What Are Pigs in a Blanket?

Perhaps the coziest name in all of snackdom, pigs in a blanket are, essentially cocktail weiners wrapped in puff pastry. These wrapped little piggies are so popular that there’s a National Pigs in Blankets Day on April 24. In order to get in the holiday spirit, let’s take a closer look at what makes pigs in a blanket such a unique snack. Just make sure not to talk too loudly—you don’t want to wake them up. C’mon, they just got cozy!

What are pigs in a blanket?

The term “pigs in a blanket” refers to mini hot dogs or sausages that are wrapped in biscuit or pastry dough and baked. The dough rises around the “pig,” wrapping it up in a cozy, carby blanket. In the U.K., “pigs in blankets” is a dish of sausages wrapped in bacon, which is delicious but different! (Not to mention a bit of a “hat on a hat” if you ask us!) 

Where did pigs in a blanket come from? And when were pigs in a blanket invented?

Betty Crocker’s Cook Book for Boys and Girls is credited with being the first place a recipe for “pigs in a blanket,” specifically, was published. That said, the phrase “pigs in blankets” appeared in the U.S. Army Recipes manual in 1944. And food historians have theorized that meat wrapped in dough could have been enjoyed by English field workers as early as the 1600s. As for who invented pigs in a blanket? That remains unknown, so be sure to email us if you invented them, so we can give you your props! 

What to dip pigs in a blanket in?

While there are certainly some standbys (honey mustard, spicy mustard, sriracha, aioli, and good ol’ run-of-the-mill ketchup) you should never let that limit your imagination. If you feel like breaking free of the status quo and dipping a pig in a blanket in duck sauce, Bosco syrup, horseradish, or all three mixed together, we salute you! 

The next time you’re at a catered affair, and those snack plates are buzzing around your head like flying saucers, make sure to track down the one with the pigs in a blanket before it gets too swarmed! Make sure you grab a few before we start singing a round of National Pigs in a Blanket Day carols! Happy holidays, everyone!