By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 1, 2023
Pigs in a Blanket with cheese will be all the rage at your next party. This crescent roll recipe is easy, fun, and oh-so-delicious. These Lil’ Smokies wrapped in sharp cheddar, crescent roll dough, and brushed with Parmesan ranch butter are sure to be a hit.
What’s in This Pigs in a Blanket Recipe?
Pigs in a blanket are such a fun finger food. We’re using Lil Smokies with cheese and ranch Parmesan butter to put a creative twist on a classic party appetizer.
- Crescent Rolls: Refrigerated crescent roll dough is the perfect easy hack for fluffy, flaky pigs in a blanket. You can also make your own crescent rolls if you prefer.
- Cheese: We like to use sharp cheddar cheese because it offsets the richness of the buttery crescent dough.
- Lil Smokies : Perfectly sized cocktail sausages for these two-bite appetizers. You can also make your own in a crockpot .
- Butter: Salted butter helps the seasoning and cheese stick to the crescent rolls.
- Ranch Seasoning : Adds that classic tangy and herbal flavor that compliments these pigs in a blanket so well.
- Cheese: Parmesan cheese a bit of salty umami flavor.
Variations on Pigs in a Blanket with Cheese
It’s easy to change up the flavor of these pigs in a blanket by using a different type of cheese and/or seasoning. Try using Monterey jack, pepper jack, Swiss, or American cheese. Swap the ranch seasoning for everything bagel seasoning , Italian seasoning , or za’atar to change up the flavor!
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover pigs in a blanket in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through.
How to Freeze
Freeze pigs in a blanket in a single layer on a lined baking sheet until solid, about 1-2 hours. Transfer to an airtight container or Ziplock bag to store for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the final bake time.
Serving Suggestions
We have found these pigs in a blanket are perfect dipped in ranch dressing or barbecue sauce ! Serve them alongside matchsticked carrots and celery to add a bit of roughage. They pair so well with other dippable appetizers, like pepperoni pizza rolls , baked turkey meatballs , or jalapeno poppers .
Notes from the Test Kitchen
This recipe for cheesy pigs in a blanket is dead simple! We use store-bought crescent roll dough, cheese, cocktail sausages, and a bit of butter, ranch seasoning, and cheese for an extra kick of flavor. You’ll have this tasty app on the table in just 30 minutes!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 24 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls (2 cans)
- ▢ 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese cut into quarters
- ▢ 30 lil smokies cocktail sausages
- ▢ 4 tablespoons salted butter melted (½ stick)
- ▢ ½ ounce ranch seasoning (½ packet) – click for recipe!
- ▢ 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Video
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough and separate by the triangles provided. Cut each triangle in half to create to smaller same shape triangles. 24 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls
- Starting at the bigger end of each triangle, lay a small square of cheese, topped with a sausage, then roll up on itself. Lay on the baking sheet. Continue until all 30 pigs in a blanket are on your baking sheet. 30 lil smokies, 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- Combine the melted butter, ranch seasoning, and Parmesan in a small bowl. 4 tablespoons salted butter, ½ ounce ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Brush the rolled up pigs in a blanket with the butter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is browned and cooked through.
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Becky’s Tips
- Not a fan of lil smokies? Use Vienna sausages or hot dogs instead!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pigs in a Blanket Step by Step
Cut the Dough: Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside. Roll out 24 ounces of crescent roll dough and separate by the triangles provided. Cut each triangle in half to create to smaller same shape triangles.
Roll the Douggh: Starting at the bigger end of each triangle, lay a small square of cheese (from 8 slices cut into quarters), topped with a lil smokies sausage, then roll up on itself. Lay on the baking sheet. Continue until all 30 pigs in a blanket are on your baking sheet.
Brush the Dough: Combine the 4 tablespoons of melted salted butter, ½ ounce of ranch seasoning, and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan in a small bowl. Brush the rolled-up pigs in a blanket with the butter.
Bake the Dough: Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is browned and cooked through.
Traditionally, this recipe has little smokies, hot dogs, Vienna sausages, or breakfast sausages wrapped in some sort of pastry, such as crescent dough, biscuit dough, or pancake mix. So they are pigs (pork) wrapped in a blanket of dough, hence the cute name!
You sure can! While I love lil smokies for their smoky barbecue flavor, you can also use Vienna sausages or hot dogs in this recipe. You could also use turkey or chicken-based sausages.
This appetizer takes just about 15 minutes to bake!
Yes, pigs in a blanket can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or freezer until ready to bake.
More Appetizer Recipes To Try
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Tortilla Roll Ups
- Cheeseburger Sliders
- Mexican Street Corn Dip
- Baked Tomatoes with Cheese
- Turkey Sliders
- Bacon Wrapped Crackers
- Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
Ingredients
- 24 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls (2 cans)
- 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese cut into quarters
- 30 lil smokies cocktail sausages
- 4 tablespoons salted butter melted (½ stick)
- ½ ounce ranch seasoning (½ packet) - click for recipe!
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Roll out the crescent roll dough and separate by the triangles provided. Cut each triangle in half to create to smaller same shape triangles. 24 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls
- Starting at the bigger end of each triangle, lay a small square of cheese, topped with a sausage, then roll up on itself. Lay on the baking sheet. Continue until all 30 pigs in a blanket are on your baking sheet. 30 lil smokies, 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
- Combine the melted butter, ranch seasoning, and Parmesan in a small bowl. 4 tablespoons salted butter, ½ ounce ranch seasoning, 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Brush the rolled up pigs in a blanket with the butter.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the dough is browned and cooked through.
Video
Notes
- Not a fan of lil smokies? Use Vienna sausages or hot dogs instead!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
