Slow Cooker Little Smokies: The Easiest Party Appetizer

These Slow Cooker Little Smokies are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer—incredibly easy to make and always the first to disappear at any gathering. Crucially, the three-ingredient sauce, featuring savory chili sauce, sweet pineapple juice, and rich brown sugar, creates a thick, irresistible glaze. This crock pot little smokies recipe is entirely hands-off, allowing the slow cooker to infuse the cocktail sausages with sweet and tangy flavor for hours.

Ingredients and What You’ll Need

• Little Smokies: The main protein; use four 14-ounce packages for a large crowd.
• Chili sauce: Provides the essential tangy, savory, and slightly spicy base for the glaze (about 1.5 bottles).
• Pineapple juice: Adds a bright, tropical sweetness and thins the sauce slightly.
• Brown sugar: Used to deepen the color and sweetness of the glaze, making it thick and sticky.

How to Make Slow Cooker Little Smokies

This recipe couldn't be simpler—just whisk the sauce, pour it over the sausages, and let it simmer.

1. Preparing the Sauce

The sauce can be prepared directly in the slow cooker insert, or quickly whisked in a bowl for easier blending.

1. Place Sausages: Place the little smokies in the crockpot.
2. Mix Sauce: In a small bowl whisk together chili sauce, pineapple juice, and brown sugar.
3. Pour: Pour the mixture over the little smokies.

2. Cooking and Serving

The extended cooking time allows the glaze to fully adhere to the sausages.

1. Cook: Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low heat for 6-8 hours.
2. Serve: Serve Warm directly from the slow cooker for easy self-service.

Recipe Notes and Serving Suggestions

• Quantity: Packages: This recipe uses four 14 ounce packages, making it ideal for a large party appetizer. You can easily scale down the recipe for a smaller gathering.
• Sauce Variations: Chili Sauce: For a spicier kick, add a dash of Sriracha or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture. For a milder flavor, use ketchup mixed with a bit of Worcestershire sauce instead of chili sauce.
• Thickening: Glaze: The slow cooker will naturally thicken the glaze over the long cooking time. If you prefer a very thick, syrupy glaze right away, stir in 1 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 1 teaspoon of water during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
• Serving: Warm: Keep the slow cooker on the "Keep Warm" setting for parties so guests can enjoy the cocktail sausages throughout the event. Serve with toothpicks.