A super easy homemade pigs in a blanket recipe that uses a whole wheat yeast dough with a quick rise so you can have warm fresh hot dog rolls anytime.
Pigs in a blanket is such an odd name, isn't it? Yet it describes a hot dog (or sausage) wrapped in dough pretty accurately. A kid - and adult - favorite, homemade pigs in a blanket made with hot dogs has been on our menus many times because they're just a really fun food. Plus, no need to buy those squishy white hot dog buns!
However, I know that it seems like they would be hard or time consuming to make a yeast dough from scratch, which is why I want to share how easy they are to make using my Quick and Tender Breadstick/Hamburger Bun Dough recipe.
Like seriously easy. As in mix the dough (5-10 min), let it rest (10 min), cut and shape around hot dogs (15 min), let rest while heating the oven (10 min), and cook (15 min). Honest-to-goodness incredible homemade pigs in blankets in about an hour!
Wait, what are "real" pigs in a blanket?
But first I googled "pigs in a blanket" to make sure what we've always called these is what everyone else calls them. Guess what?
All the top results for this were for those little smokie things wrapped in canned crescent dough, canned biscuits or even bacon for appetizers. For the most part it seems like they always have sausage in the centers? I guess if the hot dogs are all beef then the pig part doesn't really work. Hmmm, "cow in a blanket?"
Then there were results for hot dogs wrapped in pancakes...huh? Um, no that is NOT what these are, for sure.
I've nothing against bacon, and you could certainly cut these smaller and make appetizers from them, but these are good old hot dogs with a regular, yeast-risen bun - just baked together with results in a wonderful soft and crispy bun around the dog.
And they certainly raise the humble hot dog (I use all beef, nitrate-free hot dogs) to a whole new level- my family thinks I'm the best mom/wife whenever I make these. Um...whatever they are called.
How To Make Homemade Pigs in a Blanket
1. After mixing and resting the dough, roll it out into a rough rectangle and then cut into a dozen pieces, just like for hamburger buns. This actually makes pretty large buns around the dogs- you could easily cut it into 16 pieces and use two packages of hot dogs.
Oh, and they freeze wonderfully. However, I usually just make eight hot dogs (one package), and then use the remaining four pieces for hamburger buns which I cook with the hot dogs before storing in the freezer.
2. Notice the towel? My favorite bread tip is to roll and shape bread dough onto a floured tea towel- I use less flour, there's less sticking, and it's easy clean-up. Plus, if I need to cover the dough, I simply cover with the same towel- floured side down.
3. Place each hot dog onto one of the cut rectangles of dough and bring the dough up around, pinching the edges close.
4. Place then seam-side down on a lined or greased cookie sheet. I place them pretty close, as I don't care if they touch.
Use two sheets if you'd like more room between them. Cook any extra buns on the same large cookie sheet, as well.
5. After baking, serve with easy homemade ketchup (Addictive Tomato Chutney is even better!) and mustard for dipping.
Pigs in a Blanket Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add cheese?
Yes! Simply cut a slice of cheese the length of the hot dog, set it next to the meat and then wrap the dough around both the bun and the cheese.
Can I add bacon?
I think so, though I haven't tried it. I would cook the bacon until almost crisp, though, because the dough will keep it from cooking more. Wrap with the hot dog like normal.
Can I cook them the day before?
Yep, these hold well in the refrigerator for a couple days. Just reheat in a 325 degree oven for about 8 minutes or until heated all the way through.
Can I freeze them?
The freeze wonderfully, but baking them first is the best way I think. Bake as normal, let cool and add to a freezer safe container. Thaw and heat again for 5-8 minutes in a toaster oven or oven. You can add these to a lunch sack frozen and they will be defrosted by lunch. My kids were okay eating them cold, but if you have access to a toaster oven, that's better I think.
Homemade Pigs In A Blanket
Ingredients
- 2 cups warm water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons yeast
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 4 1/2 to 5 cup whole wheat white flour or half unbleached/whole wheat
Instructions
- Mix water, yeast, and honey until yeast and honey are dissolved. Add the salt, oil, and 4 1/2 cups of flour to make a soft dough.
- Beat with a stand mixer for a minute or two (or knead a minute), adding the other 1/2 cup flour as needed to help dough be less sticky (you may not need all of it- and it will still be somewhat tacky- that is, sticking to the bowl in places, but not to your fingers when you gently touch the dough). Let it rest 10 minutes.
- Remove to a floured surface and knead by hand a few times. Press dough flat on floured surface and cut into 12 to 16 (depending on how much bun you want around each hot dog) roughly even pieces.
- Press each piece into a rectangular shape just short of the length of your hot dogs, and laying a hot dog on each rectangle, wrap the dough around the dog, pinching the ends to seal.*
- Place seam side down on a large lined or greased baking sheet and let rest for 10 minutes while you heat an oven to 400 degrees. They'll get a little more puffy, but won't double.
- Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, rotating if needed for even cooking, until golden on top and browned on the bottoms. Cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Easy Dinner Recipes to Try
Roasted Sausages with Peppers and Onions Sheet Pan Dinner
Individual Homemade Pizza & Pizza Bar Idea
Family Favorite Maple Mustard Baked Chicken with Pouring Sauce
This recipe has been updated - it was originally published January 2012.
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B.Lombard says
Easy and lovely to make and eat
Jami says
Glad you tried these!
Karen says
Awesome!! I do have a couple of suggestions for those who don't want to make the bread from scratch. One is to buy frozen bread dough and thaw it out but it is time consuming unless you thaw it overnight. The quicker way is to buy pillsbury French Bread dough that is in the refrigerated section by the crescent rolls. One loaf will make 5 hot dogs. Just divide the dough into 5 equal pieces and wrap hot dogs that you have dried with paper towels. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until browned. I spread the finished hot dogs with a little bit of butter when they come out of the oven. Crescent rolls can be used too but I prefer bread dough.
Jami says
Thanks for the info, Karen!
Debra says
What kind of yeast?
I’m new to this and I see dry active yeast
Jami says
Yes, active dry yeast is good.
Linda says
I used your recipe and Lit'l Smokies to make appetizers. They were a big hit with my guests.
Jami says
That sounds yummy, Linda!
Mishelle says
CanI use all white flour instead of wheat, would I use the same amount?
Jami says
Yep, just use the same amount, Mishelle.
Arlene Meekis-Jung says
These were so yummy. The dough is great on it's own with a crispy crust and a soft chewy texture. I've been using this dough for dinner rolls and most recently cinnamon buns as well.
Jami says
Great ideas for using the dough - it's also the dough I use to make hamburger buns. 🙂
Hailey Smith says
I just made these tonight. We didnt wrap them the same way and had extra dough. These were amazing and easy to make. Thank you !
Jami says
I'm glad you liked them, Hailey!
mandy brellahan says
Alright, dont hate, has anyone tried wrapping the dog on bacon, then wrapping the bread dough? Was wondering if the bacon cooks or stays raw, or if I should par cook it... I was going to do 8 with and 8 without.
Jami says
I haven't tried it, but in other recipes where the bacon is wrapped, they always cook it about halfway first, so that's what I'd do. It sounds fun. 🙂
Debbie Dibble says
Do you use active yeast or instant yeast in pig in blanket recipe I'm new to using yeast, and don't know the difference between them. Also thanks for this recipe, I have thought about making these for years and never could find a recipe for them. I loved these, use to have them in middle school.
Jami says
I have found this recipe to work great with either active dry or instant, Debbie, so go for it with whatever you have. 🙂
Debbie Dibble says
I tried this recipe Friday night, I wish I could say it turned out good, but it did not. Not because the recipe is bad but because I am horrible at baking. I can cook good, but baking is a whole different ball game. I decided to google baking 101, and start from beginning LOL. I'M GOING to try these again in the near future, thanks for your recipe
Jami says
Oh, no! What happened - are you sure I can't help you through it? It really is a pretty easy recipe, though it's a soft dough and is a bit sticky so your hands need to be well floured. Do you think you added too much flour?
Eliza Meza says
I made this recipe yesterday, why were my pigs in a blanket tough? I dont understand, I followed the recipe to a "T". I used pork sausage links which released some grease but I dont think this may have caused them to become tough, or am I wrong? Please help! I would love to try them a second time!
Jami says
I don't know, Eliza - bummer! It sounds like maybe a bit too much flour - that's usually what makes bread tough like that. I encourage everyone to keep trying with yeast breads because it's really about getting used to what the dough looks like a feels like.
Mary Jane says
My 5 and 2 year old boys both agreed it was their favorite food they had ever tried. These boys are spoiled foodies, so that meant a lot to me. (It placed alongside Cool River Pizza, better than organic watermelon and salmon caviar and lamb's liver. When I say spoiled, I mean it...)
We used 100% sprouted whole wheat flour, Applegate pork breakfast sausages in lieu of hotdogs, and rolled them out on grated Parmesan instead of extra flour.
It was soo fluffy and delicate; I will never buy buns again. I especially like that theres no baking powder/baking soda.
(We dont buy those because of the aluminum and other questionable ingredients)
Thank you for posting this.
Jami says
I'm so glad to read this, Mary Jane! Wow, such high praise - thank you. 🙂 (Oh, and I love your idea to roll them in parmesan - will HAVE to try that!!)
Judy sterken says
Not what I was looking for, my mother made Dutch pigs in a blanket with ground fresh sausage,eggs,fine ground craker crumbs, and milk and salt you formed them into roastie size then made a dough of flour bkg powder,and shortening plus a little milk then rolled out like pie dough and wrapped around the sausage,a lot of work but sooo good my husband helps me so I will do it more often the short cut kind are ok but these are the real thing!
Jami says
Wow, I've never heard of that - I've seen sausage-wrapped eggs, but never with a dough around them! It does sound amazing - and yes a bit more work. 😉
andrea says
How thick do you do you roll the dough? Was looking for something like this. Had them years ago in school.
Jami says
Um, I don't think I've ever measured, Andrea. 🙂 It's probably about 1/2-inch - they puff up, so you don't need it thick.
DJ Winters says
I have made this recipe and shared it many times. Last night we made it with the mini wienies and it was great! The only thing is there were three of us and we made a double batch of wienies (one batch of dough was plenty). Towards the end the dough was hard to work with because it was rising. Next time we do mini's we will not let the dough rest and work quicker. But they were great, as before. People are impressed when I show them how easy home made dough is!
Andrea says
I made these for the first time the other night with hotdogs and just one filled up my husband and teenager!! Tonight we stuffed them with Mozza cheese and add some Parm. and garlic salt for cheese sticks. a Hit!!!
Jami says
Yeah! I love that cheese idea, too, Andrea - yum. 🙂
Shawna Rancore says
I have used this recipe a few times now in my bread machine and it is great. I have used it just to bake bread, to make bread bowls, and for the hot dog recipe. I used about 5 cups of the flour. It is so soft and silky. I also added 2 tablespoons of powdered milk, just because I misread the recipe. I brushed it with butter to make the bread crunchy in the oven. THANK YOU!
Lanikaigirlk says
Thank you so much for restoring a treasured memory of pigs in the blanket at Lanikai Elementary in Oahu, Hawaii. I think I am going to brush tops with garlic butter before baking, because theirs had a little garlic bite, and in Hawaii they call them pigs in the blanket .
SC says
I made sticks with the leftover dough and brushed with butter and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. It was delicious!!!
Karen says
Made these for dinner tonight - they were DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer Leeland says
I just made these tonight and they were AWESOME!!!!! Thank you.
Lyndon says
As a native Oregonian I am somewhat surprised to see you calling these "Pigs in a Blanket". Every Native Northwesterner I know calls 'em "Wiener Wraps". I have heard these called "Pigs in a Blanket" in other parts of the country and in Texas they are called "Kolaches". I grew up in the sixties and seventies here in Oregon eating "Pigs in a Blanket" which are pork link sausages wrapped in a flapjack smothered in maple syrup and eaten for breakfast. That being said, it really doesn't matter what you call 'em 'cause if they're made correctly they are incredibly tasty! I can't wait to try your recipe! Thank you for posting this!
Jami says
Ha! I just don't like using the word 'wiener' so I wasn't going to write it. 😉 I think they're probably more accurately called 'hot dogs in a blanket' but whatever...
Cherise says
I googled pigs in a blanket and this was exactly what I was looking for! It was yummy, I only wish I had omitted the wheat flour because I was missing the nostalgic feel of white dough. That being said my kids love it (one said I just love the dough mom and preceded to rip the dough off the hot dog and eat just that) I am thinking of all the other yummy things I can bake inside of the dough, like ham and cheese...or chicken brocolli and cheese....Thank you for the recipe!
Jami says
So glad you liked it, Cherise! And I do use the dough for hamburger buns, breadsticks and such - thinking about baking other things in the dough, though - that's a great idea. 🙂
ckitten says
Yummy! I sprinkled some shredded cheddar cheese on the tops of mine. Thanks so much for the recipe 🙂
Jami says
Oooh, I gotta try that next time!
Sarah says
Thanks for posting this! I can't believe how hard it was to find a recipe for this style of pigs-in-a-blanket. This was just what I was looking for 🙂 Pinned on my Pinterest for safekeeping.
Kudos!
Jami says
You're welcome, Sarah!
Anonymous says
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I MAKE THESE AND THEY WERE DELICIOUS, MY TEENAGERS LOVED THEM AND SO DID MY HUSBAND.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RECIPE.
First Grade Fanatics says
I think I've finally found the recipe I've been looking for! Thank you 🙂
-Leslie
First Grade Fanatics
Leah says
I too make these. We call them Dickey Dogs at our house. I actually blogged about them recently!
http://dickeysdecor.blogspot.com/2012/01/dog-with-any-other-name.html
[email protected] says
This looks like a great dinner for me to try out on a lazy night 🙂 Thanks!
Tammy says
Looks fantastic. I have made these before using wieners and my bisquit dough. I have to try your recipe soon. Kids love these.
Chrissy says
I always thought pigs in a blanket was a sausage link wrapped in a pancake or crepe-y type thing. These look amazing though- totally going to make some this weekend! They look like they'd be good for lunches to freeze and heat up later!
Thanks for the recipe.
Julie says
It's funny that you mention this for lunches....when in grade school this was one of my favorites. Our cafeteria ladies called them weiner wraps.
Hollie says
I went to Fairview Elementary and our lunch ladies called them weiner wraps as well:) They were sooooo good! I can still smell the fresh baked bread traveling the halls! YUM!
Heather's Blog-o-rama says
This looks really hearty and tasty 🙂 🙂 Thanks for the great recipe 🙂 Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 🙂