Mini sausages or hot dogs wrapped in flaky, golden dough are among the most popular party snacks in America. National Pigs in a Blanket Day, on April 24, celebrates this simple appetizer that appears at game-day parties, weddings and children's birthdays. Easy to make with just a few ingredients, pigs in a blanket are a perfect way to celebrate.
History of National Pigs in a Blanket Day
Sausages wrapped in dough have been around for centuries in many cultures. The name 'pigs in a blanket' first appeared in American cookbooks in the 1950s, including a 1957 Betty Crocker recipe.
The term means different things around the world. In the United Kingdom, 'pigs in blankets' are small sausages wrapped in bacon, a Christmas dinner favorite. In Germany, a similar snack is called 'Würstchen im Schlafrock', meaning 'sausages in a dressing gown'. In parts of the United States, the name can also refer to sausage wrapped in pancakes, or to cabbage rolls.
The availability of refrigerated canned crescent roll dough, introduced in the 1960s, made pigs in a blanket even easier to prepare at home. Who created National Pigs in a Blanket Day is not documented.
Why National Pigs in a Blanket Day Matters
Pigs in a blanket are a fun, crowd-pleasing snack that is easy for beginner cooks to make.
The dish also shows how one simple idea can take different forms in cultures around the world.
Simple party foods like pigs in a blanket are also a great way to get children involved in cooking. Wrapping sausages in dough is safe, quick and satisfying, and it helps young cooks build confidence before they move on to more complicated recipes. Shared snacks like these are often the center of celebrations, from birthday parties to big games.
How to Celebrate National Pigs in a Blanket Day
- Bake a classic batch: wrap cocktail sausages in crescent dough.
- Try new dips: serve with mustard, ketchup or cheese sauce.
- Go breakfast-style: wrap sausages in pancakes.
- Make a vegetarian version: use plant-based sausages.
- Try the British style: wrap sausages in bacon.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, pigs in a blanket are an easy snack for a team celebration or game-day lunch; include vegetarian options. In classrooms, cooking classes can practice wrapping and baking, and others can explore how the same dish has different names around the world. At home, children can help roll dough around sausages, which is a fun, safe kitchen task, while adults handle the oven. Try making a 'wreath' of pigs in a blanket for a party.
Fun Facts About National Pigs in a Blanket Day
- The name appeared in American cookbooks in the 1950s.
- In the U.K., 'pigs in blankets' are sausages wrapped in bacon.
- In Germany, the dish is called 'sausages in a dressing gown'.
National Pigs in a Blanket Day FAQs
When is National Pigs in a Blanket Day?
National Pigs in a Blanket Day is April 24.
What are pigs in a blanket?
Small sausages wrapped in dough and baked.
What are pigs in blankets in the U.K.?
Sausages wrapped in bacon.
What dough is best?
Crescent roll dough or puff pastry are popular choices.