How to Keep Bacon Wrapped Smokies Warm: A Step-by-Step Guide

Bacon wrapped smokies are a beloved appetizer for game day parties, holiday gatherings and more. These bite-sized sausages wrapped in bacon deliver the perfect combination of sweet salty, and savory flavors. While best served warm straight out of the oven, bacon wrapped smokies can be kept warm for several hours when you follow these simple tips.

Why Bacon Wrapped Smokies Need to Stay Warm

The key to maximizing the deliciousness of bacon wrapped smokies is to serve them warm. When fresh from the oven, the brown sugar coating is gooey and caramelized, the pineapple and jalapeño slices are soft and juicy, and the bacon is perfectly crispy.

Allowing the smokies to cool dampens the texture contrast and mutes the flavors. The brown sugar hardens the bacon softens and the sausage itself dries out.

By keeping the appetizers warm after baking, you can serve piping hot bacon wrapped smokies throughout your entire party or sports event. Guests will be wowed no matter when they grab one from the platter.

How to Bake Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Before learning how to keep them warm, you first need to know how to bake bacon wrapped smokies:

Ingredients

• Beef cocktail sausages or little smokies (about 4 per person)
• Regular sliced bacon, cut into thirds
• Brown sugar
• Optional: pineapple chunks, jalapeño slices, spices like chili powder

Instructions

1. Wrap each cocktail sausage with a small strip of bacon and secure with a toothpick

2. Coat the bacon-wrapped sausages with brown sugar or other coatings like pineapple and spices based on the variation.

3. Arrange the coated sausages on a foil-lined baking sheet.

4. Bake at 325°F for 25-40 minutes until the bacon is crispy and the sugar is caramelized.

5. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end to make the topping extra crispy.

How to Keep Bacon Wrapped Smokies Warm in the Oven

The easiest way to keep appetizers warm for a party is to simply leave them in the oven set to the lowest temperature:

• After baking the bacon wrapped smokies, turn the oven temperature down to 170°F.

• Leave the smokies right on the baking sheet in the warm oven for up to 2 hours.

The low steady heat from the oven will keep the smokies perfectly warm without risk of burning or overcooking. Just be sure to place them toward the back of the oven, away from the heating element.

Using a Chafing Dish to Keep Smokies Warm

Chafing dishes are designed specifically for keeping appetizers and other foods warm at the buffet table. Here’s how to use one for bacon wrapped smokies:

• Place the cooked smokies in the chafer insert.

• Fill the water reservoir below the insert with hot water.

• Light the fuel to heat the water and start the chafer.

• Keep hot water in the reservoir and refuel the chafer as needed.

• Use sternos to provide consistent heat without drying out the smokies.

• Leave the lid on as much as possible to retain heat.

Replenishing the hot water and fuel every 2 hours will keep the chafer hot enough to hold the bacon wrapped smokies at the perfect temperature.

Slow Cooker Method for Keeping Smokies Warm

A slow cooker set on low provides moist, consistent heat for keeping appetizers ready to serve:

• After baking, transfer the smokies to a slow cooker.

• Pour 1⁄4 cup broth, maple syrup, jelly or beer into the bottom of the slow cooker.

• Cover and cook on low for up to 4 hours.

Stir the smokies occasionally and add more liquid as needed to prevent drying out. The smokies won’t have quite as much crunch, but the flavors remain excellent.

Tips for Keeping Bacon Wrapped Smokies Warm

Follow these tips for best results when keeping bacon wrapped smokies warm:

• Don’t crowd them. Leave space between each piece for air circulation.

• Keep the topping side up to avoid losing any sugar or glaze drippings.

• Add a bit of liquid or sauce to combat drying out.

• Stir gently every 30 minutes or so.

• Transfer to a serving dish just before guests arrive to prevent cooling.

• Insert new toothpicks right before serving if the original ones loosened.

Serving Warm Bacon Wrapped Smokies

Once you’ve perfected the technique for keeping them warm, it’s time to serve your party-ready bacon wrapped smokies:

• Arrange them neatly on a platter or in a chafing dish.

• Provide toothpicks, napkins and small plates for easy eating.

• Offer ramekins of dipping sauces like barbecue, mustard and maple syrup.

• Garnish the display with sprigs of fresh herbs.

• Encourage guests to grab the bacon wrapped smokies while they’re still hot!

The warm, crave-worthy flavors will make your smokies the hit of the party when you follow this guide for keeping them at their appetizing best.