Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
These Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket always make for a quick and easy appetizer! This version of the classic crowd-pleasing snack comes with a slight kick of spice and a homemade cheese sauce for an easy upgrade to the nostalgic app.
I love entertaining but also, I’m no Martha Stewart. I love taking shortcuts (shh). So for me, the key to a successful spread is tasty appetizers that look (and taste) impressive but are actually quick and easy to make.
These pigs in a blanket are super easy, a favorite among crowds, and with the simple additions of chives and a quick homemade queso sauce, you’ll earn all the compliments!
And if you can’t get enough delicious homemade dips, try my Maryland Crab Dip or this Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip!
Why This Recipe Works
- Foolproof: You can’t mess these up! No matter what you do, they’ll still come out delicious.
- Super tasty: Pigs in a blanket are a classic crowd-pleaser, even for the kids. And with the addition of a few special touches, your guests will be clamoring for more!
- Homemade touch: The queso sauce I make with them also works as a dipping sauce for SO many other appetizers, so pair this recipe up with others like air fryer frozen chicken tenders or Air Fryer Low Carb Tortilla Chips for a fun appetizer platter.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Lil Smokies: Precooked and ready to go, cocktail sausages are the perfect ingredient to wrap in a buttery, doughy blanket.
- Crescent rolls: Wrapping the mini hot dogs in a crescent roll blanket gives them a crunchy, buttery shell.
- Chives: One of the secret ingredients, chives are great as both a garnish and a boost of flavor inside your crescent rolls.
- Homemade queso: All you’ll need for an incredible cheese sauce is shredded cheddar, milk, garlic powder, and chili powder!
*For a detailed list of instructions, ingredients and measurements, please reference the recipe card down below.
Substitutions/Additions
- Hot Dogs: Slice them into bite-sized pieces in place of the Lil Smokies.
- Crescent Rolls: Try out different flavors! I accidentally bought honey butter for these once and loved them.
- Cheese: Swap out the cheddar cheese or add another variety like pepper jack, mozzarella, or gruyere.
- Spices: For a less spicy cheese sauce, swap out the chili powder for smoked paprika. On the other hand, add other seasonings like red chili flakes if you want to crank the heat up.
How to Make Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
- Prep dough. Separate the crescent roll dough, and slice each triangle in half. Sprinkle with chives.
- Roll. Wrap the dough around the mini hotdogs, starting at the wide end. Add the chives either inside or out!
- Air Fry. Arrange the pigs in a blanket in a single layer, brush with melted butter, and air fry until golden brown.
- Make cheese sauce. Heat the milk and cheese in a saucepan. Mix in the seasoning and serve with your pigs in a blanket.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can assemble your pigs in a blanket the night before. Store them covered in the refrigerator overnight, ready to bake just before serving; this is a common practice for parties and events as it saves time on the day of.
If you want to assemble ahead of time, freezing your pigs in a blanket is a great way to keep them fresh. You may need to add a few minutes in the air fryer if you’re cooking them right from frozen.
Since the Lil Smokies are already pre-cooked, no need to cook them again!
Allow any leftovers to cool to prevent excess moisture when storing, then transfer to an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3 days. You can also freeze them for a month or so.
Absolutely! Just air fry at 350 degrees until the lil smokies are heated through again.
More Easy Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Jalapeño Poppers
- Air Fryer Garlic Knots
- Air Fryer Baked Brie
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles
If you tried these air fryer pigs in a blanket or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you, and this helps my business thrive so I can continue providing free recipes!
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Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 little smokies
- 8 ounces crescent rolls 1 tube
- 2 tablespoons chives chopped
- 1.5 tablespoons butter melted
Queso Dip
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
Instructions
- Lightly spritz the air fryer basket with olive oil and preheat the air fryer to 350F.
- Slice each crescent triangle in half long ways and sprinkle the chives on top. Then wrap the dough around the mini hotdog, starting at the wide end. The chives can be on the inside or outside!
- Place the crescent dogs into the air fryer basket in a single layer and lightly baste each one with the melted butter. Make sure you have about an inch or two of space between each one so they get crispy (we don’t want soggy piggies!). You may need to cook in batches if they are too close together.
- Air fry on 350F for 6-7 minutes, or until the crescents are golden brown.
- Meanwhile, heat the milk and cheese in a small saucepan over low heat until melted and smooth. Then stir in the spices.
- Carefully remove the crescent rolls from the air fryer basket and serve with the queso dip.
Notes
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- You can also use regular hot dogs and cut them into smaller pieces
- You can roll your crescent rolls with the chives on the inside or outside. I did the outside.
- Make sure to cook the crescent rolls in a single layer. Otherwise, they may get soggy and stick together.
Nutrition
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