Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket Recipe

If you love a little kick with your comfort food, these Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket are about to become your new favorite party snack. Imagine everything you adore about creamy, cheesy jalapeño poppers – all wrapped around savory Lil’ Smokies and tucked inside golden crescent dough. Pure snack-time magic, and dangerously poppable!

Ingredients You’ll Need

This amazing appetizer comes together with a handful of fun, bold ingredients—each working overtime to deliver creamy, spicy, cheesy bliss wrapped in buttery dough. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket so irresistible!

• Lil’ Smokies: These bite-size smoked sausages bring the ultimate savory, meaty bite at the center of each wrap.
• Pillsbury Crescent Rounds: Pre-made crescent dough gives you that golden, flaky outside—just cut and wrap for instant coziness.
• Jalapeños: Remove the seeds and ribs for mellow heat or keep a few for extra fire; fresh jalapeños provide classic popper zing and color!
• Cream Cheese: Softened cream cheese provides the smooth, dreamy filling you expect from any true popper.
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: A generous helping gives extra melty richness—go for sharp to balance the jalapeños.
• Bacon: Cooked and crumbled bacon adds smoky crunch and salty depth. Don’t skip it!
• Slap Ya Mama Seasoning: A Cajun blend that brings stealthy flavor and mild heat—try your favorite if you don’t have this one.
• Garlic Salt: For a subtle hit of savoriness that seasons every bite.
• Black Pepper: A pinch ties everything together with earthy warmth.

Variations

The beauty of Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket is how easy they are to adapt to your mood, spice level, or what’s already in your fridge. Here are a few tried-and-true ways to make this dish entirely your own.

• Spice It Up: Swap in serrano peppers or add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper for more heat.
• Cheese Lover’s Take: Try swapping cheddar for pepper jack, Monterey jack, or even crumbled queso fresco for new flavor twists.
• Vegetarian Version: Use veggie dogs and skip the bacon; the creamy, cheesy filling is just as irresistible!
• Gluten-Free: Grab a gluten-free crescent dough or biscuit dough to keep the fun for everyone.

How to Make Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket

Step 1: Prep the Dough and Fillings

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and get your workspace ready for assembly. Unroll the crescent dough and slice each round in half to form 16 strips. You’ll do the same with the second can—this gives you plenty of strips, one for each bite-sized popper.

Step 2: Make the Tangy, Cheesy Filling

In a medium bowl, whip the softened cream cheese until it’s light and fluffy. Stir in your shredded sharp cheddar, crumbled bacon, Slap Ya Mama, garlic salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined and you have a bowl of drool-worthy, savory spread!

Step 3: Stuff and Wrap the Jalapeños

Slice your jalapeños into quarters (stem and seed them first for milder heat). Fill each piece with about a teaspoon of your cream cheese mixture. Nestle a Lil’ Smokie right on top of the filled pepper, then wrap the whole bundle in a strip of dough, pinching the ends so everything stays cozy and tucked inside.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Line up your assembled Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket on a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the dough is puffed and gloriously golden brown. The kitchen will smell like a spicy, cheesy dream come true!

Step 5: Serve Hot and Watch Them Disappear

Remove from the oven and serve immediately, while the cheese is still melty and the dough is at peak flakiness. Don’t blink—these disappear fast!

How to Serve Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket

Garnishes

For a fresh finishing touch, sprinkle your Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket with a little extra chopped bacon, a handful of sliced green onions, or even a dash of smoked paprika. A scattering of cilantro adds color and makes them look extra tempting on any platter.

Side Dishes

Pair these boldly-flavored bites with cool ranch or blue cheese dip, tangy salsa, or a bowl of guacamole for dunking. If you’re putting out a spread, a crunchy slaw or a crisp green salad helps balance out all that creamy, cheesy richness.

Creative Ways to Present

Arrange the Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket in concentric circles on a large platter with colorful dipping sauces in the center, or stand them up “pigs in a blanket” style in a mug for easy grab-and-go snacking. For parties, little cocktail picks look adorable and make serving a cinch!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftovers into an airtight container and store them in the fridge up to 3 days. The dough may soften a bit, but that cheesy, smoky flavor is still absolute perfection.

Freezing

You can assemble your Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket ahead of time and freeze them unbaked on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and keep for up to a month. Bake straight from frozen (just add a few extra minutes to the baking time), and they’ll taste as freshly made as ever!

Reheating

To bring them back to life, warm leftovers in a 350°F oven for 7–10 minutes until heated through and slightly crisped on the outside. A toaster oven works great for reheating just a few at a time, keeping the dough flakey and the filling gooey.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re planning a big game day party or just a cozy night in, Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket are guaranteed to please. They’re fun to make, even more fun to eat, and absolutely unforgettable once you’ve tried them. I can’t wait to hear how quickly they disappear at your next get-together!

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