These air fryer pigs in a blanket with Pillsbury crescent rolls are a classic game day snack or easy weeknight dinner idea! Beef smokies are rolled in fluffy crescent roll dough and air fried until golden brown. I like to add a slice of pickled jalapeno to mine for a bit if spice and extra flavor.
Top with a sprinkle of everything but the bagel seasoning or other favorite spice blend and dip in spicy mustard for a perfect combo! You might also like these other simple finger foods like my Jalapeno Poppers, Cauliflower Wings, or these Air Fryer Cheese Curds.
Find all of my appetizer and air fryer recipes here for even more inspiration!
Recipe Highlights
- Quick & Easy: Perfect for a speedy game day snack or appetizer, this recipe only takes 10-12 minutes in the air fryer. These would also make a quick addition to any weeknight meal and kids will love them!
- Minimal Ingredients: All you need is mini beef smokies/sausages (or hot dogs) and Pillsbury crescent roll dough. Other ingredients like jalapenos, cheese, or seasonings can be used to customize the crescents as desired!
- Crispy & Golden: The air fryer gives the dough a crispy, golden exterior without having to turn on the oven! The insides stay nice and fluffy and the little smokies get perfectly warmed through.
- Customizable: as mentioned, I like to add slices of pickled jalapenos to my pigs in a blanket. You could also add in small cubes of cheese or bacon. A sprinkle of your favorite seasoning on top can give these even more flavor.
- No Mess: No need to turn on the oven or use messy baking sheets – the air fryer keeps everything tidy and makes clean up a breeze. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook several crescents at a time.
Air Fryer Pigs In A Blanket
This appetizer has been around forever and it’s a classic that anyone can make! Needing just two ingredients these can be left simple or elevated to your liking! Add these to your next game day or super bowl spread paired with other shortcut snacks or air fryer finger foods.
Pair with yellow mustard, spicy brown mustard, or a spicy sriracha sauce. If you don’t want to use little smokies you can use all beef hotdogs or chicken sausage cut into smaller chunks. You can also wrap a whole hot dog with dough and slice into smaller pieces, this way is much quicker.
Ingredient List & Substitutions
This pigs in a blanket recipe is made with just 2 simple ingredients and can easily be customized! See below for ingredient substitutions and notes:
- Beef little smokies: these can be found in the refrigerated section by the hotdogs. Beef smokies or cocktail wienies are traditional for this but you can also use chicken sausage or hotdogs and cut them into smaller pieces.
- Crescent roll dough: I use Pillsbury crescent roll dough but any brand will work.
- Extras: jalapenos, cheese, bacon, or seasonings can all be added to add extra flavor and texture to these smokies.
How To Make Pigs In A Blanket
Let’s talk a little about how to make the Air Fryer Pigs In A Blanket with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)
Quick overview:
- Cut crescent roll dough and roll up little smokies.
- Air fry until golden brown and enjoy!
- Cut each crescent triangle into 3 smaller triangles. Place a little smokie at the widest end and roll until you reach the smallest end, place on a sheet pan. Repeat with remaining smokies.
2. If desired, add a sliced, pickled jalapeno and roll with the little smokie. Top unbaked crescents with everything bagel seasoning or other favorite seasoning blends if desired. .
3. Preheat your air fryer using the “air fry” setting, at 350 degrees F. Once preheated, add in the rolled smokies, spacing about 2 inches apart. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Tools I Use for This Air Fryer Recipe
- Instant 6 qt. Air Fryer – Sleek and functional, the perfect size for 2-3 people. I like this because it has a tray in the bottom which make cleaning easy and it allows for air to circulate evenly. It has a large tray so you don’t have to do so many batches and a window to see into the air fryer while cooking! Any brand of air fryer will work for this recipe.
- USA Pan Half Sheet Pan – my go-to sheet pans, these are truly non-stick and clean up nicely.
- Tongs – a must have kitchen tool! I love these for flipping things in the air fryer. They are stainless steel and clean up super easy.
More Drool-Worthy Appetizer Recipes
- Easy Air Fryer Frozen Chicken Bites Recipe – an easy shortcut recipe!
- Baked Brie Crostini with Prosciutto and Jalapeno Pepper Jelly
- Crispy Oven Baked Shrimp & Cream Cheese Rangoons – a fan favorite!
- Easy Air Fryer Southwest Chicken Egg Rolls Recipe
- Baked Buffalo Chicken Wontons – buffalo chicken filled wontons baked until crispy in the oven!
- Whipped Ricotta Crostini with Peaches – sweet, crispy, and spicy all in one.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Wrap hotdogs in crescent roll dough to make crescent dogs, a simple and family friendly meal!
- Top crescents with poppy seeds and sesame seeds and dip in honey mustard.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket and spray with cooking spray to ensure crescents don’t stick.
- Enjoy immediately for best results!
Recipe FAQs
Can I cook Pillsbury crescent rolls in the air fryer?
Yes! They come out perfectly golden brown, not doughy. Just make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, air fry in batches if needed.
How long do pigs in a blanket take to cook?
Pigs in a blanket in the air fryer only take about 10 minutes, the smokies are already cooked so you just need to make sure the crescents cook through.
How do you make pigs in a blanket not soggy?
Spreading the pigs in a blanket 1-2 inches apart ensure these have room to rise slightly. Not over crowding and air frying in a single layer ensures these don’t get soggy.
Air Fryer Pigs In A Blanket with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1, 8 oz. Tube Pillsbury crescent rolls
- 1, 13 oz. Package little beef smokies
- Pickled jalapeno slices, optional
- Everything bagel seasoning, optional
Instructions
- Cut each crescent triangle into 3 smaller triangles. Place a little smokie at the widest end and roll until you reach the smallest end, place on a sheet pan. Repeat with remaining smokies.
- If desired, add a sliced, pickled jalapeno and roll with the little smokie. Top unbaked crescents with everything bagel seasoning or other favorite seasoning blends if desired. .
- Preheat your air fryer using the "air fry" setting, at 350 degrees F. Once preheated, add in the rolled smokies, spacing about 2 inches apart. Air fry for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
If you enjoyed this recipe, I would appreciate if you left a star rating on the recipe card above or a comment below sharing your experience! I value your feedback, it would also mean a lot if you could share this recipe or my website with friends or loved ones. Cheers!
These are such fun snacks! I made them for a party and they were a HUGE hit!! The everything bagel seasoning is a nice addition.
Awesome, thank you for sharing! Glad everyone enjoyed!
Absolutely excellent!!