It started with a text: “Can you bring something easy?” I stared at the fridge, kids yelling in the background, and spotted two packs of smoked sausage. That’s when these BBQ Sausage Bites became my go-to party lifesaver. Just four ingredients, one pan, and a sweet-savory glaze that practically begs for toothpicks.
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Why You’ll Love These BBQ Sausage Bites
These BBQ Sausage Bites are the definition of crowd-pleasers. With only four ingredients and no fuss, they’re perfect for last-minute gatherings, lazy game-day spreads, or even a quick appetizer to bring to the neighbor’s potluck. The smoky sausage gets coated in a sticky, tangy glaze that bakes up thick and glossy. You don’t need fancy prep or a grocery list a mile long—just a baking dish and a little time in the oven. Bonus: they smell so good while baking, you’ll have people hovering around the kitchen before they’re even done.
4 Simple Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s all you need to whip these up:
- Smoked sausage: Two 14-oz packages. Choose beef, turkey, or even cheddar-stuffed.
- BBQ sauce: Use your favorite! Sweet, smoky, spicy—it all works.
- Brown sugar: Adds a caramel-like richness that thickens the sauce while baking.
- Dijon mustard: Just a tablespoon adds a tangy kick that balances the sweetness.
Optional swaps? Try spicy BBQ sauce for heat, or honey mustard for a gentler zing.
How to Make BBQ Sausage Bites (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Slice and Prep
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Slice the smoked sausages into 1-inch coins—they should be bite-sized, easy to grab with a toothpick.
Step 2 – Mix & Bake
Toss the sliced sausage into your baking dish. Pour in 1 cup of BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup of packed light brown sugar, and a tablespoon of Dijon mustard. Stir everything together until the sausage is well coated.
Slide the dish into the oven and bake uncovered for 45 minutes. Stir halfway through so the sausage gets evenly glazed and that sauce starts to bubble and darken around the edges.
Step 3 – Stir & Serve
Once the sauce has thickened and the sausage looks shiny and caramelized, it’s done. Give it a good stir before serving. These are best served warm, straight from the dish or transferred to a slow cooker on WARM for a few hours.
Make-Ahead & Party Tips
These sausage bites are make-ahead gold. Prep everything up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours. When party time hits, just bake as directed. You can also keep them warm in a slow cooker set to WARM for 2–3 hours. Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave or oven.
Serving Suggestions
These are born to be party food—serve them with toothpicks on a platter for easy grabbing. Want to make them a meal? Spoon them over mac and cheese or serve alongside buttery rolls and a crisp salad. You can also pair with other party favorites like Easy Crock Pot Street Tacos for Crowd-Pleasing Parties or American Goulash – A Quick, Hearty One-Pot Dinner.
Variations & Swaps
- Swap the sausage: Use little smokies (no slicing needed) or turkey sausage for a leaner bite.
- Change the heat level: Choose spicy BBQ sauce or add a dash of cayenne, sriracha, or red pepper flakes.
- Try different mustard: Yellow or honey mustard gives it a slightly different twist.
If you love these bites, you’ll definitely want to try:
FAQ: BBQ Sausage Bites
Can I use a slow cooker instead of baking?
Yes! Add all the ingredients to a slow cooker and cook on LOW for 2–3 hours. Stir occasionally for even coating. For best flavor, though, baking adds a slight char and thickness you won’t get from the slow cooker.
What kind of sausage works best?
Smoked sausage (beef or turkey), kielbasa, or andouille are great choices. Little smokies also work if you want to skip the slicing.
Can I make these sugar-free?
Absolutely. Use a sugar-free BBQ sauce and either omit the brown sugar or replace it with a sugar-free brown sugar substitute.
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BBQ Sausage Bites (Only 4 Ingredients!)
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
Only 4 ingredients and full of smoky-sweet flavor, these BBQ Sausage Bites are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or party snack.
Ingredients
2 packages (14 oz each) smoked sausage
1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite style)
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Slice smoked sausage into 1-inch coin shapes.
3. Add sausage, BBQ sauce, brown sugar, and mustard to the dish.
4. Stir to combine until sausage is evenly coated.
5. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring once or twice, until sauce is thickened and darkened.
6. Serve warm with toothpicks or over a bed of mac and cheese.
Notes
Use any variety of smoked sausage—beef, turkey, or cheddar-flavored.
Spicy BBQ sauce or a dash of cayenne can kick up the heat.
To keep warm for parties, place in a slow cooker on WARM for up to 3 hours post-baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12th of recipe
- Calories: 258
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 821mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 47mg