Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
What could be better than pigs in a blanket? A sweet-and-savory twist! These apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket are an irresistible update.
No matter how fancy the party or elaborate the food spread, pigs in a blanket are always the first dish to disappear. They’re a classic party appetizer for a reason: savory meat and tender pastry come together in a perfect bite that doesn’t leave you with a toothpick.
This apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket recipe is a sweet-and-savory variation on the original. Adding creamy cheese enriches the sausage and smooths out the smokiness, while apples provide a surprising sweet freshness. Serve a tray at a holiday party, or bring a container to your next game day potluck or office mixer—pigs in a blanket fit any season, any occasion, any place.
Ingredients for Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
- Refrigerated crescent rolls: This is one of our favorite crescent dough recipes because it showcases the flaky, buttery, crispy pastry in the best way.
- Apple: Use any variety of apple you like, though we suggest something at least mildly sweet as opposed to fully sour (think Pink Lady over Granny Smith). The main trick is to slice the apple extremely thin, so it can be rolled in the pastry. Thin slices also release less water during baking, so the pastry will remain crisp.
- Gouda cheese: Creamy, melty Gouda offers a wonderful contrast to the savory sausage. Err toward a softer, younger Gouda, as the aged varieties are drier and more crumbly.
- Miniature smoked sausages: Tiny sausages appeal to guests of all ages! Use the plain, smoky variety so there’s no surprise spiciness—especially if you’re serving this recipe at a big party.
- Honey mustard salad dressing: Honey mustard is optional, but we love it as a dipping sauce for these bites. It’s sweet, thick and has just a little bit of a kick.
Directions
Step 1: Prep the pastry
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Unroll the crescent dough and gently separate it into eight triangles. Cut each one lengthwise into three thin triangles.
Step 2: Fill the pastry
On the wide end of each triangle, place one slice of apple, one piece of cheese and one sausage. Roll them up tightly.
Step 3: Bake the pigs in a blanket
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Arrange the rolled pastries 1 inch apart, point sides down. Bake them until they’re golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. If desired, serve them with the honey mustard dressing.
Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket Variations
- Use a different cheese: You can use almost any kind of sliceable cheese, from sharp cheddar to mild American.
- Swap in other meats: Trade the smokies for apple and sage sausage, maple sausage or even bratwurst. Just make sure the sausage is fully cooked before wrapping it, and cut full-sized links down to bite-sized pieces. You can even make fun twists on pigs in a blanket using other meats, like ham or pulled pork.
- Make it with pears: Thinly sliced ripe pears would be an excellent alternative to apples. Bartlett pears are nice and firm, and Asian pears have a mild taste and snappy texture.
How to Store Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket
Let leftover apple-cheese pigs in a blanket cool, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The pastry will soften as it absorbs juice from the meat and fruit, but it will crisp back up when it’s reheated.
Can you make apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket ahead of time?
Pigs in a blanket are best enjoyed when freshly baked, but you can prepare the recipe ahead of time and store the rolled pigs in a blanket in the fridge overnight, covered with storage wrap. Remove them from the fridge while the oven preheats, then bake them as directed.
How should you reheat apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket?
We like to reheat pigs in a blanket in the oven. Heat the oven to 350° and arrange the pigs in blanket at least 1 inch apart on a baking sheet. Bake them until they’re crisp and hot, about five minutes. If the pastry darkens before the pigs are heated through, cover the tray with a piece of foil.
Apple-Gouda Pigs in a Blanket Tips
Why did my apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket unravel?
Pigs in a blanket will unravel if the dough isn’t rolled up tightly enough. In this recipe, it’s especially important to wrap nice and tight, since you’re trying to contain extra ingredients in the middle. Give the dough a “pinch” to seal the end of the roll.
What can I serve with apple-Gouda pigs in a blanket?
Just about anything tastes great with pigs in a blanket! They’re a winning party food that plays well with casual appetizers like queso dip or slider recipes, as well as fancier foods like crudite platters, cheese balls or caprese salad skewers. For a more robust menu, serve the pigs before a heartier meal of pulled pork sandwiches, or ahead of one of your favorite chili recipes.
Ingredients
- 1 tube (8 ounces) refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 small apple, peeled and cut into 24 thin slices
- 6 thin slices Gouda cheese, quartered
- 24 miniature smoked sausages
- Honey mustard salad dressing, optional
Directions
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1Preheat oven to 375°. Unroll crescent dough and separate into 8 triangles; cut each lengthwise into 3 thin triangles. On the wide end of each triangle, place 1 slice apple, 1 folded piece cheese and 1 sausage; roll up tightly.
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2Place 1 in. apart on parchment-lined baking sheets, point side down. Bake until golden brown, 10-12 minutes. If desired, serve with dressing.
