We’ve rounded up 20 recipes for little smokies that take these little cocktail sausages to the next level! Whether you need a quick appetizer or a crockpot dinner, these recipes have you covered.
Little smokies. Cocktail wieners. Cocktail 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!
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, cocktail 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
- Cocktail Franks with Apples and Onions
- Brown Sugar BBQ Mini Sausages
- More appetizer inspiration
- 💬 Reviews
What are little smokies?
Little smokies (a.k.a. lil smokies or lit’l smokies) are miniature cocktail 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
They are fully cooked, so they can be eaten cold.
Most brands of little cocktail sausages are gluten free. As always, check the label to be sure.
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.
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 cocktail 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.
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.
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 cocktail sausages.
Dr. Pepper Little Smokies
A can of Dr. Pepper creates a sweet glaze for these cocktail wieners.
Crockpot Smokies with Cranberry and Pineapple
You’ll need Catalina salad dressing, cranberry sauce, and pineapple for this easy crockpot recipe.
Bacon Wrapped Recipes
Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies
A little sweet and a little spicy, these appetizers will fly off the platter!
Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
You can make bacon wrapped smokies entirely in the slow cooker with this easy recipe.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies: 3 Ways!
Choose from regular, pineapple, or peach-jalapeño for these bacon wrapped appetizers.
Pigs in a Blanket Recipes
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!
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!
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.
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
Mini Mummy Dogs
Cocktail sausages get all dressed up in strips of crescent rolls for this Halloween-inspired appetizer.
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
Hawaiian Lit’l Smokies
You just need four ingredients for this Hawaiian-inspired lit’l smokies recipe!
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.
Smoked Little Smokies
Get even more smoke flavor in these little sausages by using a smoker!
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.
Cocktail 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.
Brown Sugar BBQ Mini Sausages
These classic cocktail 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 cocktail sausages!
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