One of my favorite easy appetizers are little smokies. They’re tiny, cocktail sausages that are perfect for parties, game day, and just as a snack. These air fryer little smokies are the perfect preparation, offering a sweet and savory combination and the perfect snap!
Little smokies sausages are a crowd pleaser, meaning that they’re perfect any time you’re entertaining. Not only are they tasty, but they’re also filling!
Instead of taking up a crockpot or oven space, you can make them in the air fryer instead. They come out juicy, caramelized, and with the perfect casing snap you’ll love.
I like to make my version with barbecue seasoning instead of barbecue sauce. This keeps them from dripping all over with sauce! The great part, though, is that you can easily adapt the recipe to anything you like, so if you love that saucy stuff, go for it!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients
14-ounce package cocktail sausages (such as Hillshire Farms Lit’l Smokies)
½ Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp barbecue seasoning
½ tsp garlic powder
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
Any brand of cocktail sausages works fine. Hillshire Farms is pretty common, but Eckrich is another popular brand. These are not the same as cocktail wieners, which are small hot dogs. Check out my recipe for Air Fryer Cocktail Franks if that’s what you’re looking for
The brown sugar may be swapped for honey, maple syrup, or apricot, peach, or grape jam if preferred
Any dry barbecue seasoning or rub works great. I’m using McCormick Grill Mates Barbecue Rub. You can also use ¼ cup liquid barbecue sauce if you prefer
How to Cook Little Smokies in an Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
In a medium bowl, toss the little smokies with the olive oil so they’re evenly coated
Add the brown sugar, barbecue seasoning, and garlic powder, and stir to distribute
Place the seasoned little smokies into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 350°F, pausing halfway to flip or shake the basket
Add additional time if you’d like them to be a deeper brown (but not too much as the sugar can burn)
Serve with toothpicks for easy snacking
What to Serve With Little Smokies
Cocktail meatballs
Sweet potato fries
Mashed potatoes
Potato salad
Cucumber salad
Potato chips
Mac and cheese
Cheese and crackers
Roasted vegetables
Jalapeno poppers
Root vegetables
Baked beans
Coleslaw
Panzanella salad
French toast
Cornbread
Crescent rolls
Applesauce
Fruit salad
Ketchup
Mustard
Barbecue sauce
There are lots of great sides, snacks, and dippers to serve with little smokies!
Yes, you can cook smokies in an air fryer. The air fryer does a great job of delivering a crisp, browned exterior and a juicy, hot interior.
They may be cooked plain, or with the addition of seasonings or sauces.
How Do You Cook Hillshire Farms Little Smokies?
Hillshire Farms little smokies can be cooked in the microwave, oven, air fryer, crockpot, or on the stovetop.
The microwave is the fastest method, while the crockpot takes the longest.
Are Hillshire Little Smokies Fully Cooked?
Yes, Hillshire little smokies are fully cooked. The cooking process is actually just reheating them.
While they should technically be safe to eat cold, the texture isn’t desirable. For that, and for general food safety, it is recommended that you heat them before eating.
How Long to Cook Cocktail Sausages in an Air Fryer?
Generally, you cook cocktail sausages for 10-15 minutes in an air fryer. The specific time depends on your air fryer, your desired level of browning, and if you’ve added any other ingredients.
Reheated foods are recommended to reach 165°F internally for food safety, and any additional time beyond that is personal preference for caramelization.
Can You Cook Frozen Little Smokies in an Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen little smokies in an air fryer. Add about 5 minutes to cooking time to account for the frozen state.
You’ll also want to pause after 3 minutes to shake the basket and break apart the frozen block of sausages so that they heat more evenly.
Recipe Pro Tips
This little smokies recipe is designed without barbecue sauce. If you use sauce, you’ll want to either baste the sausages or use a cake or loaf pan to prevent the sauce from getting all over the air fryer
Don’t worry if your sausages seem misshapen when you remove them from the package. They’ll plump up and return to a normal shape as they cook
The glaze will thicken slightly after a minute or two after you stop cooking them, but they will still be tacky (just not saucy)
Storage and Reheating
Store leftover little smokies in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They should not be frozen after cooking
To reheat cocktail sausages, microwave on high for 3 seconds, warm in a pan on the stove, or air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, until warmed through
These air fryer little smokies without barbecue sauce are a tasty way to enjoy a less sticky version of this favorite party food.
Your air fryer does a great job of delivering caramelized, juicy sausages that are the perfect bite-sized snack or appetizer.
They’re easy to throw together and are ready in about 15 minutes, making it easy to feed your hungry crew!
Air Fryer Little Smokies Recipe (Without BBQ Sauce)
This easy air fryer little smokies recipe without barbecue sauce is a less messy version of a popular party food. They’re juicy, caramelized, and delicious!
14Ouncepackage cocktail sausages(such as Hillshire Farms Lit’l Smokies)
½Tbspolive oil
2Tbspbrown sugar
1Tbspbarbecue seasoning
½Tspgarlic powder
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F
In a medium bowl, toss the little smokies with the olive oil so they’re evenly coated
14 Ounce package cocktail sausages, ½ Tbsp olive oil
Add the brown sugar, barbecue seasoning, and garlic powder, and stir to distribute
2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp barbecue seasoning, ½ Tsp garlic powder
Place the seasoned little smokies into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer
Cook on the air fry setting for 10 minutes at 350°F, pausing halfway to flip or shake the basket
Add additional time if you’d like them to be a deeper brown (but not too much as the sugar can burn)
Serve with toothpicks for easy snacking
Notes
Any brand of cocktail sausages works fine. Hillshire Farms is pretty common, but Eckrich is another popular brand. Note that these are not the same as cocktail wieners, which are small hot dogs
The brown sugar may be swapped for honey, maple syrup, or apricot, peach, or grape jam if preferred
Any dry barbecue seasoning or rub works great. You can also use ¼ cup liquid barbecue sauce if you prefer
This little smokies recipe is designed without barbecue sauce. If you use sauce, you’ll want to either baste the sausages or use a cake or loaf pan to prevent the sauce from getting all over the air fryer
Don’t worry if your sausages seem misshapen when you remove them from the package. They’ll plump up and return to a normal shape as they cook
The glaze will thicken slightly after a minute or two after you stop cooking them, but they will still be tacky (just not saucy)
They’re delicious on their own, but I often serve ketchup or barbecue sauce as dippers for my lil smokies
Store leftover little smokies in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They should not be frozen after cooking
To reheat cocktail sausages, microwave on high for 3 seconds, warm in a pan on the stove, or air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, until warmed through
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
