Figs and Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (2024)

By Melissa Clark

Figs and Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Rating
4(563)
Notes
Read community notes

Arguably better than pigs in blankets — or, at least, more elegant — these, flaky hors d’oeuvres will be the first things to disappear at a party. The filling of chopped dried figs and prosciutto or salami is a balanced mix of savory and sweet, but feel free to substitute other dried fruit, like apricots, raisins or cranberries, for the figs. And if you can find all-butter puff pastry, it really makes a difference here, adding a deeply golden color and rich flavor.

Featured in: 3 Simple Ways to Turn Frozen Puff Pastry Into the Ultimate Party Starter

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Ingredients

Yield:About 2 dozen

  • 1cup/8 ounces dried figs, stems trimmed
  • Boiling water
  • All-purpose flour, for rolling
  • 1(14-ounce) package frozen puff pastry, thawed
  • 4ounces thinly sliced prosciutto or soppressata salami, coarsely chopped
  • 1egg, beaten
  • 3tablespoons grated Parmesan
  • Ground fennel seeds or black pepper, or a combination, for topping
  • Mustard, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step

    1

    Place figs in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit until soft and pliable, 5 to 10 minutes, then drain well. Coarsely chop and set aside. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Step

    2

    On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled puff pastry out about ⅛ inch thick to form a 13-by-11-inch rectangle. Using a bench scraper or knife, cut the pastry in half lengthwise so you have two long rectangles. Evenly divide the figs between the rectangles, spreading them into a 1-inch-wide strip that runs down the center of the pastry. Mound prosciutto on top of the figs.

  3. Lightly brush the long edges of the pastry with egg wash. Firmly fold the pastry over the filling to form long rolls. Cut each roll in half crosswise, then slice into 1-inch pieces and place them on the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Cover with plastic or parchment and freeze for 30 minutes or refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 6 hours.

  4. Step

    4

    Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly brush the top of each roll with beaten egg and sprinkle with grated Parmesan and a pinch of fennel seeds or black pepper or both. Bake until golden brown, about 25 to 35 minutes. Serve with mustard on the side for dipping if you like. These are best served warm or at room temperature on the day of baking, but leftovers will keep for up to 3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.

Ratings

4

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563

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

WB

Wait … is anyone else confused by the folding/cutting directions?

Liz

Delicious but skip the mustard, I mean the wrong taste to accompany figs. Use a syrupy balsamic vinegar if people need a dip.

Krysten Chambrot, Associate Editor, New York Times Cooking

Hi, BB! Thank you for flagging. We've updated the recipe: You slice them before baking.

eb

I'm still confused about the cutting directions. Why do we cut a roll in half before slicing into 1 inch pieces? Couldn't a whole roll still be sliced into 1 inch pieces? And then how do you put it on the cutting board "seam side down"? In my mind I'm picturing balancing a dime or penny on it's edge, which seems very confusing. Is that what we are supposed to do?

kay

Step 3 says these can be refrigerated up to 6 hours. What adjustments would be required to have success if one wanted to make these a day in advance through step 3 (and bake just before serving)?

RebeccaBB

I made these as written with the addition of fresh goat cheese smeared on the pastry, then a layer of Turkish fig spread (no time to make jam), then the layer of prosciutto and topped with black pepper. Agree that the recipe is unclear about shaping and cutting. I rolled mine into two long ropes for a pinwheel. Cut the long rolls in half bc it makes it easier to carry them and fit them the freezer and fridge. Finally I cut them into bite sized pieces right before baking, cut side down. 5*

BB

You have two long rolls, then cut them in half. When do you slice them into rounds? Before or after baking?

Deborah

Tip: Trader Joe's carries all-butter puff pastry that is excellent - but only available during the winter holidays. Stock up your freezer while you can!

Laurie

Should the rolls be cut into bite size pieces before or after baking?

Hasan

In Step 3, if cutting into one-inch pieces, why cut the rolls in half first? Does that add something? Not sure what I'm missing here...

Sarah

It helps to put the rolls in the freezer for 30 min before cutting into 1" slices. Use a serrated knife. On a general note, though, for recipes like this with somewhat complicated construction, it would be super helpful to have a video. Also, some puff pastry packages are differently configured....My little puff pastry hors d'oeuvres are twice the size as the ones in the photo, despite careful measuring, rolling and placement, haha....again, please make a video....

Barbara Barran

Delicious, but a bit dry. I served them with Dijon honey mustard. I'm wondering if adding some fig jam to the dough before adding the filling would work.

Leslie

I also skipped the mustard.Right out of the oven they tasted just okay. I wasn’t overly impressed. However interestingly enough the next day when I pulled them out of the fridge they tasted better as a cold snack which raised my opinion of the recipe.

TRB

I couldn’t find any dried figs but used dates. Sweet and tasty.

Avy

After reading helpful hints, I decided to battle the concern about dryness by simmering half the figs and pulsing in food processor to mix with the chopped figs rather than fig jam which could add to the sweetness some people mentioned. I sprinkled 50 grams of blue cheese on top before folding. Topped with suggestion of parmesan, fennel seeds ground and black pepper, It was a hit at the party! Leftovers wrapped in tea towel the next morning were tasty and pastry still flakey.

Jennifer

I will add, they are like grown up fig newtons!

abpenn

Delicious! Mine took more than 10 minutes longer to bake than noted (I opted for the freezing method) - I went by eye on the pastry doneness. I also cut them into individual rolls after freezing rather than before. But the ratios and taste were great.

Jennifer

I just made this recipe using refrigerated crescent roll dough. The directions on cutting are wonky. Just add the filling to long strips, fold, pinch, cut to size and more pinching to contain the filling. I added honey goat cheese and this made them better. They are okay.

Luke S

Loved this recipe. Like some other commenters, I added goat cheese, and I thought it was a great addition. Next time, I’ll use slightly fewer figs and even more goat cheese.

Charlie

I agree with some of the comments that a fig jam or jelly would be preferable over figs alone. It needs a bit more sweetness along with the savory prosciutto.

Jessica

These are good! I used prosciutto and added fig jam per the comments - I definitely think it was the move. I saw a couple people used goat cheese as well and I think it would be a good way for the filling to meld together instead of being crumbly. Overall the flavor is good — i think the puff pastry I bought was a little sketchy but I’ll try one of the more mainstream ones next time.

September Forsyth

When you cut a roll in half, it’s easier to then cut the proper sized pieces. When you start at one end, there is more of a chance that you’ll have pieces that are more narrow or large than the others. Cut roll in half, and then cut the two rolls in half continue until you have the yield for that roll.…all of your pieces when you are finished cutting should be the same size. And, as I understand it, you do cut before baking. Hope this is helpful!

Angela Gyetvan

I feel like this was good, but needs a little something- something. I added a bit of fig jam based on the note that said the puffs were a little dry. And I think next time I’ll go with poppy seeds rather than fennel. I also feel a mustard/balsamic dipping sauce would be a good addition, rather than just straight mustard. Will try again at some point. Used Trader Joe’s puff pastry, BTW.

Fiona

I have frozen one of the “logs” and just used the other. These are a huge hit with everyone.

Barbara Barran

Delicious, but a bit dry. I served them with Dijon honey mustard. I'm wondering if adding some fig jam to the dough before adding the filling would work.

Mary

I just made them and am thinking the same about fig jam rather than the diced figs.

PABlues

Made today as written using sopresseta but felt like they still needed something. The commenter’s goat cheese schmear is a great idea for next time. I found the fennel/black pepper/ parmesan topper critical.

Sandy

I eagerly anticipated making these and was frustrated when I couldn’t find puff pastry in the stores. Finally got some, made them for New Years Eve as we were having friends over. And - blah. They were ok but not great, and not a “keeper” in the opinion of all of us.

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Figs and Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the original pigs in a blanket? ›

A pig in a blanket is a sausage (originally a pork sausage, hence the “pig”) wrapped in either a pancake, biscuit dough, or a crescent-style piece of pastry (you guessed it, that's the “blanket”).

Can pigs in a blanket be made ahead of time? ›

Instead of baking them right away, cover the cookie sheet tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. When you're ready to bake your crescent roll hot dogs, remove the plastic wrap and bake them as directed. Easy-peasy!

How do you level up pigs in a blanket? ›

15 Absolute Best Ways To Upgrade Pigs In A Blanket
  1. Brush them in garlic butter. ...
  2. Make breakfast pigs in a blanket with breakfast sausage. ...
  3. Use choux pastry instead of puff pastry. ...
  4. Skip the co*cktail wiener for a plant-based substitute. ...
  5. Swap out the mini weenies for chicken tenders. ...
  6. Stuff the weenies or hot dogs with cheese.
Feb 26, 2024

How do you keep pigs warm in a blanket? ›

How do you keep pigs in a blanket warm for a party? You can either keep them in a low-heat oven (around 225 F degrees), and just pull out one plate-full at a time, or you can keep them warm in a slow cooker. The slow cooker method may make them a bit soggy, but it's less hands-on than the oven method.

What do Jews call pigs in a blanket? ›

In Israel, pigs in a blanket morph into baby Moses in a basket, or in Hebrew, Moshe bateivah (Mo-SHEH ba-tei-VAH).

What do Texans call pigs in a blanket? ›

The Texanist: Why Do Texans Call a Pig in a Blanket a Kolache? – Texas Monthly.

Do you need to refrigerate pigs in a blanket after cooking? ›

Storage Tips: These are best served warm or at room temperature the day they are made, but leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Freezing Tips: Freeze unbaked pigs in a blanket by assembling and then freezing in a single layer on a baking sheet for about 2 hours.

How do you keep pigs in blankets from getting soggy? ›

It's possible to zap them briefly for about 30 seconds in a small brown paper bag, then flipping and repeating. This is to absorb any grease from the pastry without it becoming soggy. I've done this successfully with individual sausage rolls which are a bit more forgiving as long as they're not overheated.

What side dishes go with pigs in a blanket? ›

The best side dishes to serve with pigs in a blanket are mashed sweet potatoes, baked beans, mac and cheese, Toad in The Hole, green beans and potatoes, cheese dip, deviled eggs, muffin mix waffles, blooming onion, scrambled eggs, creamy coleslaw, garlic bread, potato salad, corn on the cob, and sweet potato fries.

Can I freeze homemade pigs in blankets? ›

Yes, you can prep them ahead by wrapping the sausages and placing on a baking tray, then cover and freeze. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator, then remove the cover and cook as per the recipe, straight from the fridge. If you want to cook them ahead, then cook, cool, cover and freeze the bacon-wrapped-sausages.

Can you eat cooked pigs in blankets cold? ›

One of my go-to recipes for birthday parties, school bakes, or even a game night at home, is a large batch of Pigs in Blankets. They are super easy to prepare, fun to eat, and irresistibly delicious! They also happen to be great served hot, warm or cold, making them ideal to serve as snacks or appetisers.

What temperature is too cold for pigs? ›

Freezing temperatures are too cold, and if waterers are freezing that is a problem. Fresh water is so very important for hogs. A 50-degree F day or night is as low as a hog needs to go before things can get tough. If a pig is shivering, coughing, snotty or has sunken eyes, it's time to warm them up fast.

How long can pigs in blanket sit out? ›

How long can cooked pigs in a blanket sit out? Cooked pigs in a blanket can sit out at room temperature for up to 2 hours. After that, they should be refrigerated and reheated before serving.

Are pigs in a blanket the same as kolaches? ›

“Most East Texas bakeries have mistakenly named their 'pig in a blanket' as a kolache,” she said. Although I am not of Czech heritage, I still cringe at the inaccuracy each and every time I see a sign proclaiming “Donuts and Kolaches” in front of a business, only to discover that there are no kolaches to be found.

Are pigs in blankets Scottish? ›

In the United Kingdom, “pigs in blankets” refers to small sausages (usually chipolatas) wrapped in bacon though in Scotland they are often called kilted soldiers. They are a traditional accompaniment to roast turkey in a Christmas dinner.

What is three pigs in a blanket? ›

3 sand dollar sized pancakes stuffed with sausage.

Where did stuffed cabbage originate? ›

The peasant classes of central and eastern European countries are considered the original inventors of the dish due to the widespread cabbage cultivation that historically took place in these regions.

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