Is it even a party if pigs in a blanket aren’t on the table? This classic recipe is a staple at potlucks and tailgates for a reason: They’re festive, family-friendly, fun to eat and made with just a few ingredients. In fact, the recipe is so easy that you can prepare a platter to pass in under 30 minutes. Less time in the kitchen means more time to party—and more opportunities to sample other party appetizers.
So grab a pack of your favorite hot dogs and get cooking because it’s almost party time.
What are pigs in a blanket?
Pigs in a blanket is a popular party food consisting of hot dogs or cocktail wieners wrapped in a flaky pastry. In the United States, canned crescent roll dough is the most common, but homemade dough is also sometimes used. While no one knows for certain who first called the dish “pigs in a blanket,” the modern version of the recipe first appeared in print in the 1957 edition of Betty Crocker’s Cooking for Kids.
Variations of pigs in a blanket exist in other countries, and likely were the inspiration for the recipe we all know and love today. In the United Kingdom, “pigs in blankets” refers to a dish made of sausage wrapped in bacon. In Australia, pork sausages wrapped in puff pastry (which is akin to American pigs in blankets) are called sausage rolls. Other similar recipes around the world include kolaches and klobásník from the Czech Republic, würstchen im schlafrock in Germany and avisance in Belgium. In short, no matter what you call them, pigs in a blanket are universally loved.
Ingredients for Pigs in a Blanket
- Hot dogs: For this easy pigs in a blanket recipe, you can choose any variety or brand of hot dogs you enjoy. Choose pork or all-beef franks for a classic taste, or go for chicken or turkey hot dogs for a lighter take. You can also make bite-size pigs in a blanket by opting for cocktail wieners instead.
- Crescent rolls: If you’re making pig in a blanket with regular-sized franks, you’ll want one crescent roll segment per hot dog. If using cocktail wieners, you’ll want to cut each dough segment into three smaller-sized triangles. We’d recommend one of the best crescent rolls in a can as picked by our Test Kitchen, but if you’re feeling ambitious, you can make crescent rolls from scratch with yeast, flour and other classic baking ingredients.
- Egg: A light brushing of egg wash over the top is all you need to give these piggies that perfect bakery-like shine.
- Caraway seeds: A sprinkling of caraway seeds is a traditional garnish for pigs in a blanket. They offer an attractive presentation and a little subtle flavor to accent the buttery pastry and juicy hot dogs.
Directions
Step 1: Tuck in the piggies
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Separate the crescent roll dough into triangles, and then place the hot dogs at the wide ends of the triangles. Roll up, then place onto an ungreased baking sheet.
Step 2: Brush them with egg wash
Beat together the egg and water. Brush the egg wash over the rolls, then sprinkle caraway seeds over top.
Editor’s Tip: A pastry brush helps distribute egg wash evenly over the rolls. You can also press the caraway seeds lightly into the dough to make sure they adhere.
Step 3: Bake
Bake the pigs in a blanket for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Pigs in a Blanket Variations
- Try with sausage: Make pigs in a blanket the old-fashioned way by swapping the hot dogs for your favorite sausage. Mild or spicy Italian sausage, Polish sausage or even breakfast sausage all taste great in this simple recipe. Here are more of our favorite pigs in a blanket ideas.
- Make them cheesy: Give your piggies an extra blanket of cheese. You can add a small slice of Swiss, cheddar, American or other type of cheese you enjoy to this pigs in a blanket recipe before rolling up the hot dogs in the dough.
- Switch up the seasonings: If you’re not a fan of caraway seeds, you can omit them or swap them for an alternative topping. Everything But the Bagel seasoning is a great option, as are sesame seeds and poppy seeds.
- Use puff pastry: For an extra buttery, flaky and indulgent twist, swap the crescent rolls for a triangle of thawed puff pastry dough. You can also make your own puff pastry from scratch.
- Pancakes and piggies: For a fun twist perfect for brunch, make a batch of fluffy pancakes and wrap them around fully cooked breakfast sausage links—no baking required!
- Serve dips for the piggies: Pigs in a blanket may be dipped in whatever you please. Ketchup, spicy mustard, homemade barbecue sauce, marinara or a cheesy queso dip are all great options.
How to Store Pigs in a Blanket
Leftover pigs in a blanket may be refrigerated for four or five days in an airtight food storage container. You may also freeze fully cooked pigs in a blanket for up to one month. For best results, reheat pigs in a blanket in a preheated 325° oven until heated through.
Can you make pigs in a blanket ahead of time?
Yes, pigs in a blanket can be a great make-ahead appetizer. Prepare the pigs in a blanket as directed, saving the baking for later. After you’ve brushed on the egg wash, cover the baking sheets with plastic and store the pigs in a blanket in the refrigerator for up to two hours. Then bake and serve when you’re ready to enjoy.
Alternatively, you may bake the pigs in a blanket, let them cool completely and then freeze for up to 1 month. When ready to serve, place the frozen rolls on a baking sheet, tent loosely with foil and bake at 325° for 15 minutes until heated through.
Pigs in a Blanket Tips
What is the best way to keep pigs in a blanket warm?
While pigs in a blanket don’t often last long at a party, it’s always good to be prepared. Keep your piggies warm by serving them in a chafing dish, or arranging them in an uncovered slow cooker set to the “Keep Warm” setting for best results. You can also keep extra piggies in your oven if it has a “warm” setting, and then ferry them to a serving tray for guests as they need replenishing. Here are more tips for keeping food warm at a party.
What can you serve with pigs in a blanket?
This pigs in a blanket recipe pairs well with an array of dips. Try our favorite honey mustard dipping sauce or an easy cheese dip that’s sure to please. After you’ve got dips covered, serve any one of these other crowd-pleasing appetizers alongside pigs in a blanket, whether it’s spinach and artichoke dip, bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers or slow-cooker buffalo chicken dip.
