Holiday Pigs in a Blanket are my go-to when I need something fast, festive, and guaranteed to disappear from the plate. You know those moments when guests are ten minutes away and the snack table looks a little empty? These save the day. They are nostalgic, kid-friendly, and still fancy enough for a cocktail hour if you throw in a few herbs and a pretty wreath shape. The best part is you can prep them ahead or bake them hot right before serving. I’ve made them for cozy movie nights and big family parties, and they always hit.
How this recipe fits into holidays, game day, potluck season
These are the reliable crowd-pleasers that travel well and reheat nicely, so they work for potlucks, office parties, and game day spreads. The wreath presentation feels seasonal without being hard. You can make a double batch for a Super Bowl party or keep it small for a family movie night. For a full menu idea, set them beside a warm pot of beef stew in a crock pot so folks can graze and sip something hearty.
Holiday Pigs in a Blanket
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Description
These festive pigs in a blanket are easy to make, perfect for gatherings, and guaranteed to be a hit with guests, offering a blend of comfort and creativity.
Ingredients
Dough and Sausages
- 1 can crescent dough or puff pastry (Crescent for a softer bite; puff for a flaky finish.)
- 24 mini smoked sausages or mini hot dogs (Can also use turkey or chicken minis.)
Flavor Enhancements
- 1 small egg (for wash) (For shine.)
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds or everything seasoning (For topping.)
- 1 tbsp melted butter (Optionally mixed with garlic and parsley.)
Optional Extras
- 2 sprigs rosemary (For garnish.)
- 1 block cheddar cheese (Thin slices for added flavor.)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (For inside the sausage.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (for crescent dough) or 400°F (for puff pastry).
- Unroll the dough and cut it into strips or triangles.
- Wrap each mini sausage starting from the wider end and leaving a peek of sausage at one end.
- Arrange the wrapped sausages in a circular wreath shape on a parchment-lined tray.
Baking
- Brush the wrapped sausages with the egg wash.
- Sprinkle with poppy seeds or everything seasoning.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and the sausages are sizzling.
- Decorate with rosemary sprigs and serve with mustard in the center.
Notes
These can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and baked right before serving. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Ingredient Rundown: Building the Perfect Appetizer
Pick the dough and the mini sausages
You only need two basics: a can of crescent dough or puff pastry, and a pack of mini smoked sausages or mini hot dogs. Crescent dough gives you a softer, buttery bite. Puff pastry bakes up extra flaky with a little more crunch. Mini sausages bring savory snap and a touch of smoke that plays perfectly with mustard. If you want a lighter option, turkey or chicken minis also work.
Flavor builders that make them pop
Brush the wrapped dough with a little egg wash for shine and sprinkle with poppy seeds or everything seasoning. You can tuck a tiny strip of cheddar under each sausage or add a dot of Dijon inside for a surprise. A finishing brush of melted butter with garlic and parsley makes them taste bakery-level good.
Optional extras: rosemary sprigs, cheese, garlic-butter, dipping sauces
Little extras take this from simple to special. Slide a few rosemary sprigs around the wreath for aroma and that holiday evergreen vibe. Add thin slices of cheddar or pepper jack under the sausage for gooey bites. Mix melted butter with minced garlic and a pinch of salt and brush it over the dough before baking for extra flavor. Set out dips so everyone can mix and match.
Ingredient-substitutions & dietary tweaks (gluten-free dough, sausage alternatives)
Use gluten-free crescent dough or gluten-free puff pastry if needed. For sausage alternatives, try chicken apple sausages, turkey minis, or even plant-based mini hot dogs. Dairy-free folks can skip the cheese and use olive oil instead of butter. If sodium is a concern, look for lower-sodium sausages and keep the seasoning light.
Equipment & Prep Tips Before You Bake
Line your sheet pan with parchment so nothing sticks. A sharp knife or pizza cutter helps you get clean dough strips. If your kitchen is warm, chill the assembled wreath for 10 minutes before baking to help it hold its shape. I also like to keep a small bowl of egg wash ready to brush on right before the tray goes in.
Make-ahead assembly vs last-minute bake
Assemble the wreath up to 24 hours ahead, cover, and chill. Then bake right before guests arrive so it comes out warm and glossy. Last-minute bake works great if you want to serve it fresh from the oven. If you’re planning multiple appetizers, pair this with something equally simple like mini Brie Christmas trees for a festive spread.
Oven temperature and timing set-up for best results
Bake at 375 F for crescent dough or 400 F for puff pastry. You want deep golden edges and a crisp base, which usually takes 15 to 20 minutes depending on your oven and the thickness of your dough. Rotate the tray halfway through for even browning. If the tops brown too fast, tent lightly with foil in the last few minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make the Wreath
Shape, wrap, and arrange
Unroll the dough and cut it into strips or triangles. Wrap each mini sausage, starting at the wider end if you’re using crescent triangles. Leave a little peek of sausage showing at one end. Arrange the wrapped pieces in a circle on a parchment-lined tray, slightly overlapping them to form a wreath. Make a second ring inside the first for a fuller look if you have extra.
Brush and bake
Brush with egg wash for shine. Sprinkle with poppy seeds or everything bagel seasoning. Bake until the dough is golden and the sausages are sizzling. Slide the wreath onto a board using the parchment, then decorate with a few rosemary sprigs and a small bowl of mustard in the center. That’s it. Simple and festive.
Presentation & Serving Suggestions
Serve on a round wooden board with a small dish of mustard in the center. Tuck rosemary into the cracks for a holiday look. If it’s game day, swap rosemary for sliced jalapeños and a bowl of queso. Round out the table with something crunchy like air fryer sweet potato fries and a bright salad.
Best dips: grainy mustard, Dijon, ranch, ketchup, honey-mustard
- Grainy mustard for savory bite
- Dijon for a smooth, tangy finish
- Ranch for kids and creamy lovers
- Ketchup for pure nostalgia
- Honey-mustard for sweet-meets-tangy balance
Pairing ideas: holiday cocktail hour, Super Bowl snack spread, kid-friendly party
For a cocktail hour, offer bubbles and a few nibbles like olives and nuts. For Super Bowl, load a long board with your wreath, wings, and a pot of cheesy broccoli soup for dipping.
To Throw a kid-friendly party, go lighter on spices and keep ketchup and ranch front and center. These little bites play nice with almost any crowd.
Portioning & serving for crowd vs intimate gathering
For 6 to 8 people, one wreath using one can of dough and about 24 mini sausages is perfect. For a crowd, double or triple and bake on two trays. Keep a small stash warming in a low oven so you can refill the board. If it’s just a few of you, bake half and freeze the rest unbaked for later.
Pigs in a Blanket : Variations & Flavor Twists
Try jalapeño cheddar inside for a spicy kick. Add a swipe of pesto under the sausage for a herby tone. Everything bagel seasoning plus a cream cheese dip tastes like breakfast at a deli. You can also go sweet and salty with a drizzle of hot honey right after baking.
Gluten-free, vegetarian (meat-free sausage) or vegan dough alternatives
Gluten-free crescent dough is widely available and works well. For vegetarian or vegan, use plant-based sausages and a vegan puff pastry. Brush with olive oil instead of egg and skip the cheese or use vegan shreds. The texture stays fun and the flavor is still party-worthy.
Breakfast version: sausage + crescent dough for morning crowd
Wrap breakfast sausage pieces in crescent dough and brush with maple butter. Serve with scrambled eggs and fruit for a cozy morning buffet. If you want a sweet companion, toss in a plate of treats from our desserts and baking ideas for a complete brunch spread.
Troubleshooting Common Issues & Pro Tips
Dough opening during bake
Press the seam firmly and chill the assembled wreath for 10 minutes before baking. A light egg wash also helps seal it.
Sausages bursting or wrinkling
Prick each mini sausage once with a toothpick. This lets steam escape so they stay neat.
Bottoms getting soggy
Use a preheated sheet pan or a pizza stone for extra crisp bottoms. Bake on the middle rack for even heat.
Not enough color
Use that egg wash and bake until the edges are truly golden. A few extra minutes usually solves it.
Pigs in a Blanket Nutrition & Ingredient Insight
What to expect per serving
Two to three pieces feels like a snack for most adults. Calories depend on dough and sausage type, but you can lighten things with turkey or chicken minis and a thin wrap of dough. Watch sodium on cured sausages if you are sensitive. A quick tip: season the dough lightly if your sausages are already well seasoned.
*Nutrition is an estimate based on standard mini smoked sausages and refrigerated crescent dough. Values will vary with brand and add-ins. Calculated using data from USDA FoodData Central and major brand nutrition labels. Always adjust according to the exact products you use.
Highlight on sausage quality and dough type (ingredients matter)
Better sausages equal better flavor. Choose ones with simple ingredients and good snap. Crescent dough gives you a classic, buttery feel while puff pastry brings bakery-style flakes. If you want tender and rich, go crescent. If you want crisp and luxe, go puff.
Seasonal Appeal & Trend Relevance for 2025
Shared plates and edible centerpieces are big right now. A wreath of mini bites delivers that cozy, interactive vibe. People want familiar flavors with small upgrades like fresh herbs, better mustard, and a touch of heat. This recipe checks all those boxes without making you babysit the oven all night.
What kind of dough works best (crescent, puff, biscuit)?
Crescent dough is the easiest to shape and gives a soft bite that kids love. Puff pastry is ideal if you want a flakier, bakery-style finish. Biscuit dough can work in a pinch for a thicker, more bready bite. For the classic taste and texture, I reach for crescent dough most often.
Can I prepare ahead and freeze before baking?
Yes. Assemble, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to a bag or container. Bake from frozen at 375 to 400 F with a few extra minutes. This is my favorite party hack because you get fresh-from-the-oven magic without the rush. Keep another freezer-friendly appetizer handy like these copycat chocolate chip cookies to bake after the savory course.
Is there a vegetarian/vegan version?
Absolutely. Use plant-based mini hot dogs and vegan puff pastry. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and serve with spicy mustard. You still get that same festive look and satisfying finger food experience.
Serving Suggestions
Put the wreath on a big board with a small bowl of Dijon in the center, plus a scoop of sweet pickles and some olives. Add a second dip like honey-mustard to balance the savoriness. If you want a cozy winter table, bring in a simple soup, or try a hearty dish to anchor the meal. For more cold-weather inspo, peek at this lineup of main dishes that hold up well for gatherings.
Christmas Pigs in a Blanket Common Questions
Figure 3 to 4 pieces per adult if you have other snacks, and 5 to 6 if this is the main appetizer.
It is optional but highly recommended for color and shine. Milk works in a pinch.
Set the oven to 200 F and hold the tray inside for up to 25 minutes. Cover loosely with foil.
Grease the pan lightly and avoid dark nonstick sheets that brown too fast.
Yes, line them up in rows or make two mini rings. Same bake time and taste.
A Friendly Wrap-Up You Can Snack On
If you are craving a snack that looks special and still fits a busy day, Holiday Pigs in a Blanket are a total win. Pick your dough, wrap your minis, and add a few smart extras like garlic butter or everything seasoning. For more wreath ideas and technique tips, check out this helpful guide from Delish … and make it your own. Build a cozy table around them with a bowl of stew, a fresh salad, and maybe something sweet from your oven. I hope you try this and make it your signature party bite. And if you need another festive nibble for the spread, the Halloween Rice Krispie treats are a fun curveball that kids love too.
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