Step 1: Preheat Oven
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Prepare the Bacon
- Cut Bacon: Slice the bacon strips in half or thirds, depending on the size of your cocktail sausages. Each piece should be long enough to wrap around the sausage with a little overlap.
Step 3: Wrap the Sausages
- Wrap Sausages: Wrap each cocktail sausage with a piece of bacon. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick or small skewer. If you’re using uncooked sausages, ensure that the bacon is tightly wrapped to help them cook evenly.
Step 4: Season (Optional)
- Add Seasoning: For a sweet and smoky flavor, sprinkle the wrapped sausages with brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. This step is optional but adds extra flavor.
Step 5: Bake the Sausages
- Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the bacon-wrapped sausages on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching to ensure even cooking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sausages are heated through. If using uncooked sausages, bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and the sausages are fully cooked.
Step 6: Serve
- Remove Toothpicks: Once the sausages are done, carefully remove the toothpicks or skewers.
- Serve Hot: Serve the bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages hot, straight from the oven. They are perfect on their own or with a side of dipping sauces like BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing.
Tips and Tricks
- Pre-Cooked Sausages: If using pre-cooked cocktail sausages, the baking time is shorter. Make sure the bacon is fully crispy before removing from the oven.
- Crispier Bacon: For extra crispy bacon, you can broil the sausages for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
- Freezing: You can prepare these sausages ahead of time and freeze them before baking. Just wrap and freeze, then bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the seasoning for a spicy version.
- Maple Bacon: Brush the bacon with maple syrup before baking for a sweet and savory flavor.
- Herb-Infused: Sprinkle the sausages with dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for added flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Party Platter: Arrange the bacon-wrapped sausages on a serving platter with an assortment of dipping sauces.
- Game Day: Serve them alongside other game day favorites like sliders, nachos, or buffalo wings.
- Holiday Appetizer: Perfect for holiday parties or special occasions, these sausages make a great addition to any festive spread.
Conclusion
Bacon-wrapped cocktail sausages are a delightful and easy-to-make appetizer that combines the irresistible flavors of bacon and sausage. With their crispy exterior and savory taste, they are sure to be a hit at your next gathering. Follow this detailed recipe to create a batch of these delicious bites and watch them disappear quickly. Enjoy your party-ready appetizer!