Maple Dijon Bacon Wrapped Smoked Sausage

Maple Dijon Bacon Wrapped Smoked Sausage - these flavor-packed bites make the most delicious appetizer.  Sweet and savory, these sausages are perfect for everything from holiday buffets to game-day spreads.

These bacon-wrapped sausages will be the hit of any holiday gathering or party.  The sweet and savory glaze makes these bite-sized nuggets irresistible.

This recipe is super easy.  It only takes a few minutes to wrap pieces of sausage in bacon and coat them with a sweet glaze.  Bake until bacon is brown and crisp.  This recipe makes a large batch, so this appetizer is perfect for parties or game-day spreads.

For another easy bacon-wrapped appetizer, try Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Shrimp.

How to make

• Sausage - I made this recipe with beef Hot Link smoked sausage (Johnsonville brand).  These sausages are a little bit spicy which is delicious with the sweet glaze.  But cocktail franks can certainly be used too, like Lit'l Smokies or Lit'l Weiners (Hillshire Farm brand).  The hot links are larger sausages (2 ounces each), so cut them into thirds before wrapping them with bacon.
• Bacon - I love using maple-flavored bacon, but any bacon will work.  I recommend regular-cut (not thick cut) bacon because it wraps around the sausage more easily.  If using hot links, cut the bacon slices in half.  If using the smaller cocktail franks, cut the bacon slices into thirds (and you will have some bacon leftover).
• Glaze - This three-ingredient glaze has maple syrup, dijon mustard, and brown sugar.  I love the sweet-savory flavor with the bacon and sausage.
• Baking - I like to bake these at a lower temperature so the glaze doesn't burn.  After the first 30-40 minutes, drain off the excess fat.  This will help the bacon crisp up as they finish baking.

How to serve

• Baking dish - I use a 9x13 glass baking dish.  It's the perfect size for this recipe.
• Keep the sausages warm - For holiday open houses, buffets, or game day spreads, chafing dishes are a great way to keep these bacon-wrapped bites warm.
• Serve on a platter with some toothpicks - Alternatively, simply serve these sausages on a platter with some toothpicks.  Garnish with fresh rosemary for a festive touch.  They will disappear quickly.
• Breakfast or brunch - Add these sausages to your holiday breakfast or brunch menu for a savory twist.

Can you make these sausages ahead of time?

This is the perfect prep-ahead dish.  Wrap the sausages with bacon and refrigerate until ready to bake.  They will keep 3-4 days in the refrigerator.  Top with the glaze right before baking.

Can you freeze these sausages?

The unbaked sausages are perfect for freezing.  Wrap the sausage with bacon and flash freeze on a sheet pan (30-40 minutes).  Then, toss the sausages in a freezer-safe zipper top bag and store for up to 3 months.  When ready to bake, thaw, top with the glaze, and bake according to the recipe.  If baking frozen, add approx 15 minutes to the total baking time.

Savory, bite-sized appetizers are always a hit and these bacon-wrapped sausages are no exception.  They can be prepped ahead of time which is a huge plus during this busy holiday time. 

More delicious appetizer recipes

• Rosemary Orange and Garlic Marinated Olives
• Southern Style Deviled Eggs
• Barbecue Chicken Nachos
• Hot Corn Dip
• Cocktail Franks with Apples and Onions