Crock Pot Apple Kielbasa Bites
Updated
Updated
Only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep needed for these absolutely delicious Apple Kielbasa Bites made in the slow cooker. Perfect as an appetizer, or serve over mashed potatoes for a complete meal!
We just love easy slow cooker appetizers! Check out our grape jelly meatballs and little smokies.
Pin this now to find it later
Pin ItThis post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.
Crock Pot Kielbasa Bites Recipe
This apple kielbasa bites recipe is always tucked in my back pocket. I pull it out when I need an effortless appetizer (or dinner!) because my fridge is never without kielbasa. It’s a lifesaver ingredient!
Made with just 5 ingredients, but seasonings, these take just minutes to prep and then let the slow cooker do the work for a few hours. It’s game day grub at its best, but we also love them served over mashed potatoes or rice as a meal.
If you’re making these as an appetizer for a crowd, I suggest doubling the recipe – they’ll go fast!
Ingredients Needed
You only need 5 ingredients, plus seasoning to make these kielbasa bites.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Smoked sausage kielbasa – Unlike fresh sausages, kielbasa is already smoked/cooked and it’s so flavorful. We like the Hillshire Farm brand.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar gives this dish a sweet warm, molasses flavor.
- Unsweetened applesauce – For flavor and moisture.
- Garlic – Use fresh for best flavor.
- Mustard – Adds a little tanginess.
- Crushed red pepper flakes – Just a pinch for a little heat. You can simply omit, if preferred.
Recipe Variations
- Use turkey kielbasa. Don’t eat or simply want to lighten the dish up? Use turkey kielbasa instead.
- Make it spicy. Cooked Andouille can replace the kielbasa if you like your food spicy.
- Add in some pineapple chunks. If you love the taste of pineapple, add in some fresh or canned pineapple.
Serving Suggestions
If serving as an appetizer, poke them with toothpicks or have toothpicks on the side for guests. As a meal, we love this dish over mashed potatoes with a simple side salad.
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The easiest way to reheat these is in the microwave, but if you’re reheating a large amount, you can also use the crockpot or stovetop.
More Kielbasa Recipes:
- Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet
- Kielbasa and Vegetable Foil Packets
- Shrimp Boil
- Easy Jambalaya
- Rice and Beans
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
Crock Pot Apple Kielbasa Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pakcages (13 ounces each) fully cooked polska kielbasa sausage, , cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 3 cloves garlic, , minced
- 2 teaspoons mustard
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Coat a 6 quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.
- Add in all of the ingredients and stir to coat.
- Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours until thoroughly heated through and pieces are tender, stirring a few times so the sides don't burn.
- Enjoy as an appetizer or over mashed potatoes or rice as a meal.
Nutrition
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Did you make this? Leave a rating below!
SO EASY TO MAKE. EVERYONE LOVED THEM!!!
This was so easy and delicious! I served it over mashed sweet potatoes for a meal.
It was easy to make and everyone loved it
What type of wine would go with this?
Hi there! Do you cook the meat first, and then add it to the slow cooker?
Nope!
Great, thank you! I’m making these for Thanksgiving. What size crock pot would you recommend?
I use a 6 quart
Sounds yummy. Thank you Camille and Happy New Year to you and your family.
I used regular apple sauce, not unsweetened and used Dijon mustard since the type wasn’t specified. Delicious!!
Hi I plan to make these for my party this weekend but I also wanted to add veal franks that I already have at home and mix them with a one pound cooked kielbasa!!!! What do you think? yes or no I should not?
Thank you for your suggestion.
This was delicious!
This were amazing. Made them for poker night.
Sounds like the perfect appetizer–time saver too.
This couldn’t be easier, and turned out amazing. Thank you so much for posting! I was in a hurry so I cooked for 2 hours on high in my crockpot. I did stir now and then, to keep the sides from burning. I will make this again, for sure!
Sounds delish! Will be making this soon!
I have always fixed wat I called cannied Kielbaba…It’s Grape Jelly wth Cranberry Sauce…YUM YUMMMMM!!!
Great for a football party !!!
Yum.great recipe. Was wondering if you could cook on high for a faster cook time ?
Hi Wendy – I can’t see why not, considering the kielbasa is already cooked. If possible, though, I would give them a stir after 2 hours to make sure they’re not burning.
If I only have a 1 quart crock pot, what reduction do I need to do to fit this in my crockpot? I feel like I could fit all this in there but I don’t know.
Hi Liana – 1 quart, huh? Hm. That’s really tiny. I have a 6 quart. 2 pounds of kielbasa won’t fit in yours. You could maybe halve the recipe, but even then I think they’ll be crowded…I’m concerned that there won’t be enough heat circulation in between the bites to cook them down properly. You could try it. The kielbasa I buy is pre-cooked, so even if they don’t cook down all the way, they’re not unsafe to eat. It just won’t be the same :(
i have an allergy to apples so i made this with pear sauce. it was very good.
Made and served over sweet potato mash. Loved it.
WHERE can I buy “polska kielbasa” sausage? I’ve never heard of it.
Costco?
Hi Karen – it’s a really common item at most grocery stores. It’s usually located near the bacon and/or hot dogs or sausages. You’ve probably seen it a dozen times and don’t even realize it!
Hi, if I’m going to make this for only 4-6 people, can I halve the recipe and put it into a 4-qt slow cooker? I’m not too familiar with slow cookers at all….sorry! Oh, and would the times be the same for a 4-qt? (low for 6-8 hrs?) Thank you in advance for your help!
Yes, that should be fine, but I would probably only halve the amount of kielbasa, keeping the other ingredient amounts the same. You want there to be enough liquid so they don’t get charred. The time won’t change – still cook on low for 6-8 hours. Enjoy!
Hi these were deliciousness.
Oh. My. Goodness. I can’t believe I’m reading this AFTER Super Bowl. I need these in my life. Right. Now. Must find a reason to make them.
Perfect game day food!
I make these with turkey sausage – so good!
Whole Foods carries a fully coked turkey kielbasa, which is really good. That’s what I’ll be making this with. :-)
I’m majorly not watching the superbowl this year (actually going to hang out with another blogger instead!) but the.boy. is. And I’m sure he would love it if I made him a batch of these to send off with him. Along with my sweet potato sliders of course. :P
Oh goodness, I’m not actually going to watch the game. Pfft. HA. I just use the day as an excuse to have all my favorite people over. And use tooth picks.
Me again!!! Your favorite friend that doesn’t cook. Luckily since I have known you since the 7th grade you have to just deal with my funny questions. These look so good and I think I can handle this!! My question is do you just make these as an appetizer or could I make it for dinner and server them over rice or something? You know how I love crock pot recipes with no other work other than throwing everything in to it! Keep them those recipes coming!
HEE! I knew you’d love this! I made them as an app…testing out stuff for Super Bowl, but you could totally make them and serve over rice or potatoes for a complete meal. I actually think I might do that next time.
I just made these yesterday for the game! I sweartagod! How funny. We always think a like!
Really, Lisa? HA. That’s so funny! We share the same taste buds. I saw these on Pinterest and knew immediately I had to make them. Are you posting them? I did add extra garlic (naturally) and also some cayenne for a slight kick. We loved them.
I can’t post them cause my football crowd ate them all!!