Easy Kielbasa Appetizer

This super easy kielbasa appetizer is made with just 3 main ingredients and can be made in about 10 minutes. An AMAZING party appetizer, perfect for game day, barbecues, picnics, potlucks, or easy snacking. 

Kielbasa appetizer

These kielbasa bites are my go-to appetizer recipe whenever I get invited to someone's house and feel like I have to bring something. They are SO GOOD, with a little of that sweet and salty flavor combination, and SO SNACKABLE because they are bite-sized and fun to eat.

More EASY appetizers and snacks: Air Fryer Bagel Bites

Sauce for kielbasa bites

The sauce for this kielbasa appetizer is made from 2 simple main ingredients: peach preserves and chili paste. There's no need to go super fancy with the peach preserves, these peach preserves from Smuckers will do. (I use the same preserves for these Peach Glazed Meatballs Appetizer).

As for chili paste, I highly recommend the Thai Kitchen one (get it here) because I can vouch for it being flavorful, tasty, and not too spicy. It adds a nice flavor and warmth, but doesn't burn your mouth with spice.

I use the same red chili paste in this chicken and vegetable stir fry sauce, and it's so good!! So don't be afraid to get a jar because you'll definitely use it in more recipes.

Another option to give this kielbasa appetizer some heat is to add in some spicy jelly, such as this hot pepper jelly.

If you are feeling fancy and you have Worcestershire sauce on hand, you can add a tablespoon of that too, for just a little extra umami, but it is not necessary. Get Worcestershire sauce here.

I used ¾ cup peach preserves and 2 tablespoons of chili paste for this recipe, but you can certainly use more chili paste, or stir in red pepper flakes if you want more spice.

If you don't have peach preserves on hand, you can use grape jelly, apricot jelly, or apricot preserves. I wouldn't recommend strawberry jam or blueberry preserves, I feel like that would be super weird... but if you try that, please let me know!

You can mix the sauce for these kielbasa bites right in the saucepan where you'll be cooking the kielbasa, so this easy appetizer recipe requires minimal prep and clean up.

Save any extra sauce for dipping!

Kielbasa - the main ingredient

For this recipe, make sure you have cooked kielbasa, since the recipe only requires about 5 minutes of cooking time - just enough to heat up the kielbasa and coat it in the sauce, but not enough to cook meat. So make sure the packaging says that the kielbasa is fully cooked - avoid "fresh kielbasa" because that is typically uncooked.

You can use beef or pork kielbasa, any kind! Pre-cooked smoked sausage (such as Eckrich Smoked Sausage) would work too.

Related recipe: Air Fryer Kielbasa

Kielbasa bites as an appetizer or dinner

This easy kielbasa recipe is GREAT as an appetizer because it's so snackable and easy to eat with toothpicks. But it also make a great dinner recipe. The extra sauce can be spooned over rice and steamed or roasted vegetables, making it a complete meal. 

So make a double batch of these kielbasa bites - bring have to the party, and eat the other half the next day for an easy dinner!

More kielbasa recipes to try

I got you covered. Try these reader favorites:

• Cabbage and kielbasa stir fry - an easy one-pan dinner that is low carb. A great way to eat lots of veggies for dinner!
• Sausage and shrimp skillet - a super quick stir fry recipe with sausage, shrimp, and bell peppers. Colorful, fun, and tasty!

More easy appetizer recipes

This is my JAM. Check these out:

• 3 ingredient salami bites - the EASIEST appetizer ever, it can be made in advance and travels well
• Cilantro lime shrimp - yes, these can absolutely be served for dinner, but people go NUTS for these shrimp when they are served at a party with fun little toothpicks for snacking
• Pesto and tomato crostini - a gorgeous appetizer, a great vegetarian option!
• Lox appetizer platter - this whole platter is made with just a few ingredients used in creative ways, PLUS I show you how to make your own lox!
• Buffalo chicken cheese dip - so so good as a dip or a spread on crackers
• Cheesy chicken corn dip - an easy n-bake cheesy dip. Crazy addicting!
• No-bake key lime pie cheesecake dip - someone I know serves fun snackable desserts as part of their party appetizers and it is absolutely brilliant! It's a nice break from all the salty and/or cheesy appetizers. This easy 10 minute dip makes great finger food.

Check out all my easy party appetizers.

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