One of my favorite dinners as a kid was baked hot dogs wrapped in a soft, sweet crescent dough. You’ll often hear them referred to as pigs in a blanket! I still love them as an adult, but now I make air fryer crescent dogs instead. It’s all the comfort food fun without turning on the oven!
Homemade crescent dogs are so simple to make. In fact, they require just 2 ingredients! Of course, you can add your favorite toppings or stuff them with cheese for a twist, but I love just the basic preparation.
I also love that you can use cocktail franks to make mini pigs in a blanket for appetizers, or full sized hot dogs for a meal! Whether it’s last minute entertaining or a busy weeknight, you’ll have a family-pleasing option.
Of course, if you want to save even the prep time, you can also make Air Fryer Frozen Pigs in a Blanket. They come out just as delicious, cooked directly from frozen so there’s no rolling involved at all!
Why Choose the Air Fryer?
Preheating Time. The air fryer preheats faster than a conventional oven, meaning you can get dinner going that much faster
Cooking Time. Pigs in a blanket take 6-8 minutes on average in the air fryer, versus 12-15 in the oven, making it half the time! Not only is dinner faster, but you conserve power as well
Heat Output. The air fryer doesn’t heat your whole house up like the oven does, making it ideal for cooking even in the summertime
Browning. While the traditional oven will still brown and cook the crescent dough, the air fryer does a better job of also caramelizing the ends of the hot dogs
Ingredients for Homemade Air Fryer Crescent Dogs
8 Ounce can refrigerated crescent roll dough (such as Pillsbury)
8 hot dogs, any brand (I have Hebrew National)
Variations for Homemade Pigs in a Blanket
Cheese Stuffed. Cut a slice lengthwise across the hot dog about halfway deep and leave ¼” at each end. Stuff it with sliced American or shredded cheddar cheese before wrapping with the crescent dough. You can also stuff it with other things, like sauerkraut, caramelized onions, or cooked bacon
Toppings. Brush the top of the dough with melted butter or egg wash, and sprinkle sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning on before baking. You can also submerge in a warm baking soda water bath and sprinkle with sea salt for a pretzel effect
Sauces. Serve with ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, Dijon mustard, or any of your other favorite condiments for dipping
Mini Crescent Dogs. Use cocktail franks instead of full size and divide each crescent triangle into 3 pieces before wrapping. Cooking time typically does not change
Swap it Up. You can use thin sausages in place of the hot dogs if you’d like. Puff pastry may be substituted for the crescent dough for a different texture option
Step-by-Step Preparation Guide
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and spray your basket with nonstick spray if it’s not already nonstick
Separate your crescent dough into 8 triangles using the perforations. If you have the sheet type of dough, cut it into 8 even strips instead
Lay a triangle of dough down, and place a hot dog on the wide end of the triangle
Roll in an upwards motion until the hot dog is completely wrapped, then press down on the tip of the triangle to seal the dough
Repeat until all of your crescent dogs are rolled
Place the pigs in a blanket into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some air space between them
Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes at 350°F, or until golden brown and caramelized to your liking
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces
What to Serve With Crescent Dogs
Macaroni and cheese
Potato salad
Macaroni salad
Baked beans
Corn on the cob
Chili
Coleslaw
Caramelized onions
Fruit salad
French fries
Hasselback potatoes
Potato chips
Lemonade
Sangria
Dipping Sauces
Ketchup
Mustard
Barbecue sauce
Hot honey
Ranch dressing
Sriracha mayo
I’m always a sucker for mac and cheese with my crescent dogs because it brings back fond memories of my childhood. But, there are tons of other great sides, drinks, and sauces to pair with your pigs in a blanket!
Can I Use Frozen Crescent Dough For Air Fryer Crescent Dogs?
You can use frozen crescent dough for air fryer crescent dogs, but you will need to defrost it since it has to be pliable enough to roll. However, you can always use fresh, roll, and then freeze if you’d like to prepare in advance.
Feel free to substitute frozen puff pastry dough as well.
Can I Make Crescent Dogs With Other Types of Sausages?
Yes, you can make crescent dogs with other types of sausages. Choose pre-cooked sausages, and use thin varieties that roll easily for best results.
It is not recommended to use raw sausage, as the dough will overcook before the sausage is fully cooked through.
Can I Add Other Fillings to the Crescent Dogs?
Yes, you can add other fillings to the crescent dogs. Cheese is the most common choice. However, cooked bacon, caramelized onions, and other vegetables are also great options.
Cut a slit in the hot dog and stuff your fillings in before wrapping with dough.
How Do I Prevent the Crescent Dough From Unraveling?
To prevent the crescent dough from unraveling, press the end down into the dough so it sticks.
You can alternatively use a toothpick to secure the end, but make sure to remove it before serving.
Can I Air Fry Crescent Dogs Without Preheating the Air Fryer?
You can air fry crescent dogs without preheating the air fryer. However, plan to add 2-3 minutes to cooking time to account for the difference.
You’ll also want to flip your crescent dogs halfway through cooking so you don’t end up with cool spots on the downward facing side.
Can I Make Air Fryer Crescent Dogs Ahead of Time and Reheat Them?
Yes, you can make air fryer crescent dogs ahead of time and reheat them. To reheat, place leftover pigs in a blanket in the air fryer for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through.
Alternatively, you may roll and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before cooking, or freeze for up to 3 months. Then simply bake and serve.
Recipe Pro Tips
You can roll your crescent dogs up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook
Flipping during cooking is optional. The dough will cook through without, and the bottom will be flatter and lighter in color. For even browning on both sides, you can flip halfway through cooking
To prevent sticking in basket, use nonstick spray or some nonstick foil in your air fryer basket or rack
Make sure to leave at least ½” of air space in between each crescent dog in the basket, as they expand during cooking. If they touch, you’ll end up with a wet spot of uncooked dough between them
Storage and Reheating Tips
Store leftover pigs in a blanket in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
To reheat crescent roll hot dogs, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. You can also use a conventional oven for 10 minutes at 350°F, but I find this dries them out more
Air fryer crescent dogs are so versatile, becoming a crowd-pleasing appetizer or the main course for your hectic weeknight meal. They come together incredibly quickly, and can even be made ahead of time to make life easier.
Try out all sorts of variations, from stuffings to toppings and sauces to find your favorite combinations! These pigs in a blanket are kid-friendly but also great for adults, though you may like some different toppings or an adult beverage with yours.
The air fryer makes it so easy, taking half the time of the traditional oven and delivering an equally delicious, if not better, result. I make them year round and never worry about heating up the house!
Air Fryer Crescent Dogs (Pigs in a Blanket)
These air fryer crescent dogs require just 2 ingredients and are ready in 15 minutes or less! Serve as a main course, or swap in cocktail franks for an appetizer!
8Ouncecan refrigerated crescent roll dough(such as Pillsbury)
8Hot dogs, any brand(such as Hebrew National)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F, and spray your basket with nonstick spray if it’s not already nonstick
Separate your crescent dough into 8 triangles using the perforations. If you have the sheet type of dough, cut it into 8 even strips instead
8 Ounce can refrigerated crescent roll dough
Lay a triangle of dough down, and place a hot dog on the wide end of the triangle
8 Hot dogs, any brand
Roll in an upwards motion until the hot dog is completely wrapped, then press down on the tip of the triangle to seal the dough
Repeat until all of your crescent dogs are rolled
Place the pigs in a blanket into the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing some air space between them
Cook on the air fry setting for 6-8 minutes at 350°F, or until golden brown and caramelized to your liking
Serve with your favorite dipping sauces
Notes
You can roll your crescent dogs up to 24 hours in advance and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook
Flipping during cooking is optional. The dough will cook through without, and the bottom will be flatter and lighter in color. For even browning on both sides, you can flip halfway through cooking
To prevent sticking in basket, use nonstick spray or some nonstick foil in your air fryer basket or rack
Make sure to leave at least ½” of air space in between each crescent dog in the basket, as they expand during cooking. If they touch, you’ll end up with a wet spot of uncooked dough between them
Store leftover pigs in a blanket in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 months
To reheat crescent roll hot dogs, air fry for 3-5 minutes at 350°F, or until warmed through. You can also use a conventional oven for 10 minutes at 350°F, but I find this dries them out more
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
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I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
