When the party invitation lands, the first question that pops into my head is always: what easy appetizer can I bring that everyone will devour? You need something that screams ‘delicious’ but whispers ‘took five minutes of actual work.’ Well, trust me when I say I found the ultimate answer sitting right there in the refrigerated dough section. Forget those huge, slightly soggy versions you see everywhere else!
I’m talking about my famous Mini Pigs in a Blanket. They’re tiny, they’re cute, and that crescent roll dough gets impossibly flaky.
I remember the very first time I made these for a huge family get-together. I was still in high school, and bringing an appetizer felt like a huge responsibility! Armed with nothing but those little cocktail wieners and a tube of dough, I rolled and baked, and soon my kitchen smelled incredible. Watching my cousins fight over the last ones made me realize these weren’t just snacks—they were little bursts of joy that brought everyone together. That initial batch kicked off a family tradition!
Why You Will Love These Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Honestly, these little bites are my go-to for any celebration because they just tick all the boxes. They are genuinely one of the easiest things you can ever toss together. You don’t need to be a pro baker to make these look amazing!
- They are lightning fast! Seriously, you can have them prepped and ready for the oven in under 15 minutes. That’s quicker than finding parking at the party itself!
- Total crowd-pleasers! Whether it’s picky three-year-olds or my skeptical uncle, everyone always grabs more than one. They are just classic comfort food wrapped up tight.
- The crescent roll dough becomes so perfectly golden and flaky. It’s the dream wrapping for that savory little wiener inside.
- They are wonderfully versatile! You can dip them in anything—ketchup, honey mustard (if you peek ahead to my sauce recipe), or just eat them plain.
- They are fantastic for any event. Pop over to my main recipe index if you need more speedy ideas, but these Mini Pigs in a Blanket are perfect for a Super Bowl party or a quiet weeknight snack.
- Super freezer-friendly! You can roll a massive batch and freeze them raw. Pop them straight onto a baking sheet when guests suddenly show up unannounced.
See? I told you they were a winner. Simplicity like this is what cooking should be about!
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Okay, the beauty of these is how few ingredients you actually need. You probably have most of this stuff hanging out in your pantry already! It’s mostly about having the right quality of those core items. You need the butter to be real—no substitutes if you want that flaky, rich coating we talked about. Don’t skimp on the wieners either; make sure you grab the mini cocktail size so they fit perfectly on the dough triangles. It’s these simple items handled correctly that make the difference between a good snack and the BEST snack!
For the Classic Mini Pigs in a Blanket
For the main show, we need one tube of that refrigerated crescent roll dough—make sure you unfold it carefully so you can tear those perforations to get your base triangles. Then you grab a whole package of those mini cocktail wieners. We finish the wrapping stage with about four tablespoons of melted unsalted butter for brushing, and just a little sprinkle of coarse salt right before they go into the heat. That’s it for the main guys!
Optional Mayo-Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Now, while plain Mini Pigs in a Blanket are wonderful, this sauce takes them to the next level, honestly. If you have an extra minute, you absolutely have to whip this up. You’ll mix half a cup of mayo, a quarter cup of Dijon mustard—not yellow stuff, okay, Dijon has more depth—two big tablespoons of honey for that sweetness, and just a little splash of fresh lime juice to cut through the richness. It’s totally optional, but why hold back on flavor?
Expert Tips for Making the Best Mini Pigs in a Blanket
You might think making something out of a tube of dough is foolproof, and honestly, it’s pretty close! But if you want your Mini Pigs in a Blanket to look like they came from a fancy catering tray instead of just a quick weeknight rescue mission, you need a couple of little secrets. My biggest tip is all about surface area—you need to get the most texture out of that crescent roll dough possible. Don’t just unroll the sheet and cut it straight across; that gives you big, fat doughy pockets that never quite crisp up.
Instead, gently pull apart the triangles first, then cut each one into three smaller, skinnier wedges. This ratio of meat to dough seals perfectly and gives you more crispy crust per bite. I always check out great ideas like this one over at Delish for extra inspiration, but my method for achieving that unbeatable gold color is what sets ours apart.
Achieving Golden Brown Crescent Roll Perfection
The butter is non-negotiable here. You have to brush it on generously! Melted butter acts like a shield, helping the surface of the crescent roll cook evenly and giving you that beautiful shine. If you skip the butter, the surface dries out instead of crisping up. Once they are buttered, hit them with a light dusting of coarse salt. This is crucial! It draws out just a tiny bit of moisture from the surface dough, which helps them brown faster and taste salty-good, rather than tasting flat. A quick swap to a better recipe like this can be hard sometimes, but these finishing steps are worth the extra 30 seconds!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Okay, assembling these is the fun part! It moves fast once you get into the rhythm. I always put on some good music while I work because, honestly, it doesn’t take long enough to let the dough warm up too much. You’re going for perfectly snug rolls that seal up nicely when they bake. Don’t worry about everything being perfectly uniform; part of the charm of homemade Mini Pigs in a Blanket is their slightly rustic look. Check out my ideas for quick seasonal snacks if you get inspired while you’re working!
Preparing the Dough and Wieners
First things first: we need heat! Preheat your oven right away to 375ºF. While that’s warming up, lightly flour your clean workspace. Unroll your tube of crescent rolls, and here’s where we need care: gently tear them apart where they are perforated to start. Then, take each big triangle and slice it into three smaller, skinnier wedges—this is key for that perfect dough-to-wiener ratio we talked about! Now, take one cocktail wiener and place it right at the wide end of your dough piece. You’re going to roll it up tightly toward the thinner point. Try to keep the roll even so the dough doesn’t bunch up weirdly in the middle of your Mini Pigs in a Blanket.
Baking and Finishing Your Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Once you have them all rolled, arrange them neatly on your baking sheet. They can be a little close, but not touching, because they’ll puff up! Now, grab that melted butter we prepped and brush it over the tops of every single roll. Generously sprinkle them with coarse salt—don’t be shy! Pop them into the preheated oven and bake them for just 12 to 15 minutes, or until they look beautifully golden brown all over. Seriously, you’ll smell when they are done. That golden hue means the crescent roll is flaky and ready for dipping!
Making the Mayo-Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
I know I said the Mini Pigs in a Blanket are great alone, but you really should make this simple dipping sauce, I try not to let a batch go without it! Honestly, this takes maybe two minutes total, and it tastes so much brighter than anything jarred.
Just grab a small bowl—no need to wash a fancy mixer for this, thank goodness. Whisk together that half cup of mayo, the quarter cup of Dijon, the two tablespoons of gooey honey, and that tablespoon of bright lime juice. Mix it until it’s one beautiful, creamy, tangy shade of yellow. If you want it thinner, add just a tiny splash of water or milk, one teaspoon at a time. That’s all there is to it!
Serving Suggestions for Your Mini Pigs in a Blanket
When you bring a platter of these beautiful, golden Mini Pigs in a Blanket to a potluck, you want them to stop people in their tracks! It’s not just about the taste, which we know is already fantastic; it’s about presentation. Since these are such a universally loved snack, we need to make sure they look just as good as they taste.
First things first: don’t just stack them. If I’m heading to a busy gathering, I always use a large, attractive white platter or a wooden cutting board. Arrange them standing up, leaning against each other in a pyramid shape—it signals abundance and makes them easier for people to grab without crushing the ones underneath. Plus, it looks professional!
Of course, presentation means having those dipping options ready to go. If you made that Mayo-Honey Mustard sauce, put it in two separate, small ramekins placed on opposite ends of the platter; that way, one sauce bowl doesn’t become a total disaster zone by the time Aunt Carol gets there. But don’t stop at just one dip!
Think about adding a little color contrast around the edges. A few sprigs of fresh parsley or some baby dill sprinkled lightly over the platter adds an elegant touch that yells ‘I put effort in!’ even though we both know getting these ready takes almost no time at all. For big events, I’ve even baked them directly onto a sheet of parchment paper tied with a rustic ribbon, making them easy to transport and serve right off the paper!
We want people to grab these before they even look at the chips and dip, so make them look irresistible! For more ideas on balancing out a big spread of food, you can always check out my tips for simple balanced suppers—they apply to party planning too!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Seriously, are there ever leftovers? Usually not at my house! But just in case you manage to save a few of these glorious little snacks, you definitely don’t want to just leave them sitting out. We put so much effort into getting that crescent roll flaky and golden, and we need to protect our work!
The number one rule for storage is keeping the air out. If you just toss them in a bowl, they’ll get that weird, slightly tough texture by morning. You want to let them cool down completely first—if you seal them warm, you trap steam, and steam makes things soggy, which is the exact opposite of what we want for a great Mini Appetizer.
Once they are totally cool, pop them into a good quality, airtight container. They’ll keep just fine in the fridge for about three days. If you happen to have a big stack, you can always layer them with a paper towel in between layers to absorb any trace moisture. You can find out more about storing other leftovers like my ground turkey stuffed peppers, but the principle is the same: cool first, then seal tight!
Now, reheating is where most people wreck their leftover crescent roll creations. Please, please avoid the microwave if you care about crispness! The microwave will make them soft and chewy almost instantly. It totally defeats the purpose of that buttery crust!
The absolute best way to bring them back to life is using the oven. Set your oven to a low, gentle temperature—around 300ºF is perfect. Lay the Pigs In A Blanket out on a baking sheet in a single layer, just like you did when you first baked them. Let them bake for maybe 8 to 10 minutes. That low heat slowly warms the sausage through while gently reactivating the butter coating, bringing back that beautiful light flakiness. They will taste almost as good as fresh!
If you are in a desperate hurry and truly don’t have time for the oven, the air fryer works wonders too! Just a few minutes at 325ºF is enough to crisp the outside quickly. Just remember, crispy is king when dealing with any sort of dough appetizer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Pigs In A Blanket
I get so many questions about these little guys, especially when people are planning big gatherings! It’s a classic for a reason, but sometimes you need to tweak it for your specific needs. Remember, while I write about keto here, these Crescent Roll beauties are worth breaking the rules for sometimes!
Can I use different types of sausages in this Mini Appetizer recipe?
Absolutely! The mini cocktail wieners are my preferred choice because they are perfectly sized for the small triangles of dough, but you can swap them out if you want a different flavor profile. If you use full-sized hot dogs, you’ll need to cut those large dogs into thirds before wrapping them, or you’ll end up with sausage poking out everywhere, which isn’t quite the look we’re going for!
Smoked sausage or even little bits of kielbasa work really well and add a deeper, smokier flavor. If you use flavored sausages—like spicy Italian links—just be aware that the salt profile changes, so taste your dipping sauce before you serve it!
How do I keep these Kid Friendly Mini Pigs in a Blanket warm for a long party?
This is the age-old party dilemma, right? You want them hot and ready, but you don’t want to keep pulling new batches out of the oven every 20 minutes. The trick is to use a very low, gentle heat source. Once they are perfectly golden, transfer them to a baking dish and keep them in the oven set to its absolute lowest setting—I mean 170ºF if your oven goes that low, maybe 200ºF maximum.
If you are taking them out of the house for a potluck, you can place the serving platter into a disposable aluminum roasting pan. Place a couple of those little chafing fuel cans underneath (the ones restaurants use) to keep them cozy right on the buffet table. Just make sure the pan isn’t touching the flames directly, or you risk burning the bottom crust!
Estimated Nutritional Data for Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Now, I know what many of you dedicated readers are thinking! You look at that buttery, salty crescent roll dough wrapping around a little sausage and you wonder, ‘Is this wrecking my entire day’s calorie count?’ Well, that’s why tracking your food is so smart, and I always try to give you a ballpark idea, especially since we are talking about party food here!
Keep in mind that these numbers are just an estimate for one single piece of Mini Pigs in a Blanket, based on the standard tube of crescent roll dough and average cocktail wieners. Since we are dipping these in that glorious sauce, those numbers will certainly jump up! If you’re watching your intake but still want to enjoy the fun, stick to just one or two and skip the heavy dipping.
I always aim to keep track of my intake even when having fun, so I shared some great resources on calorie-smart recipes on the site if you need lighter options later in the week.
Here is a rough breakdown per piece (without the optional sauce):
- Calories: Approximately 110-125 per piece
- Fat: About 7-9 grams
- Protein: Around 4-5 grams
- Carbohydrates: Roughly 7-8 grams
It’s amazing how quickly those little bites add up when you’re grabbing them one after another while chatting! Just be mindful!
Share Your Perfect Mini Pigs in a Blanket Creations
Well, folks, that’s it! We’ve gone from a can of dough to a platter full of golden, flaky, savory happiness. I truly hope you’re standing in your kitchen right now smelling those buttery aromas, just like I am every time I make these amazing Mini Pigs in a Blanket.
This recipe isn’t just a set of instructions; it’s a tradition, and I want you to make it yours! I always love hearing how you put your own spin on things. Did you stick with the simple salt topping, or did you try sprinkling a little everything bagel seasoning on top before baking? Let me know!
Please, please, please leave a rating for the recipe right here on the page once you’ve tried them. Your feedback really helps me know which recipes to keep perfecting for you all. If you have questions about cutting the dough or dipping sauce ratios, drop a comment below—I read every single one!
And if you snap a picture of your gorgeous platter ready for the next big game or family dinner, tag me! Seeing your finished appetizers makes my day. It reminds me of that first potluck so many years ago. You can reach out and share your photos with me anytime over on my contact page!
Happy rolling, and enjoy every single, delicious, kid-friendly bite!

Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. On a lightly floured surface, unroll crescent sheets and tear where perforated. Cut each triangle into 3 smaller triangles.
- Place 1 cocktail wiener on the thick side of each triangle, then gently roll to the thinner side.
- Transfer to a medium baking sheet. Brush with butter and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake pigs in a blanket until golden, 12 to 15 minutes.
Notes
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