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Table of Contents
Seasoning and Sauce for this recipe from: Blazing Star BBQ (discount link)
This easy recipe is for some easy and delicious pigs in a blanket. This perfect snack food is really hard to beat no matter if you’re making them for the big game during football season, a holiday like at Christmas time, or the appetizer to your outdoor backyard BBQ, or even your next game day party.
The best part is the number of different ways that you can make them. You can cook them in the oven, the smoker, or the air fryer and still get that perfect golden brown texture that’s got a slight crisp on the outside, and meaty on the inside!
Made quickly, with only a couple of ingredients – prep time is kept to a minimum. I’d be willing to bet that this pigs in a blanket recipe will become one of your go-to’s like it has been mine. For this pigs in a blanket recipe I used pretzel bites from King’s Hawaiian Rolls, however a more traditional way to make them is by using crescent rolls (or crescent dough cut into narrow triangles), little smokies (or mini sausages), plus your favorite dipping sauces and seasoning.
I’m a fan of honey mustard, Blazing Star BBQ sauce (discount link), or even Dijon mustard for these. It pairs perfectly with this pigs in a blanket recipe. They are quick to cook and delicious to eat. Let’s dig in!
Let’s Prep
First things first—let’s gather the ingredients. For this pigs in a blanket recipe, I use King’s Hawaiian Pretzel bites, instead of crescent roll dough from the store. You could also try puff pastry or even biscuit dough if that’s what you have on hand. Start by grabbing a sharp knife or wide straw. Gently plunge that into the pretzel bite to hollow out the tube shape for the lil smoke to sit. You may need to wiggle the straw or twist the knife some to make room for the meat. That’s ok – just take care not to break the bread.
Next, grab your lil smokies or mini hotdog sausages. I like to use cocktail sausages like lit’l smokies because they’re the perfect size for fitting in the pretzel bite. You can find them at most local grocery stores. You’ll want to snugly press each sausage into the pretzel bite – just apply some slow and firm pressure and it’ll slide right in. This ensures the bread can expand some and still be left with a golden brown exterior.
Let’s Cook:
Pigs in a Blanket are almost made!
Now for my 2nd favorite part (aside from eating them) – let’s cook these pigs in a blanket! If this is your first time making air fryer appetizers like this, you’ll be amazed at how easy it is.
The following may vary based on the type of air fryer that you have, mine is a convection oven style that sits on the counter top – if you have one of the round ones with the sliding cooking drawer make sure to put a piece of parchment paper, or paper liner in the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
If yours has a metal basket like mine does, make sure to give it a light spray of cooking spray before starting.
Arrange the pigs in a blanket in a single layer in the basket leaving a little bit of space between each one. This gives the hot air the ability to circulate and move about the cooking chamber. If yours is smaller, make sure to not overcrowd the cooking chamber as they won’t cook evenly that way.
The cooking time is super quick—just 8 to 10 minutes. You’ll want to check them halfway through and give the basket a shake for even cooking. When the timer goes off, you’ll have pigs in a blanket that are a perfectly cooked golden brown. If you want an interesting variation on them – give them a quick sprinkle with bagel seasoning before cooking.
Let’s Eat:
Now it’s time for my actual favorite part – let’s eat these pigs in a blanket! After giving them a few minutes to cool down, it’s time to dig in when they are warm and crispy straight after cooking. When I serve or eat them I’ll put them with a dipping sauce like Blazing Star BBQ sauce (discount link) or honey mustard. These are seriously the perfect appetizer for any occasion and are the perfect tasty treat for anyone!
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If you have leftovers (which rarely happens in my house), just store them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. When you’re ready to reheat, just toss them back in the air fryer for a couple of minutes to get them crispy again. They’re also freezer-friendly—just freeze them before cooking, and you’ll have frozen pigs ready to air fry at a moment’s notice.
One of the best things about this air fryer pigs in a blanket recipe is how versatile it is. You can switch up the sausages, try different dough like pastry dough or even add crispy bacon for an extra indulgent version. The hot dogs or Lil Smokies are so versatile, they can be used in a number of different ways, and you can even try using turkey sausage or pork sausage for a different flavor profile. If you prefer, and would like to try them you could use small turkey sausages for a variation on the pork sausage Lil Smokies.
Pro Tips:
Here are a few pro tips on making these if it’s your first time: First, make sure you don’t overcrowd the basket. The hot air needs to circulate freely to cook the dough evenly. Second, try using a smaller air fryer for a more intense crisp, but just know that you’ll likely need to cook in batches.
For a bit of a flavor boost, sprinkle on some sesame seeds or bagel seasoning before cooking. It’s a great way to elevate these already delicious snacks. And lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite things—from the type of sausage to the dipping sauces, this pigs in a blanket recipe is all about making it your own.
Whether you’re prepping for football season, throwing a party, or just need an easy roast dinner side, these pigs in a blanket are always a hit. With their crispy dough, savory sausage, and endless dipping sauce options, they’re hands down one of my favorite appetizers. Plus, the cooking time is so short, you’ll spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the party.
Leave me a comment and let me know what other air fryer recipes you want to see!
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- 12 King's Hawaiian Pretzel Bites
- 2 TBSP Blazing Star All-in-one Seasoning
- Barbecue Sauce for dipping (optional)
- 12 Lil Smokies
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 300F
- Remove King's Hawaiian Pretzel Bites from the package and one-by-one form a hole in the middle to hollow out a space for the Lil Smokie to fit. This can be done with either a knife or a straw.
- Season LIl Smokies with Blazing Star All-in-One seasoning
- Stuff hollowed out pretzel bites with a lil smokie and set on tray of air fryer
- Air Fry for 5-7 minutes taking care not to let the bread to burn.
- Serve immediately
Nutrition
Purchase Blazing Star Seasoning and Sauce here! (discount link)
