Pigs in a blanket take 6–8 minutes at 350°F (175°C) in the air fryer: wrap 24 cocktail sausages in strips of crescent dough, brush with egg, and cook in two batches. They come out puffy and golden, and you can wrap them hours before the party.
In Australia, the same idea is a sausage roll bite with puff pastry and cocktail frankfurts — the timing for that version is in the recipe notes.
Why the air fryer is perfect for party bites
- Fast batches: 8 minutes each, so you can serve them hot all night.
- No oven preheat in the middle of a party.
- Crisp bottoms without flipping.
Crescent dough vs puff pastry
| Crescent dough (US) | Puff pastry (AU/UK) | |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Soft, bready, buttery | Flaky, crisp layers |
| Temp | 350°F / 175°C | 360°F / 180°C |
| Time | 6–8 min | 8–10 min |
| Prep tip | 3 strips per triangle | Cut while cold |
The two mistakes to avoid
- Wet sausages. Brine on the sausages makes the dough soggy and slide off. Pat them dry.
- Crowding. The dough puffs as it cooks. Leave about 1/2 inch (1 cm) between pieces or they glue together.
Make a party board
Pigs in a blanket are the anchor of an easy air fryer party:
- Air Fryer Stuffing Balls — make them bite-size
- Air Fryer Garlic Butter Shrimp — ready in 6 minutes
- Crispy Chicken Tenders — cut in half for dipping
Hosting Christmas? The honey glazed ham and crispy roast potatoes are both air fryer-friendly.
Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket
Mini pigs in a blanket made with crescent dough and cocktail sausages in the air fryer: 6–8 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Plus the Australian puff pastry version for Christmas parties.
You'll need: Air fryer · Perforated parchment (optional)
Ingredients
US cups and spoons with metric in brackets (1 US cup = 240 ml). A bigger batch may need two rounds in the basket: keep it to one layer.
Instructions
- Cut the dough. Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into 8 triangles. Cut each triangle lengthwise into 3 thin strips (24 strips).
- Wrap. Roll each sausage in a strip of dough, starting at the wide end. Place seam side down.
- Brush. Brush with beaten egg (or butter) and sprinkle with seasoning.
- Air fry. Arrange in a single layer with a little space (about 12 per batch). Air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 6–8 minutes, until puffed and golden.
- Serve hot with mustard. Cook the second batch while the first is being eaten.
Notes
- Australia (puff pastry version): cut 1 sheet of puff pastry into 12 strips, wrap 12 cocktail frankfurts, brush with egg and air fry at 360°F (180°C) for 8–10 minutes.
- Cocktail sausages are pre-cooked, so you're heating them through. Cook until they're steaming hot.
- Make ahead: wrap them up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate, covered. Add 1 minute.
- Cheesy version: tuck a thin strip of cheddar under the dough before rolling.
Air fryers vary by brand and size: start checking 2–3 minutes early. Recipe from shakethebasket.com/air-fryer-pigs-in-a-blanket/
FAQ
Can I use full-size hot dogs?
Yes. Cut each hot dog into 3 or 4 pieces and wrap each piece in a crescent strip. Cooking time stays about the same.
How do I keep the bottoms from getting soggy?
Pat the sausages dry, don't crowd the basket, and use perforated parchment or cook straight on a lightly oiled basket so air reaches the bottom.
Sources
We check temperatures and safety advice against these official sources. Spotted something wrong? Email hello@shakethebasket.com.
