’m not going to sell you on these with fancy words. They’re bacon, wrapped around sausage, rolled in brown sugar. That combination just works.

The bacon renders down and gets sticky and caramelized from the sugar. The sausage inside stays juicy, and that brown sugar crust crackles when you bite into it. Sweet, salty, smoky. Done.

You can make them the night before. Seriously. Wrap them, sugar them, throw them in the fridge on a tray. Next day, pop them in the oven. Zero stress.

Ingredients for Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

I keep this simple. Four things. That’s all you need.

Meat

3/4 pound sliced bacon

2 packages (8 ounces each) frozen fully cooked breakfast sausage links, thawed

Sweet Coating

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar, divided

These use fully cooked breakfast sausage links, not raw. You are reheating and crisping, which is why this recipe is so fast. Just make sure to thaw your links ahead of time.

How to Make Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

Alright, here’s where we get into it. Four steps. Maybe five if you count eating one straight off the pan.

Step 1: Cut and Wrap

Grab your bacon and cut each strip in half widthwise. Take your thawed sausage links and cut those in half too.

Wrap one half-piece of bacon around each sausage piece. Push a toothpick straight through the middle to hold it together.

Step 2: Sugar Roll

Put half a cup of brown sugar in a shallow bowl. Take each bacon-wrapped sausage bite and roll it around in the sugar.

Place each one on a baking pan lined with parchment or foil. Just leave a little space between them so the heat circulates.

Step 3: The Chill

Cover that tray and throw it in the fridge for at least four hours. Overnight is even better. The sugar starts to meld with the bacon fat while you sleep.

Step 4: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Before the pan goes in, sprinkle another tablespoon of brown sugar over the top.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let them sit for three minutes before eating so you don’t burn the roof of your mouth.

Tips for Perfect Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

Don’t use thick-cut bacon. You want regular-cut slices so it crisps up perfectly in the oven. Pat the bacon dry with paper towels before wrapping, as wet bacon steams rather than caramelizing.

If you want extra crunch, hit them with a broiler finish for 2 to 3 minutes at the end. Just watch them closely so the sugar doesn’t burn.

Serving Suggestions for Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

Maple mustard is my go-to dip. The tang cuts through the richness of the bacon perfectly.

If you want a hearty meal, serve these alongside my creamy garlic polenta. The combination of textures is something I didn’t know I needed until I tried it.

Health Benefits

I’m not going to pretend these are a health food. However, they are high in protein, which helps keep you satisfied during a party.

For those interested in the details, you can read more about the nutritional profile of bacon to understand how to enjoy these in moderation. Enjoy them with friends and don’t stress the rest.

Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Bites

These crowd-favorite bacon-wrapped sausage bites are a perfect party appetizer. They are coated in brown sugar and baked until crispy, making them disappear quickly at any get-together.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  

• 3/4 pound sliced bacon cut widthwise in half
• 2 packages frozen fully cooked breakfast sausage links 8 ounces each, thawed and cut in half
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar plus 2 tablespoons, divided

Instructions

 

• Cut the bacon strips widthwise in half and cut the sausage links in half. Wrap a piece of bacon around each piece of sausage and secure each with a toothpick.
• Place 1/2 cup brown sugar in a shallow bowl and roll the sausage bites in the sugar. Place on a parchment or foil-lined 15x10x1-inch baking pan. Cover and refrigerate for four hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Sprinkle the sausages with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Bake until crisp, 35 to 40 minutes, turning once. Sprinkle with the remaining brown sugar before serving.