There’s something so irresistibly cozy about these golden, cheesy little bites. This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe takes that nostalgic snack to the next level with melty cheese, buttery spices, and just the right amount of tang from Dijon mustard. Trust me, once you try them fresh out of the oven, you’ll want to make them again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m all about easy appetizers that feel elevated, and this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe hits that perfect sweet spot. It’s quick, comforting, and everyone always asks for seconds—plus, the melty cheese inside is a game changer.
- Cheesy Surprise: Each bite has a gooey piece of American cheese tucked inside for extra indulgence.
- Dijon Kick: A thin brush of Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang that balances the richness beautifully.
- Buttery Herb Finish: Brushing on garlic and onion spiced butter right out of the oven elevates the flavor.
- Super Simple: Just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes from start to finish—perfect for busy days or last-minute guests.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The ingredients here are super straightforward but thoughtfully chosen. The crescent roll dough gives you a flaky, buttery casing that bakes up golden and crisp. American cheese melts perfectly without overpowering, and the Dijon mustard cuts through the richness to keep things balanced. Plus, that flavored butter at the end is a little secret that makes these irresistible every single time.
- Hot dogs: Cut into thirds, they make perfectly bite-sized bites—feel free to use your favorite brand or even veggie dogs.
- American cheese: Melts smoothly and adds just the right creamy texture inside.
- Crescent roll dough: The flaky, buttery dough wraps each piece up beautifully—and using the whole rectangle ensures no gaps or tears when rolling.
- Dijon mustard: Adds a mild tang that complements the savory fillings perfectly.
- Salted butter: For brushing, it helps to crisp the dough while adding rich flavor.
- Onion powder & garlic powder: These subtle seasonings in the butter give a delicious aroma and depth.
- Ketchup, mustard & Maldon salt: Perfect finishing touches for dipping and finishing.
Make It Your Way
I love how versatile this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is because you can tweak it to suit your mood or dietary needs. Whether you want a little more kick, a vegetarian twist, or even something a bit fancier, the base is so easy to adapt.
- Variation: Try swapping out the American cheese for pepper jack or cheddar to add extra flavor and a little spice—I did this once for a game day party and it was a hit!
- Vegetarian option: Use vegetarian or plant-based hot dogs and cheese alternatives; the crescent dough remains the same and bakes beautifully.
- Spiced up: Add a dash of smoked paprika or cayenne to the butter mixture for a smoky, spicy finish that wakes up the palate.
- Healthier dough: For a lighter version, try whole wheat crescent rolls or even puff pastry, though you’ll want to watch the baking time closely.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prep the dough and cut perfectly
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining your baking sheet with parchment paper to avoid sticking. The crescent roll dough usually comes in rectangles made of two triangles ready to pull apart—keep them intact! Gently pinch the middle seams to hold the shape, then use a pizza cutter to slice each rectangle into three long strips about ¾ inch wide and 4 inches long. This ensures even-sized pieces that wrap neatly around the hot dogs without tearing.
Step 2: Prepare your hot dogs and cheese pieces
Cut the four hot dogs into thirds, so you have twelve bite-sized pieces. Then slice your two American cheese slices into half, then into thirds to end up with six smaller pieces—this gives you just enough cheesy goodness in each roll without overwhelming the bite.
Step 3: Assemble with Dijon and roll
Brush each dough strip lightly with Dijon mustard; this adds a subtle tang and keeps the dough moist inside. Place a piece of cheese at the bottom end of each strip, top with a hot dog piece, and roll it up snugly. Lay the rolled pieces seam-side down on your parchment-lined pan. This part’s fun and a little like wrapping a tiny present—you want the dough tight enough to hold everything inside but not so tight that it tears.
Step 4: Bake and butter glaze finish
Bake the rolls for about 12 minutes or until they’re golden brown and the cheese inside is melted. While they’re baking, melt your salted butter in a small pan and stir in the garlic and onion powders. Once the pigs come out of the oven, brush them gently with the flavored butter and sprinkle with flaky Maldon sea salt. That final brushing is what takes these from just good to downright addictive!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few small tricks that make this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe foolproof and extra delicious every time—here’s what I want you to know from my kitchen:
- Pinch the dough seam well: This keeps your rectangles from separating during baking, so you get a neat little blanket around the hot dog.
- Don’t skip the butter glaze: It’s a small step, but that buttery, garlicky brush really makes the flavors pop and gives a beautiful sheen.
- Use a pizza cutter for clean cuts: It’s way easier than a knife and you get perfect strips every time.
- Serve warm right away: These are best enjoyed fresh, so plan to serve shortly after baking for that melty cheese goodness.
How to Serve Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
My go-to garnishes are a sprinkling of flaky Maldon sea salt and a tiny drizzle of Dijon mustard on the side for dipping. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of finely chopped chives for a touch of fresh color and mild onion flavor—plus, they give these bites a little bit of that party-ready polish.
Side Dishes
I usually serve these alongside crisp veggie sticks like carrots and celery or a simple green salad to balance the richness. If you’re feeling indulgent, a side of homemade baked beans or coleslaw pairs beautifully and turns these into a fuller snack or light meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For game day or kids’ parties, I like to arrange the Pigs in a Blanket on a platter in a spiral or a fun shape like a wreath, placing small bowls of ketchup and mustard in the center for dipping. Another cute idea is to skewer them—thread three or four on cocktail sticks and serve like little hot dog lollipops!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After they cool, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You might find the dough softens a bit in the fridge, so a quick reheat helps bring back that crispiness.
Freezing
I often freeze extras before baking—just assemble and place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually until firm, then transfer to a freezer bag. This way, you can bake a fresh batch anytime without extra prep. Frozen, they keep well for up to a month.
Reheating
For the best texture, I reheat leftover or frozen pigs in a preheated 350°F oven on a baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes, just until warmed and crisp again. Microwaving tends to make the dough a bit soggy, so I try to avoid that when possible.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While American cheese melts beautifully for this recipe, feel free to try cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella. Just keep in mind that some cheeses melt differently and may affect texture slightly.
If you don’t have crescent roll dough, puff pastry is a great substitute for similar flaky results. You can also use pre-made biscuit dough, but expect a slightly different texture. Make sure to roll it out evenly before cutting.
Pinching the seams of the dough rectangles well before cutting is key. This keeps them intact. Also, don’t roll too tightly around the hot dog pieces—just snug enough to hold everything without stretching the dough too thin.
Yes, you can assemble these a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until baking time. Alternatively, freeze them unbaked on a sheet tray, then bake from frozen adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.
Final Thoughts
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is one of those snacks that always brings me back to simpler, happier times—and yet feels fresh enough to impress any crowd. Whether for a last-minute snack, kid’s lunch, or grown-up cocktail hour, these little bundles of deliciousness never disappoint. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do, and that they bring a bit of warmth and joy to your table.
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
This classic Pigs in a Blanket recipe features juicy hot dog pieces wrapped in golden, buttery crescent roll dough with melty American cheese and a hint of Dijon mustard. Baked until perfectly golden and brushed with a flavorful garlic and onion butter, these bite-sized snacks are perfect for parties, quick lunches, or game day treats.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 package crescent roll triangle dough
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Ketchup, mustard, and Maldon salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
- Prepare the dough. Remove the crescent roll dough from the package carefully keeping it intact. Gently pull the dough into four rectangles by pinching the middle seams of the triangles so they stay together.
- Cut the dough into strips. Using a pizza cutter, cut each rectangle into three long strips approximately ¾-inch by 4-inches, resulting in twelve strips total.
- Cut hot dogs and cheese. Slice each hot dog into thirds to make twelve pieces. Cut each slice of American cheese in half, then into thirds, yielding six small pieces of cheese.
- Assemble the pigs in a blanket. Optionally brush each dough strip lightly with Dijon mustard. Place one piece of cheese at the bottom of a strip, then a hot dog piece on top. Roll the dough around the hot dog and cheese and place seam-side down on the lined baking sheet.
- Bake. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 12 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Prepare the garlic onion butter. While baking, melt salted butter in a small saucepan and stir in garlic powder and onion powder until combined.
- Brush and garnish. When pigs in a blanket come out of the oven, brush them generously with the garlic and onion butter mixture. Sprinkle with Maldon salt to taste.
- Serve. Serve warm with ketchup, mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Use full slices of American cheese for a gooier melted texture.
- If you prefer, swap hot dogs for mini sausages or vegetarian sausages.
- The Dijon mustard adds a subtle tang, but you can omit it if preferred.
- Brush the tops with the butter mixture immediately after baking for best flavor absorption.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to keep the dough crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pig in a blanket
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
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