Enjoy these maple-glazed sausage bites—tender pieces perfectly coated in a rich, sweet sauce. Skewered with pretzel sticks for easy grabbing, they’re ideal for any casual gathering or holiday party.
Baked Sausage Bites with Maple Glaze
These simple 5-ingredient sausage bites are a fun, no-fuss appetizer, served with pretzel sticks as edible skewers. The glaze, made with maple syrup, stone-ground mustard, and crushed sage, perfectly complements the chicken apple sausage, bringing out its sweet and savory notes.
What makes these sausage bites a favorite is how effortless they are to prepare. Slice the sausage, make up the glaze, and brush it on during baking. In just a few steps, you’ll have a tray of flavorful bites that always disappear fast.
Why I Love This Recipe
- Simple prep for a hot appetizer.
- Only five ingredients!
- Unique flavor combo – the savory sausage and sweet glaze is irresistible.
- Uses a pretzel stick as a built-in utensil you can eat.
- Can easily be doubled and tripled.
Ingredients and Possible Substitutions
Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients and easy swaps if you need them:
- Maple Syrup: Adds sweetness and depth. Use honey or agave for a lighter flavor.
- Stone Ground Mustard: Brings the tang and texture to the glaze. Swap with Dijon or mix yellow mustard with a splash of vinegar.
- Dried Crushed Sage Leaves: Adds the earthy, herby flavor. Thyme or rosemary works as a substitute.
- Apple Flavor Chicken Sausage: Sweet and savory. Pork or turkey sausage makes a great alternative; add a pinch of brown sugar for sweetness.
- Pretzel Stick: Edible skewers for easy serving. Toothpicks or mini skewers can replace them.
How to Make Maple Glazed Sausage Bites
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Step One: Heat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F and let it preheat. - Step Two: Slice the Sausage
Cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces.
Arrange them evenly on a rimmed baking sheet. - Step Three: Mix the Glaze
Stir together the maple syrup, mustard, and sage in a small bowl until smooth. - Step Four: Cook and Glaze
Bake the sausage pieces for 8 minutes.
Take them out of the oven and coat generously with the maple glaze.
Return to the oven and cook for another 8 minutes, or until the sausage is warmed through. - Step Five: Serve with a Twist
Insert pretzel sticks into the sausage slices for easy serving as edible skewers.
Recipe Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get the best results with these sausage bites:
- Choose quality ingredients—real maple syrup and flavorful sausages make all the difference.
- Adjust the glaze to your taste by adding more maple syrup for sweetness or mustard for tang.
- Pair the bites with a dipping sauce like aioli, honey mustard, or balsamic reduction for extra flavor.
- Prep ahead by mixing the glaze and slicing the sausage in advance to save time.
Storage and Freezing
Here are some storage and freezing tips for your maple glazed sausage bites:
- Leftovers: Store any leftover sausage bites in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
- Freezing: Freeze glazed sausage bites on a baking tray first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
- Reheating from Frozen: Pop them straight into a 375°F oven for 15–20 minutes, or until heated through. No need to thaw!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use a different sausage? Yes! Try kielbasa, Italian sausage, or chorizo, but chicken-apple adds a unique flavor.
- What pairs well with these bites? Great with other appetizers, on a charcuterie board, or as a party starter.
- Can I grill or use the stovetop? Grill over medium-high heat for 8–10 minutes or cook in a nonstick pan, adding glaze at the end.
- Can I use any maple syrup? Yes, but darker syrups (like Grade B) add a stronger maple flavor.
- How do I adjust the glaze thickness? Thicken with cornstarch or flour, or thin it by adding a bit of water.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Maple Glazed Sausage Bites
Ingredients
Sausage Bite Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp stone ground mustard
- 1/2 tsp dried crushed sage leaves
- 1 (12 oz) package cooked apple-flavor chicken sausage links or any chicken sausage links
- 16 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a small bowl, mix together the maple syrup, mustard, and sage.1/3 cup maple syrup, 1 tbsp stone ground mustard, 1/2 tsp dried crushed sage leaves
- Cut the sausage into 1-inch slices and place them on a rimmed baking tray.1 (12 oz) package cooked apple-flavor chicken sausage links
- Bake the sausage for 8 minutes, then brush generously with the maple glaze. Bake for another 8 minutes, or until the sausage is heated through.
- Serve the sausage slices using pretzel sticks as edible toothpicks.16 pretzel sticks
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Party Appetizer Bites
Cranberry Brie Bites – My cranberry Brie bites come out perfectly every time—gooey cheese, tangy cranberry, and a touch of rosemary in every buttery, golden bite. They’re a crowd-pleaser at any party.
Crab and Chive Puffs – Crab and chive puffs are an easy, elegant party appetizer bite featuring flaky puff pastry, tender crab meat, and a creamy chive-filled center.
Italian Stuffed Mushrooms – These Italian stuffed mushrooms are a flavorful and easy-to-make party appetizer bite. Packed with perfectly seasoned, cheesy filling, they make 24 bite-sized mushrooms that are always a hit.
Have you tried this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and let me know how it turned out.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Telly says
I made these for a family gathering, and they were a huge hit! The pretzel sticks were such a fun touch, and the maple glaze paired perfectly with the sausage. Everyone kept going back for more—I’ll definitely be making these again! I ended up making a triple batch because I knew everyone would love them.