Crispy Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe

Air fryer pigs in a blanket with crescent rolls are a fast, kid-friendly snack that turns out crunchy on the outside and tender inside. These are like our easy air fryer hot dogs but wrapped in dough for dipping and serving at lunch or snack time.

These are a nostalgic favorite for many. You can use little smokies or regular hot dogs like we do — both are crowd-pleasers when served for lunch or snack time.

Pigs in a Blanket with Crescent Rolls

We use refrigerated crescent dough because it’s quick and flaky. A crescent sheet (when available) is even better because it has no perforations. For mini versions, slice hot dogs in half or thirds and cut the dough into shorter strips so little hands can enjoy them.

When making these for children, cut the wieners into smaller pieces and wrap with thin dough strips. They’ll cook faster and you can fit more in the air fryer basket at once.

My teens have made these on their own, which I love — it gives them a simple way to “cook” when they want a snack. For hot dog choice, I prefer Hebrew National for its snap and quality, but use whichever brand you like best.

Ingredient Notes

Use a can of refrigerated crescent rolls or a crescent sheet if you can find one. The sheet is preferable since it has no perforations and makes cutting even strips easier.

What can you use instead of crescent rolls?

Refrigerated pizza dough or flattened rolls work well. Defrosted Rhodes frozen rolls pressed flat are another option, though they won’t be as flaky as crescents.

Can you use pretzel dough?

Yes, pretzel dough or pizza dough can be used if you have time to prepare them. Pretzel dough will give a different texture and flavor, while pizza dough is less flaky but still tasty.

I use whole hot dogs; uncured varieties are my preference. Keep a nonstick spray or olive oil spray handy so the wrapped dogs don’t stick to the air fryer basket.

Serve these with ketchup and mustard, or try a simple mustard pretzel dip for extra flavor.

Can you add cheese?

You can add cheese if you don’t mind a slightly messier basket. Slice cheese into strips and wrap it with the hot dog before encasing in dough; it will melt between the layers for extra richness.

Ninja Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

These instructions work with a Ninja Foodi or similar air fryer. Use the air crisp function and the attached lid if your unit has it. The method is the same: prep, wrap, and air fry until golden brown.

To prepare, pat hot dogs dry on paper towels to remove surface moisture. Pinch the crescent perforations together so the dough is one sheet, slice into strips, wrap the hot dogs, and air fry or bake until golden.

A pizza cutter makes quick work of slicing the dough into even strips. With this method, they can be ready in under 10 minutes from start to finish.

How Long to Cook Pigs in a Blanket in Air Fryer

For flaky crescent dough, air fry at 360°F for about 3 minutes to puff and brown the dough. If using defrosted dough, it may take up to 5 minutes. After that initial cook, leave the basket closed for an additional 3 minutes so the hot dogs heat through without overbrowning the outside.

If you prefer the oven, you can bake pull-apart pigs in a blanket at a higher temperature to get a crisp exterior while keeping the inside cooked through.

FAQ