Try this easy appetizer recipe if you need something you can prep in 5 minutes with just 3 ingredients. It’s a crowd pleaser for sure!
My best friend’s parents always made these crockpot smokies for their legendary game day parties, and as a child this was most defintiely my favorite part! And it still is to this day, to be honest 😉
This appetizer is incredibly easy to make – with only 3 ingredients! 4 if you want to add some heat with red pepper flakes. Prep only takes 5 minutes, too – a real keeper.
Ingredients you’ll need
Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.
Ingredient notes
- BBQ sauce: Choose an 18-oz bottle if you like a lot of sauce. Use a BBQ sauce you enjoy the taste of, as this will be the main flavor. I like Stubbs sauces best, but have also used store brand varieties in a pinch and they tasted perfectly fine.You can also use a bottle of sweet chili sauce in place of the BBQ sauce, if you prefer!
- Red pepper flakes: I don’t use these when I make the smokies for a party with young children. But for adults? A must for us!
- Little Smokies: I simply used a package of store brand smoked appetizer sausages. Whichever you use, just make sure they’re smoked for the best flavor. If you can’t find mini sausages, you can also cut up regular sausages, but do not cut into round coins if serving to young children!
- Grape Jelly: I used Smuckers Natural, but you can use pretty much any grape jelly you have on hand. If the thought of grape jelly with BBQ sauce weirds you out, feel free to use ½ cup brown sugar instead. You can add ¼ to ½ cup brown sugar even with the grape jelly, if you want to go for an even stronger sweet/savory combo.
How to make Crockpot BBQ Little Smokies
Start by combining the BBQ sauce, the grape jelly and the red pepper flakes (if using) right in the crockpot.
Stir in the little smokies and slow cook. That’s it!
I like to serve these hot straight out of the crockpot. You can keep them on the “warm” setting for up to 2 hours.
Recipe tips
- A small crockpot (2 – 3 quart) works best for this recipe. I have never tried to make this recipe for party sausages in a larger slow cooker, so unfortunately I cannot make any recommendations.
- If your crock tends to run hot on one side (happens a lot with older slow cookers; mine is an older model and it definitely runs hot on one side), I recommend turning the crock a few times during the cooking time to make sure the heat distributes evenly. Otherwise, the sauce may burn on one side.
More easy party food
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Crockpot BBQ Little Smokies
Recipe details
Equipment
- 2-3 quart Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 (15 to 18-oz) bottle BBQ sauce
- 1 (8-oz) jar grape jelly
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for some heat
- 1 (14-oz) package miniature smoked sausages
Instructions
- Whisk together BBQ sauce, grape jelly (and red pepper flakes, if using) in a 2-3 quart slow cooker.
- Add sausages and stir well.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 3-4 hours.
Notes
Ingredient notes
- BBQ sauce: Choose an 18-oz bottle if you like a lot of sauce. Use a BBQ sauce you enjoy the taste of, as this will be the main flavor. I like Stubbs sauces best, but have also used store brand varieties in a pinch and they tasted perfectly fine.You can also use a bottle of sweet chili sauce in place of the BBQ sauce, if you prefer!
- Red pepper flakes: I don’t use these when I make the smokies for a party with young children. But for adults? A must for us!
- Little Smokies: I simply used a package of store brand smoked appetizer sausages. Whichever you use, just make sure they’re smoked for the best flavor. If you can’t find mini sausages, you can also cut up regular sausages, but do not cut into round coins if serving to young children!
- Grape Jelly: I used Smuckers Natural, but you can use pretty much any grape jelly you have on hand. If the thought of grape jelly with BBQ sauce weirds you out, feel free to use ½ cup brown sugar instead. You can add ¼ to ½ cup brown sugar even with the grape jelly, if you want to go for an even stronger sweet/savory combo.
Recipe tips
- A small crockpot (2 – 3 quart) works best for this recipe. I have never tried to make this recipe for party sausages in a larger slow cooker, so unfortunately I cannot make any recommendations.
- If your crock tends to run hot on one side (happens a lot with older slow cookers; mine is an older model and it definitely runs hot on one side), I recommend turning the crock a few times during the cooking time to make sure the heat distributes evenly. Otherwise, the sauce may burn on one side.
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