Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket

They are the first to go at any party, but these pigs in a blanket are even better than the ones you've had before. Why? Because they are CHEESY!

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Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket on a white platter with honey mustard.

Pigs in a Blanket… but Better!

There was a time in my life when I never threw a party without pigs in a blanket. I just knew that they would make people happy and disappear in no time. I still know this to be true, but have to admit that until writing this recipe I hadn’t made pigs in a blanket for quite a while. Now I wonder why not because this time, I made them even better! This time, they are cheesy pigs in a blanket.

A sheet of puff pastry with Cheddar cheese all over it on a wooden cutting board, and a rolling pin next to it.

Making Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket

The cheesy part of these PIBs comes in the form of Cheddar cheese, layered between two sheets of puff pastry. This is an added step in making traditional PIBs, but I think you’ll agree that it is worth it once you’ve tasted them. It doesn’t take long to roll the pastry out with the cheese. Just make sure you remember to defrost the pastry properly – that means putting it in the fridge the night before OR leaving it on the counter until it is manageable. Do not, for any reason, be tempted to try to defrost the pastry faster using unadvisable methods (I’m looking at you microwave!)

A sheet of puff pastry cut into 36 squares with cocktail wieners and egg wash - the process of making pigs in a blanket.

How to Assemble

You could roll the pastry around the wiener from edge to edge, but going from corner to corner does add a little style to the PIBs and since we’re upping the game with cheese, we might as well up the game in style too. Dot one corner of the pastry squares with egg wash. That will be your fastening corner. Pull that corner over on top of the other corner of pastry and pinch together really well to seal it in place.

Pigs in a blanket on a cutting board, ready to be baked.

Adding Flavors to Pigs in a Blanket

Once you’ve assembled all your pigs, brush them with more egg wash and then sprinkle some sesame seeds, some poppy seeds or even some coarse salt on top. A little mixture is nice.

Baked Pigs in a Blanket on an air fryer basket.

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

These will bake in your air fryer in no time – about 8 to 12 minutes at 380˚F. (Alternately, you can bake these in your oven at 400˚F for about 15 to 17 minutes, or until the pastry is nicely browned all over.) Turning the pigs over for the last 2 minutes of air-frying is a good idea. Not only does it help brown and cook the pastry on the bottom, it also protects the wiener ends from getting too dark.

A hand holding a pig in a blanket on a blue napkin.

Dips for Pigs in a Blanket

Everyone had their favorite dip for PIBs. For me, it’s definitely honey mustard. You can buy some or make your own (simply mix honey and mustard together to suit your tastes). Others like ketchup, BBQ Sauce or even HP Sauce. You know what you like. Put some in a little dish, surround it with your stylish cheesy pigs in a blanket and then just sit back and watch them disappear.

A hand dipping a pig in a blanket into honey mustard.

 

Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket

  • Prep Time: 20 m
  • Cook Time: 24 m
  • Total Time: 44 m
  • Servings:
    36
    appetizers

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry
  • 1 cup grated sharp Cheddar cheese
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 14- ounces mini cocktail wieners or smoked sausages
  • Sesame seeds
  • Poppy seeds
  • Honey mustard or ketchup for serving

Instructions

  1. Brush one sheet of puff pastry with a little water. Scatter the Cheddar cheese evenly over the pastry sheet and then place the second sheet of puff pastry on top. Roll the two pastry sheets out together to a 12 x 12-inch square. Cut the pastry into 36 2-inch squares.
  2. To assemble the cheesy pigs in a blanket, brush one corner of each of the dough squares with egg wash. Place a cocktail wiener in the center of each square diagonally. Fold the corner opposite the egg wash over the wiener and then fold the egg wash corner over and press it firmly against the other corner of pastry to seal well. Be sure to give it a good pinch so the dough stays shut while cooking. Brush each assembled pig in a blanket with egg wash and sprinkle some sesame and poppy seeds on top.
  3. Brush the air fryer basket lightly with a little vegetable oil or line your air fryer basket with a little parchment paper. In two or three batches (depending on the size of your air fryer), load the basket with the pigs in a blanket leaving about an inch between each one. Air-fry at 380°F for 8 to 12 minutes until golden brown turning them over for the last two minutes of cooking.

  4. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
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Comments (7)Post a Reply

  1. 5 stars
    I’ve been making these since my 40+ boys were little! And now for their children! I still making them occasionally for my husband and I. Also I sometimes will get a can of crescent rolls and make them with regular hotdogs! I also put cheese on them! Either way they are yummy!
    And oh by the way thank you for all the recipes you give us, I’ve made many!

  2. 5 stars
    Need to try with the puff pastry.
    Thank you for the idea.
    We were at Sam’s Club yesterday and they were handing out
    Crescent Rolls with the little dogs and took two.
    I make the regular hot dogs with the Crescent Rolls and put
    a slit in the dog and slice cheese.

    1. Yes you can freeze the pigs in a blanket before baking for about 3 months. Place them on parchment paper in a single layer and freeze for 30 to 60 minutes. Then transfer to a freezer bag or container.

  3. These look delicious. I love the idea of puff pastry instead of crescent dough. What temperature and how much time if I need to bake them in a regular oven? Thank you!

    1. Hi Deborah, I would bake them at 400˚F for 12 – 15 minutes, or until they look nicely browned on top (all ovens vary a little, so best to keep your eyes on them the first time.)
      ML

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