Tangy, buttery, and just the right touch of sweet, Mississippi Lil’ Smokies are an effortless crowd-pleaser. A ranch-and-pepperoncini glaze bubbles into glossy, flavor-packed bites that are perfect for parties, game day, or holiday spreads. Bake in one pan, serve warm with toothpicks, and watch them vanish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb Lil’ Smokies (cocktail sausages)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6–8 pepperoncini peppers, sliced (plus 2 tablespoons juice)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place Lil’ Smokies in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish or large oven-safe skillet.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, ranch mix, brown sugar, garlic powder, and pepperoncini juice until combined.
- Combine and bake: Pour sauce over the sausages and scatter sliced pepperoncini on top. Bake 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until bubbling and well coated.
- Serve: Keep warm and serve straight from the dish with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Variation
- Slow Cooker: Add all ingredients to a slow cooker, stir, and cook on Low 2–3 hours (or High 1–1.5 hours). Switch to Warm for serving.
- Bacon-Wrapped: Wrap each sausage in 1/3 slice bacon, secure with a toothpick, arrange in dish, pour sauce over, and bake 30–35 minutes until bacon is crisp.
- Low-Carb: Swap brown sugar for 2–3 tablespoons brown sugar substitute; keep pepperoncini for tang without extra carbs.
Cooking Notes
- Bake in a true single layer for even saucing and browning.
- If using convection, start checking at 18 minutes; it cooks faster.
- Pepperoncini are mild—add sliced jalapeños or crushed red pepper for extra heat.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with toothpicks alongside buttery crackers or pretzel bites.
- Pile into warm slider buns with a spoonful of sauce for mini sandwiches.
- Add to a holiday board with cheeses, olives, pickles, and fresh herbs.
Tips
- Taste the sauce before pouring and adjust sugar or pepperoncini juice to balance sweet/tang.
- For easy cleanup, line the baking dish with foil or parchment.
- Holding for a party? Keep at 165°F+ in a slow cooker on Warm; stir occasionally.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Protein: 5 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these ahead?
Yes. Bake, cool, and refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat at 325°F until warmed through or in a slow cooker on Low, stirring occasionally. - Are pepperoncini spicy?
They’re mild and tangy. For more heat, add jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes. - How do I reduce sodium?
Use unsalted butter, low-sodium sausages if available, and half the ranch packet; add extra herbs/garlic for flavor. - Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely use two pans or a sheet pan for a single layer, and extend bake time a few minutes.
Conclusion
Bold, buttery, and tangy-sweet, Mississippi Lil’ Smokies are the ultimate set-and-forget party snack. A quick ranch-and-pepperoncini glaze transforms cocktail sausages into glossy, addictive bites. Bake in one pan, keep warm for serving, and watch them disappear from the appetizer table in minutes.
Print
Mississippi Lil’ Smokies
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: About 10 servings (≈4–5 sausages each) 1x
- Diet: Gluten-free friendly (check labels); low-carb option with sweetener
Description
Tangy, buttery, and just the right touch of sweet, Mississippi Lil’ Smokies are an effortless crowd-pleaser. A ranch-and-pepperoncini glaze bubbles into glossy, flavor-packed bites that are perfect for parties, game day, or holiday spreads. Bake in one pan, serve warm with toothpicks, and watch them vanish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb Lil’ Smokies (cocktail sausages)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch dressing mix
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 6–8 pepperoncini peppers, sliced (plus 2 tablespoons juice)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place Lil’ Smokies in a single layer in a 9×13-inch baking dish or large oven-safe skillet.
- Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk melted butter, ranch mix, brown sugar, garlic powder, and pepperoncini juice until combined.
- Combine and bake: Pour sauce over the sausages and scatter sliced pepperoncini on top. Bake 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway, until bubbling and well coated.
- Serve: Keep warm and serve straight from the dish with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
Notes
- Use unsalted butter—ranch and sausages bring plenty of salt.
- Adjust sweet/heat: add or reduce brown sugar and pepperoncini to taste.
- Stir halfway to re-coat and promote even browning.
- Check label if gluten-free is needed; some ranch mixes and sausages contain gluten.
- To keep warm for parties, transfer to a slow cooker on Warm.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Game Day, Holiday
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1/10 of recipe (about 4–5 sausages with sauce)
- Calories: 240 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 9.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10.6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: Mississippi Lil’ Smokies, ranch pepperoncini sausages, cocktail sausages appetizer, baked smokies, game day snack
