If you are looking for a fun, quick, and irresistibly tasty snack to whip up anytime, this Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is exactly what you need. These little bundles of flaky, buttery crescent roll dough wrapped around savory, smoky little franks come out perfectly golden and crispy in the air fryer every time. They’re super simple to make, just a few ingredients and minutes, yet they deliver big on flavor and charm. Whether for game day, a party, or a cozy night snack, this recipe will quickly become a go-to favorite that everyone will ask you to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe lies in its simplicity; each ingredient plays a crucial role in creating that classic, comforting combination of flavors and textures. With just a handful of pantry staples, you can turn these into a golden, scrumptious treat that’s always ready on short notice.
- Refrigerated canned crescent rolls: These provide the buttery, flaky dough that wraps around the smoky sausages to create that iconic blanket texture.
- Lit’l Smokies or Lit’l Beef Franks: These mini sausages bring the savory, juicy bite inside every blanket and are perfectly sized for finger food snacking.
- Melted butter: A brush of melted butter on top before cooking adds a gorgeous golden color and extra richness to each pig in a blanket.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Dough
Start by unrolling your refrigerated crescent rolls and tearing them along the perforated lines to separate the triangles. Then, cut each triangle into thirds lengthwise to create smaller triangles that will perfectly wrap around those mini sausages. This small step helps ensure each pig in a blanket has the perfect ratio of dough to frank.
Step 2: Wrap the Little Smokies
Place one Little Smokie at the wider end of each small dough triangle. Gently roll the dough around the sausage toward the pointed tip, ensuring it’s snug but not too tight, allowing the dough to bake evenly and puff beautifully.
Step 3: Brush with Butter
Once all the mini sausages are wrapped, place the pigs in a blanket on a plate or tray and gently brush their tops with melted butter. This is the secret to that gorgeous golden crust that makes these so tempting when they come out of the air fryer.
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange the pigs in a blanket in a single layer inside the basket, making sure none are touching so they crisp up nicely on all sides. Air fry for about 4 to 6 minutes until the dough is golden brown and fully cooked. The air fryer cooks these incredibly fast, meaning you can have a batch ready just as quick as you can unwind the crescent rolls.
How to Serve Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a sprinkle of sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top before air frying can add a pleasant visual pop and subtle nutty flavor. A light dusting of flaky sea salt right after cooking also complements the buttery dough beautifully. For dipping, classic options like mustard, ketchup, or a tangy cheese sauce elevate these little treats instantly.
Side Dishes
These pigs in a blanket pair wonderfully with fresh veggies and dips for a balanced snack, or alongside crispy fries, coleslaw, or even baked beans to turn them into a fuller meal. They are versatile enough to be served as appetizers, game day snacks, or part of a kid-friendly lunch spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, try arranging them in a circular pattern on a platter with a bowl of dipping sauce in the middle—it invites sharing and looks festive. You can also skewer multiple pigs in a blanket onto wooden sticks for a fun finger food option that’s easy to grab. These little details can turn a simple recipe like this into a crowd-pleasing centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps the dough from drying out and maintains that lovely, chewy texture when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked wrapped pigs in a blanket on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready, air fry directly from frozen—just add a couple extra minutes to the cooking time. This trick lets you have ready-to-cook snacks on hand anytime.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, pop them back into the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 3 minutes. This revives the crisp, flaky exterior without drying out the sausage inside, unlike microwaving which can make them soggy and less appealing.
FAQs
Can I use regular hot dogs instead of Little Smokies?
Absolutely! Just slice them into smaller bite-sized pieces to mimic the size of Little Smokies so they fit nicely in the dough triangles and cook evenly in the air fryer.
What if I don’t have an air fryer?
You can bake pigs in a blanket in a conventional oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. The air fryer just speeds up the process and gives extra crispiness.
Can I add cheese inside the blankets?
Yes, if you want to get creative, adding a small strip of cheese with the frank before rolling will make the inside gooey and extra delicious.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe makes about 12 servings, ideal for parties or family gatherings, but you can always scale up the ingredients to fit your crowd.
Are these suitable for kids?
Definitely! These are a kid-favorite for birthday parties and snacks because they’re bite-sized, fun to eat, and flavorful without being spicy or overwhelming.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is such a delightful and straightforward snack that’s perfect for any occasion. It’s impressive how just three ingredients and a few minutes can produce something so deliciously nostalgic and satisfying. I promise once you try this recipe, it will earn a permanent spot on your recipe rotation—perfect for sharing a cozy, tasty moment with friends and family anytime.
PrintEasy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Crispy and delicious Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket featuring little smokies wrapped in buttery crescent roll dough. A quick and easy appetizer perfect for parties and gatherings, ready in under 15 minutes with minimal effort using an air fryer.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 minutes
- Total Time: 11 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated canned crescent rolls
- 24 Lit’l Smokies or Lit’l Beef Franks
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: Unroll the crescent rolls and tear them along the perforated lines. Take each large triangle and divide it into three smaller triangles to create the perfect size wrapping for each smokie.
- Wrap the smokies: Place one Lit’l Smokie at the wide end of each small crescent triangle. Roll the dough tightly but not too loosely toward the pointed end to securely wrap the smokie inside.
- Brush with butter: After wrapping all smokies, brush the tops of each pig in a blanket with melted butter to add flavor and help them brown nicely during cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and allow it to preheat for a few minutes before cooking.
- Air fry the pigs in a blanket: Arrange the wrapped smokies in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not touch to allow even cooking. Air fry for 4 to 6 minutes or until the crescent rolls are golden brown and cooked through.
Notes
- For extra flavor, sprinkle sesame seeds or poppy seeds on top before air frying.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- Serve warm with mustard, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauces.
- Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model; check early to avoid overcooking.
