Easy slow cooker brown sugar kielbasa bites are sweet, sticky and smoky with a glaze. The perfect appetizer for holidays, game day and parties.
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The Easiest Kielbasa Appetizer
These brown sugar kielbasa bites are the kind of easy appetizer that disappears every time. Sliced kielbasa simmers in the slow cooker with brown sugar, cola and a pinch of chili powder until every piece is candied in a thick, glossy glaze.
These are perfect for potlucks, parties or any time you need a crowd-pleasing bite. Serve them with toothpicks alongside other easy appetizers like lil smokies and BBQ meatballs for a simple party spread.
Ingredients Notes
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Kielbasa: Use two packages of beef or pork kielbasa sausage and slice it into 1/2-inch pieces. It is already cooked, so the slow cooker is really just warming it through and letting the glaze soak in.
- Brown sugar: This is what gives the kielbasa bites that sticky, caramelized glaze. Light brown sugar works best, but dark brown sugar will give the sauce a deeper molasses flavor.
- Cola: The cola adds sweetness and helps loosen the brown sugar into a glossy sauce. Regular cola is best here since diet soda will not reduce or caramelize the same way.
- Chili powder: Just a small amount balances the sweetness and adds a little warmth without making the kielbasa spicy.
How to Make Kielbasa Bites in the Slow Cooker
Add the sliced kielbasa to the slow cooker, then sprinkle the brown sugar and chili powder over the top. Pour in the cola and give everything a good stir so the sausage pieces are coated before they start cooking.
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours, stirring once or twice if you think of it. The kielbasa should be hot and glossy, with a sweet brown sugar glaze that thickens as it cooks. Serve warm from the slow cooker for an easy party appetizer.
To make brown sugar kielbasa bites on the stovetop: Add the sliced kielbasa, brown sugar, cola and chili powder to a large skillet and stir well. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the kielbasa is warmed through and the glaze is sticky.
Recipe Tips
- Use regular cola. Diet soda does not reduce and caramelize quite the same way, so regular cola is best for the sticky brown sugar glaze that coats the kielbasa recipe.
- Stir before serving. The glaze settles a bit as it cooks, so give the kielbasa bites a good stir before serving to coat every piece.
- Keep them warm. I love serving these kielbasa bites for parties because they can stay on the warm setting in the slow cooker while everyone snacks.
- Make them spicier. Stir in a little sriracha, a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes if you want more heat.
- Try pineapple. For a sweet and tangy variation, stir in drained pineapple chunks during the last 30 minutes of cooking. I love to do this when turning it into a meal served over rice.
More party appetizers we love include grape jelly chili sauce meatballs, Rotel sausage dip and kielbasa puffs.
More Appetizer Recipes
Brown Sugar Kielbasa Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Kielbasa (2 packages) , sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup cola
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Add to slow cooker: Add chopped kielbasa, 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup cola, and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder to slow cooker and stir well.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with lid and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
