Introduction
Candied kielbasa is the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer — smoky sausage simmered in a sweet, tangy glaze until caramelized and tender. With just a few simple ingredients, this dish transforms ordinary sausage into addictive bite-sized treats that disappear fast at any gathering.
Ingredients (Serves 6–8 as appetizer)
- 2 pounds smoked kielbasa, sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup ketchup
- ¼ cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for a little depth)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare glaze: In a mixing bowl, combine brown sugar, ketchup, honey (or maple syrup), Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Whisk until smooth.
- Assemble: Place kielbasa slices in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour glaze over the sausage and stir to coat evenly.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, stir, and bake an additional 20–25 minutes until sauce thickens and caramelizes.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving with toothpicks for easy snacking.
Tips & Variations
- For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or red pepper flakes to the glaze.
- Make it a slow cooker version: Combine everything in a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours or HIGH for 1–2 hours.
- Try swapping kielbasa with smoked sausage or little smokies for variety.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or toasted sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.
Enjoy !!
