What are pigs in a blanket?
Pigs in a blanket are a classic appetizer or side dish consisting of small sausages wrapped in dough or pastry. The dough helps keep the sausages moist and adds flavor. Some common varieties include:
- Hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough or puff pastry
- Breakfast sausages wrapped in pancake batter
- Cocktail wieners wrapped in croissant dough or filo dough
- Italian sausages wrapped in pizza dough
They can be made ahead of time and baked just before serving. Pigs in a blanket are easy to pick up and eat, and always a crowd pleaser!
Can you cook pigs in a blanket in a crock pot?
Yes, you can absolutely cook pigs in a blanket in a slow cooker or crock pot! The moist, gentle heat of the crock pot is perfect for keeping them tender.
There are a couple ways to approach cooking pigs in a blanket in a crock pot:
Pre-cooked sausages
If you are using pre-cooked sausages like hot dogs or cocktail wieners, you can wrap them raw and cook them straight in the crock pot. The key is to choose a dough that doesn’t require pre-baking, like crescent roll dough, biscuit dough, or croissant dough.
Wrap each raw sausage completely in a strip of dough. Place them in the crock pot and cook on Low for 2-3 hours until the dough is cooked through and golden brown. The sausages don’t require much additional cooking.
Raw sausages
For raw sausages like breakfast sausage or Italian sausage, you’ll get the best results by browning them first. Here are two options:
- Brown the sausages first on the stovetop, then wrap in dough and transfer to the crockpot to finish cooking for 2-3 hours on Low.
- Wrap the raw sausages in dough, place in the crock pot, and cook for 6-8 hours on Low. The extended cooking time will cook the sausages through.
Choose a hearty dough like puff pastry, pizza dough or bread dough when working with raw sausages.
Tips for crock pot pigs in a blanket
Here are some tips and tricks for delicious pigs in a blanket made in the crock pot:
- Spray the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray first to prevent sticking.
- Make sure the dough seals the sausages completely so the filling doesn’t leak out.
- Nestle them snugly together in the crock pot to help them hold their shape.
- Add a couple tablespoons of liquid like water, broth or beer to the crock pot to create steam.
- Serve with mustard, ketchup, cheese sauce or other fun dipping sauces.
- Don’t overload the crock pot – leave some space around each piece for even heating.
Cocktail wieners in croissants
This classic pigs in a blanket recipe uses convenient canned crescent roll dough:
- 2 (8 oz) tubes refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 (14 oz) package cocktail wieners
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley flakes
Steps:
- Unroll crescent roll dough and separate into triangles. Cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 long thin strips.
- Wrap a strip of dough around each cocktail wiener.
- Place wrapped wieners in crock pot and drizzle with melted butter.
- Cook on Low for 2-3 hours until golden brown.
- Sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Breakfast sausage rolls
These savory breakfast sausage rolls are great for brunch:
- 1 lb bulk breakfast sausage
- 1 tube (8 oz) croissant dough
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp milk
Steps:
- Roll breakfast sausage into 1-inch balls.
- Cut croissant dough into squares. Wrap each ball of sausage.
- Dip into egg wash of eggs and milk.
- Place in lightly greased crock pot.
- Cook on Low for 4-6 hours until sausage is no longer pink.
Common questions
What setting should I use?
Cook pigs in a blanket on the LOW setting for 2-8 hours, depending on the dough and sausages used. The low steady heat lets the dough cook through without burning.
Do I need to adjust the cook time?
Cook times can vary based on the amount and size of sausage rolls. Cocktail wieners may only need 2-3 hours, while larger sausage rolls need upwards of 6-8 hours. Check for doneness and adjust time as needed.
Should the crock pot lid remain on?
Yes, keep the lid on for the entire cooking time. Removing the lid frequently lets heat escape. Opening at the end to brown tops is ok.
Can I prepare them in advance?
Absolutely! Assemble completely raw pigs in a blanket ahead of time, refrigerate overnight, then cook in the crock pot as planned. You can also cook fully and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in oven until hot.
Helpful Table for Cooking Times
| Type of Sausage | Cook Time on LOW |
|---|---|
| Fully cooked (hot dogs, cocktail wieners) | 2-3 hours |
| Raw breakfast sausage | 4-6 hours |
| Raw Italian sausage | 6-8 hours |
Conclusion
The crock pot is a great hands-off way to make tasty pigs in a blanket. Choose an appropriate dough and cook time based on the sausage used. With some simple prep, you can come home to hot, delicious sausage rolls ready to serve! They make a great appetizer, snack or fun dinner.