Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage & Garlic Breadsticks 🎉 – Easy Party Treat
Combine the comfort of garlic bread with smoky sausage in these buttery, crowd-pleasing breadsticks! Perfect for parties, soup nights, or anytime snacking.
These slow cooker smoked sausage breadsticks are the ultimate comfort food: pillowy dough wrapped around savory sausage bits, infused with garlic butter and slow-cooked until golden. No need to pre-bake or knead – just assemble and let the crockpot work its magic!
Whether you're hosting a casual tailgate, holiday gathering, or just want a handheld snack that screams "delicious," these breadsticks are your solution. They're perfect for pairing with chili, tomato soup, or simply dipping in marinara.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity: store-bought dough keeps things quick, while the slow cooker infuses each breadstick with smoky, buttery flavor. Plus, they’re already cut apart and ready to cook – no fancy shaping required!
I love these breadsticks because they eliminate all the guesswork. The long, slow cook time melts the sausage slices into the dough, creating a savory, moist texture that’s far more flavorful than traditional garlic bread.
Pin this recipe and you’ll be ready to impress at every weekend get-together while saving hours of prep time!
Why This Recipe Works
⏰ Set-It-And-Forget Convenience
No kneading, no shaping – just roll out dough, tuck in sausage, and let the slow cooker do the work while you finish other dishes.
💰 Budget-Friendly Comfort
Sausage from the deli + frozen garlic bread dough keeps costs low while delivering restaurant-quality flavor ($0.55 per serving!).
👥 Crowd-Pleasing Appeal
The saucy sausage-to-bread ratio (perfectly balanced butter, garlic, and meat) makes these breadsticks vanish fast at any gathering.
🌟 Versatile Serving
Use as a standalone snack, soup companion, football game appetizer, or even a creative taco topping. The possibilities are endless!
Smoked Sausage & Garlic Breadsticks Recipe
Handheld garlic bread with a smoky twist!
🛒 Ingredients
- - 1 lb smoked sausage (like Johnsonville)
- - 1 lb refrigerated garlic bread dough
- - 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- - 4 cloves garlic, minced
- - 1 tsp salt
- - 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
👨🍳 Instructions
Prep Sausage: Slice sausage diagonally into 1/2" pieces. Set aside.
💡 Tip: For extra flavor, sprinkle sliced sausage with 1/4 tsp paprika before assembling.
Assemble: Flatten dough into a rectangle. Working in batches, use a ruler to cut dough into 12 2" strips (lengthwise) and 4 2" strips (crosswise), making 48 small rectangles total.
💡 Use a bench scraper to keep dough from sticking to work surface.
Stuff & Fold: Place 1-2 sausage pieces at the bottom of each dough rectangle. Fold dough up from bottom to top, sealing edges with damp fingers or toothpick.
💡 Tip: Brush tops with extra butter mixture for golden crust.
Make Garlic Butter: In small bowl, mix 6 tbsp melted butter with minced garlic, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder until well combined.
💡 Double this sauce for dipping if desired!
Slow Cook: Pour 1/4 cup water into slow cooker. Place stuffed dough rectangles in single layer (they'll expand slightly). Brush tops with garlic butter. Cover, set to LOW, and cook 4-5 hours until golden and crusty.
💡 If breadsticks brown too quickly, tent with parchment paper halfway through cooking.
Serve Warm: Serve immediately with extra garlic butter or your favorite dipping sauce.
💡 These reheat beautifully in oven or microwave for quick weekday dinners.
Nutrition (per serving):
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Smoked Sausage
For best flavor, use coarsely ground sausage like Johnsonville. Avoid thin sausages that may dry out during cooking.
(Sub: Chorizo, Polish sausage, or even shredded cooked chicken thighs)
Garlic Bread Dough
Any refrigerated garlic bread dough works. I prefer the thicker type from Whole Foods, but budget-friendly options like Walmart's Great Value work well too.
(Dairy-Free: Use vegan dough (Bob's Red Mill is a favorite)
Garlic
Fresh garlic is essential for that bright, roasted flavor. Don't substitute pre-minced garlic in a jar.
(Extra Flavor Tip: Add 1/4 tsp of roasted garlic powder)
Butter
Use unsalted butter to control sodium. For vegan version, substitute with vegan butter (Earth Balance recommended).
(Sub: Olive oil for lower-fat version)
Pro Tips for Perfect Breadsticks
🍞 Dough Handling
Work quickly with dough – it can become stiff if over-handled. If dough resists cutting, freeze it for 10 minutes to firm up.
⏱️ Timing
For best texture, don't rush the cooking time. The slow heat keeps the breadsticks tender while the butter caramelizes on the surface.
🥄 Flavor Boost
Add 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes to the butter mixture for a subtle spicy kick.
🍴 Serving
Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese before serving for extra presentation flair.
Variations & Customizations
Cheesy Version
Tuck in 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella or Gouda cheese between dough and sausage during assembly. The cheese will melt into delicious pockets!
Herb Upgrade
Add chopped rosemary or thyme to the butter mixture for an earthy flavor twist that pairs beautifully with the smoked sausage.
Veggie Option
Swap the sausage for cooked, finely chopped mushrooms or roasted peppers. These work especially well with plant-based cheese.
Mini Muffins
Use a mini muffin tin instead of the slow cooker for a different presentation while maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions & Pairings
🍽️ Best Served With:
- Tomato Soup: The classic pairing of warm breadsticks with creamy tomato soup is comfort food perfection.
- Chili: These breadsticks act as ideal dippers for chunky chili, soaking up all the rich flavors between bites.
- Pizza Night: They work as a hearty alternative to crusty garlic knots, especially for football game watching.
🍷 Drink Pairings:
Serve with a cold beer or glass of sangria for a casual bite, or pair with a medium-bodied red wine like Pinot Noir for more refined occasions. For kid-friendly meals, try pairing with apple juice or lemonade.
Make-Ahead Instructions & Storage
Make-Ahead Tips
You can assemble all the breadsticks up to 24 hours in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to cook – just add 20-30 minutes to the slow cooking time.
Refrigerator Storage
Leftover breadsticks will keep for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in oven (350°F, 5 minutes) or microwave (45-60 seconds) to recrispify the crust.
Freezer Storage
Uncooked assembled breadsticks can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before cooking, adding 10-15 minutes to cooking time if needed.
Reheating Instructions
For best results, reheat in oven instead of microwave. Wrap in foil for 10-12 minutes at 350°F to maintain crustiness and moisture.
Troubleshooting & Common Questions
Q: What if my dough is too sticky to handle?
A: Chill the dough in the fridge for 10-15 minutes. If still sticky, dust lightly with flour – but don't overdo it or the breadsticks might become dense.
Q: Can I cook these in the oven instead of a slow cooker?
A: Yes! Preheat oven to 350°F. Place assembled breadsticks on a baking sheet and bake 20-25 minutes until golden and crusty. This saves time for quick weeknight meals.
Q: Why are mine coming out soggy?
A: This usually means your slow cooker lid was off during cooking, releasing steam. Always cook with the lid on to trap moisture and promote even browning.
Q: My breadsticks expanded too much, overlapping. What can I do?
A: Make smaller pieces by cutting the dough rectangles 1/2" narrower. This prevents spreading in the slow cooker.
Final Thoughts
These slow cooker smoked sausage breadsticks are a game-changer for busy cooks who want restaurant-quality results without the effort. The smoky, buttery flavor will have your guests begging for the recipe, and they freeze beautifully for future meal preps.
Try adding a little cayenne pepper to the butter mix next time for an extra kick, or serve with a spicy dip for a fun party twist. No matter how you make them, these bite-sized wonders are guaranteed to be a hit at every gathering!
