You are going to adore this deliciously simple Crockpot Little Smokies recipe! So quick to prep, these cocktail weiners are cooked in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce in the slow cooker for an effortless appetizer that everyone will love.
This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.
Why We Love This Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe
Whenever we are hosting game day, there are always a few must-haves on the menu– wings, queso dip, and some little smokies! Can you say perfection?!
- Easy. It’s a dump-and-go recipe that you can set and forget. Start cooking them before your guests arrive and then serve them up hot during the game.
- Cheap. You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this recipe, so you can easily entertain without breaking the bank.
- Flavorful. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this recipe. Sweet, savory, smoky– it has it all!
Variations on Little Smokies in the Crockpot
This classic little smokies recipe utilizes familiar sweet and savory flavors I just know you’ll love. But if you’re looking for a bit of variety, try swapping the grape jelly for cranberry sauce or crushed pineapple. You can also cook these sausages in Sriracha or Buffalo sauce for a spicy version.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover crockpot little smokies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-5 days. Reheat in the crockpot or on the stovetop.
How to Freeze
Let crockpot little smokies cool completely before adding them to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these crockpot little smokies alongside your other favorite game day apps like Sheet Pan Party Meatballs, Hot Onion Dip, Bacon Wrapped Crackers, or Homemade Tortilla Chips.
These miniature sausages are usually made of pork and are also known as cocktail sausages or cocktail weenies. They are very similar to hot dogs in taste, and that’s where you’ll find them in the store.
I used my 6-quart slow cooker for this recipe, but a 3- or 4-quart one should work well too, as would a larger one.
Yes, like hot dogs, these are already cooked so they just need to be heated through. They are safe to eat cold right out of the package, but are much tastier served hot in a sauce!
Once your little smokies are ready to serve, transfer them to a large bowl, serve with some cocktail sticks, and let everyone at them!
More Sausage Appetizers To Try
- Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Bites
- Sausage Balls
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Sausage Rolls
- Pigs in a Blanket
- Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
- Kielbasa Jalapeno Popper Bites
Game Day is covered!
101+ Super Bowl Appetizer Recipes
If its game day grub you crave, we have all the recipes you need to win big! Check out our easy Super Bowl recipes (or World Series, March Madness, National Championship, you get the idea!)
Game Day Guide
Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- 28 ounces little smokies sausages (2 (14-ounce) packages)
Instructions
- Mix together the BBQ sauce, grape jelly, apple cider vinegar, and ground cayenne in a mixing bowl.1 cup barbecue sauce, ½ cup grape jelly, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Add the little smokies to the crockpot.28 ounces little smokies sausages
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
Video
Becky’s Tips
- There are a variety of little smokies brands, also known as cocktail sausages. Use any brand you prefer. Brands also vary in weight with most packages between 12-16 ounces. This recipe will work with any of these sizes!
- If you don’t like things spicy, you can skip adding the cayenne. If you like things extra hot, feel free to add a little more!
- Make sure that the little smokies are well coated in the sauce before setting to cook.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this? Leave a comment!
How to Make Crockpot Little Smokies Step by Step
Make the Sauce: Mix together 1 cup of barbecue sauce, ½ cup of grape jelly, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper in a mixing bowl.
Coat the Sausages: Add 28 ounces (2 packages) of little smokies to your crockpot. Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat.
Cook the Sausages: Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
I brought this to work once for a luncheon, but I just had the smokies and a bottle of bbq sauce in the crockpot. The cord on the crockpot was so short that the only outlet I could use was on the floor under my desk. As they started to cook, everyone who came near my desk would remark on how good it smelled! One person said, What is that and WHERE is it? I didn’t tell till it was time to eat!
What a great story, Dorothy! Thanks so much for sharing!
very good for big get togethers,someone said you could eat little smokies and hotdogs without heating and when my grandbaby had cancer,the drs.told us to heat them in microwave for at least 30 sec.as there are chemicals in them that can cause cancer in children although they had nothing to do with the type of cancer he was born with.happy and very much blessed as he is now 20 something and doing well
Thanks for sharing and happy to hear he is healthy now!
Omg wtf is wrong with you lol