There’s just something irresistibly cozy about a warm, golden Pigs in a Blanket Recipe that instantly brings a smile to the table. The combination of soft, buttery dough wrapped around juicy, melty cheese-stuffed hot dogs makes this snack a standout — perfect for sharing, snacking, or elevating your game day spread.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I honestly can’t get enough of this take on a classic snack — it’s simple but with elevated flavors and a perfect balance of textures that keep me coming back. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser every single time. You’ll find yourself thinking of all the occasions it’ll fit perfectly into.
- Simple Ingredients: Uses easy-to-find pantry staples to make a comforting treat without fuss.
- Cheesy Goodness: Melty American cheese tucked inside the blanket adds that creamy surprise in each bite.
- Buttery Finish: The garlic and onion-infused butter brush at the end takes the flavor from good to irresistible.
- Quick to Make: Ready in about 20 minutes, which means no waiting and lots of happy snackers.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient here plays an important role in making this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe shine. From the soft, buttery crescent roll dough to the flavorful coating of seasoned butter at the end — everything is designed to deliver maximum comfort and taste. Here’s why I personally trust these components:
- Hot dogs: The star protein, juicy and savory, cut into bite-sized pieces to fit perfectly inside each blanket.
- American cheese: Melts beautifully inside, adding creaminess without overpowering the hot dog.
- Crescent roll dough: Soft, flaky, and buttery—perfect for wrapping and baking to golden perfection.
- Dijon mustard: A subtle zing that cuts through richness, enhancing overall flavor.
- Salted butter: Adds richness and helps create that shiny, golden finish.
- Onion powder & garlic powder: Infuse a gentle, savory aroma that makes each bite just a little more special.
- Ketchup, mustard, Maldon salt: Classic garnishes to customize flavor and add finishing texture.
Make It Your Way
One of the things I love about this Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or your taste preferences. Feel free to get creative or keep things classic — both ways work and taste amazing.
- Variation: I sometimes swap out the American cheese for pepper jack if I’m feeling spicy — it adds a fun kick without overwhelming.
- Vegetarian option: You can substitute hot dogs with plant-based sausages for a meat-free treat that pleases everyone.
- Seasonal twist: Try adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to the butter mix for a subtle smoky note that’s perfect in fall.
- Extra crunch: Roll the dough in sesame seeds before baking for a little savory texture surprise.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prep your dough carefully
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. When you open the crescent roll dough, keep it intact — gently pinch the two triangles of each rectangle together so it holds as one piece. This little trick keeps your dough from unraveling when you cut it into strips and roll the hot dogs.
Step 2: Cut and assemble your blankets
Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to slice each rectangle into three long strips, about ¾-inch wide. Then slice your hot dogs into thirds, matching the dough strips. If you like cheese — and who doesn’t? — cut your American cheese slices into six small pieces. Brush a little Dijon mustard on each dough strip, lay down your cheese piece, then top with a hot dog slice. Roll it all up snugly and place it seam side down on your baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake to golden perfection
Bake for about 12 minutes or until your Pigs in a Blanket are puffed up and golden brown, and that cheese inside is melted just right. Keep an eye on them during the last few minutes so they don’t overbrown — this is key for a tender but crisp outside.
Step 4: Butter them up and serve!
While they bake, melt your salted butter with garlic and onion powders. As soon as the pigs come out of the oven, brush this fragrant butter all over them, then sprinkle with Maldon salt for a bright finish. Serve with ketchup, extra mustard, or your favorite dipping sauces for everyone to enjoy.
Top Tip
Having made this recipe countless times, I’ve learned a few secrets that make your Pigs in a Blanket next-level. These small tweaks guarantee tasty results and keep stress away.
- Pinch Dough Seams: Pinching the crescent dough’s triangles into rectangles keeps the dough from tearing and ensures your pigs stay wrapped tight.
- Don’t Overbrush Mustard: A light brush of Dijon gives flavor without sogginess — a little goes a long way.
- Brush Butter While Hot: The garlic-onion butter sticks best and soaks in the warm dough right after coming from the oven.
- Watch Baking Time: Every oven’s different, so peek a minute or two early to avoid dryness or burnt edges.
How to Serve Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple here — Maldon salt flakes are a game changer. Their light crunch and sea saltiness bring out the buttery, cheesy warmth. Sometimes, I serve a little side of pickles or a spicy mustard on the side. It’s all about balancing those warm, rich blankets with something fresh or tangy.
Side Dishes
When I make these for a crowd, I love pairing them with crispy oven-baked fries or a fresh green salad. For cozy nights, creamy coleslaw is a great sidekick — the crunch and acidity play perfectly against the buttery dough. And for brunch-style gatherings, a fruit salad adds a light, sweet counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
One thing that’s really fun: arranging these Pigs in a Blanket into a golden wreath shape on a platter, especially for holidays or parties. It makes for a stunning centerpiece that’s as inviting visually as it is delicious. I’ve also threaded them onto skewers with little cherry tomatoes or olives for a playful finger food option at casual get-togethers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers refrigerate beautifully in an airtight container for up to three days. I recommend reheating in the oven or a toaster oven to bring back the crispiness — microwaving tends to make the dough chewy here, which isn’t ideal.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these before, either before baking or after. If you freeze unbaked, pop them frozen into the oven, just add a few extra minutes to the bake time. If baked first, freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. They reheat best crispy from the oven or air fryer.
Reheating
For reheating, I usually preheat my oven to 350°F and warm the pigs in a blanket on a baking sheet for 8-10 minutes. This keeps the outside flaky and the cheese melty, unlike the microwave, which makes the dough gummy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! While American cheese melts beautifully and has a mild flavor, feel free to experiment with cheddar, pepper jack, or mozzarella for different flavor profiles and textures. Just be sure to cut the cheese into small pieces so it melts evenly.
If you don’t have crescent roll dough, you can use puff pastry sheets or even biscuit dough as alternatives. Puff pastry will give a flakier texture, while biscuit dough will create a softer, biscuit-like exterior. Just adjust baking times accordingly and watch for browning.
Definitely. You can assemble them a few hours ahead and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. Alternatively, prepare and bake them fully, then rewarm just before serving. Just remember to brush with the butter and season right before serving to maintain that fresh flavor.
The key is gently pinching the two triangles in the crescent roll rectangle together before cutting into strips. This keeps the dough intact and less likely to tear when rolling around the hot dog pieces. Also, don’t stretch the dough too much while rolling — just a snug wrap does the trick.
Final Thoughts
This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe has a special place in my kitchen for its simplicity and the joy it brings around the table. It’s a perfect snack that feels both nostalgic and fancy with that buttery, garlicky finish. I highly recommend you give it a go and watch how it quickly becomes a favorite in your snack rotation — it’s a little snack hug everyone deserves.
Print
Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 pigs in a blanket
- Category: Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delicious and easy-to-make pigs in a blanket featuring hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough with cheese and a flavorful garlic butter glaze, perfect as a snack or appetizer.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 hot dogs
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 package crescent roll dough (triangle shape)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Butter Glaze
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
For Serving
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Maldon salt (flaked sea salt)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a medium baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup.
- Prepare Dough Rectangles: Remove the crescent roll dough from the package, keeping it intact. Gently pull it into four rectangles by pinching the middle of the triangles together so the dough stays in rectangular shapes for easier cutting and rolling.
- Cut Dough Strips: Using a pizza cutter, slice each rectangle into three long strips approximately ¾-inch wide and 4 inches long, giving you a total of twelve strips.
- Prepare Hot Dogs and Cheese: Cut each of the four hot dogs into thirds to yield twelve pieces. Cut each slice of cheese in half, then each half into thirds, resulting in six small pieces of cheese.
- Assemble Pigs in a Blanket: Optionally brush each dough strip with some Dijon mustard. Place a small piece of cheese at the bottom of each strip, then top with a hot dog piece. Roll the dough around the hot dog and cheese and place the rolled pieces seam side down on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the pigs in a blanket in the preheated oven for 12 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and the cheese has melted nicely.
- Prepare Butter Glaze: While baking, melt the salted butter in a small saucepan and stir in the garlic powder and onion powder to create a flavorful glaze.
- Glaze and Season: When the pigs in a blanket come out of the oven, brush them generously with the butter glaze and sprinkle with flaked Maldon salt.
- Serve: Serve warm with ketchup and mustard or a dipping sauce of your choice for a delicious snack or appetizer.
Notes
- If you prefer a spicier flavor, use spicy mustard instead of Dijon mustard or add a pinch of cayenne to the butter glaze.
- You can substitute American cheese with cheddar or your favorite melting cheese for a different taste.
- To save time, hot dogs can be precooked if desired, but this recipe works well with uncooked hot dogs wrapped and baked.
- Use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to cut the dough strips evenly for uniform cooking.
- Brush the dough strips with mustard to add extra flavor and moisture to the rolls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pig in a blanket
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
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