Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket is a quick and easy appetizer, perfect for parties, holiday gatherings, or game nights. Their delicious taste and the fun of pairing them with different dipping sauces. These bite-sized treats are sure to be a hit at any event, offering a delightful snack that's both easy to make and irresistibly tasty!
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An Irresistible Appetizer Perfect For Game Day!
With only 2 ingredients, this mini pigs-in-a-blanket recipe will be your favorite appetizer to whip up any time you’re having guests.
Fluffy crescent rolls and smoky mini sausages pair up to create the perfect starter for any gathering. Everyone will ask you for this recipe and be shocked by how easy it is!
With flaky, buttery crescent rolls wrapped around savory Lil Smokies- you can’t eat just one. Plus, these offer the easiness of finger food, making them perfect for game day, movie night, or anything in between.
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
They Are Perfect For Dipping! These mini pigs-in-a-blanket are practically bite-sized. That means no double-dipping is necessary, and you can try different dipping sauces!
They Are Simple to Make! This beginner-friendly recipe is a great way to involve the kids in the kitchen. Kids love to help wrap the dough around the sausages (and they love to eat them, too!).
They are Quick! From start to finish, this appetizer will only take about 20 minutes to make.
🥘 Ingredients
Just a few ingredients and your favorite dipping sauce(s), and you're on your way to enjoying this popular appetizer in no time at all!
- 48 Lil Smokies Sausages- You may know these as cocktail sausages. Traditionally, I have used the original Lil Smokies for this recipe, but it would also taste great with the Cheddar Lil Smokies!
- 2 canisters Crescent Rolls- Crescent rolls are wrapped around the Lil Smokies sausages and baked into fluffy, golden goodness. Plus, the ready-made dough makes this recipe a breeze! The crescent rolls are the perfect combination with the savory smokies.
- Condiments (Optional)- Ketchup and mustard are classic, but these are delicious with any of your favorite sauces! My sister-in-law tells me that ranch dressing (also called 'Texas ketchup' where she is) would be her go-to!
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🔪 Instructions
These pigs in a blanket are practically effortless to put together. Serve up this perfect party appetizer in 3 easy steps, and watch them quickly disappear!
- Preheat and Prep. Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Then, open and unroll the canned crescent rolls. There will be 8 triangle-shaped dough pieces. Using a pizza cutter, cut each triangle into 3 strips. (You will now have 24 dough pieces per can for a total of 48.)
- Wrap and bake. Place each Lil Smokie on the widest end of the dough triangle and roll to the opposite end. Then, place on a parchment paper-covered baking sheet and bake at 375℉ (190℃) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve. Remove from oven, serve, and enjoy with ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, ranch dressing, or your own favorites.
🍽️ What To Serve With
Consider dipping them in honey-dijon, honey mustard, honey BBQ, or Cajun dipping sauce.
Alternatively, create a delightful sour cream dip or French onion dip.
You can also sprinkle everything bagel topping on your mini crescent dogs for a perfect pairing with this dip.
Lil Smokie crescent rolls are not only a fantastic snack option but also an easy lunch that kids adore. Pair them with crispy air fryer French fries or air fryer tater tots for a simple and satisfying side dish to complement your pigs in a blanket.
💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
- Space Out on Baking Sheet: Use your largest baking sheet to ensure each crescent roll has enough space to expand without merging into its neighbor. Avoid overcrowding to allow for even baking and proper dough rise.
- Batch Baking: If necessary, bake in batches to maintain adequate spacing between each pig in a blanket. This ensures even cooking and prevents the rolls from sticking together. If you run out of space, prepare for a second round once the first is done.
- Keep Dough Chilled: To make handling easier, keep the second canister of crescent roll dough in the fridge until you're ready to use it. Chilled dough is easier to work with and holds its shape better.
- Holding Warm: If you're cooking in batches or want to prepare ahead of time, keep the finished pigs in a blanket warm in a warming drawer or a crockpot set to low. Use parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
- Scaling for Gatherings: These treats are perfect for game days or family events. Feel free to double or triple the recipe to accommodate the size of your gathering.
🥡 Storing & Reheating
In the unlikely case, you have leftovers, they can be placed in an airtight container and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing
If you would like to make these in bulk and in advance, it is safe to freeze them for up to a month. I usually freeze the baked mini crescent dogs in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer them to a freezer bag to save space.
Reheat frozen lil smokies pigs in a blanket the same way you would fresh; just increase the baking time to 14-16 minutes. *No need to thaw first!
Reheating
You can reheat these in the microwave for 30-45 seconds, but they tend to get a little soggy or chewy this way. My preferred method is to reheat them in the oven at 350℉ for 5-10 minutes to keep the crescent rolls nice and flaky.
❓ Recipe FAQs
If you can’t find the cheddar Lil Smokies (or you just really love cheese), you can absolutely put a small piece on the crescent roll dough before placing the sausage and rolling it up. The cheese will melt into ooey-gooey goodness, so be sure to line your pan with parchment paper so the crescent rolls don’t stick. Baking time will stay the same.
You sure can! These can be prepared and refrigerated up to 24 hours in advance. I don’t recommend longer than that because the dough tends to dry out. Wrap the pan tightly with plastic wrap before placing it in the fridge. When you’re ready, just pop them in the oven for easy entertaining.
*Note that the prepared crescent dogs are best if baked within 2 hours of assembling.
Hotdogs cut into 1.5-inch pieces can make a great substitute. (The cooking time should remain about the same.) They won’t have the smoky flavor from which Lil Smokies got their name, but they will be tasty nonetheless!
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📖 Recipe Card
Lil Smokies Pigs In A Blanket
Ingredients
- 2 cans crescent rolls (pre-made refrigerated crescent rolls)
- 48 Lil Smokies sausages (or mini hot dogs)
- condiments (ketchup mustard, etc.) (optional)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Open and unroll the 2 cans crescent rolls. There will be 8 triangle-shaped dough pieces. Using a pizza cutter cut each triangle into 3 strips. (You will now have 24 dough pieces per can for a total of 48.)
- Place each of the 48 Lil Smokies sausages on the widest end of each dough triangle and roll to the opposite end.
- Place on a parchment paper covered baking sheet and bake 375°F (190°C) for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from oven, serve, and enjoy with your favorite condiments (ketchup mustard, etc.).
Notes
- Be sure not to crowd the baking sheet.
- You may have to work in batches.
- Can be held in a warming drawer until ready to serve.
Anonymous says
I baked them for an extra 5-6 minutes for extra crispness! I didn’t want there to be any doughy pieces and it worked out perfectly! Plus, the lil smokies were extra smoky 🙂
April says
All that I can get right now is the breakfast sausage type.(at a great deal too!) Would it be ok to just divide into 3 pieces? I have both cheddar and original.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
Yes, definitely! Whatever works (and that sounds yummy too!).
Sandra says
I wanted to try and embellish these a little. Just wondering if u have ever put mustard, brown sugar or cheese on the dough before wrapping them and how did it work out or taste.
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
I have not done that with the mini crescent dogs, however, I have made regular (full-size hot dog) crescent dogs with quite a few variations. One of my favorites is to fit a slice of pickle and cheese into my dough. Another is a dollop of BBQ sauce and brown sugar. Yum!
Marilyn says
Turned out awesome! Easy to follow recipe!