Description
This irresistible Pull Apart Pigs in a Blanket recipe features tender lil’ smokies wrapped in soft pizza dough, baked to golden perfection and served with a creamy, tangy mustard cheese dip. Perfect for parties or family gatherings, these bite-sized treats are fun to eat and flavorful, combining melty cheddar cheese and a hint of whole grain mustard in the accompanying sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pull Apart Pigs in a Blanket
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 pounds pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
- 70 to 75 lil’ smokies (about 2 packages of 14 oz each)
For the Mustard Cheese Dip
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 ½ tablespoons whole grain mustard
- 8 ounces white cheddar cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the pigs in a blanket.
- Prepare the pan: Brush the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan with melted butter to prevent sticking and add flavor.
- Roll out the dough: Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pizza dough until it’s about 1/8 inch thick, ensuring an even thickness for wrapping.
- Cut the dough: Cut the dough into pieces approximately 1 ½ inches by 2 inches, sized perfectly to wrap around each lil’ smokie.
- Wrap the smokies: Wrap each lil’ smokie with a piece of dough, pinching the seams tightly to seal the dough securely around the sausage.
- Arrange in pan: Stand the wrapped smokies vertically, seam side inward, around the edge of the springform pan, fitting them snugly side by side.
- Bake covered: Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes to ensure the dough cooks through.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the pigs in a blanket are golden brown and crispy on top.
- Cool slightly: Let the baked pull apart pigs rest for about 10 minutes to allow the dough to set and to avoid burning your mouth.
- Serve: Serve the pull apart pigs in a blanket immediately with the prepared mustard cheese sauce for dipping.
- Make the cheese sauce – Step 1: In a small pot over medium heat, melt the butter then whisk in the flour, cooking for about 2 minutes to create a roux.
- Make the cheese sauce – Step 2: Gradually whisk in the whole milk, continuing to cook and stir for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth and thickened.
- Make the cheese sauce – Step 3: Whisk in the whole grain mustard, then slowly add the grated white cheddar cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Using a springform pan helps hold the pigs in a blanket upright and makes serving easier.
- Make sure to pinch the dough seams tightly to prevent the dough from opening during baking.
- The mustard cheese dip can be prepared ahead and warmed before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in an oven to maintain crispiness.
- If you don’t have a springform pan, a regular round baking dish can be used but arranging the pieces tightly helps maintain the pull apart style.
