How to Reheat Pigs in a Blanket? [4 Methods Tested]
Have you ever made a batch of pigs in a blanket only to be left wondering how to reheat the leftovers without turning them into sad, soggy lumps? I’ve been there. In my quest to find the perfect reheating method for pigs in a blanket, I tested some common ways people suggest to reheat them. After rounds of testing, I’m here to report my findings so you can enjoy your pigs in blanket leftovers and have them taste nearly as good as the day you first made them.
The best method is to reheat the pigs in a blanket in the oven for a few minutes until the pastry is golden brown again and the filling is hot all through. The stovetop, air fryer, and microwave methods have pros and cons. Make sure not to overcook the pastries, or they can turn into tiny hot dogs in soggy blankets.
Read on to find out how many times you really can reheat pigs in a blanket and the best ways to keep them crispy on the outside and warm all the way through. My methods are tried and true – your leftovers will thank me.
Oven Method: Best Results
As much as I love devouring pigs in a blanket fresh out of the oven, sometimes there are leftovers. When that happens, the oven method is my tried-and-true way to reheat them and have them taste almost as good as new.
To reheat pigs in a blanket in the oven, firstly, I preheat the oven to 350 °F. While the oven is heating up, place the leftovers on a foil-lined baking sheet, spacing them a couple of inches apart.
Brush the pastries with a beaten egg wash or melted butter and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds (optional but adds extra crunch!). This helps revive the pastry and prevents it from getting too dried out.
Bake for 5 to 10 minutes, checking frequently, until the pastry is golden brown and the filling is hot all the way through, however, be very careful not to overbake, or the pastry can become tough.
Allow to cool slightly, about 2 minutes, before serving them with a side of your choice. The filling will stay molten hot for a while after baking!
Microwave: Quick and Convenient
Reheating your pigs in a blanket in the microwave is quick, convenient, and helps them stay warm and crispy.
The secret is not to overcook them. Start with 10-15 seconds, then check on them. Repeat heating in short bursts, checking in between, until they’re warmed through. I find 30-45 seconds total usually does the trick for 2-3 pigs in a blanket. Any longer, and they can get rubbery.
So, make sure to flip the pastries over halfway through for even heating.
Give the filling a chance to heat through by gently squeezing one in the middle. Be very careful, as the filling and pastry will be extremely hot!
For extra crispiness, unwrap one end of the pastry before microwaving. This allows steam to escape and prevents sogginess. Just make sure to wrap it back up before eating to avoid burnt fingers!
You can even use this hack to make your pastries reheat evenly. Check it out, it really works!
Air Fryer: Crispy and Golden Brown
The air fryer is also my go-to method to reheat pigs in a blanket and get them crispy again. Firstly, I preheat my air fryer to 400 °F while I unwrap the leftovers. Then I carefully place the pigs in a blanket in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overcrowd.
Next, I spray them generously with some cooking oil to get the outside nicely coated, which helps them get perfectly golden brown and crispy. You can also brush them with a bit of beaten egg wash or melted butter for extra browning.
I then cook my delicacies in the preheated air fryer for about 3 to 5 minutes, shaking the basket once during cooking, until the outside is browned and the filling is heated through.
The key is not to overcook them, or else they can get dry. Keep a close eye on them toward the end of cooking. When done, the pastry will be lightly browned and the filling hot.
Remove the basket from the air fryer immediately to prevent overcooking. Your pigs in a blanket will be crispy on the outside, but the filling remains moist and juicy on the inside.
The air fryer is a game changer for reheating leftovers like pigs in a blanket. I got the same crispy, golden results as frying but in a fraction of the time and with little to no oil.
Stovetop: Low and Slow
It’s quite easy to reheat pigs in a blanket on the stovetop, too. Crank your stovetop burner to medium-low or low heat. You want the temperature to be gentle enough to slowly warm the little sausages without burning the pastry.
Place your pastries in a single layer in a skillet, Dutch oven, or saucepan, but be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cover and let them heat through for 5 to 10 minutes, occasionally checking until the pastry is warm and the sausage is sizzling. The slower the reheating process, the less chance of the pastry getting soggy.
For extra crispiness, you can brush the pastries with a beaten egg wash or a bit of melted butter before reheating. Or you can also place a lid on the pan for part of the cooking time to help the sausages heat through, then remove the lid for the last couple of minutes so the pastry gets nicely browned.
Flipping the pigs in a blanket once during cooking will ensure even heating. Use tongs to turn them over gently.
The stovetop reheating method lets you closely monitor the pigs in a blanket and ensure they’re heated to your desired temperature.
How Many Times Can You Reheat Pigs in a Blanket?
When it comes to reheating pigs in a blanket, the big question is: how many times can you reheat them before they get soggy or unsafe to eat? Based on my experience, I would say 2-3 times max. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
- The USDA recommends reheating leftovers to an internal temperature of 165 °F to kill any bacteria before eating. I use a food thermometer to check that the filling reaches this temperature. As long as you reheat them thoroughly each time, pigs in a blanket can be reheated twice while still tasting great. A third time is pushing it, in my opinion. [1]
- The microwave can make pigs in a blanket soggy by steaming them. I prefer to reheat them in the oven at 350 °F for 10-15 minutes until the filling is hot all the way through. You can also reheat on the stovetop over medium heat, turning occasionally, for about the same time.
- Whether reheating in the oven or on the stovetop, cover the pigs in a blanket with foil to help them retain moisture. But remove the foil for the last few minutes of reheating to allow the pastry to get nicely browned again.
- For the best quality, I recommend eating any leftover pigs in a blanket within 2-3 days. You can reheat them a couple of times if stored properly in the refrigerator, but afterward, it’s best to discard them. Freezing pigs in a blanket can make the pastry soggy once reheated.
Ultimately, while pigs in a blanket can be reheated a couple of times and still taste great, it’s best to enjoy them fresh the first time. But with these tips, any leftovers you do have can be reheated safely and still be delicious.
How to Keep Them Warm Without Getting Soggy?
The biggest challenge when reheating pigs in a blanket is keeping them warm without getting the pastry soggy.
While the microwave may seem convenient, it will turn your pigs in a blanket into mushy messes. The oven is the only way to reheat while maintaining a crisp pastry.
Before putting the pigs in a blanket in the oven, brush them with a bit of beaten egg or melted butter. This will create a protective coating and help the pastry get nicely browned as it reheats. You only need a thin layer, so don’t overdo it.
Cover the baking sheet tightly with foil before putting it in the oven. This will help the pastry stay soft as it heats through. Remove the foil during the last 1 to 2 minutes of baking to brown the pastry.
Lastly, it is essential to keep a close eye on your pastries as they reheat and check on them frequently. Given how quickly they can go from perfectly warmed to overdone, every minute counts. Be ready to remove them from the oven as soon as the filling is hot and the pastry is browned.
Following these tips will ensure that your reheated pigs in a blanket are as crispy and delicious as the first time. Enjoy!
I would love to hear from you! So, make sure to test out a method and tell me all about your experiment in the comments below!
