Description
Pigs in a blanket with a flavorful sausage filling wrapped in crisp puff pastry make the perfect bite-size appetizers for the holidays! Customize these easy sausage rolls with herbs, spices, and cheese – everyone will rave about them!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 box (usually containing 2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed according to package instructions
- 1 package regular hot dogs (cut into 1-inch pieces) OR mini cocktail wieners
- 1 large egg yolk
- Pinch of salt
- Few drops of water
Optional Toppings:
- Shredded Cheddar cheese
- Sesame seeds
- Poppy seeds
- Italian seasoning
- Coarse salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Gently unfold the thawed puff pastry sheet(s) on a lightly floured surface. If needed, roll slightly to smooth out creases. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pastry into long strips, about 1-inch wide.
- Prepare Sausages: If using regular hot dogs, cut them into 1-inch long pieces. If using mini cocktail wieners, leave them whole.
- Assemble Roll-Ups: Place a piece of hot dog or a mini wiener at one end of a puff pastry strip. Roll the sausage snugly into the puff pastry strip. Trim any excess pastry if needed. Repeat with remaining sausages and pastry strips.
- Arrange and Chill: Place the rolled “pigs in a blanket” seam-side down on the prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each one. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator or freezer to chill for 10-15 minutes. This helps the pastry puff up better.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, beat the egg yolk with a pinch of salt and a few drops of water until well combined.
- Apply Egg Wash and Toppings: Remove the chilled roll-ups from the refrigerator/freezer. Brush the tops of the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash. If desired, sprinkle with shredded cheese, sesame seeds, Italian seasoning, or other toppings.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed, golden brown, and crisp.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Puff Pastry: Ensure the puff pastry is thawed according to package directions but kept cold for optimal puffiness. All-butter puff pastry generally yields the best flavor.
- Sausages: Regular hot dogs, beef franks, mini cocktail wieners, or even small cooked sausages can be used.
- Chilling: Chilling the assembled roll-ups before baking helps the pastry rise higher and become flakier.
- Egg Wash: Provides a nice golden color and helps toppings adhere.
- Toppings: Get creative with toppings like everything bagel seasoning, different cheeses, or dried herbs.
- Storage: Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to restore crispness.