Little Smokies are a game day staple and this hot honey bourbon version is the one that gets people asking for the recipe before the first quarter is even over.

A slow cooker filled with cocktail sausages in sauce sits on a counter next to plates of apple slices, grapes, and sandwiches. A spatula rests in the slow cooker.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

Recipe Name: Hot Honey Bourbon Crockpot Little Smokies
Main Ingredients: Little Smokies, BBQ sauce, hot honey, brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, Creole Trinity and Herb seasoning
Why You'll Love It: These hot honey bourbon crockpot Little Smokies cook in a sweet and spicy BBQ, hot honey, brown sugar, and bourbon sauce until sticky and caramelized for an easy dump-and-go game day appetizer.

The hot honey is what makes this version stand out from every other Little Smokies recipe. It adds a warmth and a floral sweetness that BBQ sauce alone cannot produce and it pairs with the bourbon in a way that makes the whole sauce taste specifically bold and complex for something that took five minutes to put together.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Five minutes of prep. Literally dump everything in, stir, and turn it on. The crockpot handles the next three to four hours completely on its own.
The sauce reduces and thickens during the long slow cook and coats every smokie in a glossy, sticky, deeply flavored glaze that tastes like it took hours of active cooking.
Leave the crockpot on warm and this serves itself all party long. No reheating, no transferring, no extra work once it is done.
The sweet heat from the hot honey and the warmth from the bourbon together produce a flavor that works for every crowd, bold enough to be interesting, approachable enough for everyone at the party.

Ingredients Needed To Make Slow Cooker Little Smokies

The Smokies

Two packages of Little Smokies go in straight from the package. No pre-cooking, no prep. They cook low and slow directly in the sauce and absorb all that flavor throughout the cook.

The Sauce

BBQ sauce is the savory, slightly smoky base. Hot honey adds a floral sweetness with a slow building heat. Brown sugar adds a caramel-forward sweetness that helps the sauce reduce into a glossy glaze. Bourbon adds a warm, slightly oaky depth that rounds out the sweet and heat elements. Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang and helps the sauce emulsify. Worcestershire adds a savory, slightly fermented depth. CTH seasoning adds a herby, Cajun-inspired complexity. Smoked paprika adds an optional extra smokiness.

How to Make Hot Honey Bourbon Crockpot Little Smokies

1

Add both packages of Little Smokies to the crockpot.

2

Add both packages of Little Smokies to the crockpot.

3

Stir until every smokie is fully coated. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for about 2 hours. Stir once or twice during the cook if you are nearby.

4

Once the sauce is hot, sticky, and slightly thickened switch to warm. Drizzle extra hot honey over the top if desired and set out toothpicks for serving.

Hot Honey Bourbon Crockpot Little Smokies

These hot honey bourbon crockpot Little Smokies cook in a sweet and spicy BBQ, hot honey, brown sugar, and bourbon sauce until sticky and caramelized for an easy dump-and-go game day appetizer.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 4

Servings:

Ingredients

2 packages Little Smokies 14 oz each
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 cup hot honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup bourbon
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Creole Trinity and Herb seasoning
1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional

Instructions

Add the Little Smokies directly to the crockpot.
Add the BBQ sauce, hot honey, brown sugar, bourbon, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, CTH seasoning, and smoked paprika if using.
Stir until the Little Smokies are completely coated in the sauce.
Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for about 2 hours stirring once or twice if you are nearby.
Once the sauce is hot, sticky, and slightly thickened turn the crockpot to warm and serve.

Notes

For an extra sweet-heat finish drizzle a little more hot honey over the top right before serving.
Set out toothpicks and leave the crockpot on warm so everyone can help themselves throughout the party. These are the perfect hands-off game day appetizer.
The smoked paprika is optional but adds a subtle smokiness that deepens the BBQ and bourbon flavors nicely. Worth adding if you have it.
The sauce continues to thicken as it sits on warm. If it gets thicker than you like stir in a small splash of water or extra BBQ sauce to loosen it.