Discover a quick and tasty pigs in a blanket recipe with bacon and cheddar baked right into the pastry - perfect for a snack, parties, or any time you're craving a savory bite!
JUMP TO RECIPEWhether it’s a game day, backyard BBQ or party- pigs in a blanket are the go-to easy appetizer. Loved by kids and adults alike, these bacon cheddar infused pigs in a blanket are a flakey, baked-to-perfection party food favorite that comes together in about 30 minutes!
While I love a classic crescent roll simplified version of these classic wrapped cocktail weenies, I developed this recipe to add depth and savory flavor to the appetizer by rolling crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese right into the puff pastry for an extra boost of flavor.
Table of Contents
- Why This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is a Crowd Pleaser
- Pigs in a Blanket Ingredient Notes
- How to make Bacon Cheddar Pigs in a Blanket
- Tips For Perfectly Crispy Pigs in a Blanket
- Variations and Add-ins to Try
- Pigs in a Blanket Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Why This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is a Crowd Pleaser
Bacon and cheese! Cooked crispy bacon and shredded cheddar are rolled right into the puff pastry layers, so there's bacon and cheese flavor in every bite!
Super crisp. Using puff pastry and giving it a good brush of beaten egg before baking gives these pigs in a blanket a light, flakey, and ultra-crisp exterior when baked.
Pigs in a Blanket Ingredient Notes
Cocktail sausages. You'll need 24 cocktail sausages (aka cocktail weenies) for this recipe, which equates to about 1 package. More flavorful than traditional hot dogs, they are smoked, making for a flavor-packed pig in blanket.
Bacon. You'll need 4 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped into small pieces. You want to get the bacon drained well and finely chopped so it melds well with the puff pastry and cheese.
Cheddar. Grated cheddar (preferably hand grated) gets rolled with the bacon in between 2 layers of ouff pastry in an even layer. It's also used to lightly top each pig in a blanket before baking for extra cheesiness.
Puff Pastry. Using puff pastry rather than crescent dough for this recipe allows for a clean finish when adding the bacon and cheddar. It also gives them a light, airy and crisp exterior.
How to make Bacon Cheddar Pigs in a Blanket
Below is a step-by-step visual guide with tips and sensory cues to making the perfect pigs in a blanket, every time!
Tips For Perfectly Crispy Pigs in a Blanket
Chill before you bake. Puff pastry is made with TONS of butter, so when you work with it, it warms up quickly. Chilling the wrapped pigs in a blanket in the freezer for 20 minutes prior to baking firms up the butter. This ensures it melts slowly when baked to give you flaky, tall layers -instead of coming out flat, greasy, and dense.
Egg wash. The egg wash used in this recipe not only helps act as the glue that holds the "blankets" together, it also gives the finished baked pigs in a blanket a shiny and glossy finish. And it gives them a deep golden brown crust.
Preheat your oven. Make sure your oven is preheated and ready to go so the puff pastry can puff and rise. If you don't preheat, they can go flat as the temperature adjusts.
Variations and Add-ins to Try
Below are some great swaps and topping ideas you can use to elevate your pigs in a blanket!
| Meat swaps | This recipe calls for cocktail weenies, or small smoked sausages. You could also use hot dogs or smoked sausage cut into small pieces, Vienna sausages, or vegetarian cocktail sausages for this recipe. To make this vegetarian, replace the bacon with imitation bacon bits. |
| Toppings | In place of the sesame seeds, you could top the pigs in a blanket with grated parmesan, everything bagel seasoning, coarse salt, or poppy seeds! A little hit of garlic butter right after baking is also delicious! |
Pigs in a Blanket Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Dips. There are multiple dip options that work great with pigs in a blanket- from simple ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce, to flavored mayo like burger sauce or chipotle sauce.
Pairings. If you're putting together an appetizer spread, these pigs in a blanket go well with some tater tots or fries, fried cheese curds, or lighter options like salad or a veggie platter. A nice cold beer is also a great pairing!
Pigs In A Blanket Recipe (Bacon Cheddar)
Equipment
- baking sheets or sheet pans
- Rolling Pin
- parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 sheets puff pastry
- 24 smoked cocktail sausages
- 1 cup shredded cheddar, (plus 2 tbsp)
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Instructions
- Cook bacon and drain well on paper towels. Once cooled, finely chop into small pieces. 2. Shred cheddar, and reserve 2 tablespoon for later use. 3. Unroll one puff pastry sheet, set on a sheet of parchment or work surface, and cut in half, width-wise. 4. Brush lightly with water, using a silicone or bristle brush to moisten. 5. Layer on shredded cheese and bacon crumbles in an even layer. 6. Top with remaining half of the puff pastry sheet, and lightly press to seal. 7. Using a rolling pin, roll out to ⅛” thickness, measuring about 12” long. 8. Cut into 12 equal squares, trimming any excess from the edges for clean squares. Repeat with remaining sheet of puff pastry, for a total of 24 squares. 9. Add a cocktail sausage to the center of each square on a diagonal, so the square is set like a diamond. 10. Brush the left and right edge of each pastry square lightly with beaten egg, and roll up to seal around the cocktail sausage. Repeat with all sausages, and transfer to parchment lined baking sheet(s). 11. Transfer the baking sheet(s) to the freezer, and chill for 20 minutes. 12. While the pigs in a blanket chill, preheat the oven to 375 degrees f. 13. Brush the top of each pig in a basket with reserved beaten egg. 14. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and reserved cheddar cheese. 15. Bake in preheated oven for 12-16 minutes, until golden and puffed. Allow to cool slightly, thens serve!
Nutrition
Storage and Reheating Tips
Storing. To store, cool pigs in a blanket to room temperature, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Reheating. To reheat, warm the pigs in a blanket in a 350 degree f oven for 10-15 minutes, until warmed through, or use your air fryer to reheat at 350 for 3-5 minutes.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Can I make the pigs in a blanket in the air fryer?
Yes! Be sure to work in smaller batches of about 6, and air fry in a preheated air fryer for 6-8 minutes at 400 degrees.
Can I use a different cheese?
Sure can! Some other great options are sharp cheddar, Monterey jack, Colby jack, or fontina cheese!
© Jawns I Cooked. All images & content are the sole property of Jawns I Cooked. Please ask permission prior to using my photos. If you would like to share one of my recipes, please link back to this post and re-write the instructions in your own words.
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