Last New Year's Eve, Emma asked if we could make "those little hot dog things wrapped in bread" for our party instead of the usual cheese and crackers that nobody ever finishes. I knew he meant pigs in a blanket – those nostalgic party classics that somehow never go out of style. Two hours later, we had platters of golden, flaky pastry-wrapped hot dogs disappearing faster than I could refill them, with adults and kids fighting equally over the last ones.The buttery crescent dough combined with savory mini hot dogs creates the most addictive finger food that works for literally any occasion.
Why You'll Love This Pigs In A Blanket
These mini pigs in a blanket have rescued countless parties when I needed food that would appeal to literally every single person regardless of age, dietary preferences, or how picky they claim to be about food. From toddlers to grandparents, nobody turns down these golden, buttery bundles because they tap into some universal comfort food memory that transcends generational differences and food snobbery. I love that this crescent roll pigs in a blanket recipe uses just two main ingredients – refrigerated crescent dough and mini hot dogs – which means you can make them on a whim without special shopping trips or hunting through specialty stores for unusual items.
The hot dog bites wrapped in dough format means people can grab one or five without needing plates, napkins, or utensils beyond maybe a toothpick for dipping, making them perfect for standing parties where people are mingling, watching games, or doing activities that require one hand free. Kids go absolutely crazy for anything they can dip themselves, especially when the dipping sauce options include ketchup and mustard that make these feel like deconstructed hot dogs they're allowed to customize.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Pigs In A Blanket
- Ingredients You'll Need For Pigs In A Blanket
- How To Make Pigs in a Blanket Step By Step
- Smart Swaps for Your Pigs in a Blanket
- Pigs In A Blanket Variations
- Equipment For Pigs In A Blanket
- Storing Your Pigs in a Blanket
- Top Tip
- Why This Pigs In A Blanket Works
- FAQ
- Easy Entertaining Made Perfect!
- Related
- Pairing
- Pigs In A Blanket
Ingredients You'll Need For Pigs In A Blanket
For Basic Version:
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 24 mini hot dogs or Lil' Smokies
- Optional: mustard for brushing
For the Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds
For Serving:
- Mustard
- Ketchup
- BBQ sauce
- Ranch dressing
- Cheese sauce
Optional Variations:
- Shredded cheese mixed into dough
- Sliced cheddar cheese
- Jalapeño slices
- Crumbled bacon
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make Pigs in a Blanket Step By Step
Prepare the Dough:
Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. Open the can of refrigerated crescent roll dough and unroll it carefully on a clean work surface, separating it into the pre-scored triangles. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow strips, creating 24 total strips from the 8 triangles. If you want smaller pigs in a blanket, cut each triangle into 4 strips instead, though 3 strips per triangle creates the perfect dough-to-hot dog ratio that most people prefer.
Wrap the Hot Dogs:
Pat the mini hot dogs dry with paper towels to remove any moisture that would prevent the dough from adhering properly during baking. Take one strip of dough and place a hot dog at the wide end, then roll it up snugly toward the pointed end, wrapping the hot dog in a spiral pattern that covers most but not all of the sausage – leaving the ends exposed creates classic appearance and allows some caramelization. Place each wrapped hot dog seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart because they'll puff up slightly during baking though not dramatically like some dough-based items.
Add Toppings:
Brush the wrapped hot dogs lightly with melted butter mixed with garlic powder, which creates golden color and adds subtle flavor that elevates these from basic to special. Sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning, sesame seeds, or poppy seeds for visual appeal and extra flavor, or leave them plain if you prefer classic simplicity. If making cheese-stuffed versions, place a small piece of sliced cheese on the dough before wrapping the hot dog so it melts inside during baking.
Bake Until Golden:
Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crescent dough is golden brown and puffed, with no raw dough visible in the seams. The hot dogs should be sizzling slightly and the dough should look deeply golden rather than pale which indicates underbaking. If you're unsure whether they're done, bake an extra minute or two – slightly overbaked is better than underbaked dough which tastes raw and unpleasant.
Serve Immediately:
Transfer the finished pigs in a blanket to a serving platter and serve immediately while hot and the dough is at peak flakiness. Provide small bowls of various mustard dipping sauce options, ketchup, and any other sauces you're offering, along with toothpicks or small forks for spearing and dipping. These taste best within 15 minutes of baking when the contrast between crispy dough and juicy hot dog is most pronounced.
Smart Swaps for Your Pigs in a Blanket
Different Dough:
- Puff pastry → Crescent dough (flakier, more elegant)
- Pizza dough → Crescent (chewier texture)
- Biscuit dough → Crescent (thicker coating)
- Homemade dough → Store-bought (if ambitious)
Sausage Options:
- Regular hot dogs cut in thirds → Mini hot dogs
- Breakfast sausage links → Hot dogs (morning version)
- Kielbasa pieces → Mini dogs (smokier)
- Veggie dogs → Meat hot dogs (vegetarian)
Cheese Additions:
- No cheese → With cheese (lighter)
- Pepper jack → Cheddar (spicy kick)
- American cheese → Cheddar (classic)
- Cream cheese → Hard cheese (tangy)
Pigs In A Blanket Variations
Pretzel Pigs:
- Brush with egg wash
- Sprinkle with coarse salt
- Serve with cheese sauce
- Pretzel dog hybrid
BBQ Pigs:
- Brush with BBQ sauce before wrapping
- Extra BBQ for dipping
- Sweet and tangy
- Cookout style
Pizza Pigs:
- Add marinara and mozzarella
- Italian seasoning on top
- Pizza sauce for dipping
- Italian fusion
Jalapeño Popper:
- Add cream cheese and jalapeño
- Spicy kick
- Wrapped with bacon before dough
- Heat lovers dream
Equipment For Pigs In A Blanket
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Pizza cutter or sharp knife
- Pastry brush (optional)
- Serving platter
Storing Your Pigs in a Blanket
Room Temperature (2 hours max):
- Don't leave out longer
- Keep warm in slow cooker for parties
- Serve fresh for best texture
- Food safety with meat
Refrigerator (3-4 days):
- Store in airtight container
- Reheat in oven at 350°F for 8 minutes
- Microwave makes them soggy
- Lose crispiness when stored
Freezer (3 months):
- Quality maintained well
- Freeze unbaked or fully cooked
- Bake frozen adding 5 minutes
- Perfect make-ahead party food
Top Tip
- These pigs in a blanket represent something bigger than just easy party food – they've become the one dish that three generations of our family agree on without complaint, compromise, or anyone pretending to like something they actually don't. My mother loves them because they remind her of her childhood in the 1960s when her mother made them for every family gathering. I appreciate them because they're efficient party food that satisfies crowds without stress.
- At our last big family reunion, we had forty people spanning ages two to eighty-five with wildly different food preferences, dietary restrictions, and levels of pickiness about what they'll eat. Planning a menu that would satisfy everyone felt impossible – someone's vegetarian, another has food allergies, kids hate "weird" food, grandparents want traditional dishes they recognize – the constraints seemed endless and contradictory.
- The only food that every single person ate enthusiastically without hesitation or complaint was pigs in a blanket. Toddlers grabbed them with sticky hands and ate three each. Teenagers piled their plates high. Adults who claimed to be "watching what they eat" kept sneaking back for "just one more." Grandparents reminisced about making them decades ago. The vegetarian cousin ate the ones we'd made with veggie dogs specifically for her.
Why This Pigs In A Blanket Works
These pigs in a blanket succeed because they tap into nostalgic comfort while requiring minimal skill or ingredients, making them accessible to literally anyone who can open a can of dough and turn on an oven. The simplicity is the point rather than a limitation – two ingredients combine to create something greater than either component alone through the magic of heat transforming raw dough into golden, flaky pastry that contrasts perfectly with juicy, savory hot dogs.
The crescent dough provides ideal wrapping because it's pre-portioned, requires no rising or special handling, and contains enough fat to create tender, flaky layers during baking without being so rich it feels greasy. The dough is pliable at room temperature for easy wrapping but firms up during baking to hold its shape, creating structural integrity that prevents unwrapping while still being tender enough to bite through easily without the hot dog squirting out embarrassingly.
FAQ
What are pigs in a blanket called in the UK?
In the UK, "pigs in blankets" refers specifically to small sausages (usually cocktail sausages or chipolatas) wrapped in bacon and roasted, typically served as a traditional Christmas dinner side dish. What Americans call pigs in a blanket (hot dogs wrapped in pastry dough) are called "sausage rolls" in the UK, though British sausage rolls traditionally use seasoned sausage meat wrapped in puff pastry rather than whole hot dogs.
How to make UK pigs in blankets?
UK pigs in blankets are small sausages wrapped in bacon strips and roasted. Use cocktail sausages or chipolatas, wrap each with a rasher (slice) of streaky bacon, secure with a toothpick if needed, and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes until the bacon is crispy and sausages are cooked through. They're traditionally served alongside roast turkey at Christmas dinner. Some recipes add honey or maple syrup glaze for sweetness. The bacon should be crispy, not chewy, and the sausages should be golden and sizzling.
What are pigs in a blanket made of?
American pigs in a blanket are made of mini hot dogs or cocktail wieners wrapped in crescent roll dough or puff pastry, then baked until golden. The two essential ingredients are small sausages and some type of pastry dough. Refrigerated crescent dough is most common because it's easy to work with and creates flaky texture. Some recipes add cheese, seasonings, or brush with butter before baking. They're served with mustard, ketchup, or other dipping sauces. The simplicity is part of their appeal – just two main ingredients create crowd-pleasing party food.
Why are pigs in blankets called that in the UK?
The UK name "pigs in blankets" refers to sausages (the "pigs") wrapped in bacon (the "blanket"), which is a literal description of the dish. The name likely originated from the visual of the sausage being "tucked in" or "wrapped up" in bacon like a blanket. The term has been used in British cooking for decades, particularly associated with Christmas dinner where they're a traditional accompaniment to roast turkey.
Easy Entertaining Made Perfect!
Now you have all the secrets to creating these incredible pigs in a blanket that prove the best party food is simple, familiar, and universally loved. From the pizza dough variation to the spicy mustard trick, this recipe shows that crowd-pleasers don't need complexity to be memorable.
Looking for easy, crowd-pleasing party appetizers that everyone will love? Our golden, crispy Easy Cinnamon Roll Pancakes Recipe are perfectly breaded and filled with gooey, melty cheese for pure cheesy satisfaction in every bite. For those who crave bold flavor and a little heat, our Healthy Brownie Waffles Recipe is creamy, spicy, and irresistible, perfect for dipping with chips, crackers, or fresh veggies. And when it’s time for something sweet, our Best Blueberry Donuts Recipe Baked In 25 Minutes hit the spot with their soft, chewy texture and rich chocolate chips that satisfy even the biggest sweet tooth.
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Pigs In A Blanket
Equipment
- 1 Baking sheet (Lined with parchment paper)
- 1 Pizza cutter or sharp knife (To cut crescent dough)
- 1 Pastry brush (Optional, for butter/glaze)
- 1 Serving Platter (To serve hot pigs in a blanket)
Ingredients
Basic Version:
- 1 can 8 oz Refrigerated crescent roll dough - Pre-scored triangles
- 24 mini Hot dogs or Lil’ Smokies - Optional: pat dry
- 1 tsp optional Mustard - For brushing
Glaze:
- 2 tablespoon Butter - Melted
- ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder - Optional
- 1 teaspoon Everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds - Optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet
- Unroll crescent dough and cut into strips for wrapping
- Place each mini hot dog on dough and roll snugly
- Brush dough with melted butter and sprinkle seasonings
- Bake until golden, then serve immediately with sauces
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