Servings: 10 to 12 as an appetizer
If you need an appetizer that disappears faster than you can set it down, these Southern 3-ingredient apricot sausage bites are exactly what you are looking for. Made with smoked sausage, apricot preserves, and barbecue sauce, they are the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory. The sauce bakes down into a sticky, caramelized glaze that coats every bite of sausage, making them completely irresistible.
They come together with minimal prep and just three ingredients, making them a lifesaver for game days, holiday parties, potlucks, or any casual gathering. Serve them straight from the baking dish with a bowl of toothpicks, and watch them vanish.
Why This Recipe Works
This recipe is a classic example of sweet and savory flavor pairing at its best. The apricot preserves bring a bright, fruity sweetness, while the barbecue sauce adds a tangy, smoky depth. As the sausage bakes uncovered in the oven, the sugars in the preserves and the sauce reduce and caramelize, clinging to the sausage and turning into a thick, glossy glaze. The smoked sausage provides a rich, savory base that perfectly balances the sweetness of the sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds smoked sausage or kielbasa, cut into bite-size rounds
- 1 cup apricot preserves
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9-by-13-inch glass casserole dish or baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the apricot preserves and barbecue sauce until smooth and evenly combined.
- Add the sausage slices to the prepared baking dish, pour the sauce over the top, and stir to coat the pieces well.
- Bake uncovered for 35 to 45 minutes, stirring once or twice during baking, until the sauce is bubbling and thickened and the sausage edges are browned and caramelized.
- Let the sausage bites rest for 5 minutes, then serve warm straight from the dish or transfer to a serving bowl with toothpicks.
Tips for the Best Results
Use a good quality sausage. Since there are only three ingredients, the flavor of the sausage really matters. Smoked sausage, kielbasa, or even a sweet or spicy Italian sausage all work beautifully.
Stir during baking. Stirring the sausage bites once or twice while they bake ensures that every piece gets coated in the sticky glaze and browns evenly.
Watch the sauce. Because the sauce contains a lot of sugar from the preserves, it can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt very quickly. Keep an eye on it during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Adjust the sweetness. If you prefer a less sweet appetizer, you can reduce the apricot preserves to 3/4 cup and increase the barbecue sauce slightly.
Let them rest. Those 5 minutes of resting time allow the glaze to set slightly, making the bites less messy to eat and easier to pick up with a toothpick.
Storage and Serving
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. These apricot sausage bites are perfect for holiday parties, Super Bowl gatherings, or a fun weekend snack. They pair beautifully with other appetizers like cheese boards, deviled eggs, or a fresh vegetable platter.
Sweet, savory, and incredibly easy to make, these Southern 3-ingredient apricot sausage bites are guaranteed to be a hit at your next gathering.