These Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies are an absolutely scrumptious appetizer or snack! They take minutes to make with only 4 ingredients!
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies: The Ultimate Easy Appetizer Recipe
Looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s quick to prepare and bursting with flavor? Look no further than these incredible Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies! This recipe transforms simple cocktail sausages and crispy bacon into an irresistible snack that will disappear from your platter in minutes. Perfect for game days, parties, or even a delightful family treat, these savory bites are surprisingly easy to make with just four essential ingredients and your trusty air fryer. Forget turning on your oven; the air fryer delivers perfectly crisp bacon and tender sausages every time, making them a go-to for effortless entertaining.
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies
These bacon-wrapped delights are more than just a simple appetizer; they’re a guaranteed hit for several compelling reasons:
- Effortlessly Delicious: With minimal ingredients and straightforward steps, even novice cooks can master this recipe. The combination of smoky bacon, savory sausages, and tangy BBQ sauce creates a flavor profile that everyone adores.
- Speedy Preparation: The air fryer significantly cuts down on cooking time compared to traditional oven baking. You can have a batch of these hot and ready in under 15 minutes, making them ideal for last-minute gatherings or unexpected guests.
- Crispy Perfection: The air fryer excels at achieving that desired crispy texture for the bacon while keeping the Lit’l Smokies juicy inside. The circulating hot air ensures even cooking and a delightful crunch with every bite.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Whether you’re hosting a Super Bowl party, a casual get-together, a holiday celebration, or simply craving a savory snack, these bacon-wrapped sausages fit right in.
- Minimal Cleanup: Cooking in the air fryer generally means less mess than pan-frying or oven baking, especially when using a non-stick spray, making cleanup a breeze.
Once you try these Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies, you’ll understand why they become a staple in so many households. They are an unbeatable combination of convenience and deliciousness!
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies
What size air fryer do you use for this recipe?
For optimal results with this recipe, a 5-quart basket-style air fryer was used. This is a common and versatile size for most households. If your air fryer is a different size or style (like an oven-style air fryer), you might need to adjust cooking times slightly based on your appliance’s performance. Always refer to your air fryer’s manual and your personal experience with it to ensure perfect cooking. The key is to ensure proper air circulation, so avoid overcrowding the basket, even if it means cooking in batches.
What kind of bacon is best for these bacon wrapped sausages?
For the best balance of crispiness and cook time, a regular-cut smoked bacon is recommended. Thicker-cut bacon may take significantly longer to cook through and crisp up to your liking, potentially overcooking the sausages. If you only have thick-cut bacon, you might need to pre-cook it slightly or adjust the air frying time accordingly.
What’s your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce for this dish?
When it comes to barbecue sauce, Sweet Baby Ray’s original sauce is a fantastic choice. Its widely available, has a perfectly balanced sweet and tangy flavor, and coats the smokies beautifully, adding a delicious glaze during the air frying process. However, feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce or experiment with different flavors to customize the taste.
How can I make these bacon wrapped smokies spicier?
If you’re a fan of a little heat, it’s easy to kick up the spice level! Try stirring about 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes into your BBQ sauce mixture. For a more pronounced fiery kick, you could also add a tablespoon of your favorite hot sauce, like Sriracha or Tabasco, to the glaze. Adjust the amount to suit your personal preference for spice.
How do I store leftovers and reheat them?
While it’s unlikely you’ll have many leftovers of these highly addictive appetizers, if you do, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, you can use a microwave for a quick warm-up, though the bacon might lose some crispness. For best results and to regain that delightful crisp texture, place them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 350°F (175°C) until thoroughly heated and bacon is re-crisped.
Simple Ingredients for Irresistible Flavor
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its simplicity, requiring only four core ingredients that you likely already have on hand or can easily find at any grocery store. These key components come together to create a symphony of sweet, savory, and smoky flavors.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- Lit’l Smokies Cocktail Sausages: These small, flavorful sausages are the heart of the appetizer. Their bite-sized nature makes them perfect for wrapping.
- Bacon: Regular-cut bacon is preferred for its ability to crisp up perfectly in the air fryer without taking too long.
- BBQ Sauce: Your favorite barbecue sauce will do the trick, adding a sweet and tangy glaze. Sweet Baby Ray’s Original is a popular choice for its classic flavor.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder mixed into the BBQ sauce elevates the savory notes and adds depth to the glaze.
That’s it! Just these four ingredients are all you need to create an appetizer that everyone will rave about.
How to Make Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating these delightful air fryer bacon-wrapped smokies is incredibly simple. Follow these easy steps for a perfect appetizer every time:
Preparation is Key
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Prepare the Sausages: Start by opening the package of Lit’l Smokies cocktail sausages. It’s important to pat each sausage thoroughly dry with a paper towel. This crucial step helps the bacon adhere better to the sausage, preventing it from slipping off during cooking and ensuring a tighter, more cohesive wrap.
- Cut the Bacon: Take each strip of bacon and cut it into thirds. This size is ideal for wrapping around the small cocktail sausages, ensuring enough bacon to cover without being overly bulky, and providing the perfect bacon-to-sausage ratio.
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Wrap the Sausages: Carefully wrap each individual Lit’l Smokie with one of the cut bacon pieces. Make sure the bacon is wrapped snugly.
Air Frying for Perfection
- Prepare the Air Fryer Basket: Lightly spray the inside of your air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray. This will help prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Arrange in the Air Fryer: Place the wrapped Lit’l Smokies into the air fryer basket. Position them with the folded part of the bacon facing down. This clever trick helps to “seal” the bacon wrap, preventing it from unraveling as it cooks and crisps up.
- Ensure Air Circulation: Crucially, arrange the sausages so that there is about an inch of space between each one. This spacing is vital for proper air circulation, which is what makes air frying so effective. Good airflow ensures that the bacon gets evenly crispy on all sides. You may need to cook these in multiple batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.
The Flavorful Glaze
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Mix the BBQ Glaze: In a small bowl, combine your favorite barbecue sauce with garlic powder. Stir them together until well blended. This simple glaze adds a fantastic layer of flavor and a beautiful sheen to the finished appetizers.
- Apply the Glaze: Using a pastry brush, generously coat each bacon-wrapped Lit’l Smokie with the BBQ sauce mixture. Ensure an even layer for maximum flavor and an attractive finish.
- Air Fry: Air fry the glazed smokies at 375°F (190°C) for 10-12 minutes. You do not need to preheat your air fryer for this recipe. Monitor the cooking closely towards the end. The exact cooking time can vary based on your air fryer model and how crispy you prefer your bacon. Thicker bacon cuts may require an additional minute or two. The goal is golden-brown, crispy bacon and hot, juicy sausages.
Serving Your Irresistible Bites
- Final Touch and Serve: Once cooked to perfection, you can brush on a little more of the BBQ sauce mixture for an extra glaze and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color (this step is optional but adds a nice touch). Serve these delightful Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies warm, providing toothpicks for easy serving. Watch them disappear quickly!
Pro Tips for Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Smokies Success
Achieving perfectly cooked, crispy, and flavorful bacon-wrapped smokies every time is easy with a few expert tips:
- Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is perhaps the most critical rule for air frying. Overfilling the basket restricts air circulation, leading to uneven cooking and less crispy results. Cook in batches if necessary, ensuring each smokie has space around it.
- Secure with Toothpicks (Optional): While placing the bacon seam-down usually works well, sometimes bacon can shrink slightly during cooking, causing it to unwrap. If you want extra security, you can pierce a toothpick through the bacon and sausage before air frying. Just remember to remove them before serving!
- Adjust for Bacon Thickness: As mentioned, regular-cut bacon is ideal. If using thin-cut bacon, monitor closely as it will cook faster. For thick-cut bacon, you might need to increase the cooking time slightly or consider partially cooking the bacon before wrapping to ensure it crisps up without overcooking the sausage.
- Experiment with Glaze: While BBQ sauce is classic, don’t hesitate to try other glazes! A mix of brown sugar and a touch of cayenne pepper, or a simple maple syrup glaze, can create delicious sweet and savory variations.
- Shake the Basket: For even browning, especially if you’re cooking a larger batch, gently shake the air fryer basket halfway through the cooking time. This helps redistribute the heat and ensures all sides of the bacon get crispy.
- Pat Dry Thoroughly: Reiterate the importance of patting the Lit’l Smokies dry. Excess moisture can steam the bacon rather than crisp it.
Flavor Variations and Serving Ideas
While the classic Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies are delicious on their own, don’t be afraid to get creative with flavors and serving presentations:
- Spicy Kick: Beyond red pepper flakes or hot sauce in the glaze, you could sprinkle a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika directly on the bacon before air frying.
- Sweet & Savory: For a sweeter profile, mix a tablespoon of brown sugar into the BBQ sauce, or brush with maple syrup during the last few minutes of cooking. A pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg can also add an unexpected warmth.
- Herby Freshness: While parsley is a great garnish, you could experiment with other fresh herbs like chopped chives or cilantro for a different aromatic finish.
- Different Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces alongside the smokies. Honey mustard, ranch, or even a spicy sriracha mayo can complement the flavors beautifully.
- Cheese Surprise: For an indulgent twist, wrap a tiny sliver of cream cheese or cheddar cheese along with the bacon before wrapping the smokie.
- Presentation Matters: Arrange the finished smokies artfully on a platter, perhaps with a small bowl of extra BBQ sauce in the center for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs or even thinly sliced jalapeños for visual appeal.
These simple variations can transform your Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies into a unique culinary experience, tailored to your taste preferences.
Craving More Air Fryer Recipes?
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and delicious results of air frying, there’s a world of recipes waiting for you. The air fryer is a versatile appliance capable of transforming countless dishes into quick, crispy, and delightful meals or snacks. Explore some of these other fantastic air fryer recipes to expand your culinary repertoire:
- Air Fryer Sausage Balls
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
- Air Fryer Sausage & Cream Cheese Crescents
- Air Fryer Potatoes and Sausage
- Air Fryer Twisted Bacon
- Air Fryer Glazed Kielbasa
- Air Fryer Halloumi
- Glazed Pigs in a Blanket
- Crock Pot Mississippi Lit’l Smokies
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies Recipe Card
Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies
These Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Lit’l Smokies are an absolutely scrumptious appetizer or snack! They take minutes to make with only 4 ingredients!
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Ingredients
- 14 ounce package Lit’l Smokies sausages
- ½ pound bacon
- 1 cup bbq sauce (like Sweet Baby Ray’s)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Open the Lit’l Smokies package and pat each sausage dry with a paper towel. This will help the bacon stick to it better when they are wrapped.
Cut each piece of bacon into thirds.
Wrap each of the sausages with one of the cut bacon pieces.
Spray the air fryer basket with olive oil nonstick cooking spray.
Place wrapped Lit’l Smokies into the air fryer basket with the folded part of the bacon facing down. This will help keep the bacon from unwrapping while cooking.
Keep the sausages separated by about an inch. This will allow the air to circulate properly around each one.
In a small bowl, mix together bbq sauce with garlic powder.
Then, using a pastry brush, coat each wrapped Lit’l Smokie with the bbq sauce.
Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 375F degrees (you do not need to preheat the air fryer first.) Note: You can cook these until the bacon has reached your desired level of crispiness. The thicker the bacon, the longer it may take.
When finished, brush on a little more of the bbq sauce mixture and sprinkle with chopped parsley for color (optional). Serve warm with toothpicks for serving.
Video
Notes
- I used a 5-quart basket air fryer. You may have to cook these in batches if you have a smaller air fryer.
- You can secure these with toothpicks before cooking. Sometimes the bacon can shrink up a little while air frying. This will hold it securely in place.
- Please note: when I went to film the video, I ended up with short pieces of bacon so I ended up just cutting them in half.
Nutrition
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Carbohydrates: 16g
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Protein: 10g
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Fat: 25g
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Sodium: 1063mg
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Fiber: 0.3g
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Sugar: 13g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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