Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Bites Appetizer Recipe

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By: Becky HardinPosted: 8/21/15Updated: 10/13/23

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Kick off football season with Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Bites! This appetizer is a true set it and forget it Crockpot recipe that couldn’t be easier to make. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and completely addictive.

Table of Contents

What’s in this Crockpot Kielbasa Recipe

This sweet and spicy kielbasa appetizer is the perfect mix of flavors! It’s just the right balance between spicy, sweet, and tangy.

Kielbasa: If you have any leftover kielbasa after making this recipe, use it to make my favorite kielbasa jalapeño popper bites!
BBQ Sauce: Use your favorite store-bought brand or go the extra mile with the best homemade BBQ sauce.
Red Pepper Jelly: This is also a staple ingredient in pepper jelly dip, another game day favorite!
Honey: This adds just the right amount of sweetness to the mix. You can always add more if you want the bites to be on the sweeter side.
Dark Brown Sugar: All out? No problem! Make your own by combining 1 cup of white granulated sugar with 1 TBSP of molasses.
Red Pepper Flakes: Add more or less to control the spice level.

PRO TIP: To keep these kielbasa bites warm for the whole game, leave the slow cooker on the “warm” setting! That way they’ll be ready to eat but not too hot.

Are Crockpot kielbasa bites spicy?

The red pepper jelly and red pepper flakes both add a little kick to this appetizer recipe. However, both of those spicy ingredients are well balanced by the brown sugar, honey, and BBQ sauce. You can always add more or less red pepper flakes to best fit your needs.

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What is kielbasa?

Kielbasa is a Polish sausage that typically has a “U” shape and can be found in the sausage section of most grocery stores.

Is kielbasa already cooked?

Most kielbasa sausages that you can find at your local grocery stores are already cooked. This recipe heats them low and slow to really infuse them with the best flavor from the sauce ingredients. You do not need to cook the kielbasa before adding it to your slow cooker.

Do I need to stir the kielbasa bites?

Yes! Stir the sauce and kielbasa as it all cooks in the slow cooker every half hour or so to make sure nothing burns.

How to Store/Reheat

Once cooled to room temperature, you can store leftover kielbasa sausage bites in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed through.

How to Freeze

You can freeze these kielbasa bites in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Let thaw in the fridge before reheating. Don’t forget to date and label!

Serving Suggestions

These sweet and spicy kielbasa sausage bites will be hot ready to serve with ease. Put in some toothpicks for easy eating, and set out some extra BBQ sauce (or another favorite sauce) for dipping!

5-Star Review

“I LOVE football food that’s as simple as throwing it into a slow cooker!” – Justine

More Game Day Recipes We Love

Mozzarella Sticks
Baked Chicken Wings
Pizza Sliders
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Corn Ribs
Sausage Balls

Recipe

Sweet and Spicy Crock Pot Kielbasa Sausage Bites

4.50 from 76 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 6 hours hours

Total: 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Serves8

Print Rate

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Cook up kielbasa sausage in a mix of BBQ sauce, brown sugar, hot pepper jelly, honey, and red pepper flakes, all in a Crockpot.

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Ingredients

▢ 3 packages kielbasa approx 40 ounces, cut into 1 inch cubes
▢ 2 cups BBQ sauce
▢ 1 10.5 ounce jar red pepper jelly
▢ 2 tablespoons honey
▢ 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
▢ 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes or more if you want it extra spicy

Recommended Equipment

Crockpot (click for my favorite)

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Stir to combine.
Cook on low 6 hours, increasing to high for the last 30 minutes of cooking (or on high 3.5 to 4 hours total)
Stir every 30 minutes to make sure the bottom kielbasa isn’t burning.
Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 653kcal (33%) Carbohydrates: 49g (16%) Protein: 21g (42%) Fat: 41g (63%) Saturated Fat: 14g (88%) Cholesterol: 99mg (33%) Sodium: 2000mg (87%) Potassium: 658mg (19%) Fiber: 1g (4%) Sugar: 34g (38%) Vitamin A: 530IU (11%) Vitamin C: 7.8mg (9%) Calcium: 54mg (5%) Iron: 3mg (17%)

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Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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Vishnu Sahasranamam

Posted on 6/21/2016

Looks awesome !!!! I can’t wait to try this recipe !!!!

Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

Posted on 8/24/2015

I am sooo with you! In fact I actually play in an all women’s fantasy football league because we like football that much! :) hehe This are perfect and I LOVE kielbasa sausage, the best!

Becky Hardin

Posted on 8/24/2015

Reply to Krista @ Joyful Healthy Eats

That is awesome!!! I’m in a fantasy baseball league every year with my extended family. It gets pretty wild lol

Justine | Cooking and Beer

Posted on 8/23/2015

I LOVE football food that’s as simple as throwing it into a slow cooker! Heading over to get the recipe now! Yum!

Becky Hardin

Posted on 8/24/2015

Reply to Justine | Cooking and Beer

Thanks Justine!!

Malinda @ Countryside Cravings

Posted on 8/22/2015

Ooooh these are right up my alley!! I too like watching the games but I really LOVE the food!!

Crockpot Kielbasa Sausage Bites Appetizer Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

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