This pigs in a blanket air fryer recipe is a delicious appetizer that is so quick and easy to make. Flaky croissants wrapped around little smokies are the ultimate game day and party food snack. A classic favorite everyone devours when they’re made.
Pigs in a blanket is one of the most classic appetizer recipes you’ll ever find. We’ve all had them because they’re always at every party, potluck, or holiday gathering. They’re a staple appetizer at any gathering. I think that’s thanks to both their flavor and their ease. They couldn’t be simpler to make. Well, actually they could when you make them in the air fryer.
I was in love with the air fryer from the first time I used it. It just cooks everything so perfectly and so fast. From pre-made frozen meals to homemade desserts, you can cook anything in them. That’s why I use it so much. One of my favorite things to make in it is these pigs in a blanket. They cook up perfectly golden every time, and they do it in a fraction of the time!
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
This recipe has become my go-to whenever I need to bring anything to a gathering. I’ll also make up a batch of them to have on hand just for snacking, as well. They’re so quick and easy, I find myself making them whenever I get a craving. Hey, when something is as delicious as these little bites, you don’t really need much of an excuse to make them. Mini beef sausages (I prefer Lit’l Smokies) are wrapped in crescent roll dough and then cooked to golden brown perfection, with every bite exploding with flavor. What’s not to love?
Why You’ll Love These Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
- It only takes two simple ingredients to make them.
- They are incredibly easy to make, requiring very little prep work and only a few minutes in the air fryer.
- EVERYONE loves pigs in a blanket!
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Tips and Variations
Even though this recipe is super easy, I do have a couple of tips to help you make them the best that they can possibly be. I also have some fun variations, too.
Tips
- Always preheat your air fryer for proper cooking. It’s a myth that air fryers don’t need to be preheated.
- Always spray or grease your air fryer basket to prevent sticking
- Leave a little space between your pigs in a blanket so they cook properly.
- Be sure to lightly spray the pigs in a blanket with cooking spray after placing them in the air fryer so they get perfectly golden brown.
- Don’t forget to turn your pigs in a blanket over halfway through cooking so both sides brown evenly.
- Cut the crescent roll triangles into 3 long, equal-sized strips so you can wrap them around the sausage more than once.
Variations
- You can use chicken or turkey sausage for this recipe.
- Try any of the great mini sausage variations out there. You’ll find them in all kinds of flavors, including some that have cheese in them.
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Favorite Dipping Sauces
On their own, air fryer pigs in a blanket are delicious, but when you add delicious dipping sauces, they’re even better. Some great options for dipping include.
Honey Mustard
Honey mustard is always a great choice. It pairs perfectly with the smoky flavor of the sausages.
BBQ Sauce
BBQ sauce is the perfect complement to the Lit’l Smokies’ robust smoky flavor, and it comes in so many varieties.
Cheese Sauce
Cheese sauce is always a great choice for almost anything!
Ketchup
Go old old ketchup. Is there anything that it doesn’t work with?
Mayo and Mustard Mix
This creamy, tangy mix is one of my favorite dipping sauces for almost anything, but it works especially well with the flavor of Lit’l Smokies.
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket FAQ
If you have questions about this air fryer pigs in a blanket recipe, then read on. The following FAQ answers the most commonly asked questions about this recipe.
How does an air fryer work?
An air fryer is a small convection oven, and it works in the same way. Hot air is circulated around the food to cook it evenly on all sides. This makes it cook faster and more evenly, and gives it a crisp exterior.
What are pigs in a blanket?
Pigs in a blanket are small sausages that have been wrapped in either crescent dough, biscuit dough, or a pancake, depending on the region of the world. They originally used pork sausage, hence the name “pigs in a blanket”.
How to wrap little smokies in crescent rolls?
I’ve found the easiest way is to cut each crescent roll triangle into three long, equal-sized strips so the crescent dough is able to be wrapped around the sausages more than once.
Can you reheat pigs in a blanket?
Absolutely. Place them on a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven for 4 to 5 minutes at 350 degrees.
What goes with pigs in a blanket?
There are some great sides that perfectly complement the flavor of this appetizer. Some great recipe options include:
- Baked beans
- Mac and cheese
- Corn salad
- Coleslaw
- Mashed potatoes
- Cheesy potatoes
- Scallops potatoes
- Pasta salad
- Fruit salad
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Ingredients
It only takes two ingredients to make this delicious recipe. You’ll find them easily at your local grocery store.
- 8-ounce container of Pillsbury® original crescent rolls
- 12-ounce package beef Lit’l Smokies (Hillshire Farms)
How to Make Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
Making this recipe is super easy. It only takes a few steps and a few minutes in the air fryer. That’s it!
Step 1: Prep
Place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the air fryer basket and spray it with extra virgin olive oil spray.
Step 2: Cut the Crescent Dough
Roll out the crescent roll dough triangles onto a clean surface and cut each triangle into 3 long strips.
Step 3: Wrap the Pigs
Place a Lit’l Smoke at the wider end of the crescent roll strip and roll it up.
Step 4: Air Fry
Place 12 pigs in a blanket in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with olive oil spray. Then, air fry them at 330 degrees for 8 minutes, turning them over halfway through
Try This Easy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe Today
These air fryer pigs in a blanket are so delicious and so easy to make. They’re perfect for everything from potlucks to birthday parties or even afternoon snacks. It only takes a few minutes of prep and a few more of cooking to make these, so why not give them a try? I know that once you do, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
More Game Day Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Mini Corn Dogs in the Air Fryer – These are golden brown, super crispy, and are super easy to make right in the air fryer. They’re the perfect appetizer to add to your table.
Fried Egg Rolls – Frozen egg rolls are incredibly simple to heat up, but making them in the air fryer makes them even more crispy and delicious.
Air Fryer Mexican Street Corn – This easy side dish recipes is super easy to make starting out in the air fryer. In only a matter on minutes this recipe can be on the table and enjoyed by all.
Try these Frozen Steak Fingers from Deliciously Seasoned. Making these in the air fryer makes them even more incredible because it gives them a crispy outer layer, while keeping the inside tender.
Pigs in a Blanket {Air Fryer Recipe}
Ingredients
- 8 ounce container refrigerated Pillsbury® original crescent rolls
- 12 ounce package beef lit’l smokies, Hillshire Farms
Instructions
- Place a piece of parchment paper in the bottom of the air fryer basket and lightly spray with a cooking spray, like extra virgin olive oil spray (can just spray the basket if you do not have parchment paper).
- On a clean surface, cut each triangle into 3 long strips. Repeat with the remaining crescent dough.
- Place a little smokie at the wider end of each strip and roll up.
- Place 12 at a time into the basket. Lightly spray the tops of the crescents.
- Cook at 330° for 8 minutes, turning over halfway through.
- Carefully remove and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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Enjoy, Terri
