These Pineapple Brown Sugar Smokies Skewers are sweet, savory, sticky, and perfect for sharing. Juicy pineapple chunks and smoky cocktail sausages are threaded onto skewers, then coated in a brown sugar soy glaze with Dijon mustard, garlic, and ginger. They caramelize beautifully on the grill or in the oven, making them a fun appetizer for holidays, potlucks, game day, BBQs, or family gatherings.

Ingredients:

1 pound cocktail sausages, also called smokies
1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into bite-sized chunks
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Wooden or metal skewers

Instructions:

Preheat the grill or oven:
Preheat your grill or oven to medium heat, about 350°F or 175°C.
Make the glaze:
In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Mix well until the brown sugar starts to dissolve and the glaze becomes smooth.
Prepare the skewers:
Thread the cocktail sausages and pineapple chunks alternately onto the skewers, filling each skewer with a nice mix of both.
Marinate:
Place the skewers in a shallow dish and pour the brown sugar pineapple glaze over them. Turn to coat well. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
Soak wooden skewers:
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10–15 minutes before cooking to help prevent burning.
Grill or bake:
Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the smokies are heated through and slightly caramelized. If using the oven, place the skewers on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Serve warm:
Remove from the grill or oven and serve warm. Drizzle with a little extra glaze if desired.

Variation:

Make them extra sticky:
Simmer the leftover glaze in a small saucepan for a few minutes until slightly thickened, then brush it over the skewers after cooking. This gives them a glossy, party-style finish.
Add a little heat:
Stir in a pinch of red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or a spoonful of chili sauce to the glaze. The gentle heat balances the brown sugar and pineapple beautifully.
Use canned pineapple:
Fresh pineapple gives the best texture, but canned pineapple chunks work well too. Just drain them very well so the glaze does not become too watery.
Make them more colorful:
Add red bell pepper, green bell pepper, or red onion pieces between the smokies and pineapple. This makes the skewers look brighter and adds a little extra crunch.

Cooking Notes:

Do not cook over very high heat, because the brown sugar glaze can burn quickly. Medium heat helps the skewers caramelize without becoming too dark.
Turn the skewers occasionally while cooking so the smokies and pineapple brown evenly on all sides.
If baking, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, because the glaze can become sticky.
For food safety, if you use marinade that touched the sausages, bring it to a simmer before drizzling it over the cooked skewers.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve as a party appetizer:
Arrange the skewers on a platter and sprinkle with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh, pretty finish.
Serve for game day:
These sweet and savory smokies are easy to grab and perfect for snack tables, football parties, and casual family gatherings.
Serve with a dipping sauce:
Pair them with extra warmed glaze, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or a creamy ranch dip for more flavor.
Serve with a potluck spread:
Add them alongside cheese cubes, crackers, pasta salad, fruit trays, deviled eggs, and chips for a fun party table.

Tips:

Cut pineapple evenly:
Try to cut the pineapple chunks about the same size as the smokies. This helps everything cook evenly and makes the skewers look neat.
Soak wooden skewers:
If using wooden skewers, soak them before cooking so they do not burn too quickly on the grill or in the oven.
Marinate for more flavor:
Even 15 minutes adds good flavor, but 45–60 minutes makes the smokies taste richer and more glazed.
Brush while cooking:
For extra flavor, brush the skewers with more glaze during the last few minutes of cooking. This helps create a sticky caramelized coating.
Serve warm:
These skewers taste best when warm because the glaze stays glossy and the smokies are juicy.

Prep Time:

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–20 minutes
Total Time: 27–35 minutes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):

Calories: 320
Protein: 10 g
Sodium: 820 mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Pineapple Brown Sugar Smokies Skewers ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble the skewers and keep them covered in the refrigerator for a few hours before cooking. For best texture, cook them shortly before serving.
Can I use canned pineapple instead of fresh pineapple?
Yes. Canned pineapple chunks work well, but drain them very well first so the glaze stays thick and flavorful.
Can I bake these instead of grilling them?
Absolutely. Place the skewers on a lined baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through.
How do I keep the glaze from burning?
Cook over medium heat and turn the skewers often. Brown sugar caramelizes quickly, so avoid very high heat.

Conclusion:

These Pineapple Brown Sugar Smokies Skewers are a sweet, savory, and easy appetizer that brings big flavor with very little effort. The smoky sausages, juicy pineapple, and sticky brown sugar glaze make them perfect for holidays, BBQs, potlucks, game day, or family gatherings. Serve them warm and watch them disappear fast.

Pineapple Brown Sugar Smokies Skewers

Author: Avery
Total Time: 27–35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound cocktail sausages, also called smokies
1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into bite-sized chunks
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground ginger
Wooden or metal skewers

Instructions

Preheat the grill or oven:
Preheat your grill or oven to medium heat, about 350°F or 175°C.
Make the glaze:
In a medium bowl, combine brown sugar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Mix well until the brown sugar starts to dissolve and the glaze becomes smooth.
Prepare the skewers:
Thread the cocktail sausages and pineapple chunks alternately onto the skewers, filling each skewer with a nice mix of both.
Marinate:
Place the skewers in a shallow dish and pour the brown sugar pineapple glaze over them. Turn to coat well. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for deeper flavor.
Soak wooden skewers:
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 10–15 minutes before cooking to help prevent burning.
Grill or bake:
Grill the skewers for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until the smokies are heated through and slightly caramelized. If using the oven, place the skewers on a baking sheet and bake for 15–20 minutes, turning halfway through.
Serve warm:
Remove from the grill or oven and serve warm. Drizzle with a little extra glaze if desired.

Notes

Do not cook over very high heat, because the brown sugar glaze can burn quickly. Medium heat helps the skewers caramelize without becoming too dark.
Turn the skewers occasionally while cooking so the smokies and pineapple brown evenly on all sides.
If baking, line the baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, because the glaze can become sticky.
For food safety, if you use marinade that touched the sausages, bring it to a simmer before drizzling it over the cooked skewers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12–20 minutes
Category: Appetizer, Party Food, Snack
Method: Grilled or Baked
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320
Sugar: 22 g
Sodium: 820 mg
Fat: 20 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 26 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 10 g
Cholesterol: 45 mg

Keywords: pineapple brown sugar smokies skewers, pineapple smokies, cocktail sausage skewers, brown sugar smokies, party appetizers, game day snacks, sweet and savory appetizers