Lil Smokies Recipe Pigs in a Blanket

As a kid I LOVED when my Mom would make Pigs in a Blanket or Little Smokies as they are often called using Pop Biscuits and Hot dogs. Now I enjoy even more Lil Smokies wrapped in crescent rolls using Pillsbury Crescent Rolls for their taste and flakey texture. Even better when dipped into a Honey Mustard Sauce, or my favorite Cowboy Dipping Sauce. And trust me, you can’t eat just one!

I’m all about having fun when making recipes, so although you can make Lil Smokies in a Blanket and bake why not theme it up and shape into a Football and serve for a Super Bowl Party or Game Night! Or a Christmas Tree around the Holidays. Sounds fun and I bet your family will smile big when they see this plate of appetizers placed before them too.

You will only need a few ingredients and fortunately it also only takes a few minutes to roll these crescent roll pigs in a blanket.

Pigs in a Blanket Dipping Sauce

Make sure you add some fun Dips to dip these Cocktail Weenies into. This Cowboy Sauce is a BBQ Favorite and why you are at it you might also like these Loaded Tater Tot Kabobs too. Don’t forget Ranch or even a Honey Mustard Sauce is great too.

Offering a variety of dip for Pigs in a Blanket is a must, along with having enough appetizers for the size crowd you have. For a small group of 8-10 people I find having at least 3 dipping sauces to choose from is ideal.

Pigs in Blanket Sauce

• Cowboy Sauce
• BBQ Sauce
• Honey Mustard
• Fry Sauce

Seasoning Ideas

• Salt and Pepper
• Poppy Seeds
• Everything But the Bagel seasoning

Fun Fact

Here’s a Fun Fact for you. Did you know the first written record of Little Smokies Recipes Pigs in a Blanket was in a Betty Crocker Cooking for Kids Cookbook in 1957? It was! Kids and adults have been enjoying this fun snack for generations.

Lil Smokies dinner recipes are endless. We also love to make Hawaiian Meatballs with cocktail weenies using the Instant Pot. It's a recipe my boys will enjoy as an appetizer that fills them up like a meal.

Ingredients for Lil Smokies in a Blanket

• Cocktail Weenies
• Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
• Egg
• Salt and Pepper
• Dipping Sauce

How to make Lil Smokies Pigs in a Blanket

Heat oven to 375 degrees. It typically takes a few minutes for the oven to heat up.

Unroll Crescent Roll dough and separate into precut triangles. Laying crescent dough on a large cutting board and using a pizza cutter cut each triangle into 3 strips. One package of Crescent Rolls will make 24 little smokies Pigs in a Blanket.

Place Cocktail Weenie at the wide end and roll securing dough at the bottom with a simple pinch.

Arrange Pigs in a Blanket on Baking Sheet leaving room between. Whisk Egg and brush egg on dough. This is optional but gives a nice crusty texture to the baked roll. Then sprinkle with Salt and Pepper to taste.

Trader Joes sells and Everything But the Bagel Seasoning which is also delicious when sprinkled on top.

Bake at 375 Degrees for 14-16 minutes or until Golden Brown. Serve with Dipping Sauce, Barbecue Sauce, Honey Mustard and enjoy.

Pro Tip

When baking into a shape like a football or Christmas Tree, allow room between for crescent rolls to puff and expand. If tops cook to quickly cover with foil to allow everything to properly cook.

How to make a Football Pig in a Blanket

For the Super Bowl or Game Night turning the Appetizer into a shape is just fun. You will need to double the recipe to have enough Lil Smokies in a blanket to form a Football shape.

Once all the Smokies are rolled up, place 12 Rolled Smokies in an arch with 12 Rolled Smokies in a lower reverse arch forming the outer shape of a football. Then begin to fill in the center with 2 smaller arches. Notice the outer layer the Smokies are placed vertically and the inner layers are horizontally.

Bake as Directed and Top with Ketchup and Mustard

How to make Christmas Tree Pigs in a Blanket

For the Holidays It's fun to make a wreath or even a Christmas Tree Shape out of pigs in a blanket recipe. I start with a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Placing 2 side by side for the trunk.

Then building from the bottom a row of 7 lil smokies crescent rolls. Followed by a row of 6, then 5, 4, 3, 2 and finally 1 on the top.

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It's important to leave space between for baking as the crescent rolls will puff and fill in the spaces. As the rolls bake it's often necessary to place aluminum foil on top to help from browning too much. This also allows the bottoms to continue to cook.

Brush with egg wash before baking to give the rich golden color on tops. The egg wash also helps seasonings to stick perfectly.

Favorite Appetizers

• Hawaiian Meatballs
• Chili Cheese Fries
• Artichoke Spinach Dip
• BBQ Chicken Wings
• Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
• Pizza Dip
• Mac and Cheese Bites

Post published Feb 2021 Republished December 2021