Only 5 ingredients and 10 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 spent the day in San Francisco yesterday; took the kids to the aquarium, Pier 39, and Fisherman’s Wharf. Ate. And ate some more. And watched all the odd people.
The city was all a buzz, and at one point there was a humongous uproar nearby. I turned to Paul and said, “that must be some street performer”…not realizing they were all watching TV monitors. Also not realizing that the NFC Championship game was happening. Also not realizing that our very own 49ers were fighting for a place to go to the Super Bowl.
I couldn’t care less about football. I don’t hate it, I’m just indifferent. But knowing that the 49ers are in it…well, somehow that makes me excited. A little.
These apple kielbasa bites were waiting for us when we got home. House smelled great. They were so juicy and sort of melted in our mouths from cooking all day.
This is game day grub at its best. I suggest doubling the recipe because they’ll go fast if you have any sort of a crowd.
Want more of a meal instead? Serve them over mashed potatoes with some of the rendered sauce. So good!
Other kielbasa recipes you might like!
Kielbasa and Cabbage Skillet – Belly Full
Skillet Beans and Rice with Kielbasa – Belly Full
Kielbasa and Shrimp Fried Rice – Barefeet in the Kitchen
Crock Pot Apple Kielbasa Bites
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fully cooked polska kielbasa sausage , cut into 1 inch pieces
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup chunky unsweetened applesauce
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- red pepper flakes or cayenne , to taste
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 5-6 hours until thoroughly heated through and pieces are tender.
Notes
Nutrition
Craig says
What type of wine would go with this?
Sara says
Hi there! Do you cook the meat first, and then add it to the slow cooker?
Amy @Belly Full says
Nope!
Sara says
Great, thank you! I’m making these for Thanksgiving. What size crock pot would you recommend?
Amy @Belly Full says
I use a 6 quart
Liz says
Sounds yummy. Thank you Camille and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Kathy says
just put this in the crockpot. thank you for the recipe. I used regular apple sauce, not unsweetened and will add a little brown sugar later if needed. I also added some Dijon mustard. Hope this works!
cassandra says
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.
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Cassandra! Hm. That’s sort of am impossible question for me to answer. I can’t vouch for the end results, since I don’t know how kielbasa and veal will taste after cooking all day together. But if that sounds good to you, than go for it!
tiana says
Hi! This Looks delicious! I was wondering if you could use regular applesauce instead of chunky? Thanks!
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Tiana! Yes, that would be perfectly fine. Enjoy!
Jason says
This sounds amazing my problem is I don’t have a printer could youplease email it to me at email I provided please and thank you
Carolyn says
Sounds like the perfect appetizer–time saver too.
Alissa says
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!
Amy @Very Culinary says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it so much, Alissa! We love them, too!
Jill says
Thank you for the recipe. Did you mean to say “could” or couldn’t?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Jill – I don’t know what you’re referring to. ??
Mary Ann Farmer says
Sounds delish! Will be making this soon!
Tonia says
I have always fixed wat I called cannied Kielbaba…It’s Grape Jelly wth Cranberry Sauce…YUM YUMMMMM!!!
Marie Boatright says
Great for a football party !!!
Wendy Graves says
Yum.great recipe. Was wondering if you could cook on high for a faster cook time ?
Amy @Very Culinary says
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.
Liana says
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.
Amy @Very Culinary says
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 :(
Betty says
Does it make a difference whether coarse or fine kielbasa is used?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Betty – not sure I understand the question. You want to use the Kielbasa that comes in a thick link/log; it’s not ground up. I usually buy Hillshire Farms brand.
Sunny says
i have an allergy to apples. Could i use pear sauce in place of applesauce?
Amy @Very Culinary says
I’ve never tried it with pears, but I can’t see why not! They are very similar fruits…
Rick says
Could this be done whole as a meal?
Amy @Very Culinary says
Sure! Serves 12 as a app, so probably 4-6 as a dinner if you serve it alongside some rice, pasta, potatoes, or green vegetable.
Bernadette says
Will try your version over New Years. Noticed your friend asked if it could be served with a meal. Thought I’d mention my husband’s family’s version of Kiebasa for an additional option. His mom slow cooks the kielbasa in a crock pot cut into 2-3″ chunks with a couple of cans of saurkraut and simmers for a couple of hours on low, then it can be added to a meal of mashed potatoes and veggies, or made up in hard roll sandwiches with the addition of spicy mustard and served with the football games. Since his family has both Polish and German antecedants, the beer can be any American or a good dark beer or birch beer on tap. The kielbasa and saurkraut is even better after being refrigerated overnight as the flavors concentrate.
Amy @Very Culinary says
That all sounds delicious, too. Pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or rolls will always make a good addition to slow cooked pork sausage. I love the idea of placing them on tiny buns and making sliders out of them :)
Karen K says
WHERE can I buy “polska kielbasa” sausage? I’ve never heard of it.
Costco?
Amy @Very Culinary says
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!
Karen K says
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!
Amy @Very Culinary says
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!
Desiree says
Hi these were deliciousness. Would you be able to tell me what the nutritional facts on these are and serving calories? Thank You
Amy @Very Culinary says
Hi Desiree – I’m sorry, I can’t. I don’t keep track of calories or nutritional information for my recipes. But I’m sure you could Google for a calorie counter online and punch in the ingredients to get an estimate. Glad you liked them!
Stephanie says
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.
pam says
Perfect game day food!
Lindsey says
These sound yummy but I don’t eat pork or beef, have you ever tried it with chicken or turkey sausage? Do you think I would still get the same result? Thanks!
Amy says
Hi Lindsey – I just made this for the 1st time yesterday, so no, I haven’t experimented with other varieties. Only one way to find out…try it! Let me know how it goes.
Jen says
Whole Foods carries a fully coked turkey kielbasa, which is really good. That’s what I’ll be making this with. :-)
Joanne says
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
Amy says
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.
Nicole says
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!
Amy says
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.
Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary says
I just made these yesterday for the game! I sweartagod! How funny. We always think a like!
Amy says
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.
Lisa@The Cutting Edge of Ordinary says
I can’t post them cause my football crowd ate them all!!
Amy says
Lol. Right? So hard to get pictures sometimes, when you have an army of starving people. Make them again! Easy enough, that’s for sure.