Make your next gathering an absolute hit with these effortless, crowd-pleasing Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Little Smokies! Made with just 3 simple ingredients and completely hands-off thanks to your slow cooker, mini cocktail sausages soak up a rich, sticky, sweet-and-savory glaze made from spiced apple butter and smoky barbecue sauce.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Cook Time | 4 hours (LOW) or 2 hours (HIGH) |
| Total Time | 4 hours 5 minutes |
| Servings | 12 servings |
| Difficulty | Extremely Easy |
| Cuisine | Classic American Party Appetizer |
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of this recipe lies in the brilliant flavor contrast between sweet, spiced apple butter and tangy, smoky barbecue sauce. As the sausages simmer slowly in the slow cooker, the glaze reduces and thickens into a glossy, finger-licking coating that caramelizes beautifully around every single little smokie.
Ingredients
The Main Ingredients & Glaze
| Ingredient | Quantity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lit’l Smokies sausages | 28 oz package | Mini cocktail sausages |
| Apple butter | 1 cup | Adds rich, spiced autumn sweetness |
| Barbecue sauce | 1 cup | Adds smoky, tangy depth (Sweet Baby Ray’s recommended) |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Phase 1: Combining the Ingredients
- Add the entire package of Lit’l Smokies sausages directly to your slow cooker.
- Pour the apple butter and barbecue sauce evenly over the sausages.
- Stir well using a spoon or spatula until all the sausages are thoroughly and evenly coated in the glaze.
Phase 2: Slow Cooking
- Cover the slow cooker securely with the lid.
- Cook on HIGH for 2 hours or LOW for 4 hours, stirring once halfway through the cooking time if possible to keep the glaze distributed.
Phase 3: Serving and Keeping Warm
- Serve warm directly from the slow cooker or transfer to a festive serving platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. Enjoy!
Chef Tips for Perfect Results
Customize Your Flavor: Feel free to use your favorite BBQ sauce—whether sweet, smoky, or spicy—to tailor the flavor profile to your crowd’s liking.
Party Ready: Keep your slow cooker switched to the Warm setting throughout your party so the little smokies stay piping hot and tender.
Conclusion
Crockpot Apple Butter BBQ Little Smokies are the ultimate low-effort, high-reward appetizer for game days, holidays, potlucks, or casual weekends. Sticky, savory, and completely irresistible!