How to Spice Up Pigs in a Blanket? 15 Creative Ideas

Pigs in a blanket are delicious finger food and one of my favorite party appetizers, but they can get a little boring after a while. The name ‘pigs in a blanket’ suggests what you get — a sausage in a dough blanket. In addition, the name comes from when people wrapped the food item inside another food item to eat it more quickly. But this doesn’t mean that the food should be boring. So, how do you spice up pigs in a blanket?

You can spice up your pigs in a blanket by sprinkling pumpkin seeds on top, using buffalo sauce, wrapping them in bacon or ham, adding red tomato sauce, adding chili and cheese, making a pizza or a vegan version of them, or serving them with mango chutney, scrambled eggs, yogurt dip or maybe scalloped potatoes.

If you’re looking for some new and creative ways to improve your pigs in a blanket, you’re in luck. I’ve got 15 ideas for you! Some of these ideas are classic recipe variations, while others are a little more creative. But all of them will surely add some excitement to your next get-together. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Creative Ways to Make Your Pigs in a Blanket Less Boring

Pigs in a blanket are a classic party food, and, luckily, there are plenty of ways to make this snack more exciting and unique! From experimenting with fillings and toppings to presenting them in a new way, there are so many ideas to try. Let’s see how far you can go with your pigs in a blanket!

Sprinkle Pumpkin Seeds on Top Before Baking

If you want to get really creative with your pigs in a blanket, try sprinkling pumpkin seeds on top before baking. I like to do this with a bit of salt and pepper for extra flavor.

Pumpkin seeds are not only tasty, but they’re also packed with nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and iron. [1] They’re also a good source of protein and fiber. So not only will your pigs in a blanket taste good, but they’ll be good for you, too!

Wrap in Bacon or Ham

If you’re looking for a meatier option, you can always wrap your pigs in a blanket with bacon or ham. This is a great way to add some extra flavor to your dish.

There are a few things to keep in mind when wrapping your pigs in bacon or ham. First, you’ll want to make sure that the bacon or ham is thinly sliced so that it cooks evenly.

And second, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t overcook the pigs in a blanket. Bacon and ham can both get pretty crispy, and you don’t want your pigs in a blanket to be dry and crumbly.

Include Buffalo Sauce

And for those who like spicier things, you can always add buffalo sauce to your pigs in a blanket. I like to use a pre-made buffalo sauce, but you can also make your own by mixing the hot sauce, vinegar, and butter.

To add buffalo sauce to your pigs in a blanket, simply brush the sauce on the outside of the dough before you wrap it around the hot dog. You can also add some inside the dough for extra flavor. You can go as light or heavy as you like, depending on how much of a kick you want. And if you really want to go all out, you can dip your pigs in a blanket in buffalo sauce before serving.

Add Red Tomato Sauce

If you’re looking to add a little bit of sweetness and acidity to your pigs in a blanket, then why not add some red tomato sauce? You can either spread it on top of the pigs in a blanket before you bake them or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.

Tomato sauce is such a versatile condiment, and it goes great with so many different dishes. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try making your own tomato sauce from scratch. Just make sure to use a high-quality tomato paste, and don’t forget to add some herbs and spices to give it that extra flavor boost.

Serve Pigs in a Blanket with Mango Chutney

This may seem like an odd combination, but trust me, it works. The sweetness of the mango chutney pairs perfectly with the savory flavors of the pigs in a blanket, and it’s such a simple way to elevate this classic dish. Plus, it looks really impressive if you’re serving it to guests!

All you need to do is make or buy some mango chutney and then use it as a dipping sauce for your pigs in a blanket. Simply heat up the chutney in a saucepan on low heat. Once it’s warmed through, dip each pig in a blanket in the chutney and enjoy!

Add Chilli and Cheese

Cheese and chili pair excellently together, so if you are a fan of this combo, you will enjoy these spicy and cheese pigs. And for those who want extra chili, you can also serve them with more of this sauce.

To make them, you should prepare your pigs in a blanket the way you usually do, but add some chili to the crescent rolls and then cheese before you place the hotdogs and roll them up!

Pizza Pigs in a Blanket

These delicious appetizers are what you get when combining two of the most popular snacks – pizza and pigs in a blanket. The pizza aspect consists of seasonings like oregano and rosemary, as well as shredded mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, or whichever cheese you prefer putting on your pizza.

To complete the experience, serve these pizza pigs in a blanket with some marinara sauce.

Cheese, Cheese, Cheese

To really take things over the top, you could add a little bit of shredded cheese to the rolls before popping them in the oven. Cheddar cheese would be delicious, or you could try something a little bit different, like Gruyere or Gouda.

If you want to get fancy, you could even make your own dough and prepare cheesy garlic bread by adding minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the dough before baking. So good!

Serve Fruit Salad with These Little Bites

If you’re looking for something fresh and fruity to serve with your pigs in a blanket, why not consider some fresh fruit? For example, you could cut up oranges and sprinkle them with turbinado sugar for a subtle sweetness. Or you could go for something more exotic like mango salsa. It’s a great way to mix up your flavor palate as it adds a bright, citrusy flavor and some crunchy texture.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try mixing several colorful fruits in a salad, including oranges, pineapple, bananas, and strawberries, and then putting some lime and honey dressing on top to tie the whole salad together? 

Creative Veggie Options to Pair With Pigs in a Blanket

If you want to go the vegetable route, there are plenty of creative dishes that pair well with pigs in a blanket. A simply cooked veggie like roasted butternut squash or roasted cauliflower is always a great option if you’re looking for something fast and easy.

You can also get more creative by making a veggie-packed side dish. Sauteeing some mushrooms and bell peppers in garlic and olive oil has some great flavor, while adding fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro can add some extra nuance. 

If you’re feeling adventurous, try making a kale salad with avocado and grapefruit. The possibilities are endless!

Add Jalapenos to Really Spice Things Up

If you need a hot take on these little appetizers, you can always add a slice of jalapeno, on top of which, you will place little cocktail wieners and whatever you want and then wrap them up.

Note that it would be best to slice the jalapenos in half and remove the seeds. In addition, you can choose to spread some cream cheese on them or even add a small piece of fried bacon. For an even more intense flavor, you can brush your pigs in a blanket with a thin layer of egg and then sprinkle sesame, poppy seeds, or sea salt on top of them.

Make a Vegan Version

Vegan pigs in a blanket are just like regular ones, so if you don’t feel like making two versions, you can go on and prepare just these, and no one will notice the difference! 

Just like regular pigs in a blanket, these are also super easy to do and would be perfect for parties and gatherings! Just use the smoky vegan hot dog, whatever you like to add to the rolls, and bake them in the oven or cook them in the air fryer. Lastly, don’t forget to serve them with your favorite dressing!

Serve Them with Scrambled Eggs

Sometimes, we just need some out-of-the-ordinary combination for our breakfast, and what’s better for that than serving our pigs in a blanket with all-time-favorite scrambled eggs? 

Just prepare your pigs in a blanket with breakfast sausages and pair them with this breakfast classic, and you will be in for a creamy and delicious treat!

Yogurt Dip for Your Spiced Pigs

If you want to make spicy pigs in a blanket, but you also need to soften that spicy taste, you can opt for using this cool dip and balance the flavors perfectly. 

You can make your spicy pigs in whatever way you like. The simplest one is using the spicy veal sausages, while for the dipping sauce, you will need to whisk some Greek yogurt, sour cream, scallions, lemon juice, and seasonings and cool it nicely before serving.

Serve Pigs in a Blanket with Scalloped Potatoes

A big scoop of creamy scalloped potatoes is just what everyone will surely like next to their pigs in a blanket. Besides, preparing a casserole dish of scalloped potatoes is very easy, and I am sure you have done it.

Just cook the potatoes, chop them nicely, and throw them in a casserole dish with whatever ingredients you like, from butter, garlic, onions, cream sauce, and, of course, some seasonings, then cover them and bake. 

Which of these is your favorite? I would love to find out in the comments below!