Today is National Pigs in a Blanket Day!
If you have an image of little piglets wrapped up in warm cozy blankets, then you must have forgotten this is a foodie blog!
Generally, pigs in blankets refer to any form of pork sausage wrapped in either dough or other meats. You may also know this appetizer by some other fun names like devils on horseback, kilted sausages, or wiener winks.
In the U.S, pigs in blankets refer to hot dogs or Vienna sausages wrapped in a biscuit or croissant dough. They are also called “franks in a blanket”
In the U.K, they are small cocktail sausages or chipolatas wrapped in bacon. Other names for pigs in blankets in the UK are “wrapped sausages” and “pigs in skins.”
In Mexico, pigs in blankets are called “Salchitaco’s.”
In Germany, they are called “Würstchen im Schlafrock,” which means sausage in a dressing gown.
Origins of Pigs in a Blanket
Despite rumors that this beloved appetizer is an invention as modern as 1957, field laborers in the 1600's in England had what was essentially the same dish. Putting meat inside of dough was an obvious solution for a quick and nourishing meal on the go.
The earliest written record of the modern dish is in Betty Crocker's "Cooking for Kids", which was published in 1957. However, there are various personal testimonies claiming to have enjoyed this dish before the book’s publication.
There is a trucker legend that puts its creation at an even later date, some time in the 1960’s, attributing its creation to a diner along route 66 in Oklahoma. Other legends attribute the delicious creation to the far east, claiming Asian cultures put fish in a similar roll. The legend claims that American's copied the dish with hot dogs and biscuits after the fact.
Whatever its origin, this savory delight has become a national favorite!

Flakey and deliciously rich, pigs in a blanket are the ultimate appetizer for nearly any occasion. This recipe replaces the classic crescent dough with puff pastry to get an ultra-crisp and delicate bite.
Comments