20 Recipes for Little Smokies (2024)

Home » Recipes » All Posts » Appetizers

ByKate Shungu Published Updated

We’ve rounded up 20 recipes for little smokies that take these little co*cktail sausages to the next level! Whether you need a quick appetizer or a crockpot dinner, these recipes have you covered.

Little smokies. co*cktail wieners. co*cktail franks. Mini sausages. Little weenies. Lit’l smokies. Whatever you call them, these little appetizers are a blank canvas for creating amazing appetizers and main dishes.

The vintage recipe that started this whole round-up, my Crockpot Little Smokies, is a true crowd pleaser. It has just three ingredients, and you can serve it straight from the crockpot. That’s my kind of appetizer!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (1)

I knew there must be more fabulous little smokies recipes out there, so I put a call out to some of the very best food bloggers to send me their recipes. And these recipes do not disappoint!

We have lil smokies recipes with jelly, in a crockpot, wrapped in puff pastry to create pigs in a blanket, made into a wreath, smoked, glazed, in an instant pot, and so much more.

These recipes will inspire your next tailgate, holiday party, cozy gathering at home, happy hour, co*cktail party, after school snack, or just a hankering for hot dogs!

Jump to:
  • What are little smokies?
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Best ways to prepare little smokies
  • Crockpot recipes
  • Crockpot Little Smokies
  • Slow Cooker BBQ Little Smokies with Bourbon
  • Apple Cranberry Little Smokies
  • Dr. Pepper Little Smokies
  • Crockpot Smokies with Cranberry and Pineapple
  • Bacon Wrapped Recipes
  • Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies
  • Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
  • Bacon Wrapped Smokies: 3 Ways!
  • Pigs in a Blanket Recipes
  • Classic Pigs in a Blanket
  • Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
  • Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
  • Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
  • Holiday Recipes
  • Mini Mummy Dogs
  • Pigs in a Blanket Wreath
  • Even More Little Smokies Recipes
  • Hawaiian Lit’l Smokies
  • Corn Dog Mini Muffins
  • Smoked Little Smokies
  • Instant Pot Little Smokies
  • co*cktail Franks with Apples and Onions
  • Brown Sugar BBQ Mini Sausages
  • More appetizer inspiration
  • 💬 Reviews

Table of Contents

What are little smokies?

Little smokies (a.k.a. lil smokies or lit’l smokies) are miniature co*cktail sausages. They are fully cooked, and are made with pork and/or beef.

They are essentially miniature hot dogs, about 1.5–2 inches long.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (2)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you eat little smokies cold?

They are fully cooked, so they can be eaten cold.

Are lil smokies gluten-free?

Most brands of little co*cktail sausages are gluten free. As always, check the label to be sure.

Are little smokies fully cooked?

Little smokies have been smoked, and are fully cooked. You can eat them straight out of the package if you really want to! As with all meat, keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to eat them or cook with them.

Can you freeze lil smokies?

They can be frozen for up to 3 months after opening or 6 months if still in the package. After that, they can start to get freezer burn, as with most foods.

Best ways to prepare little smokies

There are numerous ways to heat these little co*cktail sausages for eating. Here are the most popular:

  • Slow cooker (usually in a sauce)
  • On the stovetop in a skillet
  • Baked in the oven
  • In boiling water (similar to hot dogs)
  • Instant pot

So without further ado, here are the top 20 recipes for little smokies. Tell me in the comments which one you’ll be trying first!

Crockpot recipes

Crockpot Little Smokies

This easy recipe only has 3 ingredients! Serve it straight out of the crockpot for a truly no-fuss appetizer.

Get the recipe

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (4)

Slow Cooker BBQ Little Smokies with Bourbon

BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and bourbon team up to create a sticky-sweet appetizer that everyone will love.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (5)

Apple Cranberry Little Smokies

This one is perfect for fall: cranberry sauce, apple jelly, and bbq sauce create the sweet and tangy glaze for these co*cktail sausages.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (6)

Dr. Pepper Little Smokies

A can of Dr. Pepper creates a sweet glaze for these co*cktail wieners.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (7)

Crockpot Smokies with Cranberry and Pineapple

You’ll need Catalina salad dressing, cranberry sauce, and pineapple for this easy crockpot recipe.

Bacon Wrapped Recipes

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (8)

Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies

A little sweet and a little spicy, these appetizers will fly off the platter!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (9)

Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies

You can make bacon wrapped smokies entirely in the slow cooker with this easy recipe.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (10)

Bacon Wrapped Smokies: 3 Ways!

Choose from regular, pineapple, or peach-jalapeño for these bacon wrapped appetizers.

Pigs in a Blanket Recipes

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (11)

Classic Pigs in a Blanket

You just need a few ingredients to create these classic party appetizers. Puff pastry makes them SO flaky and buttery!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (12)

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

Did you know you can make pigs in a blanket in the air fryer? They come out so crispy!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (13)

Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket

These dinner rolls are stuffed with little smokies, sauerkraut, and caramelized onions to create a grown-up take on pigs in a blanket.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (14)

Pull-Apart Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

Just a few extra steps will turn pigs in a blanket into a stunning wreath! This one is made with store-bought pizza crust to make it extra easy.

Holiday Recipes

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (15)

Mini Mummy Dogs

co*cktail sausages get all dressed up in strips of crescent rolls for this Halloween-inspired appetizer.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (16)

Pigs in a Blanket Wreath

How darling is this wreath made with pigs in a blanket? It’s the perfect appetizer for a holiday party, or to serve before the big Christmas dinner.

Even More Little Smokies Recipes

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (17)

Hawaiian Lit’l Smokies

You just need four ingredients for this Hawaiian-inspired lit’l smokies recipe!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (18)

Corn Dog Mini Muffins

Get the taste of a corn dog without frying! These mini muffins are the perfect party food, quick dinner, or after school snack.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (19)

Smoked Little Smokies

Get even more smoke flavor in these little sausages by using a smoker!

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (20)

Instant Pot Little Smokies

You can make this popular party appetizer in an Instant Pot! They will be ready to serve in just 15 minutes.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (21)

co*cktail Franks with Apples and Onions

This four ingredient dish can be served as an appetizer, or you can add mashed potatoes and serve it as a main course.

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (22)

Brown Sugar BBQ Mini Sausages

These classic co*cktail weenies are made on the stovetop with a few pantry staples. They’re perfect for your next party.

More appetizer inspiration

Here are a few more of my favorite hearty appetizers for your next party, that DON’T involve co*cktail sausages!

  • Reuben Dip
  • Crockpot Chili Cheese Dip
  • Puff Pastry Bites with Goat Cheese and Jam (a reader favorite!)
  • Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
  • Bacon Wrapped Meatballs

Similar Posts

Praline Candied Bacon

Ham and Cream Cheese Pinwheels

Burrata Appetizers with Peaches and Pistachios

Shrimp Dip with Cream Cheese

Leave a Reply

20 Recipes for Little Smokies (2024)

FAQs

What pairs well with little smokies? ›

Pasta salad and little smokies make a great pairing. The smokiness of the little smokies contrasts nicely with the creamy texture and tangy sauce of the pasta salad. It's an easy, tasty combination that is sure to please. Serve macaroni salad, Tuscan pasta salad, or try a tangy Italian pasta salad with your smokies.

Can I freeze little smokies? ›

Yes, you can freeze lil smokies. Allow to cool and then store in a covered container. If using a frozen pack for this recipe, allow to thaw slightly and then add to crockpot. You may need to add an extra hour to cook time if they are not thawed.

How many little smokies in a 28 oz package? ›

How Many Do I Need? A normal serving size for little smokies is about 5 links. I start with a 28-ounce package that has about 60 links or so in it. A smaller 13-ounce package has around 35 little smokies.

How many little smokies in a 12 oz package? ›

NOTE: There are approximately 40 links in each package of Little Smokies.

How many little smokies is one serving? ›

Cloverdale Meats
Nutrition Facts
For a Serving Size of 1 link (11.34g)
How many calories are in Lil' Smokies Smoked Sausage? Amount of calories in Lil' Smokies Smoked Sausage: Calories 34Calories from Fat 25.2 (74.1%)
% Daily Value *
13 more rows

How long will little smokies last in the refrigerator? ›

Packaged hot dogs can be stored in the refrigerator 2 weeks before opening. After opening a package of hot dogs you can keep them for a week in the refrigerator (40 °F/4.4 °C or less). These meats can also be frozen for 1 to 2 months for best quality. Frozen foods are safe indefinitely.

How do you know if little Smokies are bad? ›

Strong or unpleasant odor: A strong or unsavory smell is the first sign your sausage has gone bad. If your sausage has a fish-like, acidic or sour smell, you'll likely want to throw it away. Cooked sausage often has a rotten smell when it's gone bad, so even if you bought it precooked, toss it if you notice that smell.

Are Little Smokies pre cooked? ›

Yes! Like most smoked sausages, little smokies are already fully cooked. You'll want to heat them through before serving. We think the easiest way is to toss them in the slow cooker with a simple three-ingredient pantry sauce.

How do you eat little Smokies? ›

Microwave on High for 20-25 seconds or until hot. (For compact or microwave ovens lower than 850 watts add 5-10 seconds, if needed). Let stand in microwave for 1 minute, before serving.

Are Hillshire little smokies fully cooked? ›

Fully cooked and loaded with flavor, our Beef Lit'l Smokies® co*cktail links are a delicious treat.

How many little smokies are in a pound? ›

Little smokies: Famous things usually go by many names. Barbecue sauce: Sweet Baby Rays is my personal fave, so much so that I even made a copycat Sweet Baby Rays recipe. Yield: 1 pound of co*cktail wieners has about 40 sausages.

How many little smokies are in a 16 oz package? ›

How Many Little Smokies Are In A 16 Oz Package? You can expect to find somewhere around 40 co*cktail sausages in a 16 ounce package.

How to cook Smokies for sale? ›

Cooking Instructions
  1. Unwrap the Smokies and place them on a platter.
  2. Put a small amount of cooking oil on a sufuria and heat for about 5mins.
  3. Add the Smokies one by one.
  4. Until they turn Golden brown. Lat on the serviette to drain the cooking oil.
  5. Serve with tea, Chips or Kachumbari.
Apr 25, 2020

How much does a packet of Smokies cost? ›

KES 278.00(Inc.

How do you cook Hillshire Farms little smokies? ›

  1. STOVE TOP: Add links to 2-3 inches of boiling water and simmer for 2-4 minutes.
  2. OVEN: Bake links in shallow pan in a preheated 350°F oven for 12-14 minutes.
  3. MICROWAVE (1100 Watts): Ovens vary; cook times may need to be adjusted. Remove 5 links from package and place on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a paper towel.

Can you eat little smokies without cooking? ›

Like most smoked sausages, little smokies are already fully cooked. You'll want to heat them through before serving.

What sides go well with sausages? ›

The best side dishes to serve with grilled sausage are blooming onion, french fries, marinara sauce, radish chips, crispy green beans, hummus, sweet mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw, potato salad, roasted vegetables, and corn on the cob.

Can you eat Smokies without cooking them? ›

Simply put, fresh sausage is raw and uncooked, making it great as an ingredient, but you'll need to cook it yourself. Smoked sausage is fully cooked, so you can eat it as is. In other words, you don't need to cook smoked sausage for it to be safe for consumption, though you can if you prefer your sausage warmed up.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Last Updated:

Views: 6217

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner

Birthday: 1994-06-25

Address: Suite 153 582 Lubowitz Walks, Port Alfredoborough, IN 72879-2838

Phone: +128413562823324

Job: IT Strategist

Hobby: Video gaming, Basketball, Web surfing, Book restoration, Jogging, Shooting, Fishing

Introduction: My name is Rev. Porsche Oberbrunner, I am a zany, graceful, talented, witty, determined, shiny, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.