When it comes to easy crowd-pleasers, my mini pigs in a blanket always steal the show! Tender cocktail sausages get bundled up in golden, flaky croissant dough. The combination just hits right. Let's dive in!
Perfect for Christmas time or as a game-day snack. No matter the occasion, everyone will love their incredible taste and texture.
For more snacky ideas, check out my round-up of snack ideas. I've scoured the internet to find these for you, so enjoy!
Ingredients
All you'll need is 4 super basic pantry staples for this recipe. Nothing can be simpler, so round them up!
- Can of croissant dough: A batch with 12 croissants in it. Keep it chilled until you're ready to go.
- Cocktail sausages: You'll need the pre-cooked kind.
- Eggs: These give the pastry their golden color.
- Poppy seeds: Don't skip them - they add a lovely gourmet touch.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Store-bought pastry makes this recipe so incredibly easy. Keep all your ingredients chilled while working with them for best results. This just prevents melty, sticky pastry and helps it puff up beautifully.
- Step 1: Cut the dough: Cut along the perforated lines of the dough triangles to make 24 smaller triangles.
- Wrap the sausages: Take one of the smaller dough triangles and place a mini sausage at the wide end of the triangle. Roll the dough around the sausage. Repeat with all the sausages.
- Step 3: Egg wash: In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Egg-wash each piggie.
- Step 4: Sprinkle poppy seeds: Top each piggie with poppy seeds.
- Step 3: Arrange on a baking sheet: Lay them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave space between each piggie.
- Step 4: Bake: Bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until the piggies in a blanket are golden brown and baked through.
Hint: Use a pastry brush to get the pastry totally covered in egg wash.
Substitutions
There are loads of alternative ingredient options for this recipe. Use my recipe as a base and play around with ingredients you already have at home:
- Croissant dough: Use store-bought puff pastry and cut it into strips. This will create a flaky and buttery alternative. To make it yourself, check out this croissant recipe from La Cuisine De Geraldine for a classic French version. For a lighter, crispier version, layer, and roll phyllo dough with melted butter.
- Cocktail sausages: Cut standard hot dogs into thirds for a similar size and flavor. Use plant-based sausages to make this dish vegetarian-friendly. Replace sausages with thick strips of cheese for a gooey twist.
- Egg wash: Brush the dough with milk or cream. Use almond, oat, or soy milk as a vegan egg wash substitute. Lightly brush with olive oil or melted butter for shine.
- Poppy seeds: Swap with sesame seeds or Everything Bagel Seasoning. Add cheesy goodness by topping with finely grated Parmesan.
Variations
Here is some inspiration for variations of this recipe. There are so many fun twists you can make.
- Italian style: Use pizza dough instead of croissant dough. Wrap mini Italian sausages or spicy pepperoni slices. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and Italian seasoning before baking. Serve with marinara sauce or pesto.
- Breakfast version: Use biscuit dough and pre-cooked breakfast sausages or turkey sausage links. Inside the dough, include a slice of cheddar cheese or scrambled eggs. Brush with maple syrup or honey!
- Extra gourmet piggies: Use smoked sausages, bratwurst, or chorizo. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt, fresh thyme, or rosemary. Offer dijon mustard or spicy aioli for dipping.
- Veggie piggies: Use croissant dough or puff pastry. Replace with roasted veggie sticks like zucchini, carrots, or asparagus. Sprinkle with sesame seeds or garlic powder. Serve with ranch dressing or hummus.
Serve them at Christmas time with this cranberry pomegranate sauce as an upscale ketchup swap.
Equipment
This is a really low-tool recipe. Aside from the pastry brush I mentioned earlier, you'll need a baking sheet or two. Don't forget to line it with parchment paper to prevent the pastry from sticking/breaking.
Storage
Let the piggies cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5–10 minutes to restore crispness.
Once cooled, freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Store for up to 1 month.
Reheat directly from frozen at 375°F in the oven for 10–15 minutes. You can also reheat them in the air fryer to save time. Use at 350°F for 3–5 minutes for a freshly baked texture.
Top tip
For extra crispiness, pre-bake the croissant dough slightly for 2–3 minutes before wrapping the sausages. This helps prevent soggy bottoms and ensures a perfectly golden, flaky blanket every time!
FAQ
Aside from ketchup, serve cheese sauce, honey mustard, spicy mayo, sweet chili sauce, garlic aioli, or a chipotle dip.
Yes, you can. You'll just need to cover and refrigerate them until you're ready to use them. Bake them straight from the fridge for great results.
The sausage in the center is the piggy and the dough is the blanket.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Mini Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Mini Piggies in a Blanket Recipe
Equipment
- Pastry brush
- Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 refrigerated can of croissant dough with 12 croissants
- 24 cocktail sausages pre-cooked
- 1-2 eggs beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 teaspoon poppy seeds for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to the temperature indicated on the croissant dough package. This is usually around 350°F (175°C).
- Open the Croissant Dough: Open the refrigerated can of croissant dough and carefully unroll it. You'll find 12 triangular pieces of dough.
- Cut the Dough: Cut along the perforated lines of the dough triangles to make 24 smaller triangles. This will provide enough dough to wrap around each mini sausage.
- Wrap the Sausages: Take one of the smaller dough triangles and place a mini sausage at the wide end of the triangle. Roll the dough around the sausage. Repeat with all the sausages and dough triangles.
- Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the eggs. Using a pastry brush or your fingers, lightly brush each wrapped sausage with the beaten egg. This will help the dough brown nicely during baking.
- Sprinkle Poppy Seeds: Sprinkle poppy seeds over the egg-washed dough-wrapped sausages. This adds a pleasant visual appeal and a subtle nutty flavor.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the prepared mini piggies in a blanket on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave some space between each one to allow for even baking.
- Bake in the Oven: Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until the piggies in a blanket are golden brown and the dough is cooked through.
- Serve: Once baked, remove the mini piggies in a blanket from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, mustard, or barbecue sauce.
- Enjoy your delicious homemade mini piggies in a blanket as a delightful appetizer or snack!
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