Get ready to meet your new favorite party food: these incredible Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies. They are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and spicy, all wrapped up in one bite-sized package. If you’re looking for an appetizer that disappears in minutes and has everyone asking for the recipe, this is it. Best of all, they are ridiculously easy to make on the stovetop or in a Crockpot!
Whether it’s for game day, a holiday gathering, or just a simple family get-together, these glazed cocktail weenies are a guaranteed hit. The sticky, glossy sauce is absolutely irresistible and coats every single sausage to perfection.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe
There are so many reasons to fall in love with this easy appetizer. It’s a simple recipe that delivers huge flavor without a lot of fuss.
- Incredibly Flavorful: The sauce is a powerhouse of flavor, balancing sweet honey with spicy sriracha and savory garlic and soy sauce.
- Super Easy to Make: With minimal prep and a handful of pantry staples, you can have this ready in about 20 minutes on the stovetop.
- Perfect for a Crowd: This recipe easily doubles or triples to serve a large group, making it the ultimate party appetizer.
- Versatile Cooking Methods: I’ll show you how to make these smokies quickly on the stove or keep them warm for hours in a slow cooker.
The Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe is in its simplicity. You only need a few key ingredients to create the addictive hot honey garlic sauce.
- Lil’ Smokies: The star of the show! You’ll need two 14-ounce packages of these mini cocktail sausages. Drain them well before using.
- Honey: This provides the sweetness to balance the heat. Standard clover honey works perfectly.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the best flavor. I recommend using at least three cloves, but feel free to add more if you’re a garlic lover.
- Hot Sauce: Sriracha is my go-to for its flavor and heat level, but you can use your favorite brand.
- Soy Sauce: Use low-sodium soy sauce to control the saltiness of the dish.
- Butter: A little bit of unsalted butter adds richness and a beautiful gloss to the sauce.
- Cornstarch: A cornstarch slurry is the secret to a perfectly thick and sticky glaze that clings to the sausages.
- For Garnish (Optional): Sliced green onions or sesame seeds add a fresh finish and a pop of color.
How to Make Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies (Stovetop Method)
This is the fastest way to get these delicious appetizers on the table. It takes just 20 minutes from start to finish!
- Make the Sauce: In a large skillet or saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in the honey, soy sauce, and sriracha.
- Simmer the Smokies: Add the drained Lil’ Smokies to the skillet and stir to coat them completely in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the smokies are heated through.
- Thicken the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a tablespoon of water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the skillet and stir continuously. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened into a beautiful glaze.
- Serve: Transfer the glazed smokies to a serving dish, garnish with sliced green onions, and serve immediately with toothpicks.
Crockpot Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies (Slow Cooker Method)
The slow cooker method is perfect for parties because it’s completely hands-off and keeps the smokies warm for your guests.
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together the honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and sriracha.
- Slow Cook: Place the drained Lil’ Smokies in the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and stir to coat. Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-2 hours.
- Thicken the Sauce: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker. Stir well, cover, and let the sauce thicken.
- Keep Warm & Serve: Once the sauce is thick, turn the slow cooker to the “Keep Warm” setting. This makes it a perfect dish to serve throughout a long party. For a similar hands-off main course, try this Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe.
Tips for the Perfect Glaze
The glaze is what makes these Lil’ Smokies so special. Here are a few tips to ensure it comes out perfectly every time.
- Don’t Skip the Slurry: The cornstarch slurry is essential for getting that thick, clingy sauce. Without it, the glaze will be too thin.
- Adjust to Your Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of honey or sriracha to make the sauce sweeter or spicier.
- Watch the Heat: When cooking on the stovetop, keep the heat at a medium to medium-low level to prevent the honey from burning.
Recipe Variations & Customizations
While this recipe is fantastic as is, you can easily customize it to your liking. It’s a great base for experimentation!
- Add Pineapple: For a sweet and tangy twist, add a can of drained pineapple tidbits during the last 30 minutes of slow cooking.
- Sprinkle with Bacon: Everything is better with bacon! Add some crispy, crumbled bacon at the end for a salty, smoky crunch. Speaking of bacon, this Bacon Cauliflower Cheese Bake is another crowd-pleaser.
- Try Different Sausages: This sauce also works wonderfully with sliced kielbasa or other smoked sausages.
- Add Sesame: A teaspoon of sesame oil in the sauce and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds as a garnish add a delicious nutty flavor.
What to Serve with Lil Smokies
These hot honey garlic smokies are a fantastic standalone appetizer. Just set them out with a container of toothpicks and watch them go! They are a must-have for any spread of unique Thanksgiving dinner ideas. If you want to serve them as part of a larger meal, they are delicious served over a bed of fluffy white rice to soak up the extra sauce.
Storing & Reheating Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, they are easy to store and reheat.
- To Store: Let the smokies cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: You can reheat them gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce is too thick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! This recipe includes full instructions for making them in a slow cooker. It’s a great hands-off method that keeps them warm, making it perfect for parties. Just combine the ingredients, cook on LOW for 2-3 hours, and add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce at the end.
Absolutely. For the best results, you can prepare the sauce 1-2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply heat the sauce in a skillet and add the Lil’ Smokies.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through. Add a splash of water if the sauce has become too thick.
If you don’t have sriracha, you can substitute it with another hot sauce like Frank’s RedHot or a pinch of red pepper flakes. You can also use a sweet chili sauce, but you may want to reduce the amount of honey slightly.
These are a perfect standalone appetizer served with toothpicks for easy grabbing. They are also delicious served over white rice, which helps soak up the extra hot honey garlic sauce.
Enjoy This Irresistible Appetizer!
This Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies recipe is a true crowd-pleaser that brings a ton of flavor with minimal effort. It’s the kind of dish that becomes a staple for every party and gathering. If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below or tag me on Pinterest so I can see your creation.
Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies Recipe
Hot Honey Garlic Lil Smokies (The Ultimate Party Appetizer)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Whisk in honey, soy sauce, and sriracha.
- Add the drained Lil' Smokies to the skillet and stir to coat. Bring to a simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, until heated through.
- Pour in the cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 1 tbsp water) and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Garnish with sliced green onions and serve immediately.
- Whisk together honey, minced garlic, soy sauce, and sriracha. Place drained Lil' Smokies in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over top, stirring to coat.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or on HIGH for 1-2 hours.
- About 30 minutes before serving, whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cover and allow the sauce to thicken.
Notes
Make Ahead: You can make the sauce up to 2 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Simply reheat and add the smokies when you're ready to serve.
