What could be better than smoky little sausages or kielbasa combined with sauerkraut and caramelized onions tucked inside a freshly baked dinner roll? That delightful combination is the heart of Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket, a grown-up spin on a childhood favorite. These make a hearty appetizer or even a main course—serve them with a simple salad or fresh veggies and a savory dip.
Ingredients to Have on Hand
- 20 frozen dinner rolls, defrosted (Rhodes brand works well)
- 4–6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (about ¾ cup)
- 1 (15 oz) package little smokies or about 1 lb smoked kielbasa, diced
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- 1 cup diced onion
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning or poppy seeds (optional)
These straightforward ingredients combine into an unexpectedly sophisticated flavor: smoky sausage, tangy kraut and sweet caramelized onion encased in pillowy dinner roll dough.
Defrost the Frozen Rolls
This version swaps crescent dough for dinner roll dough and hot dogs for smoked sausage and sauerkraut. The result is a more grown-up, stuffed roll with familiar comfort-food appeal.
Defrosting takes a few hours but the hands-on steps are quick. Place the frozen roll dough on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 3 inches apart, spray a sheet of plastic wrap with cooking spray and cover the rolls, then let them sit at room temperature for about three hours until soft and workable.
Begin Prep Work
While the dough defrosts, prepare the filling. Cook and chop the bacon to yield roughly ¾ cup. You can fry it in a skillet or bake it on a parchment-lined sheet at 425°F until crispy, then drain and chop.
Prep While the Rolls Defrost
Dice the smoked sausage and onion. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the diced onion and 2 cups sauerkraut, and cook until the onion softens and begins to caramelize and the kraut softens, about 8–10 minutes. Add the cooked bacon and diced sausage, sprinkle in ½ teaspoon garlic powder, stir to combine, then set aside. If you’ll wait more than 30 minutes before assembling, refrigerate the filling for food safety.
Prep the Day Ahead
If you prefer to do everything the day before, cook and chop the bacon, dice the sausage and onion, then combine and cook the filling as above. Cool and refrigerate in a covered container until you’re ready to assemble and bake.
This recipe yields about 20 rolls. Serve 2–3 per person as a main course, or 1–2 per person as an appetizer.
Meat Variations
Use any smoked sausage your family prefers—Little Smokies, kielbasa, smoked hot dogs or other link sausages all produce tasty results. Adjust type and quantity to your taste.
Assemble the Pigs in a Blanket
When the roll dough is defrosted, flour your surface and roll each dough ball into a 4-inch circle. Spoon about ¼ cup of the filling onto each round, fold the dough up and pinch the edges to seal, forming a smooth ball. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover loosely with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray, and let rise in a warm spot for 15 minutes.
Toppings or No Toppings
After the brief rise, brush each roll with the beaten egg and, if desired, sprinkle Everything Bagel seasoning or poppy seeds on top. You can skip toppings entirely and simply use the egg wash—there’s plenty of flavor inside each roll.
Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. Remove and serve warm.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Bake as directed, cool completely, then freeze in a freezer-safe bag or container with layers separated by waxed paper. To reheat, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and warm in a 325°F oven until heated through, about 20 minutes; they’ll crisp up nicely.
Stored in an airtight container, they’re good for up to three days. They’re also enjoyable cold straight from the fridge.
Yes—homemade dinner roll dough should work fine if you prefer making bread from scratch. Adjust dough size and rising times as needed.
How to Serve Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
These are best warm, straight from the oven. The sausage, kraut and caramelized onion aroma is irresistible. Serve without ketchup and mustard if you like, or offer specialty mustards and spicy condiments for a grown-up touch. They pair well with a simple green salad, potato salad or a pasta side.
The Inspiration
This idea grew from a classic recipe concept—stuffed roll dough with savory filling—and was adapted to be quicker and more approachable by using frozen dinner roll dough and a simple skillet filling. The flavors are familiar but elevated.
Other Hearty Appetizers
- Philly Cheesesteak Bites
- Pork Wonton Stars
- Corn Dog Nuggets
Finish a meal with a simple dessert such as apple cake, chocolate pound cake, or mini peanut butter pies for a satisfying end.
Sides to Serve with Pigs in a Blanket
-
Pasta Salad with Italian Dressing
-
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes
-
Easy Franks and Beans
-
Cranberry Apple Stuffing (Baked)
If you tried Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket, please leave a star rating and share how it turned out in the comments below.
Recipe
Grown Up Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- 20 frozen dinner rolls, defrosted
- 4–6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped (about ¾ cup)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup diced onion
- 2 cups sauerkraut
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 (15 oz) package little smokies or about 1 lb smoked kielbasa, diced
- 2 tbsp Everything Bagel seasoning or poppy seeds (optional)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
Prep Dinner Roll Dough
- Remove 20 dough balls from packaging and place about 3 inches apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray. Let defrost at room temperature for about 3 hours.
Prep Filling Ingredients
- While dough defrosts, cook and chop bacon. Dice sausage and onion.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet until shimmering. Add onion and sauerkraut and cook until onion softens and begins to caramelize and kraut softens, about 8–10 minutes.
- Add cooked bacon and diced sausage, stir in garlic powder, and set aside. Refrigerate if not using within 30 minutes.
Stuff the Dinner Rolls
- On a floured surface, roll each defrosted dough ball into a 4-inch circle. Top with about ¼ cup filling.
- Fold dough up around the filling to form a sealed ball and place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Cover loosely with plastic wrap sprayed with cooking spray and let rise in a warm place for 15 minutes.
- Brush each roll with beaten egg and sprinkle with Everything Bagel seasoning or poppy seeds if desired.
Bake and Serve
- Bake at 350°F for about 15 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned.
- Serve warm as an appetizer or with a salad for a main course.
Nutrition
Nutrition estimates are approximate and provided as a guideline.