Introduction

Oh, the holidays! The cozy nights, the twinkling lights, and… the endless quest for the perfect appetizer. If you’re like me, sometimes you just want a crowd-pleasing dish that practically makes itself. Well, get ready to have your appetizer game changed forever with this incredibly simple Slow Cooker Little Smokies recipe. It’s the kind of recipe that brings back warm memories and makes hosting a breeze. Seriously, you dump, you stir, and you have a warm, bubbly, irresistible snack ready to go!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Lightning Fast Prep: Seriously, it takes about 2 minutes to get this going.
Effortlessly Easy: If you can open jars and turn on an appliance, you can make these.
The Perfect Gift: Imagine bringing a warm crock pot of these to a potluck – instant hero!
Guaranteed Crowd-Pleaser: Little Smokies are a classic for a reason. Everyone devours them!

Ingredients

24 ounces cocktail sausages (Little Smokies): These little flavor bombs are the stars of the show. You can usually find them in the refrigerated section of your grocery store.
1 ½ cups BBQ sauce: Pick your favorite! Whether it’s smoky, sweet, or a little tangy, it’ll be delicious.
1 cup grape jelly: This is the secret ingredient that adds a surprising sweetness and helps create that amazing glaze. Don’t knock it till you try it!

How to Make It

Get ready to be amazed at how simple this is. No fancy techniques, no complicated steps, just pure appetizer magic. Here’s how you whip up these addictive Slow Cooker Little Smokies:

Combine Everything: Grab your slow cooker. Yep, that’s where the magic happens! Open up your package of cocktail sausages and pour them right into the slow cooker. Then, pour in your BBQ sauce and your grape jelly. That’s it for the “mixing” part!
Stir It Up: Give everything a good stir. You want those little sausages to be coated in that glorious BBQ and jelly mixture. Make sure they’re all nestled in there, ready to get nice and warm.
Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic: Now, put the lid on your slow cooker. You have two options here, depending on how much time you have:
- Low Setting: Cook on the LOW setting for 2-3 hours. This is great if you want to prep ahead a bit and have them ready to go when guests arrive.
- High Setting: Cook on the HIGH setting for 1-2 hours. This is perfect for those last-minute appetizer needs!
You’re looking for them to be heated all the way through and for that sauce to be bubbly and delicious.
Stir Occasionally: While the slow cooker does its thing, it’s a good idea to give them a stir every so often. This helps ensure everything heats evenly and prevents anything from sticking to the bottom.

And that’s it! You’ve just made an incredible appetizer with minimal effort. Serve them warm right out of the slow cooker with toothpicks for easy dipping. They disappear fast, so be prepared to make a double batch if you have a big crowd!

Substitutions & Additions

While this recipe is perfection in its simplicity, you can absolutely play around with it to make it your own! Here are a few ideas:

Different Jellies: Don’t have grape jelly? Apricot jelly or even orange marmalade can work wonderfully and add a different fruity note.
Spice It Up: Love a little heat? Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the mix.
Onion Power: For a little extra depth of flavor, try adding a finely diced small onion or a tablespoon of onion powder to the slow cooker.
Bacon Bliss: Who doesn’t love bacon? You can wrap each cocktail sausage in a half slice of bacon before adding them to the slow cooker. You might need to adjust cooking time slightly, but oh boy, is it worth it!
Brown Sugar Boost: For an extra touch of sweetness and a richer glaze, stir in a tablespoon or two of brown sugar along with the BBQ sauce and jelly.

Tips for Success

Even with a recipe this easy, a few little tricks can make all the difference. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Don’t Overcook: While these are forgiving, overcooking for too long on high can make the sausages a bit tough. Keep an eye on them, especially if you’re using the high setting.
Stir Well at the Start: Make sure that jelly and BBQ sauce are really well combined before you start cooking. This helps create a smooth, even sauce.
Prep Ahead: You can actually combine the ingredients in the slow cooker earlier in the day, cover it, and refrigerate it. Just pull it out about 30 minutes before you plan to cook so it’s not ice cold when you turn the slow cooker on.
Serve with Style: Use a small ladle or spoon to serve the little smokies directly from the slow cooker into a serving dish. Make sure to get plenty of that delicious sauce on top!

How to Store It

Leftovers? What leftovers? If, by some miracle, you have any Slow Cooker Little Smokies left, they store beautifully. Once cooled slightly, transfer them to an airtight container and pop them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay tasty for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them gently in the slow cooker on low, in the microwave, or on the stovetop.

FAQs

Q: Can I make these on the stovetop?

A: Absolutely! While the slow cooker is ideal for keeping them warm for a party, you can combine the ingredients in a saucepan and heat them over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. It will take about 15-20 minutes.

Q: What kind of BBQ sauce should I use?

A: Honestly, any kind you love! A classic, slightly sweet BBQ sauce works perfectly. If you prefer a spicier sauce, go for it! The grape jelly balances out most flavors beautifully.

Q: Can I use mini hot dogs instead of Little Smokies?

A: You sure can! Just make sure they’re the cocktail-sized ones so they’re easy to eat as appetizers. They’ll work just the same!

Easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies

An incredibly simple and crowd-pleasing appetizer recipe that uses a slow cooker to prepare little smokies in a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce glaze. Perfect for holidays and parties.

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Prep Time 2

Equipment

Slow Cooker
Serving dish
Airtight container for leftovers
Saucepan for stovetop preparation (optional)

Ingredients

Main ingredients

24 ounces cocktail sausages (Little Smokies) Found in the refrigerated section of the grocery store.
1.5 cups BBQ sauce Your favorite kind (smoky, sweet, or tangy).
1 cup grape jelly The secret ingredient for sweetness and glaze.

Instructions

Combine Everything: Grab your slow cooker. Yep, that's where the magic happens! Open up your package of cocktail sausages and pour them right into the slow cooker. Then, pour in your BBQ sauce and your grape jelly. That's it for the "mixing" part!
Stir It Up: Give everything a good stir. You want those little sausages to be coated in that glorious BBQ and jelly mixture. Make sure they're all nestled in there, ready to get nice and warm.
Let the Slow Cooker Work Its Magic: Now, put the lid on your slow cooker. You have two options here, depending on how much time you have:
Low Setting: Cook on the LOW setting for 2-3 hours. This is great if you want to prep ahead a bit and have them ready to go when guests arrive.
High Setting: Cook on the HIGH setting for 1-2 hours. This is perfect for those last-minute appetizer needs!
You're looking for them to be heated all the way through and for that sauce to be bubbly and delicious.
Stir Occasionally: While the slow cooker does its thing, it's a good idea to give them a stir every so often. This helps ensure everything heats evenly and prevents anything from sticking to the bottom.
And that's it! You've just made an incredible appetizer with minimal effort. Serve them warm right out of the slow cooker with toothpicks for easy dipping. They disappear fast, so be prepared to make a double batch if you have a big crowd!

Notes

Can be made on the stovetop in a saucepan over medium-low heat for about 15-20 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheated gently.