If you love Pigs in a Blanket these will knock your socks off. They are extra meaty and thanks to the air fryer, have lovely flaky outer pastry in just 7 minutes.
Pigs in a blanket are definitely a family favorite. They combine two of my kids’ favorite things, hot dogs and crescent rolls. We jazz this easy recipe up a bit with sesame seeds and stuff them with cheese for an extra pop of goodness.
They are a classic appetizer for a party, football games, and an easy snack to whip up for the family.
Why these are better than your average recipe.
These cook up in only 7 minutes. In less time than the conventional oven, the buttery crescent dough gets extra flaky, and crisp.
I skip the mini hotdogs, little smokies, and cocktail franks and break out the big guns with full size hot dogs.
A nice thick hot dog cut into thirds makes for a really meaty sausage rolls.
At ⅓ of the size of a regular hot dog, these are still the perfect size for little bites.
Wrapping the pastry dough around a thick piece of meat makes it a little thinner and easier to cook all the way to the center. This makes sure every bite of pastry has those golden brown, flaky layers that we love.
Sesame seeds toast and give the outer shell a delicious texture and flavor.
For fun, I occasionally stuff the hot dogs with cheddar cheese.
Ingredients
Crescent Dough- I used Pillsbury brand, but store brand is great too.
Hot Dogs- I used a basic beef hot dog, but you can use any kind of fully cooked hot dog that your family loves.
Instructions
Step 1
- Remove hot dogs from packaging, and pat dry with a paper towel to remove any extra moisture.
- Cut each hot dog evenly into three equal pieces to give you a total of 24 pieces.
Step 2
- Next, open the crescent roll dough and spread out on a cutting board.
- Take the individual triangles and cut lengthwise into three equal pieces using a pizza cutter or paring knife.
Step 3: Optional
- Cut a small slit in the middle of the hot dog and place a small slice of cheese into the center. Wrap the stuffed hot dog with the crescent dough and be sure to cover the cheese completely so that it doesn’t leak out in the air fryer.
Step 4
- Carefully wrap the thin pieces of dough around the outside of the hot dog overlapping just enough to make the dough stick to itself. The hot dog will stick out on both ends.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the uncooked crescent dough.
- Place on a cutting board, baking sheet, or plate until ready to cook.
Step 5
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°.
- Place the wrapped hotdogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer with enough space for them to grow and cook for 6-8 minutes.
How to Serve
The best way to serve these air fryer appetizers is with your favorite sauces.
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Honey Mustard
- BBQ Sauce
- Cheese Sauce
FAQs
You can add sesame seeds, bagel seasoning, or poppy seeds for some color and crunch.
You can use a traditional beef or pork hotdog, but you can also choose chicken, turkey, or even a veggie dog to fill these delicious crescent dogs.
It can vary a bit between air fryers, but 375° for 6-8 minutes has routinely worked for this recipe. If you get too hot, the Pillsbury crescent dough cooks before the hot dog warms all the way through to the center.
Diana's Tips for Success
Spray or brush your air fryer basket with a little bit of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature before putting in the uncooked sausage rolls.
You can cook these up in batches and serve them hot and fresh as needed.
How to Store and Reheat
You can make the these and store them on a tray in the refrigerator for up to two hours before cooking.
Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Reheat by placing back in the air fryer for 10-15 minutes at around 250°. Slowly heating will help revive the buttery crescent rolls and heat the hot dogs all the way to the center.
Conventional Oven Method
This easy air fryer recipe can be done in a conventional oven as well.
Place uncooked pigs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 425° for a cook time between 20-25 minutes. It takes a bit longer, but increased heat and time will still give you the perfect appetizer.
Related Recipes
- Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings
- Baked Italian Turkey Meatballs
- How to Make a Butter Board
- Potato Fritters with Zucchini and Green Onion Dip
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Pigs in a Blanket in the Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 8 Hot Dogs
- 1 Can Pillsbury Crescent Dough or generic
- 2 Teaspoon Sesame Seeds
- 2 Ounces Cheddar cheese cut into small slices, optional
Instructions
- Remove hot dogs from packaging, and pat dry with a paper towel to remove any extra moisture.
- Cut each hot dog evenly into three equal pieces to give you a total of 24 pieces.
- Next, open the crescent roll dough and spread out on a cutting board.
- Take the individual triangles and cut lengthwise into three equal pieces using a pizza cutter or paring knife.
- (Optional) Cut a small slit in the middle of the hot dog and place a small slice of cheese into the center. Wrap the stuffed hot dog with the crescent dough and be sure to cover the cheese completely so that it doesn’t leak out in the air fryer.
- Carefully wrap the thin pieces of dough around the outside of the hot dog overlapping just enough to make the dough stick to itself. The hot dog will stick out on both ends.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top of the uncooked crescent dough.
- Place on a baking sheet, cutting board, or plate until ready to cook.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°.
- Place the wrapped hot dogs in the air fryer basket in a single layer with enough space for them to grow and cook for 6-8 minutes.
- At the end of the cooking time, transfer to a serving platter and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Spray or brush your air fryer basket with a little bit of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature before putting in the pigs in a blanket.
- You can cook these up in batches and serve them hot and fresh as needed.
Nutrition
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Sharon
These pigs in a blanket made in the air fryer are perfect for busy weeknight dinners. The kids love them!
Ned
What an amazing guilty pleasure that reminds me of my childhood. Thank you for the suggestion! I can't wait to make them again. So yum!
Mahy
These are so cute. And I bet these are absolutely delicious! My only problem is that I won't be able to stop once I try them LOL
Anjali
I had no idea you could make pigs in a blanket in the air fryer! This looks so easy - I can't wait to try this soon!
Justin
Never turn out this crisy in the oven, way better this way!