There’s something comforting about the crispy, cheesy, and savory little bites of a classic **Pigs in a Blanket Recipe**. Whether for a party snack or a cozy night in, these are absolute crowd-pleasers that come together in no time and bring a real smile with every bite.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I love this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe because it’s simple, flavorful, and adaptable. It’s one of those dishes that everyone, young or old, enjoys—and it’s perfect whether you’re making a quick snack or a finger food platter for friends.
- Simple ingredients: No complicated steps or rare ingredients here—just accessible kitchen staples.
- Quick prep and bake time: You’ll have these golden bites ready in about 20 minutes, which is perfect when you want something fast.
- Customizable flavors: I’ll share some variations so you can mix it up or tailor to what you and your guests prefer.
- Show-stopping crowd pleaser: Everyone I’ve served this to ends up going for seconds—and that’s always a win!
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe shines because it keeps ingredients simple and comforting, yet each element has a purpose. From the buttery crescent dough that crisps beautifully to the melty cheese and flavorful hot dog center, these parts create a perfect harmony.
- Hot dogs: Choose your favorite brand or type—beef, pork, or even turkey. Cutting them into thirds keeps the bites manageable.
- American cheese: It melts smoothly and adds creaminess that complements the sausage perfectly.
- Crescent roll dough: The light, flaky dough crisps to a golden brown and wraps those little hot dogs so nicely.
- Dijon mustard: Adding a thin brush of mustard gives a tangy lift without overpowering the other flavors.
- Salted butter: Used for brushing after baking, it adds richness and helps the seasonings stick.
- Onion powder & garlic powder: These simple spices add subtle layers of flavor that really bring the whole snack together.
- Ketchup, mustard, Maldon salt: Classic accompaniments—feel free to swap with your favorite dips or sauces for serving.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap the regular hot dogs for something a little spicier or add a sprinkle of your favorite herbs. Don’t hesitate to experiment—that’s part of the fun!
- Variation: For a smoky twist, try using smoked sausage or even chorizo slices. I paired this once with a spicy chipotle mayo and it was a serious hit.
- Dairy-free option: Try using dairy-free cheese slices and omit the butter or replace with olive oil to keep these suitable for lactose intolerance.
- Seasonal spin: Adding a pinch of cinnamon or smoked paprika to the butter mix gives a subtle warm flavor that's great for fall gatherings.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Dough and Cut Into Strips
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep things easy to clean up. Take the crescent roll dough out of the can, but keep it intact. You'll gently pull the dough into four rectangles. Pinch the middle seams where the triangles meet to keep these rectangles together—this helps when cutting and rolling so nothing falls apart.
Step 2: Slice Dough and Hot Dogs
Using a pizza cutter, slice each rectangle into three long strips, about ¾-inch by 4 inches. You’ll have twelve strips total. Then slice each hot dog into thirds, giving you twelve bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Add Cheese and Mustard, Then Roll
Cut the two slices of American cheese into sixths so you have twelve little pieces. Brush each dough strip lightly with Dijon mustard, place a piece of cheese at the bottom, then top with a piece of hot dog. Roll it up and place seam side down on your baking sheet to keep them sealed.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Melty
Pop those trays in the oven and bake for about 12 minutes until beautifully golden and the cheese melts inside. Keep an eye near the end–you want that perfect golden crisp, not burnt.
Step 5: Finish with Buttery Seasoning
While baking, gently melt the butter and stir in garlic powder and onion powder. As soon as the pigs in a blanket come out, brush them with this buttery goodness, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt like Maldon. It takes these snacks from great to unforgettable!
Top Tip
Through trial and happy (or not-so-happy) snacks, I’ve learned a few key tips for nailing this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe every time. It’s little things like dough handling and seasoning that make all the difference.
- Dough handling: Pinch those crescent roll seams super well before cutting and rolling to avoid dough separating in the oven.
- Don’t overload the fillings: Use small cheese pieces and hot dog thirds so rolling is easy and everything bakes evenly.
- Brush butter immediately: Applying the seasoned butter right out of the oven locks in moisture and gives that irresistible shine and flavor boost.
- Watch your baking time: Ovens can vary so start checking at 10 minutes to prevent over-browning—golden and bubbly is the goal!
How to Serve Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
I love keeping it simple with Maldon sea salt and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color. Sometimes I add a tiny dab of whole grain mustard on the side for a little extra tang and texture. Ketchup and regular yellow mustard are always crowd favorites, too.
Side Dishes
Easy is best here—think crunchy raw veggies like carrot sticks and cucumber slices or a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette. For parties, a creamy potato salad or coleslaw balances the warm, salty snacks perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I arranged pigs in a blanket on a large platter around a mustard-filled ramekin shaped like a flower—it made for a festive centerpiece at my kid’s birthday. Stringing a few on skewers for a "popcorn chicken" style serving also makes these feel like playful party bites.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover pigs in a blanket airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’re best reheated soon after, but I find that warming them in the oven keeps them crisper than the microwave.
Freezing
These freeze well! I lay them out on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When I want to enjoy them again, I bake them straight from frozen at 375°F for about 15 minutes until crisp and bubbly.
Reheating
The oven or toaster oven is my go-to for reheating. Preheat to 350°F and warm for 5–8 minutes, keeping an eye so they don’t dry out. This restores the original crispiness much better than a microwave.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While American cheese melts beautifully, you can swap in cheddar, mozzarella, or even pepper jack for some extra kick. Just cut it into small pieces for easy rolling.
Pinching the seams of the dough rectangles before slicing and rolling is key. This seals the dough and prevents it from falling apart during baking. Also, handle the dough gently to avoid stretching or ripping.
Definitely! You can assemble the pigs in a blanket, then cover and refrigerate them for up to a day before baking. Just add a few minutes extra to the baking time if baking straight from cold.
Classic ketchup and yellow mustard are always winners. But I also love spicy mayo, honey mustard, or even a tangy BBQ sauce. Feel free to get creative and try what you love!
Final Thoughts
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is one of those timeless ideas that never gets old in my kitchen. It’s quick, comforting, and hits that satisfying spot between simple and special. I encourage you to have fun with it, make it your own, and watch how quickly these little bundles disappear at your next gathering or cozy snack time. You’re going to love having this recipe in your back pocket!
Print
Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 pigs in a blanket
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Pigs in a Blanket featuring hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough with melted cheese, brushed with a flavorful garlic and onion butter, perfect for snacks or appetizers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 package crescent roll triangle dough
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Butter Mixture
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Maldon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough: Remove the crescent roll dough from the can and keep it intact. Gently pull the dough into four rectangles, pinching the middle where two triangles meet to prevent separation when cutting.
- Cut Dough: Using a pizza cutter, slice each rectangle into three long strips about ¾-inch by 4-inches, totaling twelve strips.
- Prepare Hot Dogs and Cheese: Cut the four hot dogs into thirds to get twelve pieces. Cut each of the two slices of American cheese in half, then into thirds, resulting in six small cheese pieces.
- Assemble Pigs in a Blanket: Optionally brush each dough strip with a little Dijon mustard. Place a piece of cheese at the bottom of each strip, add a piece of hot dog on top, then roll up the dough around the hot dog. Place each rolled piece on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 12 minutes until the dough is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Prepare Butter Mixture: While baking, melt the salted butter in a small saucepan and stir in the garlic and onion powders.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, brush the pigs in a blanket with the garlic-onion butter mixture. Sprinkle with Maldon salt and serve immediately with ketchup and mustard for dipping.
Notes
- For a more flavorful twist, try substituting American cheese with cheddar or pepper jack.
- Use low-sodium hot dogs to reduce salt content.
- You can prepare these ahead and bake fresh when ready to serve.
- If crescent roll dough is unavailable, puff pastry can be a good substitute.
- Brush the dough with Dijon mustard for a tangy flavor, or omit for a milder taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pig in a blanket
- Calories: 160 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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