10+ Lil Smokies Recipes for Easy and Tasty Snacks

Lil smokies are those tiny sausages that are super easy to cook and always seem to hit the spot for snacks or appetizers. You can whip them up in all sorts of ways with stuff you probably already have stashed in your kitchen.

They’re popular because they’re quick to make and you can change up the flavors however you like.

If you like recipes that are easy but still get rave reviews from friends and family, lil smokies are a solid pick. Sweet, savory, smoky—there’s a version for everyone.

Let’s check out some lil smokies recipes you might want to add to your cooking list.

1) Classic Crockpot Lil Smokies with BBQ Sauce

For a ridiculously easy appetizer, just toss lil smokies and BBQ sauce into your crockpot. Use whatever BBQ sauce you like for the flavor you want.

Want it sweeter? Mix in grape jelly or brown sugar. That sweetens things up and makes the sauce richer.

Let it all heat on low until everything’s warm and blended. It takes about two hours, and you don’t have to babysit it.

Ingredients

• 1 package of lil smokies
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup grape jelly or brown sugar (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Dump lil smokies in the crockpot.
2. Pour BBQ sauce and grape jelly (if you’re using it) over the top.
3. Stir gently.
4. Cook on low for 2 hours or until everything’s hot.
5. Serve warm.

Get more details here: Crockpot BBQ Little Smokies Recipe.

2) Bacon-Wrapped Lil Smokies with Brown Sugar Glaze

Bacon-wrapped lil smokies are almost too easy. The bacon brings a smoky, salty bite, and the brown sugar glaze adds just enough sweetness.

Wrap each smokie in bacon and stick a toothpick through it. Roll it in brown sugar for that caramelized finish.

Bake them up and the bacon gets crispy while the sugar bubbles up. You can even prep these ahead and bake right before serving.

Try slicing the bacon in half so it wraps perfectly. It just works better that way.

Ingredients

• 1 package lil smokies
• 12 slices bacon
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• Toothpicks

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Slice bacon in half.
3. Wrap each lil smokie with bacon.
4. Secure with a toothpick.
5. Roll in brown sugar.
6. Lay them out on a foil-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake 25-30 minutes until bacon’s crispy and sugar’s caramelized.
8. Let them cool a bit before serving.

3) Lil Smokies with Grape Jelly and BBQ Sauce

This one’s a classic: lil smokies, grape jelly, and BBQ sauce. Just dump everything in a slow cooker or saucepan.

Grape jelly brings the sweet, BBQ sauce brings the smoky. Let it all cook on low for a couple hours, stirring every now and then.

No crockpot? Just heat on the stove over medium until everything’s warm. It works just as well.

Ingredients:

• 14 ounces lil smokies
• 1/4 cup grape jelly
• 1/4 cup BBQ sauce

Cooking Instructions:

1. Add lil smokies, grape jelly, and BBQ sauce to a slow cooker or saucepan.
2. For slow cooker: Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stir once or twice.
3. For stove: Heat over medium for about 10 minutes, until warmed through.
4. Stir before serving.

4) Oven-Baked Lil Smokies with Apple Sauce and Onion

Baking lil smokies with applesauce and onion is a bit different, but honestly, it works. You get a sweet and savory combo that’s surprisingly good.

Mix applesauce, brown sugar, and chopped onion together. Toss the lil smokies in the sauce so they’re all coated.

Spread everything in a baking dish and bake it uncovered. The sauce thickens up and the sausages soak in the flavor.

Perfect for parties or just when you want something warm and sweet.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds Lil Smokies sausages
• 1 cup applesauce
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 small white onion, finely chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix applesauce, brown sugar, and onion in a bowl.
3. Toss lil smokies in the sauce.
4. Spread in a baking dish.
5. Bake uncovered about 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

5) Spicy Lil Smokies with Sriracha and Honey

This one’s for people who like a little heat. Sriracha gives it a kick, and honey brings the sweetness.

Mix sriracha, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, and garlic to make a tangy sauce. Toss the lil smokies in and let them simmer, slow and low.

You can use a slow cooker or just a pot on the stove. Adjust the sriracha to make it as spicy as you want. I usually go for the middle ground, but hey, you do you.

Ingredients

• 3 packs lil smokies (original or beef)
• 1 1/2 cups ketchup
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 2-4 tablespoons sriracha
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix ketchup, brown sugar, honey, sriracha, soy sauce, and garlic.
2. Add lil smokies to slow cooker or pot.
3. Pour sauce over and stir.
4. Cook on low for 2-3 hours, or simmer on the stove for 20-30 minutes.
5. Stir now and then and serve warm.

For details, check this sriracha garlic lil smokies crockpot recipe.

6) Sweet and Tangy Lil Smokies with Pineapple and BBQ

If you want something a little different, try lil smokies with pineapple and BBQ sauce. The pineapple gives it a sweet-tangy vibe that really works with the sausages.

Simmer lil smokies with BBQ sauce and pineapple chunks. The sauce thickens up and coats everything.

You can use canned pineapple (with juice) for extra flavor. Use a slow cooker or just heat on the stove until it’s all bubbly.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Lil Smokies
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup pineapple chunks (canned or fresh)
• ¼ cup pineapple juice (from the can)

Cooking Instructions

1. Add lil smokies, BBQ sauce, pineapple, and juice to slow cooker or pan.
2. Cook on low for 1-2 hours, or simmer on stove for 20-30 minutes.
3. Stir every so often.
4. Serve warm.

More ideas here: Hawaiian Lit’l Smokies recipe.

7) Teriyaki Lil Smokies with Sesame Seeds

You can make a teriyaki version that’s sweet, savory, and a little sticky. Mix soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, and ketchup for a quick sauce.

Cook the lil smokies in the sauce. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for crunch.

Add sliced green onions if you want to get fancy. Serve them warm with toothpicks and they’re always a hit.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Lil Smokies
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• Optional: sliced green onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ketchup, cornstarch, and water.
2. Put lil smokies in a pan or slow cooker.
3. Pour sauce over the top.
4. Cook on medium for 15-20 minutes, until sauce thickens.
5. Top with sesame seeds and green onions.

8) Cheesy Lil Smokies Wrapped in Crescent Dough

Cheesy lil smokies in crescent dough are kind of addictive. The cheese melts inside the dough and just makes everything better.

Lay out the crescent dough, put a slice of cheddar and a lil smokie on each piece, then roll it up. Make sure you seal the dough so the cheese stays in.

Bake until the dough is golden and the cheese is gooey. I like brushing a little melted butter on top, but that’s optional.

Ingredients

• 1 package Lil Smokies
• 1 can crescent roll dough
• Cheddar cheese slices
• 1 tablespoon melted butter (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Unroll crescent dough and separate into triangles.
3. Place a piece of cheddar on each triangle.
4. Add a lil smokie at the wide end.
5. Roll it up.
6. Put on a baking sheet and brush with butter if you want.
7. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden.
8. Let them cool a bit before serving.

9) Slow Cooker Cocktail Smokies with Barbecue and Grape Jelly

This one’s a breeze for parties or lazy snacking.

Just toss grape jelly and barbecue sauce into your slow cooker and give them a good stir.

Dump in the little smokies, mix them around, and make sure they’re all coated.

Set the slow cooker to low and let everything hang out for 2 to 3 hours.

The flavors meld together while the sausages get nice and warm.

Want a little heat? Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes.

The sauce gets sticky-sweet and tangy—honestly, it’s tough to stop grabbing more.

Ingredients:

• 1 package little smokies
• 1 cup grape jelly
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Cooking Instructions:

1. Pour grape jelly and barbecue sauce into the slow cooker.
2. Stir until both are well mixed.
3. Add little smokies and stir to coat.
4. Cook on low for 2 to 3 hours.
5. Stir before serving warm.

10) Lil Smokies Skewers with Brown Sugar and Mustard Dip

Lil smokies skewers are honestly fun to eat and super easy to make.

Just slide a few sausages onto wooden skewers—makes them way easier to grab at parties.

The brown sugar and mustard dip is a snap to whip up and brings a sweet-tangy punch.

It’s just a handful of ingredients, but the flavor combo is spot on.

Serve the skewers warm, and keep the dip on the side for dunking.

People always seem to go back for seconds.

Ingredients

• 2 (16 oz) packages Lil Smokies sausages
• Wooden skewers

For the dip:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• ½ cup Dijon mustard

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak wooden skewers in water for about 20 minutes. This helps keep them from burning.

2. Thread 3 or 4 little smokies onto each skewer.

3. In a small bowl, stir together brown sugar and Dijon mustard until the mixture turns smooth.

4. Heat a skillet over medium. Cook the skewers for 5 to 7 minutes, turning them every so often.

5. Serve the skewers warm. Set out the brown sugar mustard dip on the side.