A classic appetizer for parties, this everything bagel mini pigs in a blanket recipe brings an extra punch of flavor and crunch by adding a favorite seasoning.
Every holiday season there are party appetizers that have become a tradition for us to make and snack on. Chex mix, sausage balls, and mini pigs in a blanket are some of the usuals.
I will admit in the past I would just buy the frozen version of little smokies in puff pastry but the last time I had them they were just disappointing and expensive for the amount you get.
So, this year I decided to make homemade pigs in a blanket and I'm kind of wanting to kick myself for waiting so long to do so as this is seriously one of the easiest appetizers to make with just four ingredients. And so much better tasting, too.
Everything bagel seasoning has been so popular this year, and for good reason, so I decided to kick things up a notch and add some on top. And, yeah, definitely doing that again! The seasoning adds a really nice extra crunch and flavor punch.
What Are Pigs In A Blanket?
When I was growing up pigs in a blanket meant whole hot dogs and a strip of cheese wrapped in refrigerated biscuit dough, or crescent roll dough when my mom was feeling fancy, and baked until golden. We ate them as the main entree at a meal.
These pigs in a blanket are meant as an appetizer since they use little smokies or mini sausages. Though they are addictive enough to eat enough as a meal for sure.
I like rolling them in puff pastry, but you can totally use refrigerated biscuit dough or crescent roll dough instead.
That's basically it. But, like with this recipe, you can make them a bit more special with a few additions.
Here are the ingredients I used.
- ~12 oz package of little smokies or mini sausages - This should equate to approximately 35 sausages. I used Hillshire Farm's beef lit'l smokies. You could also use hot dogs cut into thirds.
- 1 sheet of puff pastry - I used the Wewalka brand which is refrigerated so it doesn't require defrosting or rolling out - just simply unroll. If you use a brand that is frozen do make sure to thaw it and roll out if needed, according to package directions, first.
- 1 large egg - This will be used as an egg wash to get an extra crisp and golden crust on the puff pastry.
- Everything Bagel Seasoning - Here's an everything bagel seasoning recipe if you'd like to make your own. I used the prepared everything bagel seasoning mix from Trader Joes.
How To Make Pigs In A Blanket
As I mentioned before these puff pastry little smokies are a breeze to make.
Just cut your puff pastry into strips. I like to put the puff pastry on a cutting board and then use one of the smokies as a ruler of sorts to know how wide to make the strips.
I like completely covering the little smokies with puff pastry but if you're doubling the recipe and want to stretch the pastry you could use half as much per sausage.
I then cut the puff pastry sheet into four rows. I ended up 32 strips of dough.
Most packages of little smokies have about 35 sausages so you can either cut a couple of the strips in half or make 5 rows of dough if this is the case to wrap them all.
Next, simply roll a puff pastry strip around each sausage and place seam side down on a baking sheet. Then just brush with egg wash, sprinkle on the everything bagel seasoning mix and bake until golden brown and delicious.
These are slightly time-consuming considering the number you have to roll. But, I think it's actually kind of fun to make with a friend or the kids can help too after you cut the puff pastry into strips.
Recommended Equipment
Here are the items I find useful to make pigs in a blanket.
- Cutting board
- Pizza cutter - or a knife will do
- Half-sheet baking pan - this size holds all the pigs in a blanket perfectly
- Silpat, parchment paper, or foil - for easy cleanup
- Pastry brush
Dipping Sauces For Pigs In A Blanket
To me, these are tasty enough that they don't need a dipping sauce. But if you'd like to have one here are some ideas.
- Honey mustard sauce
- Curry ketchup
- Ketchup mixed with a drizzle of sriracha
- Basic queso dip
- 3 Ingredient Spicy Ranch Dipping Sauce
More Easy Appetizers Recipes
- How To Make Homemade Microwave Popcorn
- Crispy Pineapple-Habanero Chicken Wings Recipe
- Southern Style Deviled Eggs Recipe
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs Recipe
- Creamy Cheesy Bacon Ranch Dip Recipe
Everything Bagel Mini Pigs In A Blanket Recipe
A classic appetizer recipe given a new boost of flavor will make this everything bagel mini pigs in a blanket recipe one of the first dishes to go at your next party.
Ingredients
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed and rolled out according to packaging
- 1 12-ounce pack of little smokies (I used beef)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 - 425°F - whatever the directions of the puff pastry packaging say is best to bake it at. Spray a half-sheet baking pan with non-stick spray or for easier clean up, line with greased foil, parchment paper, or a silpat.
- Cut unbaked puff pastry into equally sized rectangles for the number of little smokies you have, approximately 35. I like having the entire sausage covered but you may wish to have part of the sausage showing so keep this in mind when cutting the pastry width.
- Roll 1 sausage in each puff pastry rectangle. Place seam side down onto the baking sheet at least once inch apart. Repeat until all sausages are in their blankets.
- Brush beaten egg over the top of each pig in the blanket. Then sprinkle each pig in a blanket with a bit of the everything bagel seasoning blend.
- Bake the pigs in a blanket in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- Place baked pigs in a blanket on a serving platter and serve immediately.
Notes
The pigs in a blanket can be pre-made to the stage of rolling in puff pastry and refrigerated up to the night before serving. I do not recommend brushing with egg wash and baking until just before serving as they can start to get soggy after sitting for more than an hour or two.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 7 Serving Size: 5 pigs in a blanketAmount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 506mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 7g
Nutrition information may not be accurate. Nutrition information is calculated automatically by and provided by Nutritionix. Exact nutrition information depends on the specific ingredients, brands, and amounts you use.
Cheryl
Monday 27th of May 2024
I would definitely recommend crescent dough for these. The puff pastry puffs up too much for these.
Smart Savvy Food
Wednesday 29th of May 2024
Hi Cheryl, thanks so much for taking the time to leave your feedback. I know many prefer these made with puff pastry but crescent dough is tasty too!
Jen
Sunday 30th of April 2023
If I prepare the night before will they puff up in the fridge over night?
Smart Savvy Living
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
Hi Jen, thanks for stopping by. I have not prepared these the night before to know exactly how they’d turn out. But, I think it should work okay to make them the night before. Just make sure they are well wrapped or covered so the puff pastry doesn’t dry out. If you do give it a try, please let me know how it turns out.
Tracy
Saturday 8th of April 2023
How to keep the warm? Can you keep them in crock or slow cooker on warm
Smart Savvy Living
Tuesday 9th of May 2023
Hi Tracy, thanks for stopping by. The pigs in a blanket would be best by keeping them warm in an oven set to warm or around 225°F and then refilling your serving dish as needed as they will be okay to sit at room temperature for 2 hours. A slow cooker on low should also work okay but they might end up a bit soggy depending on how long they sit. I’d put parchment paper between the layers of pigs in a blanket to help them not stick together. Hope this helps!
Kathy
Friday 22nd of October 2021
Mine were golden in 16 minutes - glad I checked on them! A big hit with my guests!
Smart Savvy Living
Saturday 23rd of October 2021
So glad your guests enjoyed them, Kathy. Thanks for trying my recipe and sharing how it turned out.
Lorri
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Can these be frozen after baking?
Smart Savvy Living - Michelle
Sunday 17th of September 2023
@Patti, thanks for the feedback!
Patti
Sunday 17th of September 2023
@Smart Savvy Living, freeze them before you bake them.
Patti
Sunday 17th of September 2023
@Smart Savvy Living, you can freeze them separately and then throw them in a bag in the freezer and pull out how many you want. You can make these and freeze way in advance of any party.
Smart Savvy Living
Thursday 16th of September 2021
Hi Lorri, thanks for stopping by. I haven't tested freezing these after baking, but I think they should freeze just fine. You should be able to reheat from frozen or thawed in the oven. I would cover them so nothing burns.