Description
These Pineapple Hasselback Kielbasa Bites combine sweet pineapple and tangy barbecue sauce with savory kielbasa sausage, baked to caramelized perfection. Perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or game-day snack, these bite-sized treats offer a delicious balance of flavors and an impressive presentation with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Sausage
- 1 (14-ounce) kielbasa sausage
Filling
- 1/2 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
Glaze
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For Serving
- Toothpicks
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Slice the Kielbasa: Slice the kielbasa into 1/2-inch thick rounds, taking care not to cut all the way through; leave the bottom intact so the slices fan out, creating hasselback-style pockets.
- Prepare Pineapple: Cut the pineapple chunks into small pieces that fit neatly into each slit of the sausage slices.
- Stuff the Kielbasa: Gently tuck a pineapple piece into each slit, filling the spaces in the sausage slices.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and black pepper until smooth.
- Brush and Bake: Generously brush the glaze over the stuffed kielbasa bites. Place them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, basting with extra glaze halfway through baking, until caramelized and heated through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven, insert toothpicks into each bite for easy serving, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- These bites are perfect as a party appetizer or game-day snack.
- For a spicy kick, add a dash of hot sauce or cayenne pepper to the glaze mixture.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispness.
- Use fresh pineapple for a brighter flavor or canned pineapple for convenience.
- Ensure you don’t slice all the way through the kielbasa to keep the bites intact during baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 bites
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 11g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
