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Home » Recipes » Appetizer and Snacks

Little Smokies in Crockpot Get Their Sticky Glaze From Just 2 Pantry Staples

Modified: Nov 6, 2026 by Kori Butler

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This well-loved brown sugar little smokies in crockpot recipe is the easiest party appetizer to make! Only 3 ingredients, under 3 minutes of prep time, and endless options for variations. Sweet, smoky, savory, and so delicious - perfect for the holidays or any get-together!

Little smokies in crockpot with toothpicks and a sprinkling of brown sugar. Pin
Jump to:
  • The backstory.
  • It's a must make.
  • Let's talk flavor and texture.
  • What you'll need.
  • How to make little smokies in crockpot.
  • Make it your way.
  • How to serve it.
  • Kori's tips.
  • FAQs
  • 📖 The recipe.
  • Keep the slow cooked eats coming.
  • 💬 What readers are saying.

The backstory.

Little smokies have been on just about every party table I can remember, and this brown sugar version is the one I come back to every holiday season. Game day, Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve, a last-minute get-together-it works for all of them. With three ingredients and a crockpot, I can toss them together in a couple of minutes and get back to everything else on my list.

It's a must make.

These brown sugar smokies in crockpot are the easiest party food you'll ever make.

  • Only 3 ingredients. Cocktail sausages, brown sugar, and BBQ sauce.
  • 3 minutes of prep. Dump everything in, stir, and let the slow cooker do the rest.
  • Sweet, smoky, and savory. Everyone reaches for seconds.
  • Easy to double or triple. Feed a small crowd or a big one.

Let's talk flavor and texture.

These little smokies come out glossy, sticky, and sweet with a smoky BBQ kick. As they cook, the brown sugar melts into the BBQ sauce and turns into a thick, caramelized glaze that coats every sausage. The smokies stay juicy inside, and the ones touching the sides of the crock get lightly browned and extra flavorful.

What you'll need.

Ingredients needed for making little smokies in crockpot.

This slow cooker smokies recipe only needs 3 ingredients.

  • Cocktail sausages: Use any variety you like. Adjust the amount for the size of your party.
  • Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar both work, or use a brown sugar substitute.
  • BBQ sauce: Any brand or style works, from regular to honey BBQ, sugar-free, or Carolina-style.

For exact ingredient quantities, please see the recipe card below!

How to make little smokies in crockpot.

Here's an overview on how to make this recipe. See the recipe card below for complete instructions. Enjoy!

  1. Spray the crockpot with nonstick spray.
  2. Add the cocktail sausages, brown sugar, and BBQ sauce, and stir.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
  4. Switch to WARM for serving.
Add little smokies in crockpot with all remaining ingredients.

1. Add all the ingredients to the crockpot.

Slow cooking little smokies in crockpot.Pin

2. Cover and cook on high until done, stirring occasionally. (Bacon-wrapped smokies cook for longer).

Make it your way.

These crockpot cocktail weiners with brown sugar are easy to switch up.

  • Use cheddar-filled, turkey, pork, or beef smokies.
  • Swap in kielbasa or smoked sausage cut into ½-inch slices.
  • Use grape jelly and chili sauce instead of brown sugar and BBQ sauce.
  • Wrap each smokie in a third of a slice of bacon and cook on HIGH for 3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes.

If you love easy party bites, you'll want to try my Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly, Crockpot Little Smokies Wrapped in Bacon, and Crock Pot Grape Jelly Chili Sauce Meatballs too.

How to serve it.

Picking up little smokies in crockpot with a toothpick.

Serve these BBQ little smokies warm, straight from the crockpot.

  • Switch the crockpot to WARM once they're done so they don't overcook.
  • Set out toothpicks so guests can help themselves.
  • Use festive toothpicks for holidays and parties.
  • Pair them with a crockpot dip and chips for an easy party spread.

Kori's tips.

  • Spray the crock with nonstick spray, or use a slow cooker liner, to keep the sauce from burning.
  • Stir every so often. The smokies touching the sides brown the fastest.
  • Most cocktail sausage packages are 12 to 14 ounces. Use what you can find-this recipe is very forgiving.
  • Stirring is extra important for bacon-wrapped smokies so the bacon browns.

📌 Be sure to save this pin to Pinterest for later!

Pinterest pin of glossy brown sugar BBQ little smokies with toothpicks in a white slow cooker. Text reads Little Smokies in Crockpot Recipe, Only 3 ingredients.Pin

FAQs

How to store crockpot little smokies

Once cool, transfer your smokies to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.

How to reheat

Transfer your smokies to a microwave-safe plate and place a cover over the top. Microwave in 30-second increments until your desired temperature.

To reheat bacon-wrapped smokies, place them flat in an air fryer to crisp the bacon. Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes, adding time as needed.

How do you keep BBQ sauce from burning in a slow cooker?

To help keep your BBQ sauce from burning, spray your crockpot with nonstick cooking spray before adding in your ingredients. You can also use a crockpot liner to prevent sticking or burning. Lastly, try to use a BBQ sauce that doesn't have a lot of sugar in it; sugar will caramelize quickly and have a higher chance of burning.

Are little smokies already cooked?

Most cocktail weiners or little smokies are already cooked. This easy appetizer is warmed in the crockpot to combine all the ingredients and is served warm.

How many little smokies in a 12 ounce package?

On average, they estimate about 40 cocktail sausages in a 12-ounce package. Adjust the quantity you need based on the number of guests you serve. This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled if needed!

If you tried this recipe, let me know! I'd love for you to come back and give the recipe a 5 star rating and leave a review in the comments! 🙂 Let's stay connected, so please follow me on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! Subscribe to my newsletter to get easy delicious crockpot recipe ideas every week!

📖 The recipe.

Crockpot little smokies in a white slow cooker sprinkled with brown sugar.

BBQ Little Smokies Crock Pot Recipe

Always the first to go at parties, you'll love this easy crock pot brown sugar little smokies recipe - only 3 ingredients and less than 3 minutes of prep! Yep. It's the perfect super simple party snack.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
Author Kori
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 3 minutes mins
Course Slow Cooker Appetizers
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 274 kcal

Video

Equipment

  • 1½ to 2-quart crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • 14 to 16 ounces cocktail sausages
  • ¾ cup brown sugar
  • ¾ cup BBQ sauce

Instructions
 

  • Spray the inside of a crockpot with nonstick spray. Add all of the ingredients and stir. (See notes below for making bacon-wrapped little smokies)
    Add little smokies in crockpot with all remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. (Bacon-wrapped smokies will need to cook for 3 hours.)
    Slow cooking little smokies in crockpot.

Notes

For more helpful hints, substitution ideas, slow cooking tips, and other delicious recipe ideas, check out my post above.
CROCKPOT COOKING TIPS: Every slow cooker heats a little differently, so cooking times can vary. Once you know how your crock pot runs (hotter or cooler), you can adjust as needed.
VARIATIONS:
  • Use cheddar-filled smokies or turkey sausages if you prefer. ½" sliced kielbasa or smoked sausage may be used in place of the cocktail sausages.
  • Grape jelly and chili sauce can be substituted for brown sugar and bbq sauce. 
  •  
BACON WRAPPED SMOKIES: (you'll need about 12 ounces of bacon). Cut slices of bacon into thirds, wrap around each sausage, and secure with a toothpick. Place in the bottom of the slow cooker.  Cook on HIGH for 3 hours, stirring every 30 to 45 minutes (this helps the bacon and sausage to brown).
TIPS:
  • Most cocktail sausage packages come in sizes between 12 and 14 ounces, and larger package of 28 ounces. Use what you can find. If you only have 12 ounces that is fine - this recipe is very forgiving.
  • Stirring frequently will help to brown the sausages. The sausages touching the sides of the pot will brown the fastest. Stirring is especially important if you are making bacon-wrapped smokies (you want your bacon to get brown). 
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Serve straight out of the crockpot with toothpicks. 

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 32mgSodium: 789mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 60IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 31mgIron: 1mg
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© 2026 Slow Cooked Eats

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Hi, I'm Kori! I'm a culinary school–trained chef and a former CFO. Back when I had an hour commute each way and three boys to feed, the crockpot is literally how my family ate. These are the recipes that got us through.

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