There’s something so comforting about these little golden bites — the warm, cheesy hug of a Pigs in a Blanket Recipe never fails to bring smiles. Whether for a snack or party platter, it’s a simple, cozy treat that always hits the spot.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
I've made a lot of versions of pigs in blankets over the years, but this recipe takes it to a new level of simplicity and deliciousness. It’s the perfect blend of crispy, cheesy, and savory — done quickly with pantry staples.
- Quick & Easy: You’ll be amazed how fast these come together, perfect for last-minute cravings or unexpected guests.
- Cheesy Goodness: Melty cheese inside each blanket adds a creamy surprise with every bite.
- Customizable: You can swap out hot dogs or cheese for your favorites or dietary needs without losing the magic.
- Savory Butter Finish: Brushing with garlic and onion powder butter gives a rich, aromatic touch that makes these irresistible.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The beauty of this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe lies in simple trusted ingredients that come together for maximum flavor and texture. Here’s why each one plays a starring role.
- Hot Dogs: These are the heart of this recipe, offering juicy, savory bites. I prefer regular beef or pork dogs, but you can mix it up with chicken or vegetarian versions.
- American Cheese: This melts perfectly around the hot dog, adding that signature creamy, slightly tangy flavor without overpowering.
- Crescent Roll Dough: The flaky, golden wrapper that crisps up beautifully in the oven – makes the whole thing feel like a cozy hand-held treat.
- Dijon Mustard: A subtle tang that cuts through the richness and gives a little zing inside the roll.
- Salted Butter with Garlic and Onion Powder: This finishing touch keeps the pigs in blankets shiny, flavorful, and so addictive once baked.
- Flaked Sea Salt: Sprinkled on top to balance flavors and add a satisfying crunch with every bite.
- Dipping Sauces (Ketchup & Mustard): Classic and crowd-pleasing, these complement the warm bites perfectly.
Make It Your Way
I love mixing things up occasionally — this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is so versatile it practically invites you to get creative. Feel free to adapt it based on what you have or what flavors speak to you.
- Variation: One of my favorite twists is swapping out American cheese for sharp cheddar or pepper jack for a little kick. It adds a new dimension without complicating things.
- Dietary Mod: You can use gluten-free crescent roll dough and plant-based hot dogs to make these suitable for gluten or meat-free diets.
- Seasonal Tweaks: Adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne to the butter mix really amps up flavor when you want something a little different.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dough into Perfect Strips
Start by taking the crescent roll dough out of its can—keep it intact and gently pull it into four rectangles. Pinching the triangles in the middle will help keep each rectangle together when you roll later. Then, cut each rectangle into three long strips (around ¾ inch by 4 inches) using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. You want uniform pieces so everything bakes evenly.
Step 2: Cut Your Hot Dogs and Cheese
Slice your hot dogs into thirds to match the number of dough strips. Cut each slice of American cheese in half and then into thirds for perfect bite-size pieces. This matching ensures every pig in a blanket has just the right ratio of cheese and meat.
Step 3: Assemble and Roll with a Hint of Mustard
Brushing each dough strip with a little Dijon mustard is an easy step that really brightens the flavor inside. Layer a small piece of cheese on the bottom, top it with a hot dog piece, and then roll up snugly. Place these on your parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them so they get golden and crisp all around.
Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Melty
Pop your tray in the oven preheated to 375°F and bake for about 12 minutes. You’re looking for that perfect golden-brown color on the dough and melty cheese peeking through. Keep an eye so they don’t over-bake — that crisp exterior with soft insides is the goal.
Step 5: Butter Bath Finish with Garlic and Onion
While baking, melt salted butter with garlic and onion powder. The moment your pigs in a blanket come out of the oven, brush this fragrant butter mixture generously over each one, then sprinkle with flaky sea salt. This finishing touch takes these from good to unforgettable — trust me, it’s what keeps me coming back for more.
Top Tip
Having made this recipe dozens of times, I’ve picked up a few tricks that make a big difference. These helped me turn out perfect pigs in blankets no matter who’s watching or how busy I am.
- Uniform Cuts: Keeping your hot dog and cheese pieces the same size makes rolling easier and baking more consistent.
- Don't Skip the Mustard: Even if you’re not a big mustard fan, a light brush inside the dough adds a subtle complexity that balances richness beautifully.
- Butter Brush Timing: Apply the garlic-onion butter right out of the oven while the pigs are hot so it soaks in and enhances flavor without sogginess.
- Watch the Oven: Ovens vary! Start checking at 10 minutes to avoid overbaking, especially if your crescent dough is thinner.
How to Serve Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick with a sprinkle of flaky Maldon sea salt after the butter brush — it adds that satisfying crunch and flavor pop I crave. Freshly chopped parsley can add a bright note if you want something a bit fancy or colorful on the plate.
Side Dishes
These pair amazingly well with crispy fries, a fresh side salad, or even baked beans for a fun meal. I like serving them with a few dipping sauces like ketchup for the kids, spicy mustard for adults, and sometimes honey mustard for that sweet-savory twist.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I arrange them on a platter with little skewers or colorful toothpicks for easy grab-and-go fun. I’ve also made mini versions with cocktail sausages wrapped in puff pastry – they disappear in seconds!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To keep them from steaming and getting soggy, I place parchment paper between layers. It helps keep that crispy texture intact.
Freezing
These freeze beautifully! I lay the baked pigs in blankets on a parchment-lined tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to freezer bags. When you want some, just pop them straight in a preheated oven from frozen and add a few extra minutes to heat through.
Reheating
To reheat, skip the microwave if you want to keep that crisp exterior. Instead, warm them in a 350°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. You’ll revive that fresh-baked texture and melty cheese without turning them rubbery.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! You can assemble the pigs in a blanket, then refrigerate them on a baking sheet covered with plastic wrap for up to 24 hours before baking. This is great for prepping party snacks in advance.
Crescent roll dough is perfect for this recipe because it bakes up flaky and golden with a soft inside. You can experiment with puff pastry for a richer, but slightly different texture.
Absolutely! This recipe is very flexible. Try swapping American cheese for cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella. Similarly, you can use various hot dog types, cocktail sausages, or even vegetarian sausage alternatives based on your preference.
When you gently pinch the crescent dough triangles together to form rectangles, it helps keep the dough intact when rolling. Also, make sure the strips aren’t stretched too thin and roll snugly but not too tight to avoid tearing.
Final Thoughts
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is one I keep coming back to for good reason — it's reliable, delicious, and just plain fun to make. I love sharing these with friends and family because they bring back that warm, simple joy of childhood snacks with a grown-up twist. I hope you find as much comfort and happiness in making (and eating) them as I do!
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
Classic and delicious Pigs in a Blanket made with crescent roll dough, hot dogs, and American cheese, baked to golden perfection and brushed with a flavorful buttery garlic and onion glaze. Perfect for snacks, parties, or quick appetizers.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 package crescent roll triangle dough
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Butter Glaze
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Maldon salt or other flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Crescent Dough: Remove the crescent roll dough from the can, keeping it intact. Gently separate the dough into four rectangles by pinching the middle seams so the dough stays in rectangles rather than triangles.
- Cut Dough Strips: Using a pizza cutter, cut each rectangle into three long strips approximately ¾-inch by 4-inches, resulting in twelve strips total for wrapping.
- Slice Hot Dogs and Cheese: Cut each of the 4 hot dogs into thirds to yield twelve pieces. Cut the 2 slices of American cheese in half, then into thirds to have six small pieces of cheese.
- Assemble Pigs in a Blanket: Optional: brush each dough strip lightly with Dijon mustard. Place a piece of cheese at the bottom of the strip, add a piece of hot dog on top, then roll the dough around the hot dog and cheese. Place each wrapped piece seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the pigs in a blanket in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Prepare Butter Glaze: While baking, melt the salted butter in a small saucepan, then stir in the garlic powder and onion powder.
- Brush and Season: As soon as the pigs in a blanket come out of the oven, brush them generously with the flavored butter mixture and sprinkle with Maldon salt or flaked sea salt.
- Serve: Serve warm with ketchup, mustard, or your preferred dipping sauces for a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.
Notes
- You can substitute hot dogs with vegetarian sausage for a vegetarian version.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle some sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top before baking.
- If you prefer spicy, add a dash of cayenne pepper to the butter glaze.
- Use sharp cheddar cheese slices instead of American cheese for a stronger cheese flavor.
- Keep an eye on the baking time as ovens vary; remove once golden brown to avoid overcooking.
- These can be made ahead and reheated in the oven for 5 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pig in a blanket
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Leave a Reply