Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket ~ watch the VIDEO! Mini smoked sausages wrapped in warm, golden crescent dough filled with two kinds of cheese, spicy jalapenos and crispy smoky bacon bits.
I actually do kind of enjoy the football part of the Super Bowl even though our home team wasn’t even close to being there. Let’s face it though – the commercials and food are #1 and #2 in my book – not necessarily in that order.They’re a combination of the classic Pigs in a Blanket and Jalapeno Poppers, but better. So much better. . .
Game day means competition on the field and in the kitchen, amiright?
Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket are mini smoked sausages wrapped in crescent dough filled with 2 kinds of cheese, spicy jalapenos and smoky bacon baked until golden and sprinkled with coarse salt.
My kids have been known to argue over the last one . . . try this recipe and you’ll see why.
Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket Ingredients:
I have made this recipe with both fresh and pickled jalapenos in the jar and found the pickled ones work better. They take the guesswork out of the spice level and the little bit of liquid from them adds extra flavor.
- Crescent dough sheet
- Lit’l Smokies cocktail sausages
- jalapeno (from the jar)
- cream cheese
- shredded cheddar cheese
- bacon bits (or 3 slices of bacon cooked until crisp and crumbled)
- egg
- coarse salt
- Parchment paper (optional for easier cleanup)
HELP! i CAN’T FIND crescent sheets!
If you can’t find crescent sheets, use the same brand packaged refrigerated crescent dinner rolls instead. Pinch the perforations closed and
how to make jalapeno popper pigs in a blanket:
Preheat the oven to 375° then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Bring the cream cheese to room temperature (very important – helps spread on the dough easier!), then drain and finely chop the jalapenos.
Unroll the crescent dough and spread the cream cheese over the entire dough surface. Sprinkle the shredded cheese on top then add the jalapeno and bacon.
Slice the dough (a pizza cutter works well) into about 1″ strips then cut those strips into thirds.
Working one at a time, add one sausage link to the cut strip and roll, pressing to seal them. Transfer the popper to the baking sheet seam side down. Continue until they’re all rolled.
Just before baking:
Whisk the egg and water together for the egg wash. Lightly brush the top and sides of each pig in a blanket, then sprinkle the top with a little coarse salt. Bake 10-13 minutes or until golden brown and serve warm.
CAN I MAKE THESE PIGS IN A BLANKET AHEAD OF TIME?
Yes you can make them ahead of time – thanks to a genius tip from reader Sheri that I’m happy to pass along.
Prepare the pigs in a blanket to the rolled point (no egg wash!) then flash freeze on a baking sheet (parchment lined makes easy cleanup).
Transfer frozen pigs in a blanket to a zip top bag and store in the freezer.
When you’re ready to bake, bring them to room temperature, brush with the egg wash, sprinkle with salt and bake as directed.
LOOKING FOR MORE GAME DAY APPETIZERS?
Nothing makes a good party better like some great appetizers. Below are a few of my other favorites:
Chorizo Queso Dip – warm, velvety smooth Mexican cheese and chorizo dip with diced tomatoes, cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Sausage Wonton Cups – crispy baked wonton cups filled with ground spicy sausage and gooey melted cheese.
Cowboy Queso – the ultimate in cheesy Mexican dips – loaded with chorizo, black beans, corn, tomatoes and cilantro.
Reuben Wontons – celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all year – deli corned beef, sauerkraut and melty cheese in a crispy wonton cup drizzled with thousand island dressing. The flavors of a classic Reuben sandwich in a bite-size appetizer ideal.
Enjoy!
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If you make this Jalapeno Popper recipe or any other on the blog then I’d love to hear from you with a comment or star rating!
Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- 1 package Crescent dough sheet crescent rolls are fine, just seal the perforations
- 14 ounce package mini smoked cocktail sausages
- 1/4 cup jalapeno from the jar drained and finely chopped (or more to taste)
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temp
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup bacon bits or 3 slices of bacon cooked until crisp and crumbled
- 1 egg + 2 tablespoons water (egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons coarse salt
- Parchment paper optional but makes cleanup easier
Instructions
- Parchment paper (optional but makes cleanup easier)
- Preheat the oven to 375° then line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring the cream cheese to room temperature then drain and finely chop the jalapenos.
- Unroll the crescent dough then carefully spread the cream cheese over the dough covering the entire surface. Scatter the shredded cheese over the top of the dough then top with jalapeno and bacon bits.
- Slice the dough (I used a pizza cutter) into about 1″ strips then cut those strips into thirds.
- Working one at a time, add one smoky link to the cut strip and roll. Transfer the Jalapeno Popper Pigs in a Blanket to the baking sheet seam side down and continue until they’re all rolled.
- Prepare the egg wash by whisking the egg and water together. Lightly brush the top and sides of each one then sprinkle with a little coarse salt over the top. Bake 10-13 minutes or until golden brown and serve warm.
Mary says
I absolutely love all the flavors going on in this recipe! Mini foods are so great for portion control, if you have control over how many you eat. Can’t say I have much control! Pinned. Making very soon. Have a great week, my friend.
Bernie says
Hi Mary – I’m with you on the flavor combo and lack of control when it comes to recipes like this!! Anyway, I hope you do get a chance to make them. I hope it’s a good rest of the week, friend 🙂
Brennen Davidson says
Excited to try this recipe for a Christmas Gathering!
Bernie says
Hi Brennen – this is one of my family’s favorites. When I put the plate out, it’s pretty much every man for himself lol. I’m glad you’re making it – I hope you like it as much as we do!
Valerie says
May I ask, are you starting from the short or long edge of the crescent dough when cutting the initial strips? And, about how many appetizers does this recipe yield? These sound delicious!
Bernie says
Hi Valerie – thanks for reaching out. I cut the long length initially. The recipe will yield approximately 36 poppers in total. They’re one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them 🙂
Marla says
So dying to try this recipe. Can I use refrigerated pie dough in place of the crescent?
Bernie says
Hi Marla – I haven’t tried this recipe using refrigerated pie dough but I feel like it would act the same as the crescent and would turn out well. If you try, let me know how it turns out please 🙂
Janiece says
I am with Valerie. I love the idea of this recipe but you made a video and yet STILL did not give any hints as to how to cut the strips. All you have to do it tell the dimension of the dough! Good recipe but horrible instructions.
Bernie says
Good morning Janiece – thanks for reaching out. I’ll update the recipe with more detailed instructions because it should definitely be plain and easy to follow. I appreciate you taking time to point it out.
Carrie says
These were absolutely delicious. Made without bacon and still so good. Thanks for the fabulous recipe, it’s now a family favorite!
Bernie says
Hi Carrie – thank you so much! I love reading this – it’s actually one of MY family’s favorites too! I literally can’t make enough of them lol
Tracey says
Can I use puff pastry sheets instead?
Bernie says
Tracey that’s a really good question. I’ve never tried it with puff pastry, but I think it would work well. If you make it I’d love to know how yours turned out. I have puff pastry in my freezer. I’m going to try it myself soon.
karen m bratton says
Can you make ahead and reheat? If so should I freeze or just refrigerate then reheat?
Bernie says
Hi Karen – I don’t think these poppers would refrigerate or freeze well – though I’ve never tried it. To save time if you’re having a party, you can definitely make them ahead of time (without baking) and store them in the refrigerator. Then just before you want to eat, bake. They’re best right out of the oven. Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy the day 🙂
Summer says
These look delish! And I’m so excited to try for our Christmas Day app luncheon! I’m going to prep one day ahead and bake right before serving. I could only find crescent roll dough, so what would be your measurements when cutting? I saw the post to start lengthwise, but it’d be helpful to know exactly how many cuts you make in length & width, especially for this kitchen challenged mama! 😉 Thanks for a fantastic recipe!
Bernie says
Thanks so much Summer! Crescent roll dough will work well too – just piece it together so you have one rectangular before you slice – 6 slices in the longer direction; 5 in the shorter direction for 30 total. I hope your group enjoys it as much as we do!
Amber says
Hi! Did it work to prepare and bake right before?
Bernie says
Thanks for the follow up Amber. I haven’t had a chance to try prepping ahead of time and baking right before . Summer – if you tried it, I’d be interested in hearing the results 🙂
Deanna says
The lack of directions regarding number of servings and size was very frustrating and is the reason for only 3 stars. Otherwise it was very good, but next time I would leave out the salt because it has plenty salt without it. I found a jar of pickled and diced jalapeños in Walmart which was very helpful.
Bernie says
Hi Deanna – it’s never fun when a recipe is frustrating – I’m so sorry. Glad you enjoyed the end result though – Bernie.
sheri zeman says
These are delish! Definitely freeze-able. I flash froze them on a small cookie sheet and then stored in baggies. Brought to room temp and brushed with egg whites then baked as directed. Will be making these often 🙂 thank you for such a great recipe!
Bernie says
Hi Sheri – okay this tip is GENIUS! I finally had a chance to try flash-freezing them (never thought of it before!) and wow – game.changer! Thank YOU for such a great tip – I’ll be updating the post to include your tip. So glad you enjoyed the recipe as much as we do – I appreciate you reaching out. – Bernie