Bourbon BBQ Little Smokies are a flavorful appetizer that’s easy to make and oh so good! They are the perfect fit for any occasion or get together!

Today we’re going big or going home. While these Bourbon BBQ Little Smokies look pretty unassuming, they’re actually mini flavor bombs just waiting to off in your mouth. Are you excited? Because you should be! These cocktail links are perfect for every kind of party out there. Backyard barbecue? Check. Holiday party with all your family? Check. Watching football? Check. You get the idea.

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How to make this easy Crockpot Little Smokies Recipe

To a small crock pot add BBQ sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, hot sauce, paprika, and ground mustard. Whisk together.
Add little smokies and stir to coat in sauce.
Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH.
Stir before serving warm.

This little smokies crockpot recipe is super simple and combines classic flavors for the perfect sauce to bathe these little smokies in. Rich and sweet from the BBQ sauce and brown sugar with undertones of bourbon that’ll leave you looking for some bread to sop with the extra sauce with. I’m not kidding. When you make this, hide some for yourself because they’ll disappear almost immediately when you put them out for everyone to enjoy. And if you forget, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

With the biggest football game of the season just two short days away, I’m planning our party menu. I’m going all appetizers this year! If you need some recipe inspiration, be sure to try these crazy good football party appetizers by clicking the links below!

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Bourbon BBQ Little Smokies

Julie Kotzbach

Bourbon BBQ Little Smokies are a flavorful appetizer that's easy to make and oh so good! They are the perfect fit for any occasion or get together!

4.52 from 91 votes

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 2

Total Time 2 5

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings links

Calories 35 kcal

Ingredients

½ cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons bourbon
1 tablespoon Frank's hot sauce
1 teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon ground mustard powder
28 ounces little smokies cocktail links (two 14-ounce packages)

Instructions

To a 2-quart slow cooker, add the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, bourbon, hot sauce, paprika, and ground mustard. Stir until well combined.
Drain the little smokies links and add them to the crock pot. Stir everything together, making sure all the smokies links get coated.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours.
Reduce heat to WARM until ready to serve.

For serving:

Stir the smokies links in the sauce. If serving from the slow cooker, recover the smokies links and you're done! If using a serving bowl, spoon the smokies links into the bowl and then spoon some of the sauce that gets left in the slow cooker over the smokies. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use your favorite BBQ sauce for this recipe. I went with a spicy honey BBQ sauce to play off the other flavors.
You can substitute your preferred hot sauce in this recipe if you don't care for Frank's.

Nutrition

Calories: 35 kcalCarbohydrates: 1 gProtein: 1 gFat: 2 gSaturated Fat: 0 gCholesterol: 6 mgSodium: 125 mgPotassium: 21 mgFiber: 0 gSugar: 1 gVitamin A: 15 IUVitamin C: 0 mgCalcium: 2 mgIron: 0.1 mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods and portion sizes per household.

Keyword bbq little smokies, lil smokies, little smokies

Tried this recipe?If you made this recipe, leave a comment and star rating to let others know how it turned out.

4.52 from 91 votes (88 ratings without comment)

12 Comments

Christine @ myblissfulmess says:

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This looks wonderful!! I love your take on these Lil Smokies which seems to be everyone’s favorite appetizer. I can’t have a get together without those delicious little weenies. This recipe is refreshing, because honestly, I’m so tired of the grape jelly method. Your version is gonna be AWESOME! I can just imagine all the flavors! Can’t wait to try this on a bunch of unsuspecting guinea pigs…. uh… I mean… guests… LOL. Thanks for sharing this!

Christina says:

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These are fantastic as is, but I replace the sugar with medium-dark Vermont maple syrup. Rich & super delicious!!

1. Julie says:
  
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  Ooooo! That sounds SOOOO good!!
  
Pamela says:

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These are terrific!! Such a great combo with the bourbon and hot sauce addition. Everyone loved them! Thanks for sharing! The only recipes I could find were the grape jelly and chili sauce ones – yuck:-( This recipe wasn’t too sweet – just right!!

1. Julie Espy says:
  
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  I’m so glad you loved them Pamela!! I got tired of the jelly/chili sauce too. It’s fine, but I like to mix things up!
  
Mickey Spidle Marchand says:

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Thanks for this recipe!!! I’m gonna try it tonight for the game!!! Roll Tide!!!!

Deb@Cooking on the Front Burner says:

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Oh – I love these and will be making a batch for game day!!

Becky Tarala says:

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Ooooooh, these are so great. Bourbon bbq sounds PERFECT for little smokies. Can’t wait t try them!

Barbara Schieving says:

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These are always a hit at parties.

Steven says:

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This is the recipe I’ve been looking for! Going to make a batch tonight to see if I like them, I’m sure I will! If I do, I’ll make them again and take them into work on Friday. I’ll stick pretty much to the original recipe but will add some chili sauce, I already bought a bottle. Probably add just a cup . I’ll keep you posted! Merry Christmas!

Annabella says:

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Can you substitute the hot sauce or take it out completely without altering the recipe too much? I don’t like anything spicy but this looks delicious!

1. Julie Espy says:
  
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  Hi Annabella! The hot sauce doesn’t come through as spicy. It’s there to balance out the richness of the bbq sauce. That being said, if you want to leave it out, I’d swap in 1/2 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. 🙂