These Bacon Wrapped Kielbasa Bites with Brown Sugar Glaze will be the star of your Christmas brunch. They’re slightly sweet, slightly salty from the bacon and completely irresistible.
You guys. It’s almost Christmas. ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. Are you ready? I sure as hell am not. I’ve got a teething baby and a healing toddler. Needless to say, we’re not getting much accomplished around here! This is also the first year where I can’t shop for Kelsey’s gifts and wrap them in front of her and she has no idea what they are or even remembers seeing them come Christmas morning. I could do that with Mackenzie because she’s young enough, but Kelsey would remember. She remembers everything. She’s like a little 26 pound elephant (because they remember everything, supposedly).
So, speaking of Christmas, I’ve gone a little overboard on the cookie posts. But can you blame me? December is most definitely cookie month. If it isn’t already official, I’m declaring that it is. Right now. Official. Done.
Something I’m not done with? Cookie posts. I’ve got one more for you next week, so get ready. Because it’s awesome. 7 layers of awesome. And they’re magic.
But let’s get back on track because this is not another cookie post. Today I’m sharing a recipe for these totally ridiculous bacon wrapped kielbasa bites with a brown sugar glaze. YES. The sausage is wrapped in bacon. And it’s EPIC. Also epic? The brown sugar glaze with mustard and vinegar and pepper. So, so good. Not too sweet, just enough savory and BACON. Ps, by ridiculous, I really meant awesome in case you couldn’t tell.
We have these bacon wrapped kielbasa bites every year for Christmas brunch. They’re great because you can assemble the meat the day before (covered and refrigerated) and then just toss together the glaze and cook them in the morning. If you’re really short on time Christmas morning, you could always completely cook them, as directed in the recipe, the day before and reheat them in the oven the next morning. Just save the extra glaze so you can re-glaze them a bit before throwing them in the oven.
Not only are these great for brunch, they also make a fantastic appetizer. LOVE them, wish I made them more throughout the year. I’m not really sure why I don’t make them more. But I should. They’ve really got the perfect blend of sweet from the brown sugar and savory from the pepper and bacon. I absolutely love, love, love these and so does everyone else who eats them. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
- 1 lb. kielbasa (make sure it's gluten-free)
- 10 slices bacon
- 1 1/2 C brown sugar, packed
- 3 Tbsp stone-ground mustard
- 3 Tbsp white wine vinegar
- 1 Tbsp black pepper*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and top with a baking/cooling rack. Lightly spray the rack with non-stick spray.
- Cut kielbasa done the middle, lengthwise. Slice each half into 1 inch pieces, you should have about 30 pieces of kielbasa. Cut each piece of bacon into thirds. Wrap one bacon strip around each piece of kielbasa and secure with a toothpick. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, combine brown sugar, vinegar, mustard and pepper. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until the sugar is dissolved. Keep warm on low.
- Brush the kielbasa with glaze and place on the baking sheet/rack. Bake for 40 minutes and baste every 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
by Sharon
Recipe Notes
You could cut back on the pepper if desired. I use the black pepper flakes, not freshly ground. It's not as strong and it looks nice in the glaze. br]
Recipe is adapted from [Cuisine Holiday Menus, Volume 3
Other Brunch Recipes You May Enjoy:
Eggnog Muffins with Eggnog Glaze
Shirley @ gfe & All Gluten-Free Desserts says
Wow! Those look amazing, Sharon! I’d love to enjoy those on Christmas morning! Try not to stress too much on Christmas. Some years are challenging like that. Everything doesn’t have to be perfectly executed. The most important thing is that you are all together and everyone is healthy. And with all that you do on a daily basis, I’m sure that your Christmas will have plenty of delicious food and more. 🙂
Hugs,
Shirley
Sharon says
Thanks so much Shirley, I definitely needed that little reminder 🙂
Diane says
Hi! I would like to know , i dont find kielbasa sausage, can imreplace with another kind of sausage. Thank you!
Sharon says
It would work with other smoked and already cooked sausages *I think*, as long as they are mild flavored but I haven’t personally tried this with anything other than kielbasa.
heather @french press says
oh I think I have to add these to my brunch menu – SO amazing
Sharon says
Thanks Heather, enjoy!
Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says
OMG….I would have NO self control around these. Bacon, kielbasa and brown sugar? That’s my diet buster waiting to happen. Delicious.
Sharon says
You could always use turkey kielbasa… but it’s definitely worth the splurge 🙂
Jenny @ Honey and Birch says
I love this idea! I was trying to figure out what new recipe to serve as a Christmas app and I was going back and forth between 5 or so recipes. I am totally going to make this and scratch those others – this looks easier and more delicious!!
Sharon says
Thanks Jenny, these are so delicious, perfect little bites for apps!
Divadog says
These bites look great, I will try. But I would like to give you M Y Garlic Bread recipe, and I mean MY I create this about Garlic starts to turn Tan, Take 6-7 years ago. ! C up Olive oil,. 1 Full head o Garlic Minced, 1 teas Dried Thyme. Sateee just till Garlic starts to turn TAN, remove from heat and set aside, this is Garlic Oil
Amy | Canary Street Crafts says
Oh my gosh,,,these look AMAZING! I’m almost afraid to make these for fear I will eat at least half of them before the party starts!
Sharon says
No shame in that, especially if it’s for quality control purposes 😉
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files says
I love the idea of serving these for Christmas brunch! I just may have to add these to our menu. I know my husband would gobble them up!
Sharon says
Thanks Meg!
Nutmeg Nanny says
These look so good! Love that brown sugar glaze on top….yum!
Sharon says
Thank you 🙂 🙂
Jesse says
I’m vegetarian, but if I eat pork again I am going to definitely make this.
Maya @ Treats and Eats says
Oooh, this looks delicious! You can’t go wrong with pork wrapped in pork! I’m definitely adding this to my list of appetizers to try.
Sharon says
Yes, pork wrapped in pork is AMAZING and almost seems wrong but is completely and totally right!
Miz Helen says
We will just love your kielbasa Bites. Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a very special Christmas week!
Miz Helen
Heidi Fowler says
Wow! These look amazing, Sharon. Would you believe I’ve never tasted kielbasa?
Sharon says
What?! Never had kielbasa?!! You need to change that and try this recipe Heidi! You will be wondering “where has kielbasa been all my life?!” It’s so good!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
These look so great! Thanks for linking up last week with SNF! Pinned to our party board!
Sharon says
Thanks Jaren!
vegetarianmamma says
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays Party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you share next time!
-Cindy
marcie says
These look SO incredibly good! What a delicious appetizer!
Heather | girlichef says
Oh my garsh, these sound amazing. I love that you can actually see the black pepper flecks (flavor!). I know I probably wouldn’t be able to stop eating them…but I’m going to make them for Superbowl this year anyway, because – YUM!
Chicago Jogger says
Yum! These look like the perfect party appetizer 🙂 Hope your family enjoyed over the holidays!
Ariane says
Which gluten free kielbasa did you use? Can’t wait to try this!
Karly says
I can’t get to the store quick enough for these ingredients! I gotta have these! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
Magie says
Sharon, I can’t stop myself from asking. Do you have, by chance, polish roots? I’m wondering because of KIELBASA 🙂
Sharon says
Nope, I don’t have polish roots but my husband does. I’ve always had kielbasa growing up though 🙂
Christine from Cook the Story says
This recipe needs to be on my holiday appetizer list, pronto.
Sharon says
They’re great for brunch too 🙂
Stephanie R says
Yummy! Two things my kids actually adore…. bacon and kielbasa, Im going to have to make some of this soon!
Kathy Mendeluk says
Do you cook bacon 1st or wrap uncooked bacon around kielbasa? Thanks!
Sharon says
I don’t cook it first, I use a thin/regular sliced bacon. If you use a thicker cut of bacon, you might want to cook it a little first before wrapping on the chicken to ensure it gets cooked all the way.
Trish A says
What are your reheating recommendations if I do decide to completely cook them the night before, such as temp and time?
These sound dynamite. Can’t wait to make!
Sharon says
I re-heat these in the oven at 400 degrees for about 10 minutes (or until hot all the way through). They’re so good 🙂
Sara @ finditfixitorbuildit.com says
These look so good! Pinned them to save for later. Thanks for linking up at the Home Matters Link Party! We hope to see you again next week:) #HomeMattersParty
Debra says
Those sound delish! Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday 🙂