The Ultimate Guide to Pigs in a Blanket

We all know {and love} the classic pig in the blankets, am I right? There isn’t an appetizer out there more universally loved! Delicious mini smokies are wrapped in buttery, fluffy crescent rolls…they are always the first appetizer to be finished at parties! Find everything you need to know about making Pigs in a Blanket along with some fun new variations on the classic recipe!

Basic Pigs In a Blanket Ingredients

• Hillshire Farm Lil’ Smokies
• Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

How to Make Pigs in a Blanket

These 2 ingredient apps are super easy to make! Simply preheat your oven to 350 degrees and unroll your crescent roll dough.  I cut each triangle of the crescent roll dough into 3 smaller triangles.  Place a lil’ smokie at one end of each triangle and roll.  Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and serve warm or cold. Fancy!

Pigs in a Blanket Recipe Variations

Now for the good stuff-the add-ins! Some people like to brush the pigs in a blanket with melted butter or an egg wash before baking and/or sprinkle with sesame seeds or bagel seasoning.

The most basic way to change up your pigs in a blanket flavor is to change your cocktail smokies to the cheese lil smokies. If you want to change it up even more, try one of these add-ins.

Cheddar Bacon Pigs in a Blanket

For this variation, I chopped white cheddar cheese and pre-cooked bacon into 1″ pieces and rolled into the crescent roll with the Lil smokie.

Swiss Dijon Pigs in a Blanket

Before adding my lil’ smokie to the crescent roll I added a dollop of dijon mustard and added in a 1″ piece of swiss cheese.

Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket

Mix 8 ounces of cream cheese with a quarter cup of canned or jarred jalapenos.  Pulse in a food processor until well blended.  Add 1/2 tablespoon or so to each crescent roll before adding your mini smokies and roll. 

Can I Make Pigs in a Blanket Without L’il Smokies?

If you don’t have little smokies on hand you can cut hot dogs into 1.5″ pieces or make full-size hot dogs in the crescent rolls (then they would be called Crescent Dogs). I’ve also seen Pigs in a Blanket made with Vienna sausages or chopped frankfurters, Andouille, or chicken sausages as well.

Dipping Sauces for Pigs in a Blanket

There are lots of different dipping sauces you can choose to serve alongside your Pigs in a Blanket. Some include ketchup, mustard, barbeque sauce, melted cheese, ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing. The possibilities are truly endless.

How Do You Keep Pigs in a Blanket Warm?

If you’d like your pigs in a blanket to stay warm while entertaining, serve them in a Crock-Pot set to low. Layer the Pigs in a Blanket in the crockpot with parchment paper between the layers so they don’t stick together.

Can I Reheat Pigs in a Blanket?

You can easily reheat already made Pigs in a Blanket three ways:

• Microwave for 30-45 seconds.
• Heat in a crockpot set to warm for 20-30 minutes.
• Reheat in the oven by placing them on a baking sheet in a 350° oven and baking for 8-10 minutes.

Can I Freeze Pigs in a Blanket?

The best way to freeze these crescent roll pigs in a blanket is to assemble them, then freeze on a baking sheet until hard and store in a freezer bag up to two months. Bake from frozen the same as fresh by extending the baking time to 20-25 minutes.

Can I Make Pigs in a Blanket Ahead of Time?

If you want to prep your crescent roll pigs in a blanket ahead of time I recommend covering them with plastic wrap and storing them in the refrigerator before you are ready to bake. I would not assemble them more than a day before however, so they do not dry out.

VIDEO: Making Pigs in a Blanket

Fun Facts About Pigs in a Blanket

• Betty Crocker’s Cooking for Kids in 1957 is the first recorded mention of Pigs in a Blanket.
• April 24th is National Pigs in a Blanket Day.
• Other names for Pigs in a Blanket include Devils on Horseback, Kilted Sausages, and Wiener Winks.
• In the the UK, pigs in blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon.
• Pigs in a blanket are usually different from sausage rolls, which are a larger, more filling item served for breakfast and lunch in parts of Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

You might also like these recipes:

• Bacon Jalapeño Popper Eggrolls (so delicious!)
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers
• Bacon Cheddar Cheese Dip

If you’ve tried this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you! 

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