These little smokies are cocktail sausages simmered in the crockpot in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce.  A super easy slow cooker appetizer that takes just minutes to put together and always gets rave reviews.

I love to offer a variety of snacks when I’m entertaining, including baked brie, potstickers and these super flavorful little smokies. Whenever I serve these smokies at a party, everyone always asks me for the recipe!

A bowl of crockpot little smokies with a fork in it.

Little smokies are a classic snack that are easy to make and adored by kids and adults alike. These crockpot smokies are bathed in barbecue sauce and slow cooked until they’re piping hot and ready to devour.

Recipe Ingredients

Ingredients including sausages, barbecue sauce, ketchup and seasonings.

The ingredients for this recipe include little smokies, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and garlic powder.

How do you make crockpot little smokies?

First make a sauce by whisking together the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and garlic powder. Place two packages of cocktail sausages in a crockpot, and pour the sauce over the top. Cook the sausages on low heat for 2-3 hours, then serve and enjoy!

Step by step shots showing how to make cocktail sausages in a slow cooker.

Tips for the perfect appetizer

  • You can use your favorite store bought barbecue sauce for this recipe, or make your own. Either way works great!
  • I recommend cooking the sausages for at least 2 hours so that they’re warmed all the way through, but you can cook them for longer if needed. You can also cook on low for 2 hours, then keep the crockpot on the warm setting so that the little smokies stay hot throughout the whole party.
  • The sauce for this recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance.
  • I typically make this recipe with light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar will also work if you prefer a more pronounced molasses flavor.
  • You can serve this recipe with toothpicks so everyone can help themselves, or use cocktail forks for a more elegant presentation.
  • Feel free to add some garnishes such as cooked crumbled bacon or chopped parsley.
Sausages in a slow cooker with sauce on top.

Recipe FAQs

Are little smokies already cooked?

Little smokies come pre-cooked, all you have to do is warm them up! While I like cooking these sausages in the slow cooker, they can also be heated through in the oven or microwave.

How long do little smokies last in the fridge?

This recipe will stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze the smokies in the sauce in an airtight container. Thaw the container overnight, then reheat the sausages on the stove or in a crockpot.

How do you know when little smokies are done?

Little smokies are ready to eat when they are warmed all the way through, and plump. The sausages will plump up as they start to absorb the sauce.

Crockpot little smokies coated in sauce.

Flavor Variations

There are so many different ways to customize the flavors of this dish to suit your tastes.

  • Sweetener: Instead of brown sugar, try maple syrup, honey or even freshly squeezed orange juice.
  • Spice: For smokies with a little kick, try adding buffalo wing sauce, hot sauce, sriracha or crushed red pepper flakes.
  • Protein: Try using half frozen meatballs, half little smokies for a unique snack option.
  • Sweet and Sour: Instead of the barbecue sauce mixture listed in the recipe, whisk together 12 ounces of chili sauce with 1 1/2 cups of melted grape jelly. Pour the grape jelly mixture over the smokies and cook as directed in the recipe.

Every time I serve this appetizer, there are never any leftovers! I love how easy it is to put together, and it’s always a welcome snack at any occasion.

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Crockpot Little Smokies Video

5 from 79 votes

Crockpot Little Smokies

AuthorSara Welch
A bowl of crockpot little smokies with a fork in it.
These little smokies are cocktail sausages simmered in the crockpot in a sweet and savory barbecue sauce.  A super easy slow cooker appetizer that takes just minutes to put together and always gets rave reviews.
Time
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 5 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Serves 12

Ingredients 

  • 2 packages little smokies 12-14 ounce size
  • 1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions 

  • Place the little smokies into a crockpot.
  • Place the barbecue sauce, brown sugar, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder and garlic powder in a medium bowl. Whisk until well combined.
  • Pour the sauce over the little smokies. Cover and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, then serve.

Notes

  1. You can use your favorite store bought barbecue sauce for this recipe, or make your own. Either way works great!
  2. I recommend cooking the sausages for at least 2 hours so that they’re warmed all the way through, but you can cook them for longer if needed. You can also cook on low for 2 hours, then keep the crockpot on the warm setting so that the little smokies stay hot throughout the whole party.
  3. The sauce for this recipe can be made up to 3 days in advance.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 741mg | Potassium: 268mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 131IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 1mg

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Comments

  1. Is there anyway to incorporate bacon around them? I looked at this recipe and it fit the ingredients I wanted to use, but didn’t have any bacon. Wpuld I be able to cook them in the crackpot still or cook them for longer?

  2. 5 stars
    I remembered these from picnics when I was a child, and I wanted to try to my hand at making my own. I looked through several recipes, deciding on this one because it looked like it had a good flavor profile and did NOT include grape jelly. I am extremely glad I made this version. These smokies were fantastic. I did try adding BBQ baked beans to half of the batch at the end – as per the suggestion of another review. I thought it was alright; my husband loved the addition of the beans. I will try a shot of bourbon in the next batch, as another review suggested. Thanks for this wonderful addition to our table!

  3. 5 stars
    What can I substitute for the ketchup? We don’t like it in this household, but would love to still try making these with a substitute. Excited to try them!

  4. 5 stars
    Made these for a cookout yesterday and my guests devoured them!! I love recipes like this that are so simple, yet absolutely delicious! I will definitely be making this again!

  5. 5 stars
    Added some Bushes barbecue beans ! Talk about beenie weenies! Along with two hunks of pork belly! 1/8 oz chunks. Beenie weenie belly? 😋3 hrs.

    1. You can change the number of servings in the recipe card and it will automatically recalculate the ingredient amounts!