It’s not a Party without the little smokies. This appetizer recipe for Slow Cooker Molasses Barbecue Little Smokies has a great sauce that you’ll love.
What’s great about this recipe is that you can leave it on low or warm for hours and hours during the party and they just get better! They start to soak up even more flavor as the party goes on. I also make an apple butter version of these smokies.
My sister-in-law makes these lit’l smokies for our family get-togethers. They all quickly disappear, they are that good. My daughter Lola always asks if Auntie Annesha is making these smokies for every party. I’ve had to learn how to make them for the parties Auntie Annesha is not at!
What kind of little smokies should I use?
I get Hillshire farm’s Lit’l smokies that have beef, turkey, and pork in them, I like the flavor of them. Choose whichever is your favorite, they will work great with this recipe.
How to cook little smokies:
You will need these ingredients:
- Lit’l Smokies (four 14-oz. packages.)
- 18 oz. bottle barbecue sauce
- ½ cup beer (use your favorite)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- ⅛ tsp. red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
Add everything to a 4-quart slow cooker. Stir.
How long does it take to cook little smokies:
- Place the lid on the slow cooker
- Cook on high for 2-3 hours or until hot.
- Serve with toothpicks or with forks.
Can I use something other than beer?
Use one of these options instead of beer.
- Apple juice or apple cider
- Water
- Pineapple juice
How long can I keep these warm in the crockpot?
These little smokies can stay warm for 3 or more hours after being heated up. Give them a stir occasionally to prevent any burning on the edges.
More variations of sauces:
Try one of these different crockpot little smokie recipes for a change on flavor:
- Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Cranberry BBQ Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Apple Butter Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Hawaiian Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Little Smokies
- Slow Cooker Smokies with Grape Jelly
How to serve:
- Serve as an appetizer with toothpicks.
- OR as a main dish with mashed potatoes or rice.
Slow Cooker Molasses Barbecue Little Smokies
Equipment Needed:
- Slow Cooker – 4 quart or larger
Ingredients:
- 56 oz. Lit’l Smokies (4 14-oz. pkgs.) – I use beef, turkey and pork variety.
- 18 oz. bottle barbecue sauce
- ½ cup beer (use your favorite)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup molasses
- ⅛ tsp. red pepper flakes
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
Instructions:
- Add every to the slow cooker. Stir.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or until hot and bubbly. Serve with toothpicks and enjoy. Set to warm for the party.
My family love lil smokies. I will definitely make this for our family dinner this week. I will serve them with mashed potatoes.
One of my favorite snacks. Always better with sweet bar-b-que sauce.
Thanks Hazel, I thought they may have been but wasn,t sure I used to say I love little boys but boy is that inappropriate these days…
LOL! That made me laugh out loud.
Hi Sarah, Can you tell me what Little Smokies are so maybe we have an alternative down under in Aus.
I would say they are cocktail franks or more commonly known here in AUS. as “little boys”
thank you Hazel!
I see there are some of the nutritional facts. But do you know how many grams of fat is in each serving?
Hi Mary, thank you for pointing that out. I fixed it. The other values have changed too! and yikes, things are high!
can something other than beer be used? maybe apple juice
Yes, or apple cider. Or it can be left out. I’ve done it without before.