How to Make Perfect Pigs in a Blanket: Easy Recipe & Tips

Pigs in a blanket are a timeless classic, beloved for their simplicity and deliciousness. These savory snacks, featuring sausages snugly wrapped in flaky dough, are perfect for kids and adults alike. Whether you’re planning a party, need a quick appetizer, or want a fun after-school snack, learning How To Make Pigs In A Blanket is a skill that will always come in handy. This guide will walk you through creating the perfect pigs in a blanket, ensuring they are golden brown, perfectly cooked, and utterly irresistible.

What are Pigs in a Blanket?

Pigs in a blanket are essentially sausages wrapped in pastry. The name “pigs in a blanket” is primarily used in the United States, but similar dishes exist worldwide under different names. In the UK, they are often called “sausage rolls,” although traditionally sausage rolls use a different type of pastry and filling. The American version typically uses cocktail sausages or hot dogs and is wrapped in crescent roll dough, puff pastry, or biscuit dough. They are a popular party food, appetizer, and snack due to their ease of preparation and crowd-pleasing flavor.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This pigs in a blanket recipe is incredibly straightforward, making it ideal for even novice cooks. Here’s why you’ll love it:

Easy to Make: With just two main ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe is a breeze.
Quick Cooking: From start to finish, you can have these snacks ready in under 30 minutes.
Kid-Friendly: Children adore pigs in a blanket, making them a guaranteed hit at family gatherings or kids’ parties.
Versatile: Perfect as an appetizer, snack, party food, or even a light meal.
Customizable: Easily adaptable with different doughs, seasonings, and dipping sauces to suit your taste.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For this easy pigs in a blanket recipe, you only need a few simple ingredients:

1 package of little smokies sausages: These cocktail sausages are the traditional choice for pigs in a blanket, offering a perfect bite-sized portion. You can also use mini hot dogs or cut regular hot dogs into smaller pieces.
1 package of crescent roll dough: Crescent roll dough provides a light and flaky blanket for the sausages. You can find this in the refrigerated section of most grocery stores. For a different texture, you could also use puff pastry or biscuit dough.

Optional Ingredients for Enhanced Flavor:

Egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water, for a golden brown and glossy finish.
Sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning: For sprinkling on top before baking, adding extra flavor and visual appeal.
Garlic butter: Melted butter mixed with garlic powder, brushed over the dough before baking for a savory garlic touch.

Dipping Sauces (for serving):

Ketchup
Mustard (yellow, Dijon, or honey mustard)
Barbecue sauce
Honey mustard sauce
Cheese sauce

Equipment

Baking sheet: To bake the pigs in a blanket evenly.
Parchment paper or silicone baking mat (optional): To prevent sticking and for easier cleanup.
Pizza cutter or knife: To cut the crescent roll dough into strips.
Small bowl (optional): For egg wash, if using.
Pastry brush (optional): For applying egg wash or garlic butter.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Pigs in a Blanket

Follow these simple steps to create perfect pigs in a blanket every time:

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If using, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Golden brown pigs in a blanket fresh out of the oven, ready to be served as a delicious appetizer or snack.
Prepare the Dough: Open the package of crescent roll dough. Unroll the dough and separate it at the perforations to create triangles. Use a pizza cutter or knife to cut each triangle lengthwise into three long, thin strips. This will give you strips that are the right size to wrap around the little smokies. If the strips are too thick, gently roll them between your hands to stretch them out a bit.

Ingredients for pigs in a blanket, featuring little smokies sausages and a package of crescent roll dough.
Wrap the Sausages: Take one strip of crescent roll dough and wrap it around a little smokie sausage. Start at one end of the sausage and spiral the dough around, slightly overlapping as you go, until the sausage is fully encased in dough. Place the wrapped pig in a blanket seam-down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining sausages and dough strips.

Crescent roll dough cut into thirds, ready to be wrapped around sausages for making pigs in a blanket.
Add Egg Wash and Seasoning (Optional): If desired, brush the tops of the pigs in a blanket with egg wash for a golden sheen. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, poppy seeds, or everything bagel seasoning for added flavor and visual appeal.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the crescent roll dough is golden brown and cooked through. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.

Close-up of a little smokie sausage being rolled in a strip of crescent roll dough to form a pig in a blanket.
Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the pigs in a blanket from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. They are best served warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

A baking pan filled with pigs in a blanket, ready to be baked in the oven until golden brown and delicious.

Tips for Perfect Pigs in a Blanket

Don’t Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: Give the pigs in a blanket some space on the baking sheet to ensure they bake evenly and the dough becomes nicely golden and crisp.
Ensure Dough is Properly Sealed: Make sure the ends of the dough strips are pressed gently to seal, preventing them from unwrapping during baking.
Watch Baking Time: Keep an eye on the pigs in a blanket while they are baking. You want the dough to be golden brown but not burnt. Baking time may vary based on oven temperatures and dough thickness.

Serving Suggestions

Pigs in a blanket are incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Here are a few ideas:

Dipping Sauces: Offer a variety of dipping sauces like classic ketchup and mustard, tangy barbecue sauce, sweet honey mustard, or creamy cheese sauce. Let everyone choose their favorite!
Party Appetizer: Arrange them on a platter for a party appetizer. They are easy to grab and eat, making them perfect for mingling guests.
Kids’ Snack: Serve as an after-school snack or pack them in lunchboxes (once cooled).
Light Meal: Pair pigs in a blanket with sides like baked beans, macaroni and cheese, or a fresh salad for a fun and easy light meal.

Variations and Adaptations

Get creative with your pigs in a blanket! Here are some delicious variations:

Puff Pastry Pigs in a Blanket: For an extra buttery and flaky texture, use puff pastry instead of crescent roll dough. Thaw the puff pastry and cut it into strips before wrapping the sausages. Baking time might be slightly longer.

Pigs in a blanket made with puff pastry, showcasing a flakier and richer alternative to crescent roll dough.
Hot Dog Pigs in a Blanket: Use regular or mini hot dogs instead of little smokies. Cut regular hot dogs into 1-2 inch pieces.
Seasoned Dough: Enhance the flavor of the dough by brushing it with garlic butter, sprinkling with Italian herbs, or adding a pinch of chili powder for a spicy kick.
Cheese Pigs in a Blanket: Add a small piece of cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack) along with the sausage before wrapping it in dough for a cheesy surprise.

Make Ahead and Storage

Freezing Before Baking: Pigs in a blanket can be assembled ahead of time and frozen before baking. Place the assembled pigs in a blanket on a baking sheet and flash freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Storing Baked Pigs in a Blanket: Leftover baked pigs in a blanket can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through before serving. They can also be enjoyed at room temperature.

Conclusion

Learning how to make pigs in a blanket is a fantastic way to add a crowd-pleasing recipe to your culinary repertoire. With their simple ingredients, easy preparation, and delicious taste, they are perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick to the classic recipe or try out some fun variations, these pigs in a blanket are sure to be a hit! So, gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy this delightful snack.