Let’s face it watching football is mostly about the food and I can’t imagine it without Slow Cooker Little Smokies! Not only are they super easy to make, they are so tasty, made mostly from ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and it makes a big batch which is awesome because they will be go fast!
Down, set, hike! Who’s ready for some College Football Playoffs? There is something my family loves about gathering friends around and cheering on our favorite teams! I’m not sure which we love more, the rivalry we get going on that involves lots of screaming and jumping around, or all the finger foods and appetizers we can’t seem to homegate without?
Either way, watching College Football Playoffs has become one of our favorite pastimes! I especially enjoy it when my teenage kids invite all their friends over to homegate in our basement! And I’ve learned that if I want to lure a bunch of rowdy teenagers to my house the easiest way to do it is with plenty of delicious food and ice cold drinks!
I must give you a little piece of advice though, grab a few of your favorite appetizers and an ice cold Dr Pepper® before you turn the kids loose on the snacks or you will likely get left empty handed! I happen to know this from experience!
Slow Cooker Little Smokies are exactly the kind of football food my friends and family goes crazy for! They are made with simple ingredients (barbecue sauce, honey, lemon juice, chili powder, and Dr Pepper) most people probably already have in the pantry! You can switch the flavors up a bit by using Cherry Dr Pepper or by adding hot sauce! Homegating parties should never be left without these babies!
Slow Cooker Little Smokies are made completely in the slow cooker which means there’s really only one dish to wash! A win for me! It’s a completely hands off recipe. You know the kind where you add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, leave it alone for a few hours, and come back ready to party!
Slow Cooker Little Smokies are the easiest finger food to make and guys go crazy for the meaty little treats! And if you ask me they are even better when they are accompanied by an ice cold Dr Pepper!
No matter what when I’m planning a homegating party I keep it simple, quick and easy because I always over schedule myself and end up running out of time for everything I have planned.
Whenever I plan food for a Homegating party I try to include lots of different flavors and varieties of foods. Make Ahead Pepperoni Pizza Sliders, Jalapeno Popper Rollups, Slow Cooker Chicken Drummies, and Peanut Butter Popcorn are all easy options that will be a hit every single time!
Grab a handful of friends, grab some yummy food, make Slow Cooker Little Smokies, be sure you have plenty of Dr Pepper (and apples for me) and you will be ready for kick off in no time!
Slow Cooker Little Smokies
Ingredients
- 2 28 oz pkgs of beef cocktail sausages
- 1 18 oz. bottle of prepared barbecue sauce
- 1/2 c. honey
- 1/4 c. lemon juice
- 1 T. chili powder
- 1 12 oz can Dr Pepper
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a slow cooker. Stir to coat sausages.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve warm with additional barbecue sauce for dipping if desired!
Pat says
Absolutely delicious!! Tried these for Mew Years and was a big hit. Doing them again for the Super Bowl.
Amy Engberson says
They’ll be perfect for the big game! Enjoy!
Karla says
Can this be cooked on low for 8 hours? I would like to make this for a game night coming up. If I could have it simmer in my crock pot while I am at work that would be wonderful!
Amy Engberson says
Yes! It would be just fine to let it cook on low for 8 hours. Enjoy your game night!
Felicia says
Hello Amy,
I’m checking to see if this recipe can be done in the oven or stovetop?
Amy Engberson says
Yes! You could easily make this recipe on the stovetop! You’ll just need to let it simmer for about 15 minutes. I’ve never tried baking it in the oven, but I’m sure it would work just fine. I’d bake it at 375 degrees for about an hour. Let me know how it works!
Sues says
LOVE Dr. Pepper and these are so fun and perfect for a football watching party 🙂
Melissa says
This looks super yummy. I can’t wait to make it for christmas. I’m only going to make half of the recipe though so would I just have to cook it for 2 hours or still 4?
Amy Engberson says
I would still cook it for 4 hours just to make sure they are cooked through and have a chance to let the flavors get used to each other! Merry Christmas!
Melissa says
Thank you! And Merry Christmas
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
This was a childhood favorite!
Allyson Zea says
I made these at my holiday party last week and they were a huge hit!
Catalina says
Now I am hungry!!! 🙂 These smokies look so delicious!
Jen says
Between my 3 boys and my husband, I know these will go fast! Bonus that they’re made in a slow cooker!!
Chichi says
Wow. The Dr Pepper soda caught my eyes. I can only imagine the magic of caramelization going on in there. Thanks for sharing. Would give this a try.
Amy Engberson says
Anything Dr Pepper is a winner in my book! Super tasty!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
How amazing for entertaining!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
I’ve never tried the dr. pepper! I bet these taste great!
Amy Engberson says
I seriously LOVE Dr Pepper so anytime I can use it I do!
Luci says
These look totally delicious. This would be perfect for a holiday party. Thank you for sharing.
Amy Engberson says
They are fantastic at any party! People go crazy for them!
Christine says
I love meals that are made in the slow cooker! This recipe looks delicious.
Amy Engberson says
Me too! The slow cooker makes life so much easier doesn’t it!
Joyce says
I LOVE smokies! The ones I find here are stuffed with so much CHEESE! This is definitely going to be made. Sweet, salty and cheesy and bite sized is going to be so perfect for my upcoming get togethers! 😀
Amy Engberson says
My family goes crazy for them! This recipe actually doesn’t have any cheese in it which is surprising because I tuck it in about every recipe I make!
Sandi says
I love the idea of a grocery pick up…so easy for the holidays.
Amy Engberson says
I truly am hooked! It was the best thing ever! Especially on cold days when I don’t want to be outside too long. Or on days when I know the lines are going to be outrageously long. Or pretty much any day for that matter! It’s awesome!
Nutmeg Nanny says
Love this idea! Perfect for game day!
Amy Engberson says
It’s always nice to have a least one food that’s super easy to throw together! All that’s left is settling in for the game!
lisa says
This sounds perfect for the game, but also for holiday snacking — my family likes savory snacks, so this fits the bill.
Amy Engberson says
Yup! If they like meat and savory foods they are going to fall in love with these! So easy too!