What You’ll Need
- Fully cooked kielbasa. Cut 2 pounds into 1-inch pieces. Smoked kielbasa pairs well with the sweet glaze.
- Brown sugar. Use 1 cup to give the glaze its sweetness and sticky finish.
- Ketchup. Use ½ cup for a tangy base that coats the sausage.
- Prepared horseradish. Stir in ¼ cup for a sharp bite that balances the brown sugar.
How to Make the Shallow Cuts
Lay a piece of kielbasa between two chopsticks. Make three crosswise cuts about ¼ inch apart, letting the chopsticks stop the knife before it reaches the bottom. The piece should stay intact so you can stir it through the glaze as it bakes.
When the Glaze Is Ready
Stir the kielbasa every 20 minutes to coat it with the glaze from the bottom of the dish. Start checking at 60 minutes. The bites are ready when the glaze clings to the sausage and the cut edges are browned. If you want crisper edges, keep baking and check frequently toward the end.
Candied Kielbasa Bites Recipe Card
Smoky kielbasa baked in a sticky brown sugar and horseradish glaze.
- Prep time — About 15 minutes
- Bake time — 60 to 90 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fully cooked kielbasa sausage
- 1 cup brown sugar
- ½ cup ketchup
- ¼ cup prepared horseradish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the kielbasa into 1-inch pieces.
- Set each piece between two chopsticks or skewers. Make three shallow crosswise cuts about ¼ inch apart, leaving the bottom of each piece intact.
- Place the kielbasa in a baking dish. Add the brown sugar, ketchup, and prepared horseradish. Stir until the sausage is evenly coated.
- Bake uncovered for 60 to 90 minutes, stirring every 20 minutes. Start checking at 60 minutes and remove the dish when the glaze is thick and sticky and the sausage edges are browned.
- Let the bites cool for a few minutes. Serve warm with toothpicks or spoon the sausage and glaze over rice or noodles.