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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies

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    Pin image with text of bbq little smokies on a white plate with toothpicks for easy serving.

    Air fryer BBQ Little Smokies are a faster version of the classic party appetizer that’s coated in BBQ sauce and a touch of brown sugar! I cook these tasty little sausages right in the air fryer, so they cook up plump and juicy in just a few minutes!

    Square image of bbq little smokies on a white plate with toothpicks for easy serving.
    Savory BBQ Little Smokies make a great finger food!

    These air fryer BBQ Little Smokies are an amazing appetizer with the perfect mix of sweet & savory!

    Little Smokies are a game day, potluck, and cocktail party favorite! These classic mini sausages are full of that savory, smoky flavor that everyone loves.

    They’re slathered in sticky sweet BBQ sauce and cooked again until the sauce is perfectly caramelized. These BBQ Little Smokies are just so easy!

    Jump to:
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!
    • 🥘 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
    • 😋 More Great Party Appetizers!
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    When you make them in the air fryer, they take no time at all, so you can make them right before the party! This recipe is the perfect appetizer for busy folks but tastes like you’ve spent all day.

    ❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe!

    The Easiest Appetizer! These easy-to-make, tasty little sausages are done in just 15 minutes!

    Incredibly Flavorful! Little Smokies are already so tasty on their own! Coat them with BBQ sauce and brown sugar and they’re addictively delicious!

    Perfect Finger Food! These sausages are finger-lickin’ good! Serve with toothpicks or serve a portion and dive right in!

    🥘 Ingredients

    My air fryer BBQ Little Smokies use classic Little Smokies sausages! I recommend using these, but in a pinch, you can slice up a good smoked sausage, like kielbasa.

    Overhead photo showing ingredients need to make this great appetizer.
    • 12 ounces Little Smokies Sausages – This is equal to one standard package of Little Smokies! You can also use turkey Little Smokies, if preferred!
    • ¼ BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite brand of BBQ sauce or make your own recipe!
    • 2 tablespoons Brown Sugar – Topping the Little Smokies with a touch of brown sugar makes them extra sticky and caramelized!

    *Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

    🔪 Step-By-Step Instructions

    I use an air fryer to quickly cook these BBQ Little Smokies because it gets the sausages perfectly cooked and slightly crisp on the outside! If you don’t have an air fryer you can use your oven, especially if you have a convection setting.

    Process photo 1 add the thawed Little Smokies to your air fryer basket.
    1
    Process photo 2 cook halfway and toss the cocktail wieners.
    2
    Process photo 2 brush with your favorite bbq sauce.
    3
    Process photo 4 sprinkle with light brown sugar and finish.
    4
    1. Air fry the cocktail wieners. Start by placing 12 ounces of Little Smokies sausages in your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, or until completely heated through.
    2. Glaze with BBQ sauce. Once the 5 minutes are up, toss or flip the Little Smokies. Then, brush ¼ cup of BBQ sauce over the sausages and then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of brown sugar over the top of the sauced cocktail sausages.
    3. Caramelize sausages. After the Little Smokies are glazed with BBQ sauce, place them back in the air fryer and cook for 3 to 5 more minutes, or until the sugar is caramelized. Then, remove them from your air fryer and serve immediately when done.

    Easy air fryer BBQ Little Smokies are perfect for nearly any occasion! Serve alongside wings, dips, or any of your barbecue or potluck favorites! Enjoy!

    💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

    • Use toothpicks to serve as finger food! For the convenience of serving, you can place a toothpick into each sausage before serving.
    • You can double this recipe if you’re feeding a crowd! This recipe makes about 8 servings, at 5 sausages each! The nutritional information for each serving will vary according to what BBQ sauce you use.
    • Oil your air fryer before using for easy cleanup! Brush the air fryer basket with a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil before adding the sausages so the caramelized sugar is easier to clean! 
    Tall image of bbq little smokies on a white plate with toothpicks for easy serving.

    🥡 Storing & Reheating

    Store the cooled BBQ Little Smokies in an airtight container or storage bag for about 3 to 5 days for the best quality!

    Transfer the cooled sausages to an airtight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer storage bag. Label and freeze for up to 3 months for the freshest quality.

    Thaw the sausages in your fridge the night before serving.

    Reheating Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies

    Place the Little Smokies in your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are fully warmed and the BBQ sauce is bubbling.

    😋 More Great Party Appetizers!

    • Crockpot Grape Jelly Meatballs
    • Little Smokies Pigs In A Blanket
    • Rotel Dip
    • Pinwheel Sandwiches
    • Charcuterie Board

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Close up square image of bbq little smokies on a white plate with toothpicks for easy serving.
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    5 from 15 reviews

    Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies

    Air fryer BBQ Little Smokies are a faster version of the classic party appetizer that’s coated in your favorite BBQ sauce and a touch of brown sugar! I cook these tasty little sausages right in the air fryer, so they cook up plump and juicy in just a few minutes!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 8 Servings
    Calories: 195kcal
    Prep 5 minutes minutes
    Cooking 10 minutes minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes minutes
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    Ingredients
     

    • 12 oz Little Smokies sausages (1 12-ounce package)
    • ¼ cup BBQ sauce
    • 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

    Instructions

    • Place the Little Smokies sausages in your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes.
      12 oz Little Smokies sausages
    • Once the 5 minutes are up, shake or flip the Little Smokies. Brush the BBQ sauce over them and then sprinkle brown sugar over the top of the sauced cocktail sausages.
      ¼ cup BBQ sauce, 2 tablespoon Brown Sugar
    • Cook for 3-5 more minutes so the sugar can caramelize.
    • Remove from your air fryer and serve immediately when done.

    Equipment You May Need

    Air Fryer (basket style)
    Silicone Kitchen Tongs
    Basting Brush

    Notes

    • A serving is 5 Little Smokies. 
    • Stick a toothpick in each sausage for convenience if serving as finger food.
    • Nutrition information is approximate as values may change depending on the brand of BBQ sauce used. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 195kcal (10%) | Carbohydrates: 8g (3%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 15g (23%) | Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 36mg (12%) | Sodium: 665mg (29%) | Potassium: 122mg (3%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 7g (8%) | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 12mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    air fryer, Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies, BBQ, little smokies
    Course Air Fryer, Appetizer
    Cuisine American

    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
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    Hi there, I'm Angela! I'm an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, and creative recipes as well as great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to make sure that cooks of any experience level can be successful. Enjoy!

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