5 Festive Recipes to Celebrate National Pigs in a Blanket Day

If you love mini hot dogs wrapped in flaky pastry, then April 24th is your favorite made-up food holiday—National Pigs in a Blanket Day! This year, celebrate with my 5 best recipes that take pigs in a blanket to the next level.

Recipe #1: Pigs in a Croissant

Taking pigs in a blanket to a buttery new height, this recipe wraps mini hot dogs in flaky croissant dough for an indulgent handheld treat. The croissants lend luxurious layers of texture compared to basic crescent roll dough.

Ingredients

• 8 cocktail franks or mini hot dogs
• 4 croissants
• 1 egg, beaten
• Sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Cut each croissant in half horizontally to form two thin layers of dough.
• Wrap each layer of dough around a hot dog, brushing the seam with beaten egg to seal.
• Place the seam side down on the baking sheet. Brush tops with more egg and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes until croissant dough is deep golden brown.

Cooking Tips

• For extra flavor, consider adding minced garlic or herbs like rosemary to the croissant dough before wrapping the hot dogs. 
• You can also serve it with creamy dips like honey mustard or whole-grain mustard for dipping.
• Enjoy these indulgent pigs in a blanket while they're hot from the oven.

Recipes #2: Bacon-Wrapped Pigs in a Blanket

Taking pigs in a blanket to the next level, this recipe delivers a double dose of pork indulgence. While a classic pig in blanket charms with its simplicity, wrapping each pastry-wrapped hot dog in a crispy strip of bacon injects an irresistible layer of smoky flavor. As the bacon blankets bake, they render out fat to create an extra-crisp blanket around each pastry package. Along with providing a savory complement to the creamy filling, the bacon garners extra indulgence points. This outrageous variation on Pigs in a Blanket is sure to be the first to go.

Ingredients

• 8 cocktail franks or mini hot dogs
• 8 slices bacon
• 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Unroll the dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Wrap each triangle snugly around a hot dog. Pinch seams to seal.
• Cut bacon slices in half widthwise. Wrap a piece of bacon spirally around each hot dog package and secure it with a toothpick.
• Arrange seam side down on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with black pepper.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bacon is crispy and dough is deep golden brown.

Cooking Tips

• For extra smoky flavor, cook bacon strips partially before wrapping. 
• You can also try different types of bacon like applewood smoked. 
• Serve bacon-wrapped pigs in a blanket warm from the oven with grainy mustard for dipping.

Recipe #3: Pigs in a Pizza Blanket

Take pigs in a blanket to an entirely new level with this decadent twist - wrapping mini hot dogs in pizza dough for handheld pockets of cheesy goodness. Rather than the usual crescent roll wrapper, imagine each frank centered in its own personal pan pizza shell. As the dough bakes, it forms the crust for a miniature pie filled with classic pizza toppings. Choose your favorite combo of marinara, melted mozzarella, and pepperoni (or go wild by adding veggies or meat too). Suddenly, those humble pigs in blankets transform into indulgent bundles perfect for sharing or noshing solo. The crispy yet soft pizza crust cradles each hot dog snuggled in its sauce and cheese blanket. It's the best of two crave-worthy worlds in one delicious handheld package. Dial up your pigs-in-blanket experience and get creative with toppings for these fun finger food pizzas that everyone is sure to gobble up.

Ingredients

• 8 mini hot dogs or cocktail franks
• 1 (16 oz) ball pizza dough, room temperature
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 8 slices mozzarella cheese
• Toppings of choice (pepperoni, peppers, etc)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Roll out pizza dough to 1/4 inch thickness. Use a round biscuit cutter or glass to cut out rounds slightly larger than hot dogs.
• Place a hot dog off-center on each dough round. Spread marinara sauce over hot dogs.
• Top hot dogs with mozzarella and other toppings. Fold the dough over to enclose the hot dog and seal the edges with a fork.
• Bake 15-18 minutes until dough is golden brown.

Cooking Tips

• For extra cheesy indulgence, brush the tops with olive oil or garlic butter before baking.
• Consider making individual pizzas by wrapping each hot dog on a pizza dough square. 
• Enjoy as handheld treats

Recipe # 4: Buffalo Chicken Pigs in a Blanket

This recipe puts a finger-licking good spin on the classic formula by swapping out mini franks for bites of savory chicken, then generously dousing each package in the zesty red syrup that makes Buffalo wings so crave-worthy. Whether you prefer to savor them solo or share the spicy treat with others, these Buffalo chicken pigs in a blanket will become the new favored finger food for any gathering. Get ready for seconds...and thirds!

Ingredients

• 8 chicken tenders
• 1 (8 oz) can refrigerated crescent roll dough
• 1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce
• 1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Unroll the dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Slice each chicken tender in half lengthwise.
• Place a chicken piece on the wide end of each triangle. Brush wing sauce on chicken.
• Roll up triangles tightly, pressing seams to seal.
• Arrange the seam side down on the baking sheet. Brush rolls with additional wing sauce.
• Bake 15-18 minutes until golden brown.
• Serve warm with blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Cooking Tips

• For extra heat, use your favorite hot sauce in place of Buffalo wing sauce. 
• You can also serve with carrot and celery sticks for scooping.

Recipe #5: Maple Bacon Donut Pigs in a Blanket

No longer just hearty handhelds for game days, these dessert-worthy logs demand top billing at any morning meal or afternoon coffee break. Each bite pairs a pillowy donut with smoky, salty bacon for a blend of textures bound together by a richly satisfying glaze. Whether you opt to bliss out solo or share the overloaded flavors with your lucky breakfast companions, these Maple Bacon Donut Pigs in a Blanket take the category to a whole new level of cozy, comforting indulgence.

Ingredients

• 8 mini donuts
• 8 slices thick-cut maple bacon
• 1⁄2 cup maple glaze (recipe below)
• Maple Glaze
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1-2 Tbsp milk

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Cut bacon slices in half widthwise. Wrap each donut spirally with a bacon slice and secure with a toothpick.
• Place on baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes until bacon is crispy.
• In a bowl, whisk glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzleable.
• Drizzle warm donut pigs with glaze. 

Tips

• For variety, use cinnamon sugar or chocolate glazed donuts. 
• Garnish plates with powdered sugar.

Conclusion

As you can see, pigs in a blanket can be so much more than just hot dogs wrapped in dough. This collection of recipes demonstrates just some of the endless possibilities for putting creative twists on this classic finger food. Whether opting for savory combinations with pizza dough, bacon, or Buffalo sauce or indulging your sweet tooth with a decadent donut version, the options go far beyond the standard variation. The best part is that each upgrade still captures the cozy charm that makes Pigs in a Blanket such a beloved snack. So don't be afraid to experiment with your own creative takes—let your taste buds lead the way to crafting the ultimate pigs in a blanket. With so many flavors to explore, chances are this probably won't be your last foray into the wonderful world of pigs in blankets