BBQ Sausage Bites
These BBQ sausage bites wrap smoky sausage rounds in bacon, then glaze them with a sweet-savory barbecue sauce that caramelizes to sticky perfection in the oven. Ready in just 35 minutes, they're an irresistible party appetizer that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort—perfect for game day gatherings or any occasion when you need an easy crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 2 packages 14 oz each smoked sausage or kielbasa
- 1 pound bacon not thick-cut
- 1 cup BBQ sauce plus extra for dipping
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional, for heat lovers
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley for garnish
- Toothpicks for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy cleanup. If you're using foil, give it a quick spray with cooking spray.
- Cut the sausages into bite-sized rounds, about 1-inch thick. If using kielbasa or larger sausages, you might want to cut them into half-moons instead.
- Slice the bacon into thirds widthwise. Each bacon strip should yield three shorter pieces, just the right size to wrap around our sausage bites.
- Wrap each sausage piece with a bacon strip, securing with a toothpick. Don't worry if they don't look perfect—they'll shrink and tighten as they cook.
- Arrange the wrapped sausages on your baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. They'll release some fat as they cook, so don't crowd them.
- In a small bowl, mix together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Brush each sausage bite generously with the BBQ sauce mixture. Don't have a pastry brush? No problem—just drizzle or spoon it over.
- Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and turn each piece over.
- Brush with more BBQ sauce and return to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, until the bacon is crispy and the sauce has caramelized.
- Transfer to a serving plate, remove toothpicks (or keep them in for easier grabbing), sprinkle with parsley, and serve with extra BBQ sauce for dipping.
Notes
- These can be made a few hours ahead and kept warm in a slow cooker set to low. Just add a splash of BBQ sauce to keep them from drying out.
- For a party-perfect presentation, serve them on a platter with decorative toothpicks.
- The type of BBQ sauce you choose dramatically affects the final flavor. Sweet and smoky works best, but use your favorite!
- If your BBQ sauce is particularly thick, thin it slightly with a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or bourbon for extra flavor.