Description
Maple BBQ Hasselback Kielbasa Bites bring sweet, smoky flavor to your table. Easy to make, these savory skewers are a crowd-pleaser for any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Kielbasa & Prep:
- 2 lbs smoked kielbasa, fully cooked
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Sweet & Smoky Sauce:
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- For Serving:
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Toothpicks or small skewers
Instructions
- Prep Your Kielbasa:: First things first, let’s get those kielbasa ready for their Hasselback moment. Grab a cutting board and two wooden spoons or chopsticks. Lay a kielbasa between them; this trick keeps you from slicing all the way through! Make thin, even cuts about 1/8 to 1/4 inch apart, going about two-thirds of the way down. I always take a deep breath here, because this is where I tend to get a bit wobbly, leading to those aforementioned kitchen mishaps. Just go slow, you’ve got this!
- Drizzle and Arrange the Maple BBQ Hasselback Kielbasa Bites:: Once your kielbasa are beautifully sliced, drizzle them with a little olive oil. Gently rub it all over, making sure it gets into those cuts. This helps them crisp up later, trust me. Now, arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Give them some space, because nobody likes crowded kielbasa! I’ve learned that overcrowding means they steam instead of roast, and we want glorious caramelization here, not soggy sausages.
- Whip Up the Maple BBQ Sauce:: In a small bowl, whisk together your maple syrup, BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika. Give it a good stir until it’s all happy and combined. Take a little taste – is it sweet enough? Smoky enough? This is your chance to tweak it! I once added a tiny pinch of cayenne here, and wow, it gave these Maple BBQ Hasselback Kielbasa Bites a really unexpected kick. Don’t be afraid to make it your own!
- First Bake & Sauce Application:: Pop your baking sheet with the kielbasa into a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes. This gives them a head start on getting crispy. After 15 minutes, pull them out, and brush about half of your glorious maple BBQ sauce all over the kielbasa, making sure to get it into all those little crevices. The smell at this point? Oh, it’s just heavenly. That sweet and savory aroma starts to really fill the kitchen, and my stomach usually starts rumbling.
- Second Bake & More Sauce for Maple BBQ Hasselback Kielbasa Bites:: Return the kielbasa to the oven for another 10-15 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want that sauce to caramelize and get sticky, but not burn. Halfway through this second bake, pull them out again and brush with the remaining maple BBQ sauce. This double application of sauce is key for maximum flavor and that gorgeous glaze. I’ve forgotten this step once or twice, and the bites just weren’t as deeply flavored, so don’t skip it!
- Garnish and Serve:: Once your Maple BBQ Hasselback Kielbasa Bites are beautifully caramelized and sticky, remove them from the oven. Let them cool for just a few minutes – they’ll be piping hot! Transfer them to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color, and insert toothpicks into each bite. They should look golden, glistening, and utterly irresistible. Honestly, this is where the magic happens; they look so impressive, but we know how easy they were!