Fancy appetizers are great, but pigs in a blanket are always the first finger food that runs out at a party, right? Easy to make with only two main ingredients, these tiny sausages wrapped in warm, buttery bread are irresistible! They're the perfect snack to put out for a holiday cocktail party or as a part of your Super Bowl spread or tailgate menu. Be sure to make plenty—they're going to go fast and it's impossible to eat just one!

Why are they called "pigs in a blanket?"

The first published recipe for pigs in a blanket is from a children's cookbook from the 1950's. But you don't have to be a kid to enjoy sausage (pigs) wrapped in dough (blankets) and that's baked until golden, crispy, and delicious!

How many pigs in a blanket does this recipe make?

You can count on this recipe making about 24 pigs in a blanket. A standard 14-ounce package of cocktail franks typically has about 40 sausages in it, so if you'd like to use all the sausages, grab a second can of dough from the supermarket to wrap the rest. Or, do as Ree Drummond does and heat leftover sausages up with barbecue sauce and serve with toothpicks for the easiest snack!

What can you use instead of crescent roll dough for pigs in blanket?

Refrigerated biscuit dough works well for pigs in a blanket. Simply cut each piece of biscuit dough into strips to fit the sausages. Puff pastry is another good choice. It bakes up flakier and crispier than crescent roll dough and feels a bit more elevated. The bake time could change using different dough, so keep a careful eye on the pigs in a blanket, making sure they bake until the dough is puffed and golden brown.

Can you use hot dogs for pigs in a blanket?

You can absolutely use full-sized hot dogs for pigs in a blanket! In fact, you can pretty much use any pre-cooked sausage that you like, including chicken sausage, andouille, or any smoked sausage. While we use miniature cocktail franks for this recipe, you can use regular sized sausages or hot dogs and cut them into bite-sized pieces to fit into the dough strips.

Can you make pigs in a blanket the night before?

You sure can! Wrap the cocktail franks in the dough the night before and store on a baking sheet in the fridge covered tightly with plastic wrap. When you're ready to bake them off top with the everything seasoning and bake as directed until done.

What dips can you serve with pigs in a blanket?

This recipe includes three super delicious dipping sauces: There's an addictive spicy mayo, a quick ranch dip, and a tangy-sweet maple dijon mustard dip. You could also dip 'em in simple yellow, spicy brown mustard, or ketchup.