If you are on the hunt for a warm, comforting appetizer that bursts with a delightful mix of sweet and savory flavors, this Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe is absolutely a winner. These golden, flaky crescent-wrapped sausages glazed in a luscious honey-butter pecan sauce bring a perfect balance of rich textures and mouthwatering taste, making them an irresistible treat at any gathering. Whether you’re hosting a party or simply craving a cozy snack, this recipe is guaranteed to become your new favorite go-to.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet flavorful ingredients is the key to nailing the Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe. Each component plays a crucial role—from the buttery crescent rolls providing a tender, flaky casing, to the smoky sausages and that sticky pecan glaze that adds sweetness and crunch.
- Refrigerated crescent rolls: Two tubes (one 8-count and one 4-count) to create the perfect flaky blanket for the sausages.
- Lit’l Smokies: A 14-ounce package of little smokies gives you bite-sized sausages that cook evenly and taste fantastic.
- Butter: Half a cup of butter is essential for the rich, smooth glaze that carries the sticky sweetness.
- Brown sugar: Six tablespoons of brown sugar add depth and caramel notes to the sauce.
- Honey: Six tablespoons lend natural sweetness and a lovely sticky texture to the glaze.
- Cinnamon: Half a teaspoon provides a warm glow that ties the flavors together beautifully.
- Chopped pecans: A full cup offers the perfect nutty crunch to complement the soft dough and tender sausage.
How to Make Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly spraying a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. This ensures your pigs in a blanket won’t stick and will come out perfectly golden and crispy.
Step 2: Shape the Crescent Dough
Unroll both cans of crescent rolls and separate them into 12 triangles each. Then, cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow triangles. This step might take a little patience, but it’s essential for achieving perfectly sized blankets for those little smokies.
Step 3: Wrap the Sausages
Place one sausage on the wide end of every narrow crescent triangle. Starting there, roll each sausage tightly into the dough, then place them snugly side by side in your prepared baking dish. This snug placement helps them bake evenly and keeps them jewel-like golden brown.
Step 4: Initial Bake
Bake these wrapped delights for 10 minutes. This step lets the dough start setting and getting that irresistible light brown color without the glaze overpowering the softness.
Step 5: Make the Sticky Pecan Glaze
While the initial bake is underway, melt together the butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon in a small saucepan. Stir constantly until the butter has fully melted and the sugar dissolves completely, creating a glossy, evenly combined sauce. Stir in the chopped pecans to add that wonderful nutty texture and burst of flavor, then pour this sticky, fragrant glaze over your partially baked pigs in a blanket.
Step 6: Final Bake to Perfection
Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the glaze is bubbling and the tops are a gorgeous golden brown. This final step ensures the pecans are toasted just right and the blanket dough is flaky and tender, soaking up all the wonderfully sticky goodness.
How to Serve Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra chopped pecans or a pinch of flaky sea salt on top just before serving to add a pop of crunch and flavor contrast. A light drizzle of warm honey can also elevate the presentation and give an added layer of sweet stickiness.
Side Dishes
These sticky delights pair wonderfully with crisp, refreshing sides like a tangy coleslaw or a bright citrus salad that cuts through the richness. For a heartier spread, serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or a flavorful cheese platter for a full-on indulgence experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these pigs in a blanket on a rustic wooden board lined with parchment paper for casual gatherings, or arrange them in a circular pattern on a festive platter with small bowls of mustard and barbecue sauce for dipping. You can even skewer a few together for easy grab-and-go finger food that looks adorable at parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your sticky pecan pigs in a blanket in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keeping the glaze intact means flavors will meld and get even better, so leftovers taste just as indulgent as the first bite.
Freezing
These are fantastic make-ahead appetizers: freeze the unbaked pigs in a blanket on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake straight from frozen—just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time, and you’ll have fresh-tasting, sticky treats any time.
Reheating
Reheat leftover or frozen Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the glaze becomes delectably gooey again. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep the crescent rolls crisp and the pecans crunchy.
FAQs
Can I use regular hot dogs instead of Lit’l Smokies?
Absolutely! You can cut regular hot dogs into smaller pieces to mimic the size of Lit’l Smokies. Just make sure they fit nicely on the crescent triangles to keep that classic pigs in a blanket look.
Is there a way to make this recipe nut-free?
Certainly. If you’re avoiding nuts, simply omit the pecans and pour the honey-butter glaze over the pigs in a blanket without them. You’ll still get that sweet, sticky texture without missing out on flavor.
Can I prepare these ahead of time and bake later?
Yes! Assemble the pigs in a blanket and keep them covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time if they go into the oven chilled.
What makes this Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe different from regular pigs in a blanket?
The secret is the luscious glaze made from butter, brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and pecans that transforms ordinary pigs in a blanket into a sticky, sweet-savory sensation with a delightful crunch that guests will rave about.
Can I substitute the crescent rolls for puff pastry?
Puff pastry can work as a substitute, though the texture will be flakier and less doughy than crescent rolls. It’s a lovely variation to try if you want an extra buttery, crisp exterior.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to wow your friends and family with one of the most delightful twists on a classic appetizer, you simply must try this Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe. It combines the nostalgic charm of pigs in a blanket with an irresistibly sticky, nutty sweetness that keeps everyone coming back for more. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll be the star of every party and a new recipe you’ll treasure forever!
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Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 36 pigs in a blanket
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Sticky Pecan Pigs in a Blanket are bite-sized crescent rolls wrapped around mini sausages, baked until golden, then coated with a luscious buttery glaze packed with brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, and crunchy pecans. Perfect for parties or a sweet-savory snack, they deliver a delightful combination of flaky, savory, and sticky sweetness in every bite.
Ingredients
Pastry and Sausage
- 1 (8-count) tube refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (4-count) tube refrigerated crescent rolls
- 1 (14-oz) package Lit’l Smokies
Sticky Glaze
- ½ cup butter
- 6 Tbsp brown sugar
- 6 Tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Crescent Roll Triangles: Unroll both cans of refrigerated crescent rolls. Separate into 12 triangles total. Then, cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 narrow triangles, which will be used to wrap the sausages.
- Wrap the Sausages: Place one Lit’l Smokies sausage on the wide side of each narrow crescent roll triangle. Roll the dough around the sausage tightly and place them seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
- Initial Baking: Bake the wrapped sausages in the preheated oven for 10 minutes to partially cook the dough and sausage.
- Prepare Sticky Glaze: While baking, combine butter, brown sugar, honey, and cinnamon in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until the butter is melted and the sugar is fully dissolved, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in chopped pecans.
- Glaze and Final Bake: Carefully pour the sticky pecan glaze evenly over the partially baked pigs in a blanket. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the crescent rolls are golden brown and the glaze is bubbly and sticky.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, brush the crescent rolls with a little beaten egg before the initial bake.
- Use chopped pecans for the glaze or substitute with walnuts if preferred.
- Let cool slightly before serving as the glaze will be very hot and sticky.
- Can be prepared a few hours ahead – bake and glaze just before serving for best texture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently.
