Mini pigs in a blanket are the perfect appetizer for parties, family gatherings or game nights. Made with puff pastry, they are quick and easy to make, and crowds love them.
These bite-sized snacks can be also enjoyed for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
This is a simplified version of pigs in a blanket. No need to cut the pastry into individual pieces. Follow this simple puff pastry pigs in a blanket recipe and speed up your prep! Process photos are included for easy understanding.
How to make mini pigs in a blanket with puff pastry
This is a very quick recipe for puff pastry pigs in a blanket, so make sure you preheat your oven first.
If not using ready-rolled fresh puff pastry, you should roll yours at least a few times, especially when it’s too thick.
Then, spread a thin layer of mustard over and place hot dogs in one layer close to one of the edges. Roll the pastry over, until you cover the hot dog. Avoid covering them with double layer of puff pastry. If you do, they might not rise easily. Just make sure there is enough pastry overlapping the seam (at least ½ inch/1.5 centimeters).
Then cut the excess pastry, preferably with a pizza cutter. Now, take the long sausage and cut it into bite-sized pigs in a blanket.
Place them onto the baking sheet (lined with baking parchment), seam-side down.
Bake in a preheated oven until they are puffed.
How long to cook mini pigs in a blanket?
Note that baking time can vary. This will depend on your oven, the thickness and also the temperature of your pastry (a thawed pastry might need more time in the oven than fresh).
Mine took 10 minutes to bake, but if needed, leave these hot dog bites in the oven longer than 10 minutes (For best results bake in the middle of the oven).
Tips for making the best puff pastry pigs in a blanket
- Egg wash – you can use it, if you want these little puff pastry appetizers to look golden brown. If you don’t mind, omit this step. Just note that if you leave the egg wash out, they will turn out paler. If you are not sure whether your puff pastry pigs in a blanket are cooked or not, look at the pastry – if it is crispy and puffed up, they are done.
- Puff pastry can be sometimes tricky to work with. I find the fresh one that is ready-rolled the best, but frozen (thawed) is fine too (that is what I used for this recipe). Use what you have experience with or what you can buy in your local supermarket. No matter what you use, make sure it is rolled thin.
- Preheating your oven is important for this recipe. If you don’t do it, puff pastry might not puff as it should, so make sure the oven is hot and preheated to the temperature of 400° Fahrenheit (200° Celsius) before you throw the tray in.
- There is no need to season these hot dog appetizers with any salt or pepper. However, if you want, you can sprinkle some over the pastry. If you serve them with any kind of a dip, that should give them enough flavor so no seasoning should be needed.
- I like to roll the hot dog sausage several times before cutting it. The reason is simple: it helps the seams to stick together and the pastry won’t come apart during baking.
What do you serve with pigs in a blanket?
These puff pastry wrapped hot dogs are best with ketchup or mustard, but you can serve them with Thai sweet chili sauce or garlic dip (ready in 2 minutes).
Can you serve pigs in a blanket cold?
This depends on your preference, but they can be enjoyed both warm and cold. If they are cold, you could serve them with something warm like spinach artichoke dip and if you make these for breakfast (cut them into larger pieces), you can plate them with baked beans or eggs.
Puff pastry appetizers are my favorites. They are easy to make and taste always delicious, so no wonder crowds love them. Here are some easy puff pastry recipe ideas for you:
- Parmesan Puff Pastry Breadsticks – easy and quick snacks that you can enjoy on their own or with soups, dips ...
- Smoked Salmon Puffs
- Brie Bites
- Ham and Jalapeno Pinwheels
- Parmesan Asparagus Pastry Twists
- Bacon Puff Pastry Twists
Mini Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- ½ pound puff pastry (see note 1)
- 2 tablespoon mustard (see note 2)
- 10 hot dogs (see note 3)
- 1 egg (optional, see note 4)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° Fahrenheit (200° Celsius).
- Unfold (unroll) the puff pastry. If using thawed pastry, roll it out so it is not too thick.
- Spread a thin layer of mustard over the pastry. Place hot dogs in one line, close to the bottom end of the pastry (check photos if not sure). Use as many as needed to cover the whole width/length.
- Lift the pastry up and cover the hot dogs. Roll them over, so that the seam is covered enough. Take a pizza cutter (or knife) and cut off the excess pastry. Repeat until you have used up all the pastry.
- Now, roll each hot dog sausage a few times, just to make sure the seam is sealed. With a knife, cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces (2.5 centimeters) or larger (if you like) and transfer them onto a baking sheet lined with baking parchment.
- Brush with egg wash (optional) and bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed up.
- Enjoy!
Notes
- Puff pastry – you can use either fresh or frozen pastry (that you have thawed before using it). I used 1 sheet (almost ½ pound-250 grams) and got bite-size 45 pieces.
- I used classic French mustard, but you can use any kind you like. Ketchup can be used instead of mustard.
- Use any hot dogs you like. If you use thicker ones, you will use more pastry and you might end up with less hot dog appetizers. The hot dogs in these photos are very thin and small, so I used 10 of them. For that reason, I also ended up with a lot of them. Please, note that the quantity of mini pigs in a blanket will depend on the thickness of the hot dogs, on the size of your pastry as well as on its thickness. Also, the smaller you cut them, the more pieces you get.
- Egg wash is completely optional. If you want your puff pastry pigs in a blanket to look nice golden brown, use egg wash. If you don’t mind, omit it. Just remember that by not using the egg, they will turn out pale even when done, so make sure not to over-cook them.
- The cooking time will vary slightly. This will depend on your oven, on the size of your bites as well as on the puff pastry. It should not take long though. They will be ready, when the puff pastry is golden brown. Your pigs in a blanket are ready when the puff pastry is puffed and flaky.
- For more tips and serving suggestions, please read the full post above this recipe card.
Midge says
Just wondering if hot dogs need to be cooked ahead of time or if 10 minutes wrapped in the pastry will be enough to cook them?
Julia | Appetizer Addiction says
Hi Midge. They don't need to be cooked ahead of time. However, if you use extra thick hot dogs, I would recommend, simmering them in water for a few minutes first.