Anytime the Super Bowl or New Year’s Eve comes around, I’m torn between making Party Meatballs or Little Smokies. I know these are both simple recipes that most people know, but just in case, I wanted to get this crazy easy Slow Cooker Little Smokies appetizer recipe on my site for anyone who might do a search for it.
Why is it so fun to eat food off of a toothpick? I don’t know either, but it is. You just gotta love a simple, two-ingredient appetizer recipe that allows you to do just that. When it comes to appetizer holidays, like the Super Bowl or New Year’s, I like to make sure I have at least a couple that are pretty self-sufficient or take very minimal effort. This one definitely meets those criteria, too. You can’t go wrong when you walk into a party with a slow cooker full of Little Smokies.
My Go-to Appetizer Recipes
- Ultimate Seven Layer Bean Dip
- Amazing Strawberry Cheesecake Pastry Bites
- Caramel Corn Puffs
- Cranberry Salsa
- Best Ever Chewy Chex Mix
- Classic Deviled Eggs Recipe
- The Best Chili Cheese Dip
Step-by-step pictures for how to make Slow cooker little smokies
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Slow Cooker Little Smokies
do little smokies need to be cooked?
No. Little Smokies are fully cooked, so there’s no need to “cook” them.
how do you cook little smokies?
Since Little Smokies are fully cooked, you only need to thoroughly heat them up. You can heat them up on the stovetop, in the oven, in the microwave, or in a slow cooker.
how long does it take to thoroughly heat little smokies?
For the stovetop, add the Little Smokies to 2-3 inches of boiling water and simmer them for 2-4 minutes. To heat them in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees, place the Little Smokies in a shallow baking dish, and bake them for 12-14 minutes. If you’re using a microwave, how long it takes to heat them up depends on the microwave’s wattage. For five Little Smokies in an 1100-watt microwave, it will take 20-25 seconds on high. Last but not least, see the recipe card below for instructions on using a slow cooker.
what are good substitutes for little smokies?
If you’re not able to find Little Smokies (which happens to me sometimes at the commissary here in Germany), you can use kielbasa sliced into 1/2-inch pieces or even hot dog pieces in place of the Little Smokies.
are little smokies the same as cocktail sausages?
Yes, Little Smokies are the same as cocktail sausages. You will find them sold/made by the well-known brands Hillshire Farm and Eckrich.
chef’s tools:
Kielbasa Recipes You've Gotta Try!
- 2 (14 ounce) packages of Hillshire Farms Little Smokies (If you can't find Little Smokies, you can slice 2 lbs of Kielbasa into ½ inch pieces.)
- 1-2 cups barbecue sauce (I prefer Sweet Baby Ray's.)
- First, add the Little Smokies into a slow cooker, and then add the barbecue sauce. Use enough barbecue sauce that all of the smokies are coated with sauce and there is a little excess. The smokies will give off a little moisture as they heat up.
- *Remember: Little Smokies are already fully cooked, so no need to "cook." They just need to be heated through. I prefer to put mine on high for 2 hours or low for 3-4.
- Enjoy!
Dessert Recipes for a Crowd
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