You are going to adore this deliciously simple little smokies recipe! so quick to prep, they are cooked in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce in the Crockpot for an effortless appetizer that everyone will love.
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Whenever we are hosting game day, there’s always a few must haves on the menu, wings, queso dip and some little smokies! Can anyone say perfection?!
These Crockpot little smokies are so perfect for entertaining, 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.
Be sure to try my stovetop little smokies too!
Why You’ll Love this Little Smokies Recipe:
- ONE POT: All made in the slow cooker, even the clean up is a breeze! I love how it frees up your oven too if you are planning a big feast!
- SO EASY: Just dump the cocktail sausages and sauce into the Crockpot and set it to cook. Appetizers don’t get much easier!
- BUDGET FRIENDLY: You only need 5 simple ingredients to make this recipe, so you can easily entertain without breaking the bank.
Perfect for feeding a crowd, cooking up a big batch of little smokies couldn’t be easier or tastier!
How to Make Crockpot Little Smokies
You can jump to the recipe card for full ingredients & instructions!
- Place the cocktail sausages in the crockpot.
- Mix together the sauce in a bowl.
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir well.
- Cook and enjoy!
Little Smokies Recipe Notes
- Little Smokies: 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!
- Grape Jelly: Adds a complimentary flavor and some sweetness to this easy appetizer.
- Cayenne: Adds a bit of spice to the little smokies but you can omit this ingredient if you prefer a mild flavor (or reduce to ¼ teaspoon).
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.
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!
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.
Once your little smokies are ready to serve, transfer them to a large bowl and serve with some cocktail sticks and let everyone at them!
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Crockpot little smokies alongside your other favorite game day apps like…
These little sausages are all always a crowd pleaser, and the grape jelly and BBQ sauce make these irresistible!
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!)
Tips!
- Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be heated through in a pot on the stovetop.
- 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.
If you are feeding a crowd, this is one way to keep them happy! Sweet, tangy, smokey and a little bit spicy, these are a sure fire hit!
Can I freeze these little smokies?
Definitely! Allow them to cool completely before adding to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before re-heating in a crockpot or on the stovetop.
What BBQ sauce is best?
Use your favorite, either store-bought or homemade!
More Party Appetizers We Love
- Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers
- Crab Rangoon
- Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket
- Herb Marinated Mozzarella
- Everything Bagel Cheese Ball
Simple to prep and cook, these Crockpot little smokies are such an effortless way to keep hungry mouths happy during game day!
More Crockpot Appetizers we Love
- Crockpot Chex Mix
- Crockpot Buffalo Wings
- Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs
- Crockpot Candied Nuts
- Crockpot Honey Garlic Meatballs
- Crockpot Pizza Dip
- Crockpot Queso
If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.
Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe
Ingredients
- 28 ounces little smokies sausages 2 14-ounce packages
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne
Equipment
Instructions
- Add the little smokies to the crockpot.28 ounces little smokies sausages
- 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
- Pour the sauce over the little smokies and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours or until warmed through.
Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!
Becky’s tips
- Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days and can be heated through in a pot on the stovetop.
- 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
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