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BBQ Little Smokies with Bacon

5 from 5 votes
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By: the Evinks12 Comments
Posted: 01/22/25 Updated: 11/21/20

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BBQ LIttle Smokies in a foil baking pan with a wooden serving spoon.
BBQ Little smokies being scooped from foil pan with wooden spoon
BBQ Little Smokies collage. Top image of smokies in a foil pan on smoker, bottom image of wooden spoon scooping smokies
BBQ Little Smokies in pan with wood spoon
BBQ Little Smokies collage. Top image pan of smokies on the smoker, bottom left spoon in pan of smokies, bottom right smokies on a wood spoon.
BBQ Little Smokies on wood spoon
BBQ Little Smokies on wood spoon
BBQ Little Smokies collage. Top image of smokies in a foil pan on smoker, bottom image of wooden spoon scooping smokies
BBQ Little Smokies collage. Top image of smokies in a foil pan on smoker, bottom image of wooden spoon scooping smokies

This quick and easy party appetizer is always a hit! You can make these BBQ Little Smokies in the oven, crockpot or on the grill if you are tailgating. Grab your toothpicks or get daring and eat these with your fingers. That’s the way my kids enjoy them. Anything that is a finger food gets devoured by kids! I just love tricking them into eating especially when it’s delicious, fun appetizers like this.

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A pan of little smokies in bbq sauce with wooden spoon

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Little Smokies are a staple at any tailgating party or any party for that matter. I love that they are such a quick and easy appetizer, plus you can make them in your oven, on the grill or in the crockpot!

Why You’ll Love BBQ Little Smokies with Bacon

  • This appetizer is so quick and easy with very little prep so you can visit with friends and family while they warm up.
  • Got some picky eaters at home? Kids can’t get enough of this finger food that are basically mini hot dogs!
  • If you are cooking for a party, there are three different ways to prepare this so you don’t have to worry about oven space!
  • You probably already have everything you need to make this recipe in your home.

Ingredients for BBQ Little Smokies Recipe

  • Little Smokies – A perfect finger food!
  • BBQ sauce – make some homemade or use your tried and true family favorite!
  • Brown sugar – gives this sauce a nice sweetness that keeps everyone coming back for more
  • Bacon bits – The perfect addition for a little smoky flavor

What are Little Smokies?

They are heat and serve little sausages. They are perfect finger food!

Do Little Smokies Come Fully Cooked?

Yes, they are fully cooked, but they taste best when hot. That’s why this lil smokies recipe is so easy to make. All you do is let them marinate while you warm them up.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?

Well your favorite, of course! Seriously though, use a good quality barbecue sauce. A good sauce will add even more delicious flavor to the perfect tailgating snack! We personally use Sweet Baby Rays BBQ sauce, but whatever you enjoy is the one to use! If you are feeling up to it, you can even make a homemade BBQ sauce!

Two Image Collage to make Little Smokies

How to make Little Smokies

  1. Preheat the grill to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Add lil smokies, BBQ sauce, brown sugar and bacon to the aluminum pan, mix everything together.
  3. Grill for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Helpful Tools

  • Grill
  • 8×8 disposable aluminum pan
  • Silicone spatula
  • Measuring cups

Three Different Ways To Cook!

  • Grill – Great option for tailgating and easy clean up! Simply toss everything together in a disposable foil pan and let them cook on low heat for about 30 minutes.
  • Stove top – Toss all the ingredients together in a saucepan and then let them simmer for 20-30 minutes or until heated through.
  • Crock Pot – Perfect for parties when you want to keep the appetizers out all night! Toss the ingredients together in your slow cooker than warm on low heat for 2-3 hours.

Pro Tips

  • This is a great recipe to double up if you are feeding a crowd.
  • Have a few different types of BBQ sauce? Divide the little smokies and brown sugar into different containers and use different sauces.
Bbq Little Smokies with bacon on grill

How Can I keep this dish warm?

If you live up in the midwest keeping food warm when tailgating is an obvious issue, but no matter where you live or which team colors you wear when you’re amping up for the game keeping your food warm is an issue. Here are some easy ways to keep food warm when tailgating or at parties!

  1. Use our favorite portable grill
  2. Break out your cooler. A cooler keep the beer cold, but it will also keep hot foods warm! Heat up your BBQ Little Smokes, seal well with foil and wrap the aluminum pan in a heavy towel. Tucking it into your cooler will keep it warm!
  3. A small thermos is great for keeping dips warm.
  4. If you are at a party, throw them in a crock pot and turn it to warm to keep them perfect throughout the party.

How to store leftovers

If you have any leftovers they will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. Make sure to put them in an airtight container in the fridge.

You can also freeze them for another day! Store in an airtight container and thaw overnight before reheating.

how to reheat leftovers

To reheat the leftovers simply microwave them for 1-2 minutes or until warmed through. You can also put them in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat and warm them up. A crock pot is also great for reheating if you have a large amount.

Barbecue Little Smokies on wooden spoon

T

Everyone at the party is going to be asking you to share this easy little smokie appetizer! It is such an easy way to feed a crowd something tasty. You will definitely add this to your tried and true tailgate recipes!

More Great Ideas for Tailgating Eats!

  • Love chips and dip? You will flip over this easy and delicious Smoked Queso Dip!
  • Even better than Jalapeno Poppers are these Smoked Armadillo Eggs which adds sausage to your poppers!
  • Make your favorite restaurant appetizer at home with these easy Smoked Potato Skins!
  • Got the munchies? You won’t be able stop once you start munching on Smoked Snack Mix!

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Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @gimmesomegrilling or #gimmesomegrilling so I can see your grilling masterpieces!

BBQ Little Smokies on wooden spoon
5 from 5 votes

BBQ Little Smokies

Quick and easy BBQ Little Smokies are a five ingredient appetizer that can be made on your grill, stove top or oven!
Prep:10 minutes mins
Cook:30 minutes mins
Total:40 minutes mins
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Ingredients

  • 2 packages Little Smokies 12 ounces each
  • 18 ounces BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup brown sugar packed
  • ½ cup bacon bits

Instructions

  • Preheat grill or oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • In a 8'' x 8'' foil pan mix together all ingredients. Stir to combine.
  • Place on grill or in oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until heated through.

Tips

These can also be made in a slow cooker. Simply mix all ingredients in your Crock Pot and heat 2-3 hours on low or until heated through!
You can also heat these in a saucepan over medium heat for 10 minutes or until heated through!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 308kcal (15%), Carbohydrates: 23g (8%), Protein: 10g (20%), Fat: 19g (29%), Saturated Fat: 6g (38%), Cholesterol: 45mg (15%), Sodium: 1186mg (52%), Potassium: 252mg (7%), Sugar: 19g (21%), Vitamin A: 95IU (2%), Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 26mg (3%), Iron: 1.1mg (6%)
© Gimme Some Grilling ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.

Did you make this?

Be sure to upload a photo & tag me at @gimmesomegrilling. I love seeing what you made!

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Meet the Evinks

Hi! We are Jason & Julie! We focus on easy, simple recipes that everyone can tackle on their smoker and grills that the entire family will enjoy!

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Recipe Rating




  1. Bradley says

    Posted on 10/18/19 at 11:59 pm

    Used real bacon. Cut it up into small pieces. Phenomenal dish. Thanks for the ideas

    Reply
    • Megan Mitzel says

      Posted on 10/21/19 at 9:04 pm

      You’re welcome! Glad it was a hit!

      Reply
  2. Danielle Green says

    Posted on 10/27/18 at 2:57 pm

    5 stars
    Smokies are the first thing to be devoured at parties! Love the variety of smoky recipes!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 10/29/18 at 3:23 pm

      Isn’t that the truth! You can’t ever get enough!

      Reply
  3. Jillian says

    Posted on 10/24/18 at 12:31 pm

    5 stars
    My family loves these as a Thanksgiving appetizer. I’m SO glad that you have grill instructions because the oven gets a little congested during the holidays!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 10/26/18 at 2:45 pm

      Oh I think I need these on my Thanksgiving menu!

      Reply
  4. Aimee Shugarman says

    Posted on 10/24/18 at 12:16 pm

    5 stars
    Love that you can grill this recipe!!!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 10/26/18 at 2:46 pm

      I’ve found out you can grill about anything!

      Reply
  5. Melissa Howell says

    Posted on 10/23/18 at 9:48 pm

    5 stars
    My husband would probably eat them ALL. These sound so yummy!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 10/26/18 at 2:46 pm

      Ha! Mine did!

      Reply
  6. Malinda Linnebur says

    Posted on 10/22/18 at 11:37 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait for the weekend to get here so I can make these!! These will be perfect for game day!!

    Reply
    • Julie Evink says

      Posted on 10/26/18 at 2:46 pm

      They will be and kids and adults both will love them!

      Reply

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Hi! We are Jason & Julie! We focus on easy, simple recipes that everyone can tackle on their smoker and grills that the entire family will enjoy!

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