Welcome to the simplest, most delicious appetizer you’ll ever make! This easy Instant Pot cocktail wieners recipe requires just two core ingredients and cooks up in mere minutes, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy hosts. Much like our popular BBQ Crockpot Little Smokies, these pressure cooker delights are a guaranteed hit at any gathering, from casual get-togethers to spirited game day parties. Get ready to impress with minimal effort!
If your schedule is packed but your love for hosting and serving delectable appetizers remains strong, this Instant Pot cocktail wiener recipe is your secret weapon. It’s quickly become one of our family’s favorite Instant Pot recipes for good reason – it’s incredibly simple, fast, and universally loved. (Please note, this article contains affiliate links as part of the Amazon program, which may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Effortless Instant Pot Little Smokies: A Party Favorite
Let’s be candid: these little smokies aren’t just for parties. I’ve often whipped them up for a fun, spontaneous weeknight dinner, paired with some soft dinner rolls. On those evenings, I feel like a culinary superhero, even if my husband raises an eyebrow at the simplicity! But hey, you’ve probably made Instant Pot hot dogs for a meal before, which also take hardly any time. Consider this a delightful, bite-sized twist on that classic.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can prepare these savory bites in any brand of pressure cooker you own. Whether you’re using a Crockpot Express, making it a simple Ninja Foodi recipe, or your trusty Instant Pot, the results are consistently fantastic. Furthermore, you’re not limited to just one type of sauce. While classic barbecue is the most common and always a crowd-pleaser, don’t hesitate to experiment with other popular choices like tangy teriyaki, or the surprisingly delicious combination of grape jelly and chili sauce. Each variation offers a unique flavor profile that keeps guests coming back for more.
For those new to the world of pressure cooking, you’ve come to the right place! We offer a wealth of easy one-pot meal recipes designed to simplify your cooking experience. To get you started on your pressure-cooking journey, here are a few essential tips:
- Make sure to Bookmark our Instant Pot recipes page. We regularly update it with new, exciting recipes to inspire your culinary adventures.
- Next, we highly recommend you PRINT this Instant Pot cooking times cheat sheet. It’s an invaluable resource that will help you quickly understand the precise cooking durations for various ingredients like meats, vegetables, and beans in your pressure cooker.
- I personally find this non-stick inner pot to be an indispensable accessory for my Instant Pot. It makes cleaning a breeze and helps prevent food from sticking.
- While it’s always good to know how to deglaze a pressure cooker after sautéing, this improved liner significantly reduces the chances of experiencing “burn” messages, allowing for a smoother cooking process.
For your reference, the model I primarily use for all my recipe development is a 6-quart Instant Pot, perfect for a wide range of dishes.
Ninja Foodi Cocktail Wieners and Versatile Options
If you frequently use your pressure cooker for dinners and desserts, you’ll be amazed at how effortlessly other basic recipes come together. For those who own a dual-function appliance like the Ninja Foodi, you can even take these a step further. Consider preparing our air fryer bacon-wrapped smokies option for a crispy texture that adds another layer of deliciousness.
For this recipe, you can use either lil smokies or cocktail sausages. Served with a simple bowl of toothpicks, these make for the perfect snack during big events like the Super Bowl or any festive party. Their small size makes them ideal for mingling and easy consumption.
If you’re looking to scale up or prefer a different type of sausage, consider slicing a larger kielbasa sausage into bite-sized pieces. This variation is just as easy to prepare and equally flavorful. For a self-serve station, arrange tiny forks or long toothpicks alongside small cups for guests to grab their own portions. It’s a charming and convenient way to serve, perfect for birthday parties, large gatherings, and incredibly budget-friendly too!
Classic BBQ Sauce for Little Smokies
For a traditional, crowd-pleasing flavor, the BBQ sauce variation is a timeless choice. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cocktail wieners or Little Smokies: One to two packages, depending on the crowd you’re feeding.
- BBQ sauce: A 18 to 20 oz bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce, such as Sweet Baby Ray’s. It’s crucial to avoid super thick or honey-style sauces in the Instant Pot, as their high sugar content can easily trigger the dreaded “burn” message.
- Water: Just a touch to thin the sauce and ensure proper pressure building.
Sweet and Savory: Little Smokies without BBQ Sauce
If you’re looking for an alternative to traditional BBQ, the grape jelly and chili sauce combination offers a wonderfully sweet and savory kick. This unique blend is surprisingly addictive and equally simple to prepare:
- 12 oz. Jar chili sauce: Provides a subtle tang and warmth.
- 18 oz. grape jelly: Adds a delightful sweetness and glossy finish.
- 3/4 c water: Essential for thinning the sauce to prevent burning and ensure proper pressure cooking.
Simply whisk these three ingredients together until well combined. Use this mixture instead of bottled barbecue sauce in the recipe instructions below. The cooking times remain exactly the same. For those who enjoy a bit more heat, a dash of Sriracha or your favorite hot sauce can be added to either sauce variation, especially if your chosen sauce isn’t already spicy.
While often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle difference. Little Smokies are indeed smoked, featuring a slightly thicker skin and a distinct smoky flavor. Cocktail Wieners, on the other hand, resemble miniature hot dogs with a lighter color and milder outer casing, lacking the pronounced smoky notes.
Absolutely, you can! However, you may need to thin out the barbecue sauce a bit, especially if it’s a very thick or high-sugar variety (like those with a lot of brown sugar or honey). This method is an incredibly easy and affordable way to infuse chicken, hot dogs, or sausages with a ton of flavor with minimal effort, making for a quick and delicious meal or appetizer.
The “burn” message typically appears when thick sauces or foods stick to the bottom of the pot, indicating insufficient liquid or uneven heating. To avoid this with cocktail wieners, always thin out thick sauces with water or broth, ensuring there’s enough liquid to create steam for pressure. Also, avoid honey-based BBQ sauces as their high sugar content burns easily.
Yes, absolutely! These cocktail wieners are excellent for making ahead. Once cooked, you can transfer them to a slow cooker set to the “warm” setting, allowing guests to enjoy them throughout your event. This keeps them perfectly warm and ready to serve for hours.
Beyond BBQ and grape jelly chili sauce, you can explore many flavors! Try a sweet and sour sauce, a cranberry-chili sauce, or even a spicy Asian-inspired sauce with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. The key is to ensure the sauce isn’t too thick to avoid the “burn” message in a pressure cooker.
If you’re seeking more fantastic pressure cooker appetizer recipes that are both quick and impressive, here are a few more ideas to broaden your culinary horizons:
- Our Instant Pot teriyaki ribs recipe delivers incredibly tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs that are bursting with flavor – a definite crowd-pleaser!
- For something a bit heartier, the best Instant Pot brats are right here. They cook perfectly and are ideal for a more substantial snack or light meal.
- Our incredibly easy 5-ingredient Instant Pot chili is versatile enough to be served with rice or baked potatoes, making it a wonderful option for a dinner bar where everyone can customize their meal.
- And if you’re a proud owner of a Ninja Foodi, you can also effortlessly whip up these delightful brown sugar smokies, combining sweet and savory notes for an irresistible treat!
Simple Steps: How to Cook Cocktail Wienies and BBQ Sauce in Your Pressure Cooker
Preparing these delectable cocktail wieners is remarkably straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a perfect batch every time:
- Begin by pouring your chosen barbecue sauce into the bottom of your Instant Pot. Remember to steer clear of honey-based versions, as their high sugar content is more prone to triggering the “burn” message.
- Next, add about 1/2 cup of water into your empty barbecue sauce bottle. Replace the lid securely and give it a good shake to dislodge any remaining sauce, ensuring you get every last drop of flavor. Pour this diluted sauce mixture into your pressure cooker as well.
- Gently empty one to two packages of little smokies or cocktail wieners into the pot. Stir everything thoroughly to ensure all the wieners are evenly coated with the delicious sauce.
- Close the lid of your Instant Pot and set the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. Set your Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 0 minutes, or low pressure for just 1 minute. (The pot will take time to come to pressure, during which the wieners will heat through.)
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure. Carefully remove the lid, give the wieners a final stir, and serve them hot in a bowl with a side of toothpicks. They make an ideal appetizer for game day or any festive occasion!
If you’re preparing a very large batch for extended enjoyment, you can warm them in the Instant Pot, then transfer them to a slow cooker set to the “warm” setting. This allows your guests to enjoy these delightful bites throughout the entire event.
Instant Pot Cocktail Wiener Recipe
Justine
5 minutes
1 minute
6 minutes
8
Pin Recipe
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Equipment
-
1 pressure cooker
Ingredients
- 1-2 pkg. cocktail wieners, we used 1 12 oz package, can use little smokies too
- 1 bottle barbecue sauce, 16 oz, do not use very thick or honey style
- 1/2 c water
- 1-3 tbsp Sriracha, or favorite hot sauce, if you want a kick to them
Instructions
-
Pour barbecue sauce (avoid honey versions to prevent the burn message) into the bottom of your Instant Pot.
-
Add 1/2 cup of water into the barbecue sauce bottle, close the lid, and shake to get any remaining sauce out. Pour this into your pressure cooker.
-
Empty 1-2 packages of cocktail wieners or little smokies into your pot and stir to ensure they are all coated with sauce.
-
Close the lid and set the steam valve to “Sealing.” Set your Instant Pot to cook on low pressure for 1 minute.
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Once done, perform a quick pressure release and serve immediately with a bowl of toothpicks as a delicious appetizer.
Nutrition
Serving:
3
oz
,
Calories:
97
kcal
,
Carbohydrates:
23
g
,
Sodium:
583
mg
,
Potassium:
131
mg
,
Sugar:
18
g
,
Vitamin A:
125
IU
,
Vitamin C:
0.3
mg
,
Calcium:
19
mg
,
Iron:
0.4
mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Appetizer, Entree, Main Course, Side Dish
American
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