Marianne Martinez
Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies are a fun and easy appetizer to make for game day or parties. They are tiny sausages made with brown sugar and BBQ sauce, and they are done in just minutes! The cooking time varies depending on the brand of air fryer, but generally, they are cooked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes. You can also baste the mini smokies and cook them for 4 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, then shake and baste them with sauce and cook for another 4 minutes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 15 minutes |
| Temperature | 350ºF-360ºF |
| Sauce | BBQ sauce, grape jelly, brown sugar, apricot jam, or a combination |
| Leftovers | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months |
| Reheating | Place in a single layer in the preheated air fryer and cook for 1-2 minutes |
| Type of sausage | Cocktail sausages (beef, pork, chicken, or a mixture) or regular sausages cut down to size |
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature and timing
The temperature and timing for cooking little smokies in an air fryer depend on the method chosen. Here are some options:
- Basting Method: Set the air fryer to 380°F and cook the mini smokies for 4 minutes. Then, open the fryer, shake the sausages, and baste them with sauce. Finally, cook for another 4 minutes.
- Bacon-Wrapped Method: Cut thin-cut slices of bacon in half and wrap each cocktail wiener with a half piece of bacon. Baste with sauce and air fry in your desired air fryer. Alternatively, you can use a GoWise Air Fryer and cook at 340°F for 6 minutes, then flip and cook for another 6 minutes.
- Add a Blanket Method: Slice crescent rolls into strips and wrap each sausage in the dough to make air fryer pigs in blankets. Air fry at your desired temperature for 5 minutes, turn, and then air fry for another 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
- Pan Method: Place a loaf pan inside the air fryer basket. If needed, remove the tray from the bottom and place it in the bottom of the air fryer. Air fry at 360°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you choose to baste the smokies with sauce instead of letting them sit in it, cook for a total of 8 minutes, turning or shaking halfway through.
- Direct Method: Place the little smokies directly in the air fryer basket. Cook at 350°F for 7-8 minutes, tossing once or twice during the cook time. Then, mix barbecue sauce and apricot jam, pour it over the sausages, and stir to coat them evenly. Finally, air fry at 350°F for another 4-5 minutes.
Please note that cooking times can vary depending on the brand and power output of your air fryer, so use these times as a guide and adjust as needed.
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Basting vs dipping
Basting
Basting your little smokies involves cooking them in the air fryer and then coating them with your chosen sauce. This method is perfect if you want your smokies to have a crispy texture. You can baste your little smokies with BBQ sauce, apricot jam, brown sugar, butter, and bourbon.
To baste your little smokies, first cook them in the air fryer for 4 minutes at 380 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, remove them from the air fryer, shake, and baste them with your chosen sauce. Finally, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 4 minutes.
Dipping
Dipping your little smokies is a simple and quick method that does not require additional cooking time. Simply cook your smokies in the air fryer and serve them with your favorite dipping sauce on the side. This way, your guests can dip their smokies into the sauce and control how much sauce they want with each bite. You can dip your little smokies in BBQ sauce, honey mustard sauce, or a mixture of mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and brown sugar.
Both basting and dipping are excellent ways to enjoy your little smokies. Basting may be preferable if you want your smokies to have a crispy texture and be coated in sauce. On the other hand, dipping is a convenient option that allows your guests to customize their smokies and control the amount of sauce they consume. Ultimately, the decision between basting and dipping comes down to personal preference and the desired level of sauce coverage on your smokies.
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Bacon-wrapped smokies
Ingredients
- Little Smokies sausages
- Bacon
- Brown sugar
- Chili powder
- Cracked pepper
- Ground mustard
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
First, pat the sausages dry with a paper towel. Then, cut the bacon slices into halves or thirds, and wrap each sausage with a piece of bacon. Secure the bacon in place with a toothpick.
Next, add the brown sugar, chili powder, cracked pepper, and ground mustard to a zip-top bag and shake to combine. Place 5-10 sausages into the bag and shake to coat them evenly in the seasoning.
Finally, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket and air fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. Flip the sausages and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon is as crispy as you like it. Repeat this process with the remaining sausages.
Note that subsequent batches may take less time as the air fryer will already be hot. You can also cook the sausages until they reach your desired level of doneness.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve the Bacon-Wrapped Smokies with ranch dressing, honey mustard, or a spicy brown mustard for dipping.
Make-Ahead Options
There are a few ways to make these Bacon-Wrapped Smokies in advance:
- Wrap the sausages in bacon, secure them with toothpicks, and refrigerate until ready to cook. Prepare the bag of seasoning and toss the sausages into the seasoning before air frying.
- Completely prep the sausages, including coating them in the seasoning, and store them in the fridge until ready to air fry. This method may make the spice mixture a little wetter.
- Prep, cook, and refrigerate the sausages for up to 2 days in advance. Reheat them in the air fryer when ready to serve.
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Appetizer ideas
Little Smokies are a great appetizer idea for a party or game day. They are easy to make and only take minutes to cook in an air fryer.
Ingredients
You will need:
- Little Smokies sausages (any type of cocktail sausage will work, including beef, pork, chicken, or a mixture)
- BBQ sauce (any brand, but a lighter sauce is recommended)
- Brown sugar
- Apricot jam (optional)
- Grape jelly (optional)
- Chilli sauce (optional)
- Bacon (optional)
- Crescent rolls (optional)
Method
First, preheat your air fryer to 350ºF (175ºC). If you are using a GoWise Air Fryer, preheat to 340ºF. Then, prepare your sauce by mixing together the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and apricot jam or grape jelly, if using. You can also add some chilli sauce for a spicier option.
Next, place the sausages in the air fryer basket or a greased pan in the basket. If you are using bacon, wrap each sausage in a half slice of bacon and secure it with a toothpick before placing them in the basket. For pigs in a blanket, wrap each sausage in a strip of crescent roll dough instead of bacon.
Cook the sausages for 7-10 minutes, tossing or shaking halfway through. If you are using bacon, cook for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For pigs in a blanket, cook for 7-8 minutes, turning once during cook time.
After removing the sausages from the air fryer, brush them with the sauce and cook for an additional 2-5 minutes to caramelize the sauce. If you are not using a sauce, you can baste the sausages with the sauce and cook for 4 minutes, shake and baste again, and cook for another 4 minutes.
Finally, allow the sausages to rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve them with toothpicks and a side of extra sauce for dipping.
Storage
Little Smokies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, place them in a single layer in the preheated air fryer and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
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Storage and reheating
Storing and reheating your Air Fryer Little Smokies is a simple process. If you have any leftover Little Smokies, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. To reheat, place the little smokies in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for one to two minutes, or until heated through.
You can also reheat your Little Smokies in a pan over medium heat. It is not recommended to freeze your Little Smokies after they have been cooked, as they do not store well. However, you can make them ahead of time and freeze them. To do this, wrap your smokies in bacon, leaving out the toothpicks, and place them in an airtight container in layers with parchment paper between them. Freeze for up to three months. Before cooking, allow them to fully thaw, and secure the bacon with soaked toothpicks if needed.
To reheat frozen Little Smokies, place them in the air fryer at 375°F for three to five minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a pan over medium heat.
When reheating, note that different air fryers may vary in power output or wattage, so adjust your timing accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking times can vary depending on the brand of air fryer used. However, on average, Little Smokies are cooked in an air fryer for 15 minutes at 360ºF. If you choose to baste them with sauce, you will only need to cook them for 8 minutes in total.
You can use any barbecue sauce of your choice. Some recipes suggest mixing the barbecue sauce with apricot jam, grape jelly, or brown sugar.
It is recommended to cook Little Smokies at 350ºF.
