Little smokies are a popular appetizer or snack that are typically made with barbecue sauce, but it doesn’t always have to be that way!
There are many other ways to cook little smokies that don’t involve sauce, and in this article, we will show you how.
Cooking Little Smokies Without Sauce
Pan-Fry Your Little Smokies
Embrace the simplicity of pan-frying by dressing up your Little Smokies in their natural fat and juices. To begin, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
Add the sausages and cook them for about 8-10 minutes in their juice and fat, turning occasionally to ensure a deep golden brown color on all sides.
Serve them hot and appreciate their rich smokiness enhanced by the caramelization from the pan-frying process.
Grill Them To Perfection
If you prefer a more authentic smoky flavor, grilling is your best bet.
Preheat your grill to medium heat and lay out the Little Smokies on a grilling tray or skewer them onto pre-soaked wooden sticks.
Grill for approximately 4-6 minutes on each side or until they’re nicely charred with captivating grill marks.
The result?
Perfectly grilled Little Smokies that will have your taste buds dancing with delight!
Bake Them
Baking offers a healthy alternative while retaining all the delicious flavors of these tiny treats.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and arrange the Little Smokies on a parchment-lined baking sheet with plenty of space between each sausage.
Drizzle oil over them and bake for 15-20 minutes until they turn golden brown, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Make Pigs In A Blanket With Them
Pigs in a blanket feature these bite-sized little smokies wrapped snugly in a soft, flaky pastry. They’re not only simple to make but also incredibly delicious.
Here’s how to whip up your own batch of little smokies pigs in a blanket:
Ingredients
- 1 package of little smokies (about 28-30 sausages)
- 1 can of refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
- Optional: Your choice of dipping sauces
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy cleanup.
2. Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a clean work surface and separate it into triangles along the perforations. To ensure even wrapping, cut each triangle lengthwise into two thinner triangles.
3. Place one little smokie at the wider end of each triangle. Gently roll the sausage towards the pointed end, making sure to keep the dough wrapped snugly around it.
4. Place your wrapped little smokies seam-side down on the lined baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart from each other. Brush them with an egg wash and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed up.
5. Allow your pigs in a blanket to cool for just a few minutes before transferring them to a serving platter alongside your choice of dipping sauces.
With this recipe, you’ll have an irresistible party snack that will surely disappear as quickly as they were made!
Remember always to serve these delicious snacks warm for the ultimate pigs in a blanket experience.
You can even make them ahead of time, store them in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven or air fryer later.
Little Smokies With Pear Mash
Begin by cooking little smokies as you would sausages on a frying pan, then serve with a mash made of potatoes and pear, plus onion gravy!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds starchy potatoes, peeled and chopped
- 18 Little Smokies
- 25g butter
- 1 onion, finely diced
- 2 ½ tsp all-purpose flour
- 250ml beef broth
- 2 pears, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 tbsp milk
Instructions
1. Bring those Little Smokies to life by cooking them over medium heat in a non-stick skillet for about 15 to 20 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when they are tender and cooked through. Set them aside in a bowl to stay warm.
2. While the sausages sizzle away, boil the potato chunks in salted water for approximately 15 minutes until they’re soft and ready to be mashed. Set aside for later in the hot water.
3. In the same pan used for the sausages, melt a portion of the butter and add your diced onions. Cook them for around 15 minutes (or more) until they become soft and translucent — perfect for a flavorful gravy! Stir in the flour gradually, followed by slowly adding in the beef broth while stirring constantly. Simmer this heavenly sauce for about two minutes before setting it aside to keep warm.
4. Time to give the pears some attention! Cook them in half of the remaining butter for around five to ten minutes until softened just right.
5. Finally, drain those potatoes you set aside earlier and mash them with the rest of the butter and milk until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in those tender pear pieces as you prepare your plate.
Now you’re all ready! Serve up those delightful Little Smokies with a hearty helping of pear-infused mash, and don’t forget the onion gravy on top.
Little Smokies With Sugar, Mustard And Soy Sauce
Making a delicious appetizer for your next gathering with Little Smokies cooked in a syrup made from sugar, mustard and soy sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Hillshire Farm Beef Lit’l smokies
- 2 – 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Instructions
1. Place the Lit’l smokies or sausages in a saucepan or skillet.
2. Add brown sugar, dijon mustard, and soy sauce to the pan, then stir until well combined.
3. Heat the mixture on medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking.
4. Once the syrup forms, your Little Smokies are ready to be served.
5. Transfer them to a bowl and enjoy.
Notes: For an even more flavorful experience, consider browning or pre-cooking the smokies before adding them into the saucepan with other ingredients.
Little Smokies With Apples And Onions
This flavor combination is an absolute must try – the sweet apples, savory onions and smoky Lit’l smokies create an irresistible blend that’s bound to impress buds.
Ingredients
- 28 ounces Little Smokies
- 1 large onion (sliced)
- 1 large (sliced)
- ¾ cup light or dark brown sugar
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grab a 3.5-quart casserole dish and start layering the sausages, apples and onions in it. Side note: The beautiful blend of colors will catch everyone’s eye and make the appetizer as visually appealing as it is tasty.
Now comes the pièce de résistance: sprinkling the light or dark brown sugar evenly across the top of your layered ingredients. This touch of sweetness heightens the flavors and adds that perfect balance we all crave in a tasty appetizer.
Cover your casserole dish and bake it for one hour in your preheated oven. The aromas wafting through your home as it bakes will have everyone eagerly anticipating this mouth-watering dish.
Once baked to perfection, serve these Little Smokies with Apples and Onions using toothpicks for easy snacking at your event.
Mini Corn Dog Muffins
If you’re looking for a delicious homemade snack that’s easy to make and will satisfy a hungry home, look no further than little smokies stuffed inside a batter made from flour and cornmeal!
Ingredients
- 1 pound Lit’l Smokies, cut into 1-inch bites
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add in the eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. Stir in the buttermilk to create a smooth liquid base.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in two portions, mixing gently until just combined.
Carefully spoon the batter into each cavity of your prepared mini muffin pan. You should have enough batter for approximately 48 muffins.
Gently press a Lit’l Smokie bite into each muffin so that it stands upright in the centre of the batter.
Bake your Mini Corn Dog Muffins for about 8 to12 minutes or until they’re golden brown on top and cooked through.
Pineapple flavored little smokies
Get ready for a trip to tropical paradise with our delightful Pineapple Flavored Little Smokies!
Ingredients:
- 12 oz beef Lit’l Smokies, washed, drained and chopped
- 1 red and green pepper, chopped
- 1 pineapple, cored and chopped
- 1/2 cup Caribbean jerk marinade
Cooking Instructions
Gather all of your ingredients and ensure that the Lit’l Smokies are washed, drained and chopped. Then core the pineapple and chop it into small pieces. Finally, chop up a whole red and green pepper as well.
Place the prepped Lit’l Smokies, pineapple chunks and pepper bits inside your slow cooker. Pour the Caribbean jerk marinade over everything to ensure an even coating – this will help create that irresistible blend of sweet and spicy flavors.
Set your slow cooker on high heat for 1½ hours. This cooking time allows the flavors to come together beautifully while ensuring your smokies come out tender and juicy.
Once the cooking time is up, serve these delicious Pineapple Flavored Little Smokies warm to truly enjoy their incredible taste sensation.
Dinner Roll Pigs In A Blanket
This recipe takes this classic (pigs in a blanket) to a whole new level with a savory sausage and sauerkraut filling that will have your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder, or lower.
- 1 cup diced onion (large)
- 1 12 oz package lit’l smokies
Savory Sausage Filling
Cut the smoked sausage into bite-sized pieces. Heat oil in a skillet on the stovetop until it shimmers, then add the diced onion and sauerkraut.
Cook until the onion begins to caramelize and the sauerkraut softens, approximately 10-15 minutes.
Add the diced sausage and garlic powder, and cook for an additional minute. Set aside to cool for a few more minutes.
Preparing Dinner Rolls
Defrost dinner rolls if using frozen ones, and roll them out into 4-inch circles. Next, stuff each dough circle with your delectable sausage filling, folding and pinching the sides to seal.
Final Touches
Allow your masterpieces to rest for 10 minutes before brushing their surfaces with a beaten egg. Feel free to sprinkle your preferred topping – sesame seeds or poppy seeds are excellent choices! Finally, bake these scrumptious bites in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 12-15 minutes.
So there you have it – our mouthwatering take on pigs in a blanket wrapped up in delightful dinner rolls.