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    Home » Recipes » The Ultimate Guide to Pigs in a Blanket

    Last updated: Nov 20, 2020 by Melissa Riker · 23 Comments

    The Ultimate Guide to Pigs in a Blanket

    Jump to Recipe
    close up of 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 these fun appetizers along with some fun new variations on the classic recipe!

    pigs in a blanket in white baking dish

    Basic Ingredients

    • Hillshire Farm Lil' Smokies
    • Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
    crescent rolls and cocktail smokies sausages to make pigs in a blanket

    How to Assemble

    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!

    Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket in a gingham paper lined red basket with whole jalapeños

    Recipe Variations

    Now for the good stuff-the add-ins! Some people like to brush them 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 the flavor is to change your cocktail smokies to the cheese lil smokies or add cheese in the roll. If you want to change it up even more, try one of these add-ins.

    Cheddar Bacon

    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

    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.

    triangle of crescent dough with jalapeño cream chees and cocktail sausage for making pigs in a blanket

    Jalapeno Popper

    Mix 8 ounces of cream cheese with a quarter cup of canned or jarred jalapenos.  Pulse in a food processor until well blended.  Add ½ tablespoon or so to each crescent roll before adding your mini smokies and roll. 

    Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket and whole jalapeño in red basket lined with red checked paper

    FAQs

    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 them made with Vienna sausages or chopped frankfurters, Andouille, or chicken sausages as well.

    How do you keep them warm?

    If you'd like them to stay warm while entertaining, serve them in a Crock-Pot set to low. Layer the wrapped sausages in the crockpot with parchment paper between the layers so they don't stick together.

    How do you reheat leftovers?

    You can easily reheat three ways: Microwave for 30-45 seconds, heat in a crockpot set to warm for 20-30 minutes, or reheat in the oven by placing them on a baking sheet in a 350° oven and baking for 8-10 minutes.

    How to freeze?

    The best way to freeze them is to assemble, 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 these ahead of time?

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

    Dipping Sauces

    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.

    pigs in a blanket in white platter

    Fun Facts

    • 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 them 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.
    • They 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
    red button that says to save this recipe pin me

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

    Print
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    pigs in a blanket in white baking dish

    Pigs in a Blanket

    ★★★★★ 5 from 1 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15 minutes
    • Total Time: 20 minutes
    • Yield: 35 1x
    • Category: appetizer
    • Method: baking
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    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!


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 1 package cocktail smokies
    • 2 packages refrigerated premade crescent rolls

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and unroll your crescent rolls. 
    2. Cut each of my crescent rolls into 3 smaller triangles. 
    3. Place a lil' smokie at one end of each triangle and roll. 
    4. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and serve warm or cool.

    Keywords: pigs in a blanket

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    Comments

    1. Nettie says

      October 31, 2021 at 9:11 am

      I made these excellent when just out, but I followed how to make and use crock pot, they turned real dark ,I used parchment paper ,what happened?would never do that again, I would try something else to keep warm

      Reply
    2. Sarah Beth says

      October 03, 2019 at 12:36 pm

      I loved the jalapeño popper idea!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    3. hilda Ingebrigtsen says

      August 25, 2016 at 11:12 am

      Can I make these and freeze for later? Should I bake before freezing or bake after thawing? Thank you

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        August 26, 2016 at 4:13 am

        I have never tried to freeze them Hilda, I'm sorry not to be of more help! ~Melissa

        Reply
      • Soraya says

        July 14, 2020 at 1:42 pm

        Yes, recipe above mentions this:
        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.

        Reply
    4. ashley says

      June 11, 2015 at 8:18 pm

      what is the serving size for kids in preschool

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        June 18, 2015 at 8:32 pm

        I'm not sure Ashley, I just let my boys have a free-for-all!

        Reply
    5. Liz says

      September 04, 2014 at 1:11 am

      Yum! I am going to make the 3rd one for breakfast tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Jessi @ Practically Functional says

      September 23, 2013 at 10:44 am

      Oh yum, all three of these look amazing! I love pigs in a blanket. 🙂 In case you didn't see it earlier, I featured this on my blog today! I'm stopping by to pin, and to let you know you can grab a Featured button if you don't already have one! https://practicallyfunctional.com/13-comfort-food-recipes-for-fall/

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 25, 2013 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks so much Jessi!!

        Reply
    7. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

      September 22, 2013 at 2:36 pm

      Pigs in a blanket were my favorite as a child! How fun to try some of these recipe variations as an adult! Thanks for sharing, Melissa.

      Reply
    8. Thistle says

      September 20, 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Ummmm....yes please! LOVE the last one....I think I'm going to make these tomorrow!

      Happy day to you!
      karianne

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 10:40 pm

        Oh you're going to love them Karianne! They were soooooo good! Thanks for stopping by!

        Reply
    9. Kelley says

      September 20, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      Great ideas! Found you on the PF linky party 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 10:38 pm

        Thanks Kelley!!!

        Reply
    10. Kayla @ Home Coming blog says

      September 20, 2013 at 2:55 pm

      These look delish!! Reminds me of being a kid - I used to have these all the time! I'm hosting a throw pillow giveaway that you should enter! https://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/pillow-covers-giveaway.html

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 9:57 pm

        Thanks Kayla, I'll go check it out!

        Reply
    11. Sherri @ MadeFromPinterest says

      September 20, 2013 at 12:21 pm

      All three of these little piggies sound great. I love pigs in a blanket. I shouldn't have read this post at lunch time. Now I am hungry!
      We would love to have you link up at our weekly Super Saturday Link Party at MadeFromPinterest.net. We feature our most viewed and favorites the following Sunday. We would so love to have you on board!
      Sherri (the Baby of the Family)

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 9:55 pm

        Thanks Sherri I'll go check it out!!

        Reply
    12. Heather says

      September 20, 2013 at 8:22 am

      The swiss cheese/dijon flavor would be my pick! Great ideas and fun for the kiddos! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 9:15 am

        They were really good-all the varieties were a nice change from the ordinary!

        Reply
    13. keri @ shaken together says

      September 20, 2013 at 6:08 am

      Ooooh, my hubby will love those jalapeno popper pigs!!

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        September 20, 2013 at 8:27 am

        They were better than I expected Keri, I don't normally eat jalapeno things but the cream cheese was the perfect balance!

        Reply

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