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    Home » Recipes » Gluten-Free Appetizers

    Published: Dec 28, 2021 by Jen Wooster

    Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket

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    collage of mini crescent dogs gluten free
    plate of pigs in a blanket made with crescent roll dough
    gluten free pigs in a blanket appetizer on a plate

    This classic party recipe is the ultimate appetizer or snack! Flaky, buttery gluten-free crescent rolls wrap up a juicy mini-sausage or hot dog. Baked to perfection, this easy pigs in a blanket recipe is ideal for holidays, Super Bowl parties, and tailgates.

    plate of pigs in a blanket made with crescent roll dough

    This post may include affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Please read the entire post for tips and tricks to ensure a perfect recipe every time. And don't forget to tag @peelwithzeal on Instagram so we can admire your creation!

    Whether you call them mini-crescent dogs or pigs-in-a-blanket, you can call them (finally!) gluten-free. We are using our popular gluten-free crescent roll dough to wrap these delightful bites. Yes, just like with our favorite gluten-free pizza rolls!

    You can serve with ketchup, mustard, or our simple honey mustard sauce.

    Why do we love this recipe

    • The dough can be made in advanced and baked as needed
    • Long lasting and they can be frozen once baked
    • Can be made dairy-free

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • ⏲️ Instructions
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips
    • 💭 Variations
    • 🌡️ Storage and Reheating
    • More Gluten-Free Snack Recipes
    • 💬 FAQ
    • 📖 Recipe
    • ⭐Reviews

    🧾 Ingredients

    For full details on the dough, I recommend reading through our full crescent roll post. A brief summary is this recipe relies on using 1 to 1 gluten-free flour mix.  I used Bob's Red Mill 1:1 Baking Blend. You should be able to use any 1:1 blend with similar results but I can guarantee lovely rolls with Bob's blend.

    Specialty flours made for GF bread or pizza result in the wraps being too dense and heavy.

    You will need the following ingredients for the dough

    gluten free flour and other crscent roll ingredients portioned out
    • 1:1 Gluten Free Flour Blend
    • Granulated sugar
    • Dry active yeast
    • Baking powder
    • Kosher salt
    • Unsalted butter (it must be cold)
    • Milk
    • Water
    • Egg
    • Xanthan Gum (omit if you blend contains)

    For the pigs in a blanket, you will need:

    • Cocktail sized smoked sausages (aka little smokies) or mini hot dogs
    • Egg
    • Everything Bagel Seasoning or sesame seeds (optional)
    • Dipping Sauces

    See the recipe card for quantities.

    mini crescent dog ingredients on the counter with raw crescent roll dough

    Are mini smoked sausages gluten free?

    It is always best to verify labels on the specific packages. As of the writing of this recipe, Hillshire Farms brand and Kroger brand have no gluten-containing ingredients but aren't specifically labeled gluten-free.

    There are several brands of mini hot dogs that are gluten-free. Alternatively, you can select any regular size hot dog, smoked sausage, or another flavor of sausage and cut into 1 to 1 ½ inch pieces.

    ⏲️ Instructions

    The crescent roll recipe takes about 30 minutes of hands-on time with 2 resting periods. While this recipe is easy for beginning bakers, it does require some advanced planning.

    Let's get started!

    Step 1- Rough Cut Dough

    Place all the dry ingredients in the bowl (or food processor) and give it a quick mix. This includes the flour, xanthan gum (if needed), sugar, yeast, salt, and baking powder.

    Next cut in the butter. I prefer to use a pastry blender or a food processor so that my hands do not warm up and melt the butter.

    Work the butter into the flour until you get small pea-size pieces or even a bit smaller, like the picture below.

    butter being mixed into to pea sized pieces

    Step 2- Form and Rest

    Whisk the egg, milk, and water in a small bowl. Add to the flour and butter mixture. Use a spatula to stir together until a dough forms.

    Form the dough into a round disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge for 30 minutes.

    rough puff dough on silpat

    Step 3- Roll and Rest

    Dust your work surface, I prefer to roll out on a Silpat. Roll the dough into a rectangle shape. Fold one-third in and then the other third. Like folding a letter to put into an envelope.

    rough puff pastry dough being folded

    Turn the dough 90 degrees. Roll out into a rectangle again, fold in one third then the other. Turn 90-degrees again. Repeat this process 3 to 4 times until the dough is smooth.

    rough puff pastry dough smoothed out after rolling

    Step 3- Wrap Your Piggies

    Cut the dough into 2 equal portions. Leave one half in the fridge while you work with the other.

    Roll each portion out into a long rectangle, about ⅛ to ¼ -inch thick, 15-inches long, and 6 inches wide.

    rolling and cutting the dough into small triangles

    Cut the dough into skinny triangles, roughly 3 inches long. Place sausage on the shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at the shortest side of the triangle and rolling to the opposite point; place point side down on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.

    You can also bake on parchment paper.

    Step 5- Bake and Serve

    Make the egg wash by mixing together the egg and water. Sprinkle on the everything bagel seasoning. Proof the dough for 30 minutes, the dough should be slightly puffed.

    brushing pigs in a blanket with egg wash

    Bake at 375 F degrees for 13 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve with honey mustard or your preferred dipping sauce.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Expert Tips

    • Divide the dough in half. Bake crescent rolls with one half and create the pigs in the blanket appetizer with the other. One recipe, two courses!
    • Make full size pigs in a blanket and freeze for a quick kids lunch.

    💭 Variations

    Gluten-Free Mummy Dogs

    Make this fun Halloween favorite but cutting the crescent roll dough into thin strips. Wrap the strips around full-size hot dogs, overlapping to look like a mummy. Add googly eyes for fun.

    Cheesy Pigs in a Blanket

    Add a sprinkle of grated cheddar on top of the sausage before rolling. a full recipe will need between ½ cup and ¾ cup of grated cheese. Use pepper jack for a spicy version.

    Dairy-Free Pigs in a Blanket

    I recommend using the Earth Balance baking sticks in place of butter and Oatly oat milk in place of the cow's milk.

    I have not tested with an egg replacer so I am not sure if they can be successfully made vegan. If you try it, please let me know! There are so many great plant-based sausages available.

    baked pigs in a blanket on parchment

    🌡️ Storage and Reheating

    Make in Advance

    To make the recent rolls in advance I recommend making them through the second resting period when the dough is folded like a letter. The next day, rest the dough at room temperature for 10 minutes before rolling out and wrapping the sausages.

    Storing and Freezing

    Leftover cooked pigs in a blanket should be placed in a sealed container and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    They can also be stored in a plastic freezer bag and frozen for up to 3 months.

    Reheat in the oven at 325 F degrees until warmed through.

    cocktail plate with gluten free appetizers

    More Gluten-Free Snack Recipes

    • mango salsa in a white bowl.
      Mango Habanero Salsa
    • Buffalo chicken dip baked in a white dish.
      Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
    • bacon wrapped brussels sprouts appetizer with mustard dip
      Balsamic Bacon Wrapped Brussels Sprouts
    • gluten free chicken nuggets on a plate with dipping sauces
      Gluten-Free Chicken Nuggets

    💬 FAQ

    Can you use full hot dogs for pigs in a blanket?

    Yes! Use a larger piece of crescent dough and roll as normal. They will take 3 to 5 minutes longer to cook through. Full-size pigs in a blanket make a great lunch!

    How many should I make per person?

    For an appetizer before the main course, I plan on 2 to 3 per person. For tailgating and cocktail parties, I plan 4 to 6 per person.

    If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave us a rating or a comment. It helps other wonderful people connect with our food.

    📖 Recipe

    mini pigs in a blanket on plate with dipping sauce

    Gluten-Free Pigs in a Blanket

    Fun and easy Pigs in a Blanket made gluten free with our buttery flaky homemade crescent roll dough. Top with Everything Bagel Seasoning and add honey mustard for dipping.
    Servings: 48 rolls
    Prep: 30 mins
    Cook: 15 mins
    Resting Time 2 hrs
    Total: 2 hrs 45 mins
    4.9 from 10 votes
    PRINT PIN SAVE

    Equipment

    • Large mixing bowl
    • Sheet pan
    • Parchment Paper
    • Silicone Pastry Brush

    Ingredients
      

    Crescent Roll Dough

    • 2 ½ cups gluten-free flour blend plus more for rolling out the dough
    • ½ teaspoon xanthan gum omit if your flour blend contains
    • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
    • 2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 cup unsalted butter cold, cut into pieces
    • ½ cup milk
    • ¼ cup water
    • 1 egg
    • 1 egg plus 2 teaspoon water optional for egg wash

    Filling

    • 2 packages cocktail-size smoked link sausages or hot dogs  gluten-free
    • 3 tablespoons Everything Bagel Seasoning
    • Honey Mustard Sauce dipping sauce
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Place the flour, sugar, yeast, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the butter into small pieces and add to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender (or your hands), to work the butter into the flour until only pea-sized pieces remain. You can also do this step in a food processor.
      2 ½ cups gluten-free flour blend, ½ teaspoon xanthan gum, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, 2 ¼ teaspoons dry active yeast, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup unsalted butter
    • Whisk the milk, water, and egg together in a small bowl, and add to the flour/butter mixture. Use a spatula to stir together until the dough gathers itself into a ball. You may need to use your hands to finish this step.
      ½ cup milk, ¼ cup water, 1 egg
    • Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at 30 minutes.
    • Dust the work surface with flour, and roll the dough out to a rough rectangle shape, about ½-inch thick. Fold the dough into thirds (see photos in the blog post). Turn 90 degrees, roll, and fold into thirds again.
    • Repeat the folding pattern 3 more times, wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
    • Divide the dough into 2 equal portions. Roll each portion out into a long rectangle, about ⅛ to ¼ -inch thick, 15-inches long, and 6 inches wide.
    • Cut the dough into skinny triangles. Place sausage on the shortest side of each triangle. Roll up each, starting at the shortest side of the triangle and rolling to the opposite point; place point side down on 2 ungreased cookie sheets.
      2 packages cocktail-size smoked link sausages or hot dogs 
    • Mix together the egg and water. Using a pastry brush gently brush the egg wash over the rolls. This step is optional but helps give a more golden color. Sprinkle the tops with the everything bagel seasoning.
      1 egg plus 2 teaspoon water, 3 tablespoons Everything Bagel Seasoning
    • Proof the rolled dogs for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F, then bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve with honey mustard.
      Honey Mustard Sauce
    Rate this Recipe

    Notes

    Preparation Notes
    • Instant yeast can be substituted. The rise time will be cut roughly in half. 
    • Crescent roll dough can be made 1 day ahead through the second resting phase. 
    • Double-check the package of cocktail links to ensure they are gluten-free. You can also cut down sausages or hot dogs to a smaller size and wrap. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 93kcal | Carbs: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Fiber: 1g
    Author: Jen Wooster
    Course:: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Tailgate
    Keyword gluten free mini crescent dogs, gluten free party food, gluten free pigs in a blanket
    Tried this recipe?Tag us @peelwithzeal so we can see your creation!

    Check out our Gluten Free Pigs in a Blanket Recipe web story!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. MamaBear says

      January 14, 2023 at 1:24 pm

      4 stars
      Gave these a 4, flavor is outstanding and such a treat, especially when you're gf and df...but the dough didn't turn out at all. I followed the recipe to a T, even using Bob's Red Mill flour and it was so wet, I wasn't able to roll it out...even after refrigerating it...

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        January 16, 2023 at 7:00 am

        5 stars
        Sorry, you had trouble with the dough. What brand od dairy-free butter did you use? I will try and test the recipe again.

        Reply
    2. Jeff says

      October 27, 2022 at 3:15 pm

      Hi Jen, I hope to make the mummy dogs for my daughter this weekend!

      When and how long is the second resting period? Two resting periods are mentioned throughout and the title of step three includes "rest", but it doesn't say when, where, or for how long. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Jen Wooster says

        October 28, 2022 at 4:23 pm

        Yea, so fun! Happy Halloween. I rest the dough 3 times each for 30 minutes. First, when you form the disc chill in the fridge. After the first rolling, chill in the fridge. and then once the dogs are wrapped you proof them in a warm place 30 minutes.

        Reply

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    Greetings!

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    My name is Jen and I am the recipe developer, writer, and photographer around here. Since being diagnosed with celiac disease over 10 years ago I have been slowly curating a recipe box full of gluten-free goodness. I adore vegetables, crave chocolate, and I am always up for an adventure.

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