Today: Get My No Fail, Easy Cookbook Series for 60% OFF
Buy Now

Instant Pot Little Smokies

Pin RecipeReview Recipe
close up shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Little Smokies
This easy and quick homemade Instant Pot Little Smokies recipe is covered in a homemade BBQ sauce for the best appetizer to make for a quick game-day snack!
Jump to Recipe
Table of Contents
  1. Instant Pot Little Smokies Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Instant Pot Little Smokies Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Why We Love This Recipe
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE

These Instant Pot Little Smokies need only three simple ingredients to give these sausages an out-of-this-world flavor. The flavorful tangy sauce coats the Little Smokies sausages for a savory appetizer that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

close up shot of a bowl of Little Smokies

Instant Pot Little Smokies Ingredients

Don't want to lose this recipe? Get it emailed to you directly! Enter your email below. Plus you'll get a free e-cookbook and amazing recipes sent to you daily.

This recipe offers a tantalizing flavor experience that balances sweet and tangy notes with a tropical twist.

Pineapple juice infuses a fruity sweetness, while chili sauce provides a zesty, slightly spicy kick.

Brown sugar adds a rich, caramel-like sweetness to create a sauce that smothers the little sausages.

You’ll need:

  • 1 cup of pineapple juice
  • 1½ bottles of chili sauce, about 2 cups
  • ½ cup of brown sugar
  • 4 (14-ounce) packages of little smokies

Substitutions And Additions

LITTLE SMOKIES: Any brand of sausages works in this recipe, depending on what you have available at the grocery store.

You could even change it up and make this tasty sauce to pour over meatballs, pieces of hot dogs, or Italian sausage for another easy appetizer.

PINEAPPLE JUICE: If you don’t have pineapple juice on hand, orange juice can be a delightful alternative. It will bring a slightly different citrusy sweetness to the dish.

CHILI SAUCE: While chili sauce offers a unique tangy and spicy kick, you can substitute it with ketchup if you prefer a milder flavor.

To increase the heat, add a dash of hot sauce or sriracha. For a smokier dimension, try using BBQ sauce instead.

BROWN SUGAR: Adjust the sweetness level by using honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar as substitutes for brown sugar. Each choice will bring its own distinct sweetness and flavor profile.

How To Make This Instant Pot Little Smokies Recipe

Mix up the three-ingredient sauce and add it to your Instant Pot along with the sausages, and your work is done!

PRO TIP:

If you’re serving these cocktail sausages at a party, you might want to double this easy recipe. In my experience, these delicious appetizers go quickly.

STEP ONE: In a medium bowl, whisk together pineapple juice, chili sauce, and brown sugar.

pineapple juice, chili sauce, and brown sugar whisked in a bowl

STEP TWO: Place Little Smokies in the bottom of your Instant Pot.

smokies placed in the bottom of the pot

STEP THREE: Pour barbecue sauce over top and stir to combine.

sauce poured over the top and stirred

STEP FOUR: Place the Instant Pot lid on top of the Instant Pot and set it to sealing.

STEP FIVE: Press manual and adjust the time to 20 minutes on high pressure.

STEP SIX: When the timer goes off, quickly release the pressure.

PRO TIP:

Remove the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute. Mix the sauce and sausages around until you reach the desired thickness.

STEP SEVEN: Let cool slightly before serving.

How To Serve

Serve this perfect appetizer with croissants or by themselves.

When I’m serving them for an easy dinner here at home, I make mashed potatoes or mac and cheese to go along with them.

Add a Caesar salad along with it for a delicious and simple meal.

If you’re planning a party or a get-together with family or friends, I love pairing these Little Smokies with other appetizer recipes that include our cream cheese dip and buffalo chicken meatballs.

Storage

Whether you want to make them ahead for a party, save leftovers, or simply prepare for future snacking, here’s what you need to know.

MAKE AHEAD: If you’re planning ahead for a gathering or want to save time on a busy day, you can prepare these Little Smokies in advance.

After cooking them in your Instant Pot and allowing them to cool, transfer the sausages and sauce to an airtight container.

Store it in the refrigerator for up to two days before reheating. When ready to serve, simply reheat following the instructions below.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftovers of these mini sausages in an airtight container for two to three days.

IN THE FREEZER: We don’t recommend freezing these sausages after they are made.

You can freeze the smokies and then thaw them and add them to your slow cooker when you are ready to serve them.

REHEATING:

There are a few methods to reheat your Instant Pot Little Smokies:

  • MICROWAVE: Place a small portion on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until heated through.
  • STOVETOP: For a stovetop reheat, gently warm the Little Smokies in a saucepan over low to medium heat. Stir occasionally until they reach your desired temperature.
  • OVEN: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the Little Smokies in an oven-safe dish and cover with foil. Heat for 15-20 minutes or until they are heated to your liking.
  • INSTANT POT: If you prefer using your Instant Pot for reheating, use the “Saute” function on low heat and stir occasionally until the sausages are warmed through.
Little Smokies in an instant pot

Why We Love This Recipe

QUICK AND EFFORTLESS: The Instant Pot works its magic, turning these little sausages into a delectable treat in a fraction of the time it would take with traditional cooking methods.

IRRESISTIBLE FLAVOR: The combination of smoky sausages, tangy chili sauce, and sweet brown sugar creates a flavor profile that’s hard to resist. The sauce caramelizes beautifully, coating the sausages with a sticky, finger-licking glaze.

PERFECT FOR CROWDS: This recipe is a crowd-pleaser! It’s easy to double or triple the batch, making it ideal for gatherings and parties.

Our whole family loves how flavorful the easy sauce is. And it’s so simple to make with just three yummy ingredients! These Lil’ Smokies are a great appetizer and a huge win in this mama’s book.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make these appetizers in the slow cooker too?

This great recipe can be also be made in the slow cooker. Check out our crockpot Little Smokies recipe.

Are Lil’ Smokies fully cooked?

These BBQ smokies are fully cooked and only need to be warmed up before serving.

Why is my Little Smokies sauce watery?

If your sauce is watery, turn the Instant Pot to saute for a bit, you should be able to thicken it up!

More Recipes You’ll Love

Get Recipes on Pinterest

get recipes on pinterest
get digital lazy cookbooks
Get a Free Cookbook
Subscribe now to receive our FREE Sweet & Treats digital cookbook with 15 amazing desserts inside!
close up shot of a bowl of Instant Pot Little Smokies

Instant Pot Little Smokies

5 from 4 votes
This easy and quick homemade Instant Pot Little Smokies recipe is covered in a homemade BBQ sauce for the best appetizer to make for a quick game-day snack!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 16

Ingredients
  

  • 56 ounces Little Smokies (four 14-ounce packages)
  • bottles chili sauce, about 2 cups
  • 1 cup pineapple juice
  • ½ cup brown sugar

Instructions
 

  • In a the bottom of Instant Pot, whisk together chili sauce, pineapple juice and brown sugar.
  • Add Little Smokies and toss to coat with sauce.
  • Place the lid on the Instant Pot and set to sealing.
  • Press manual and adjust time to 20 minutes on high pressure.
  • When the timer goes off, quickly release the pressure.
  • Let cool slightly before serving.

Video

Notes

  • If you’re serving these cocktail sausages at a party, you might want to double this easy recipe. In my experience, these delicious appetizers go quickly.
  • Remove the lid and set the Instant Pot to saute. Mix the sauce and sausages around until you reach the desired thickness.

Nutrition

Calories: 333kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 1018mg | Potassium: 200mg | Fiber: 0.03g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg
Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb

Get Recipes on Facebook

get recipes on facebook

Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

You May Also Like

get digital lazy cookbooks

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

    • Layne Henderson says

      I’m sure you could. I haven’t done it specifically that way – only in the Instant Pot. Good luck, I hope you enjoy them!

  1. Kyle says

    Do you cook these on the high pressure setting or low pressure? 20 minutes seems like a long time for this on high pressure, but I could be wrong. Thanks!

16108

Free Membership!

Get all our new recipes straight to

your inbox plus a BONUS

download in your first email! ❤