There’s something so wonderfully nostalgic and comforting about this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe. It’s the kind of snack that brings people together, with its warm, golden crust hugging melty cheese and savory hot dog goodness. Whether it’s game day, a casual party, or just a cozy night in, these little bites never fail to hit the spot.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made countless versions of pigs in a blanket over the years, but this recipe strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and flavor. It’s quick enough for a weeknight, but special enough to impress guests without any fuss. Plus, that buttery garlic-onion glaze at the end? Total game changer.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in about 20 minutes, making it perfect when time is tight but you want homemade charm.
- Cheesy Goodness: The addition of American cheese adds gooey, melty yum that pairs perfectly with the hot dog.
- Flavor Boost: Brushing them with a garlic and onion butter makes these far from ordinary.
- Perfect Party Snack: Bite-sized and irresistible, they’re always the first to disappear on the platter.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This recipe is pure comfort food magic thanks to a few simple ingredients that work beautifully together. The crescent roll dough provides that soft and flaky base. The hot dogs bring savoriness, while the cheese adds richness and moisture. And don’t underestimate the mustard and buttery glaze — they elevate the whole experience.
- Crescent roll dough: Easy to work with and bakes up golden and flaky, acting as the perfect blanket.
- Hot dogs: Choose your favorite brand — I like classic beef, but chicken or veggie dogs work too.
- American cheese: Melts smoothly and adds creamy texture inside each roll.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a subtle tang that complements both the dough and meat perfectly.
- Salted butter: For a rich buttery coating that finishes each bite beautifully.
- Onion and garlic powder: These pantry staples bring savory depth without overpowering the flavors.
- Ketchup, mustard, Maldon salt: Classic condiments and finishing salt for serving — the salty crunch contrasts nicely with the soft blanket.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe to fit whatever mood I'm in, and you totally should too! It’s a forgiving recipe that’s easy to personalize — so go ahead and make it your own.
- Variation: Sometimes, I swap out American cheese for sharp cheddar or pepper jack to give it a spicy kick — both are fantastic in this cozy combo.
- Dietary tweak: For a lighter version, try turkey dogs and use reduced-fat cheese; it still bakes up beautifully.
- Extra flavor: Adding fresh herbs like finely chopped chives or parsley after baking brings a fresh contrast to the richness.
- Spicy touch: A light brush of sriracha-mayo inside the dough before rolling completely changes the game for heat lovers.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dough and Cut Into Strips
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper — trust me, it makes clean-up easier. Take the crescent roll dough out, keep it intact, and gently pull it into four rectangles. Pinch the inner seams so the dough won’t come apart during cutting and rolling; this little trick saves you from dough falling apart later. Use a pizza cutter to cut each rectangle into three long strips, roughly ¾-inch wide. You’ll end up with twelve strips — the perfect size to wrap around your hot dog pieces.
Step 2: Prep Your Hot Dogs and Cheese
Cut each hot dog into thirds to match the dough strips. Do the same with your cheese slices, dividing each slice into six smaller pieces. Having uniform sizes really helps the rolling part go smoothly and makes sure every bite is balanced with dough, cheese, and hot dog.
Step 3: Assemble and Roll
Brush each dough strip lightly with Dijon mustard if you like that tangy twist — I love how it brightens the rich flavors. Place a piece of cheese at the bottom of the strip, then a piece of hot dog on top. Roll it up snugly and place it seam-side down on your baking sheet. This ensures they don't unravel while baking.
Step 4: Bake and Brush with Butter Glaze
Bake for about 12 minutes, or until the dough turns golden and the cheese melts nicely inside. While the pigs in a blanket bake, melt salted butter in a small pan and stir in garlic and onion powder. When the rolls come out of the oven, brush this flavorful butter over the top — it adds a gorgeous sheen and that irresistible savory edge. Finally, sprinkle some Maldon sea salt for that “just right” salty crunch.
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks that make this recipe foolproof and extra delicious. These tips have saved me from soggy dough and bland bites more than once!
- Keep the Dough Intact: Don’t separate the crescent triangles before shaping. Pinching the seams keeps the dough stable for rolling and baking.
- Even Sizes Are Key: Cutting the hot dogs and cheese into uniform pieces helps everything cook evenly and look great on the plate.
- Brush Butter Right Away: Apply the garlic-onion butter glaze as soon as they come out of the oven for the best flavor absorption and glaze shine.
- Watch Your Bake Time: It’s tempting to overbake to get extra crispness, but 12 minutes is ideal — golden and flaky without drying out.
How to Serve Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
I usually sprinkle Maldon sea salt on top — it gives a satisfying crunch and a pop of salty flavor. Fresh parsley or chives can add a fresh color contrast and subtle herbal note. And don’t forget a side of classic ketchup and yellow mustard for dipping, or even something creamy like a honey mustard sauce if you want to mix it up.
Side Dishes
This recipe pairs wonderfully with crispy oven-baked fries or a crunchy slaw. I’ve also served them alongside simple green salads or even some spicy pickles — the sharpness cuts through the richness perfectly. They’re practically a party staple and flexible enough to be a snack or an appetizer.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist at parties, I’ve arranged these on a platter with little dipping bowls of various sauces: ranch, spicy aioli, even a smoky BBQ sauce. Another great idea is to serve them skewered with colorful bell pepper chunks and cherry tomatoes for a cute finger-food kabob vibe. Kids and adults alike love the playful presentation!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. They keep well for up to 3 days and reheat nicely without losing too much crispiness. Just pop them in a warm oven or toaster oven instead of the microwave to keep that lovely texture.
Freezing
I’ve had great success freezing these pre-baked, uncooked rolls. Just assemble them, place on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want to enjoy, bake from frozen for a few extra minutes — perfect for a last-minute snack.
Reheating
To reheat, I recommend a 350°F oven for about 8-10 minutes until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that golden flakiness, but it works in a pinch. A quick re-brush with melted butter after reheating freshens them up nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Swap the hot dogs for your favorite vegetarian or vegan sausage alternative, and opt for dairy-free cheese to keep it plant-based.
Pinching the seams of the crescent dough rectangles before cutting helps keep the dough together. Also, don’t over-brush with mustard or moisture-heavy sauces before baking to keep dough crisp.
Yes! You can assemble the pigs in a blanket a few hours ahead, keep them covered in the fridge, and bake just before serving.
Classic ketchup and yellow mustard are always hits, but also consider honey mustard, ranch, or spicy aioli for more flavor variety. Choose what your guests love!
Final Thoughts
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe holds a warm spot in my heart — it’s simple, fun, and always a crowd-pleaser. There’s something about wrapping melty cheese and savory hot dog bits in buttery, flaky dough that just feels like a hug in food form. Give this recipe a whirl, and I bet it’ll become one of your go-to snacks or appetizers, too. Just like I tell my friends, once you make these, you’ll find yourself reaching for them time and time again.
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
Delicious and easy-to-make Pigs in a Blanket featuring hot dogs wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough with melted American cheese, seasoned with garlic and onion powder, and served with classic dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 package crescent roll triangle dough
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Butter Mixture
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Ketchup, mustard, and Maldon salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Dough: Remove the crescent roll dough from the can and keep it intact. Gently pull the dough into four rectangles by pinching the middle seams of the triangles together so the rectangles stay intact for cutting.
- Cut Dough Strips: Use a pizza cutter to slice each rectangle into three long strips, each approximately ¾-inch wide and 4 inches long, yielding twelve strips total.
- Prepare Hot Dogs and Cheese: Cut each hot dog into thirds, giving you twelve pieces. Cut each slice of American cheese in half, then each half into thirds, resulting in six small cheese pieces.
- Assemble Pigs in a Blanket: Optionally brush the dough strips lightly with Dijon mustard. Place one piece of cheese at the bottom of each dough strip, then top with a hot dog piece. Roll the dough around the hot dog and place each rolled piece seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the assembled pigs in a blanket for 12 minutes or until golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Prepare Butter Sauce: While baking, melt the salted butter in a small saucepan and stir in garlic powder and onion powder until combined.
- Finish and Serve: Once baked, brush the pigs in a blanket with the seasoned butter mixture and sprinkle with flaked sea salt. Serve hot with ketchup, mustard, or your preferred dipping sauces.
Notes
- Use good quality hot dogs for better flavor.
- Brushing the dough with Dijon mustard adds a tangy flavor but can be omitted if desired.
- For extra crispiness, bake on a wire rack placed over the baking sheet.
- Can substitute American cheese with cheddar or your preferred melting cheese.
- Pigs in a blanket are best served fresh and warm for optimal taste.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pig in a blanket
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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