Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
7 Comments Dec 19, 2022
Updated Nov 20, 2024
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These Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are made with just four ingredients and are simply delicious. This easy recipe is perfect for making as an appetizer for a potluck, game day, or holiday get-together.
If you’re looking for another little smokie recipe, try these Apple Butter Little Smokies, Grape Jelly Little Smokies, or Molasses Barbecue Little Smokies.
What are little smokies?
Little smokies are small cocktail sausages that can be made of various meat types (pork, beef, chicken, and/or turkey) and are typically sold in prepackaged bags. They are really easy to cook and often become one of people’s favorite appetizers.
Little smokies wrapped in bacon with brown sugar as the coating is the highlight of this recipe. And thanks to the crock pot, you don’t have to preheat the oven or get the baking pan out. Assemble the bacon wrapped sausages, let them slowly cook, and serve with a smile! And yes, the slow cooker does get hot enough to brown the bacon; you just have to rotate them at the three-hour mark.
Recipe Ingredients
- Little Smokies: Hillshire Farm (Lit’l Smokies) is the most popular brand, offering pork and beef options. The little smokie sausages are usually pre-cooked and ready for reheating/cooking.
- Brown Sugar: Creates the perfect amount of sweetness to the sausage.
- Bacon: Thick sliced bacon works best for both wrapping and flavor. The bacon slices are cut into thirds and then wrapped around each individual little smokie.
- Pineapple Juice: Helps offset some of the sweet brown sugar while giving the little smokies a slightly tangy flavor.
- Toothpicks: Don’t forget to buy these!
Step-by-Step Directions
Step One – Cut bacon into thirds using a sharp kitchen knife (or kitchen scissors).
Step Two – Wrap the individual smokies with the bacon pieces and secure them with toothpicks. (You will have bacon left over.)
Step Three – Pour half the brown sugar onto the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step Four – Place the lil smokies into the crockpot, toothpicks facing upward.
Step Five – Sprinkle brown sugar on top and the pineapple juice.
Step Six – Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours. At the end of the 3-hour mark, rotate the smokies. Place the ones in the middle on the outside. Recover and cook for an additional hour on HIGH. Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
- Little smokies can always be enjoyed as is, served right out of the slow cooker or placed on a platter for easy picking.
- Serve them with various sauces such as bbq sauce, honey mustard, honey, and/or with some of the caramelized sugar.
- Consider sprinkling them with red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper for an extra kick.
Recipe FAQs and Variations
Of course. Use whichever you have on hand. You’ll need something solid to keep the bacon wrapped around the smokie and withstand the cooking process.
Any leftover sausages can be placed in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them on a baking sheet, sheet pan, or cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place them in a preheated oven and cook until warm.
You can keep these on warm for 2 hours for your party, checking on them occasionally, stirring if needed. After two hours, turn the crockpot off, so they do not burn.
Yes! Place the little smokies in a glass 9×13 pan with the other ingredients. Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes until the bacon is done.
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Slow Cooker Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups brown sugar, divided
- 16 oz. bacon, (you will have some leftover)
- 14 oz. little smokies, Find these by the bacon or packaged lunch meat at the store.
- ¼ cup pineapple juice
- toothpicks, don't forget to buy these!
Instructions
- On a cutting board, cut the slices of bacon into thirds. Wrap each little smokie with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Set aside.
- To your slow cooker add HALF of the brown sugar (¾ cup). Place the bacon wrapped little smokies on top of that brown sugar.
- Sprinkle over the remaining ¾ cup brown sugar. Drizzle over the pineapple juice.
- (NOTE THE COOK TIME IS 4 HOURS, BUT YOU WILL NEED TO ROTATE THE SMOKIES AT THE 3 HOUR MARK)Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to high. At the 3 hour mark, you will notice that the ones in the middle will look less cooked than the outside ones. You are going to move the center little smokies to the outside edge and put those little smokies in the middle. I do this with a pair of tongs. Cook for 1 more hour on high.
- Serve immediatley, or you can keep these on warm for 2 hours for your party. Do not drain the sauce.
Sarah’s Notes
- Want to cook in the oven? Place the little smokies in a glass 9×13 pan with the other ingredients. Bake uncovered for 30-45 minutes until the bacon is done.
- Any leftover sausages can be placed in an airtight container and kept in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them on a baking sheet, sheet pan, or cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil. Place them in a preheated oven and cook until warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Does it get really greasy with sitting in bacon grease in Crockpot?
It can be yes, you can take paper towels and remove the grease if desired. It has the same amount of grease as cooking in the oven.
Can I double this recipe if I have a large crock pot?
I think it would do fine!
At what temp. do I cook them in the oven. 350?
Yes, for about 40 minutes, uncovered.
I’ve made these several times, but without the bacon and brown sugar / pineapple sauce. I will have to try it. We’ve always enjoyed them heated up in Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce. I will add the bacon wraps if I can afford the bacon these days.