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!
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
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!
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.
Recipe FAQs
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.
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.
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.
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.
More appetizers you’ll love
Crockpot Little Smokies Video
Crockpot Little Smokies
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
- 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.
My sauce is super runny. Bringing these to a party in a few hours.. any tips??
The sauce isn’t meant to be overly thick, you could try whisking a tablespoon of cornstarch in 2 tablespoons of water and then stir that into the sauce and bring it to a boil to thicken.
Made these for the first time tonight as written. Hubby is raving about the sauce and talking about all the other things it would be good with! So yummy!!
I cheat and use a mixture of bottled Honey BBQ and Honey Chipotle BBQ sauces. I also got a good price on Oscar Meyer wieners, so cut those into thirds and toss in and cook. Always a family favorite.
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This looks amazing
Can’t wait to try
If I double the receip
Do I add more time or same
It depends on the size of your crockpot, if you larger a larger pot (around 6 quarts) cook time would stay the same. If you have a smaller pot and they’re piled really high I’d add an hour.
If I want to double or quadruple these
Do I add more time
Will be a great Christmas eve snack
It depends on the size of your pot, if you have a larger pot you won’t have to add more time, but if the pot is really full then add another hour.
How long of the smokies are frozen you think?
Add another hour!
what size crockpot do you recommend using? i have a large (7 qt) crockpot, but I’m worried it’s too big and the sauce will evaporate.
I’d use a 4.5 or 6 quart!
Can I use hot dogs cut in half
To make this?
I’d cut them into quarters!
So flavour experience kinda the same as using smoked sausage???
My family just loves these! I can never make enough of them!
Little smokies have always been my favorite holiday appetizer! I really. need to eat them more often!
This is just the right kind of recipe for these days. Simple, few ingredients and yet flavorful. Thanks.
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it.
I bet these little smokies will go down a treat once the summer months are here.
A classic indeed, and no wonders. These little sausages are simply bursting with flavors. And best of all, super easy to cook. 🙂
Oh my goodness! How I can resist to these!
Such a classic appetizer that my family loves and is so easy to make.
This is my mom’s favorite thing to take along to our family gatherings. We hardly ever come home with leftovers. Such a delicious classic.
Little smokies are a family favorite! These look SO good!
This is one of our favorite appetizers during the holidays. This will be a perfect afternoon snack during this time at home!
These Little smokies would disappear in our house!