Can we say…HELLOOOO Super Bowl?!
It’s just a fact that game day food is the best food. It’s the cheesiest, crunchiest, gooiest, spiciest stuff there is. Eating a salad while watching the Super Bowl is pretty much downright anti-American! Pizza, wings, burgers, dips of every shape and size – it’s all fair game. (See what I did there?) But I have to confess, my favorite game-day food is a little pedestrian, just a little bit scorned by the foodies of the world. We’re talking about the humble pig in a blanket, people.
I mean, what’s not to like? It’s a hot dog. Wrapped in CRESCENT DOUGH!! It’s easy, straightforward, and freakin’ delicious in any form. I know hot dogs might not be the most gourmet thing that ever existed (well, they might be the least gourmet thing that ever existed) but that doesn’t mean we can’t elevate the pig-in-a-blanket to something food-blog worthy. So that’s exactly what we’re doing today, because I can’t have my beloved pigs in a blanket living in foodie scorn forever. Hot dogs deserve their day in the spotlight, too!
First things first: we need homemade crescent dough. Making your own dough is so much easier than you’d think, and it’s just so much flakier and more flavorful than the store-bought kind. Plus, we can make sure there’s no weird ingredients in there – just the good stuff! (Butter and flour, that is.) I jacked up the flavor of my homemade version with the classic game day combination of jalapeños and sharp cheddar cheese. I love the way the cheddar melts into the dough for a little cheese in every bite, and the jalapeños provide the perfect bite. You can leave the seeds in if you like ‘em real hot, or remove the ribs and seeds completely for a more mild version that is still loaded with flavor.
Bottom line: these homemade jalapeño cheddar pigs in a blanket are seriously awesome. They’re buttery, flaky, and full with flavor, and (duh!) they’re absolutely perfect for your Super Bowl bash next weekend. I loved adding a little fancy touch to something that’s not so fancy. I mean, isn’t that what it’s all about? Give me a tray of these bad boys and a cold beer and I’ll be a very happy gal next Sunday!
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. baking soda
- ½ tsp. salt
- 4 tbsp. unsalted butter, very cold, cut into small chunks
- ½ cup freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed if desired, very finely chopped
- ¾ cup cold buttermilk
- 6 hot dogs (I like Hebrew National brand), cut into thirds
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; sift to combine. Add the cold butter pieces and mix with your fingers to combine until well-incorporated and the butter pieces are the size of small peas. Stir in the shredded cheese and chopped jalapeño. Make a well in the center of the dough, pour in the buttermilk, and mix to combine. Refrigerate the dough for 5-10 minutes.
- Sprinkle the dough with flour and turn it out onto a clean, well-floured countertop. Using your hands, press the dough out into a rectangle approximately 15 inches wide and 7 inches tall. Using a pizza cutter, cut the dough into thirds horizontally, then thirds vertically. Cut each of the 9 squares in half across to make 18 triangles.
- Roll each hot dog in a dough triangle. Place each pig in a blanket on the prepared baking sheet with the pointy side of the dough triangle down.
- Bake for about 12 minutes, until golden brown. Serve hot!
Looking for more Super Bowl eats?
Oh, these look so good! I’ve (maybe shamefully) never made pigs in a blanket, but I love that you made your own crescent dough. Holla.
Thanks so much Sara!! I highly recommend these pigs in a blanket, they aren’t the classiest appetizer ever but they are freakin’ delicious. You should totally try them! 😀