Crockpot little smokies are always one of the first appetizers to disappear. They’re made with 3 ingredients (plus optional sriracha), take just minutes to prep, and cook hands-off. They are the perfect make-ahead dish to make hosting a breeze.
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Holly’s Recipe Highlights
- Flavor: Sweet, smoky, and a little tangy, these little smokies are coated in a BBQ-jelly sauce that clings to every bite.
- Recommended Tools: A 2-quart slow cooker is perfect for a single batch.
- Serving Suggestions: Great on a snack table served alongside favorites like pigs in a blanket and buffalo chicken dip.
Three Simple Ingredients
- Smokies: Fully cooked, so they just need to heat through. Beef or turkey little smokies work.
- BBQ Sauce: A thicker BBQ sauce gives a better coating. My favorite is sweet, but smoky or spicy work great too.
- Grape Jelly: Grape jelly is the classic choice, but swapping in apricot preserves, cranberry sauce, or pepper jelly gives it a fun twist.
- Sriracha (optional): A little sriracha adds a subtle kick. Swap with hot sauce, chili flakes, or leave it out for a milder version.
How to Make Little Smokies
- Toss everything into the slow cooker (full recipe below).
- Set on low and cook, stirring once.
Switch to warm, stirring occasionally, and serve straight from there with toothpicks.
Storing and Reheating
Cool leftovers and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Or freeze in the sauce for up to 2 months.
Thaw them in the fridge overnight (if frozen), then microwave in short bursts (stirring in between) or warm in the crockpot on low until heated through
Party Appetizers That Travel Well
Did you enjoy these Crockpot Little Smokies? Leave us a comment and rating below!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 packages little smokies 16 ounces each
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- 1 teaspoon sriracha optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small slow cooker.
- Cook on low 2-3 hours.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Appetizer
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These as not just for parties. When my kids were younger, wonderful to take camping around the fire. Great at a recent garden wedding reception where current jelly and mustard used. Always keepin my freezer for unexpected occasion
Sounds delicious, Barb!
My son begs me to make these! Even said he’d rather have these than a cake for his birthday!!
That’s so fun! I love these little smokies so I completely understand his request.
So easy but so delicious! My husband always requests this when I am making appetizers! SWP Employee
This appetizer is a favorite in my house, too! Thanks for leaving a comment, Samantha!
I had to come back and leave another review, this time based on a variant you mentioned. When I made this for my Thai family using the recipe as written, it was liked but family said it needs a lot more chili taste to it. So yesterday I made this with chili sauce and orange marmalade, and it is brilliant! The family raved about this, and a niece took the small amount of leftovers to work this morning. 10 stars for the original recipe, 15 stars for the chili sauce variant. Thanks, Holly, for the great recipe.
So happy this recipe was such a hit for you, Lee!
One of the best ever smookies recipe i have ever tried so far. Thanks for sharing this recipe with all of us. Also do check out my special smookies recipe as well.
I made this dish yesterday (family loved it) and served as a main dish with pinwheels and vegetables. This is actually my first time making the sauce with grape jelly, and that is absolutely brilliant. Thank you, Holly, for the quick and tasty recipe.
I’m so glad you loved it Lee!
I have made sweet/sour or bbq cocktail weiners and little smokies many times, but my recipe is: equal parts of ketchup and grape jelly. It gets compliments every time and I’ve even had requests for my bbq sauce recipe!!
Little smokies look great
Totally disappointed. Won’t be rushing these again any time soon! Thankfully I only purchased 1 pkg of the cocktail weiners!
I am sorry to hear that, SF! This recipe is a personal favorite of my family, along with this easy grape jelly meatball recipe.