Planning a party? Be sure to also check out our Slow Cooker Little Smokies in Honey Garlic BBQ Sauce, Baked Korean BBQ Chicken Wings, and 7 Layer Dip! Turns out I may be mildly obsessed with jalapeño poppers, which are one of my favorite snack/party/game day foods of all-time. I have already shared Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers (which I cannot resist!), Mummy Jalapeno Poppers (so fun for Halloween!) and Jalapeno Popper Dip with Bacon. But I’m back with another super easy but tasty snack version, this time using everybody’s favorite party food – Lil’ Smokies! We do a watch party for the Super Bowl every year (I’m just there for the food and the commercials, let’s face it), and these are definitely on the menu for this year’s game! Pigs in a blanket are pretty much a favorite food for every kid ever. And let’s face it, for adults too. But adding just a few extra ingredients like cream cheese, some melty cheddar, and a slice of fresh jalapeño to the mix elevates them to a whole new level of deliciousness. Bonus: You can make these jalapeño popper pigs in a blanket in the air fryer (which is what I did here!) or in the oven. See the recipe notes for instructions how.
Why this Recipe Works
There are so simple that kids can easily make them provided there’s a grown-up to help cut the jalapeño. Using store bought crescent roll dough is one of my favorite shortcuts because it’s always available and bakes up soft and buttery. We’re talking FIVE main ingredients. Seven if you want to be technical and include and egg wash and poppy seeds for decoration. You can assemble in advance, then bake as needed for your party.
Ingredient Notes
Crescent roll dough: Did you know you can buy tubes of crescent roll dough that comes in sheets rather than the perforated ones that are precut into triangles? Either will work here, but the sheets are so convenient! Lil’ smokies: These are also known as cocktail weiners or cocktail sausages and you can use any type you like. You could also just use hot dogs cut into pieces. Cheese: A combination of freshly grated sharp cheddar and cream cheese gives that classic jalapeño popper flavor, but you could use monterey jack, pepper jack, or other cheese if you like. Jalapeños: I personally much prefer the flavor and texture of fresh jalapeños, but pickled or canned ones will work too. Just be sure to drain well before using them.
How to Make This Recipe
Start by rolling out your crescent roll dough, then cutting it into 4-inch strips. If you are using the kind of dough that comes punched out in triangles already, just press the edges together first before cutting. Sprinkle each piece of dough with some of the cheddar cheese, then top with a teaspoon of cream cheese and a slice of jalapeño. If you want them spicy, leave a few of the seeds attached to the jalapeño. But if you make sure there are no seeds involved then these are actually quite mild. Place one cocktail sausage on one end of the crescent roll dough, then roll it up and transfer to a piece of parchment paper with the seam side down to secure. Beat an egg in a bowl with a little water and brush it on top of each of the pigs in a blanket, then sprinkle with poppy seeds for a lovely little crunch. This step is optional, but it makes a really nice finish. If you want to change things up, you could also use Everything Bagel Seasoning or just a little coarse salt instead. Move the pigs in a blanket to an air fryer basket to air fry or transfer them to the oven to bake. Air Fryer Method: If using the air fryer approach to these jalapeño popper pigs in a blanket, they only need to cook for 8 minutes at 300°F until they are golden brown and the cheese is melted inside. We love this approach for a quick and easy lunch or snack. The downside is that you can usually only fit about 8 of them in the air fryer basket, depending on the size of your model. Oven Method: If you are making these for a crowd, you can double up and make a bunch in the oven all at once by baking at 375°F for 11-13 minutes until golden brown.
Recipe Tips
Storage: These are best served right away but leftovers can be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. Just reheat in the air fryer, microwave, or oven. Make-Ahead: You can assemble these up to 1 day in advance and cover well with plastic wrap in the fridge. Then just air fry or bake as directed shortly before serving. Jalapeños: You can make your jalapeño slices as thick as you like, depending on personal preference. I kept them small here, but you could so far as as to use ¼ of a jalapeño in each pig in a blanket – just be sure to buy enough at the store. Variation: Want to up the ante even more? Add some crumbled crispy bacon to each of these along with the cocktail sausage before rolling them up!
More Appetizer Recipes
Homemade Mozzarella Sticks Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas Grape Jelly Meatballs Corn Dog Mini Muffins
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