Add a playful touch to your game day snacks with these Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket. This recipe puts a spin on the classic bite-sized treat by introducing the iconic combo of American cheese and pickles for a delightful twist.
As someone who loves appetizers, especially easy to make appetizers, these Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket have become a favorite in my party food repertoire. Pigs in a blanket are a timeless classic, and the addition of American cheese and pickles elevates them to a whole new level of flavor. What’s great is you can cater to various tastes by making half the batch with the classic recipe and the other half with this delightful twist, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Pair them with your preferred condiments – while ketchup and yellow mustard are the traditional choices, I personally enjoy mine with a drizzle of BBQ sauce and a dollop of garlic aioli for an extra kick.
Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket Ingredients
- Crescent roll dough – Forms the flaky exterior for these Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket.
- American cheese – Adds creaminess and a classic cheeseburger touch.
- Hamburger dill pickle chips – Provides freshness and a crunchy texture.
- Beef cocktail sausages – The star of the show adds a meaty component to the dish.
- Egg and water – Create an egg wash for a golden-brown finish.
- Sesame seeds – Sprinkled on top for a subtle nutty flavor and crunch.
How to make the Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket
- Preheat the oven – Begin by preheating your oven to 375 degrees F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Dry ingredients – Pat the cocktail sausages dry with a paper towel and arrange the pickle chips on a paper towel to drain.
- Unroll and divide – Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into eight triangles along the perforations. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to cut each triangle into three, slicing lengthwise from the tip. You will have 24 thin triangles.
- Slice cheese and pickles – Cut each slice of American cheese into nine squares. Cut each pickle chip into 1/4-inch slices.
- Assemble – Assemble the pigs in a blanket by placing a slice of cheese on the wide end of a dough triangle, adding a pickle slice on top of the cheese, and finishing with a cocktail sausage. Roll the ingredients in the dough, and repeat for the remaining sausages.
- Arrange on baking sheet – Arrange the assembled pigs in a blanket on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring at least one inch of space between each sausage for even baking.
- Apply egg wash – Whisk together an egg and water in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Use a pastry brush to coat the dough with the egg mixture, providing a golden-brown finish during baking.
- Add sesame seeds – Sprinkle the pigs in a blanket with sesame seeds.
- Bake to perfection – Bake the pigs in a blanket in the preheated oven for 14-17 minutes or until they achieve a golden brown color.
- Serve and enjoy – Once baked, serve the cheeseburger pigs in a blanket warm and pair them with your preferred dipping sauces.
Variations and substitutions
Cheese variations – Experiment with different cheeses such as cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss. You will want to cut the cheese into thin slices like the pre-sliced American cheese.
Dough Swap – Substitute crescent roll dough with puff pastry for a flakier texture. Gently roll one sheet of puff pastry until it is about 1 inch wider. Cut the pastry into 24 rectangles and roll it around the fillings as you would the crescent dough.
Sausage options – I opted for beef cocktail weenies to align with the cheeseburger theme; however, feel free to use pork or turkey sausages if you prefer a different meat flavor.
Buttery finish – Brush the pigs in a blanket with melted butter instead of an egg wash for a richer finish. Mix butter with garlic powder or herbs for a savory twist.
Additional burger ingredients – Add a layer of caramelized onions or a strip of cooked bacon before rolling for extra burger flavor.
Tips for success
- Pat sausages dry – Before assembly, ensure you pat the cocktail sausages dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the dough adhere better during rolling and baking, resulting in a crispier texture.
- Drain pickles – Allow the pickle chips to drain on paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. This step prevents the pickles from releasing too much liquid during baking, ensuring the pigs in a blanket maintain their desired consistency without becoming soggy.
- Space properly – Arrange the pigs in a blanket with enough space between each one on the baking sheet. This allows for proper air circulation during baking, ensuring even cooking and preventing them from sticking together.
- Serve warm – For the best taste and texture, serve the cheeseburger pigs in a blanket warm from the oven. This ensures the cheese is melty and the pastry flakey.
Check out my Crescent Roll Pigs in a Blanket post for additional tips.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 350-degree oven or air fryer until heated through. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave as the dough will become soggy.
I do not recommend making the pigs in a blanket in advance, as the pickles may cause the dough to become soggy.
Freezing these pigs in a blanket is not recommended, as the pickle will become mushy when thawed. I recommend leaving the pickles out if you want to freeze the pigs.
Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket FAQs
To achieve the ideal texture for your cheeseburger pigs in a blanket, start by patting the cocktail sausages dry and letting the pickle chips drain on paper towels to eliminate excess moisture. Assemble the pigs in a blanket with ample spacing on the baking sheet for even baking, and generously brush them with an egg wash before baking to achieve a golden-brown finish and added crispiness.
Classic choices like ketchup and mustard are great, or try BBQ sauce, garlic aioli, sriracha mayo, sweet chili, or honey mustard for a tasty twist.
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Looking for more easy appetizer recipes?
Check out these delicious options.
- Buffalo Chicken Cups
- Three Ingredient Brie and Cranberry Bites
- Crockpot Little Smokies with Grape Jelly
Did you love this twist on the classic pigs in a blanket recipe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Cheeseburger Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- 1 (8 ounce) tube of crescent rolls 8 count
- 3 slices American cheese
- 6-8 Hamburger dill pickle chips
- 24 Cocktail sausages 12 ounce packet
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 2 teaspoons Sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pat the cocktail sausages dry with a paper towel and arrange the pickle chips on a paper towel to drain.
- Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles along the perforations. Cut each triangle into three smaller triangles using a pizza cutter or sharp knife by cutting lengthways from the tip.
- Cut each slice of cheese into 9 squares.
- Cut each pickle chip into 1/4 inch slices.
- Place a slice of cheese on the wide end of one of the dough triangles, add a slice of pickle on the cheese and top with a cocktail sausage. Roll to wrap everything in the dough. Repeat with the remaining sausages.
- Arrange the pigs in a blanket on the prepared baking sheet, leaving at least one inch between each sausage.
- Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg mixture over the dough.
- Sprinkle the pigs in a blanket with sesame seeds.
- Bake the pigs in a blanket for 14-17 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in a 350-degree oven or air fryer until heated through. I don’t recommend reheating in the microwave as the dough will become soggy.
- I do not recommend making the pigs in a blanket in advance as the pickles may cause the dough to become soggy.
- Freezing these pigs in a blanket is not recommended as the pickle will become mushy when thawed. If you want to freeze the pigs, I recommend leaving the pickles out.
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand’s nutritional values to verify accuracy.