Crescent Rolls Archives - The Slow Roasted Italian

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (with Crescent Rolls)

Donna Elick — Sat, 22 Mar 2025 22:05:00 +0000

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket are simply hot dog sausages wrapped in strips of crescent dough. Make this simple pigs in a blanket air fryer recipe in under 15 minutes! Easy recipes like this are perfect for game day! Air fryer appetizers like this are the best!

Using the air fryer for this simple recipe is my favorite way to cook! A little bit of BBQ sauce to dip the easy air fryer pigs in a blanket in, and I’m in snacking heaven!

This tasty snack is great with cheese sauce as well – and that’s what makes it an easy appetizer or easy snack.

The first time that you make these little bites, you’ll be scoping out the next party that you can take this delicious appetizer, too!

Not only are these a great option for parties, but they’re really fun for a simple snack during Christmas dinner and a tasty treat for birthdays.

Just don’t forget to grab your favorite sauces to dip them in!

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

When weeknights are busy, you need something that is quick, easy, and doesn’t require a ton of ingredients.

Homemade pigs in a blanket are the perfect solution and something the whole family will enjoy.

Plus, you can air fry pigs in a blanket in minutes and keep your kitchen cool! Try these hot dogs in the air fryer for a quick and easy meal!

Want more simple meal solutions? Try baked potatoes with all the fixings or crispy chicken wings coated in your favorite flavors.

Tips to Air Fry Pigs in a Blanket

Avoid sausage explosions. Use the tip of a knife to make a shallow cut down the center of the hot dog. This prevents the casing from bursting and also helps prevent a cold center.
Make them cheesy. Cut in a little further when scoring the meat and add a few small pieces of your favorite cheese before wrapping.
Don’t forget to preheat! While not required, I find that waiting the extra minute or two ensures more even cooking when making pigs in a blanket in an air fryer.
Keep the dough chilled. Place half of the prepared dogs in the refrigerator while you cook the other half, otherwise the dough will become too soft.
Making a large batch? Line a baking sheet with some parchment and transfer the crescent dogs over when done.
Be sure to add them in a single layer in the air fryer basket so that the crescent roll dough cooks around the mini hotdog bites.

Keep the tray in a low temperature oven so all of your air fryer pigs in a blanket are warm when it’s time to serve.

What to Serve with Homemade Pigs in a Blanket

Pair these air fryer pigs in a blanket with one or more of your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, barbecue sauce, or honey musta rd.

Add some tater tots and sliced fruit for a kid-friendly plate, or a scoop of coleslaw for the adults.

Want something extra comforting? You can’t go wrong with any of my mac and cheese recipes!

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

I find that these are best when they are first made, but it’s safe to store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat, return pigs in a blanket to the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through. The hot air will make them good as new!

Pigs in Blanket Air Fryer FAQ

Can I make air fryer pigs in a blanket ahead of time?

You can prep crescent dogs up to 2 hours in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook.

Then, let them rest on the counter for a few minutes while you preheat the air fryer. Or, air fry pigs in a blanket for an extra minute or two if still cold.

Do I need to use an air fryer liner?

Nope, it’s not necessary for air fryer recipes with this. It’s a really easy recipe to make, and shouldn’t cause a mess in the air fryer when cooking. If it does, you can easily add an air liner during the cook time, but you don’t have to by any means.

A little cooking spray does the trick as well if you’re worried about them sticking.

How to make pigs in a blanket with lil smokies?

First, separate the crescent dough into triangles along the perforation. Slice each section into three even strips starting from the narrowest point, then wrap each mini sausage with one strip.

The cooking time for this pigs in blanket air fryer recipe will remain the same, but you may want to reduce the temperature to keep them from getting too dark or crispy. Try somewhere between 325° – 340°F.

What are the best dips for this pigs in blankets recipe?

The options are endless! You can dip these golden brown snacks in honey mustard, ketchup, cheese sauce, or nothing at all! The small hot dogs wrapped in crescent rolls make this pings in a blanket recipe versatile in flavor.

You can also skip the dips and top with everything bagel seasoning or even sesame seeds as well. (I’ve even topped with some crispy bacon crumbles before!)

If you’re serving this classic appetizer for football season or a party, offer dipping sauces so that each delicious bite can taste unique.

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Air Fryer Appetizer Recipes

Air Fryer Nachos

Air Fryer Fried Pickles

Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers

Air Fryer Zucchini Fries

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (with Crescent Rolls)

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket are simply hot dog sausages wrapped in strips of crescent dough. Make some for dinner in under 15 minutes!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Method Air Fryer

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 7

Total Time 12

Servings

Calories 250cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

8 hot dog sausage I used Ball Park Beef from Sam’s Club
8 ounce original crescent dough sheet
1 teaspoon sesame seeds optional
1 teaspoon poppy seeds optional

Instructions

Rinse the hot dog sausage and pat dry with a paper towel.
Score hot dog sausage in the middle to prevent the sausage to explode in the air fryer
Unwrapped the crescent dough and roll into a rectangle 10 inches x 16 inches
Cut your dough in half so you have 2 rectangles of 10 inches by 8 inches. Cut every half into 4 equal strips.
Roll 1 hot dog sausage per strip. If you want to add the sesame seeds and poppy seed sprinkle over each one. If not, put 4 pigs in a blanket in the basket
Cook at 370 degrees F for 3 minutes, turn them around and cook for another additional 3 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy!

Notes

You can use any sausage you want.

I use the crescent dough sheet because I am using full length sausage. However, you can use the crescent one as well. You may need to cut the sausage to fit the dough.

Nutrition

Originally published May 2021, updated and republished March 2025

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The post Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket Recipe (with Crescent Rolls) appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Easy Cruffins Recipe (Peppermint White Chocolate Cruffin)

Donna Elick — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 22:00:00 +0000

This Cruffin recipe is my go-to Christmas morning breakfast! Cruffins are quick and yummy — the perfect hand-held treats for spending time with loved ones! And I’ve created a white chocolate peppermint drizzle that cascades down these buttery muffins with just the right aroma to set the stage for the holidays.

Look at that golden brown goodness! I’ve made this easy cruffin recipe like a bazillion times – and dare I say that I’m starting to like them more than cinnamon rolls?

There’s just something about the crescent dough of this easy recipe that makes eating them a little different, in a good way.

The flaky layers of a warm cruffin go perfectly with a morning cup of coffee – or can easily be turned into a super sweet dessert that pairs with ice cream, frosting, and more.

Warm cruffins are great for a special occasion because that flaky pastry literally melts in your mouth!

Even though I’m not using homemade dough for my cruffin dough, you can absolutely make your own dough rather than by it at the grocery store!

The recipe card below gives you all the details on how to make these cozy cruffins. Get ready – you’re going to be hooked!

Cruffin

So what is a cruffin, anyway? I’m glad you asked!

It features that flakey, buttery exterior that makes croissants so delectable, all rolled up and baked into a soft, scrumptious muffin!

Think of the flavors you like the most in your muffins — banana and chocolate, apple and cinnamon — and try them out with this cruffins recipe!

What other fun treats can we make with crescent rolls?

Well, if you have any stocking stuffer candy or maybe even candy leftover from Halloween, use it to make Snickers stuffed crescent roll mummies!

Making a festive dessert spread? Make this Peppermint Bark Fudge to go with these cruffins, they’re perfectly giftable, too!

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Croissant Dough – Let’s make this super easy and use refrigerated croissant sheets! They’re inexpensive and keep in the fridge for ages.

Prefer homemade? Go for it! Whatever you need to do to make your own croissant dough recipe or buy it, just go for it!
Unsalted Butter – Please avoid salted butter — we don’t use any other salt at all in our easy cruffins recipe, so there’s no way to adjust for any additional salt.
White Chocolate – Chips, morsels, or wafers are best for smooth, easily measurable melting.

The white color is definitely best for presentation, but dark chocolate and peppermint are a real winning combination, too. Go with your preference or serve a combination of the two!
Peppermint Extract – Just a teaspoon is enough to flavor each bite with holiday cheer! Spearmint extract is a good substitute but it is a little bit sweeter.
Coconut Oil – There isn’t really a good alternative for smooth, sweet coconut oil. Check out the tips below to learn why!

Tips for Totally Delicious Cruffins

Make a silky smooth drizzle with the right ingredients.

Adding coconut oil to the peppermint chocolate drizzle will keep it from hardening, giving it a super silky texture that will easily coat each cruffin.

I also want to stress the importance of using chocolate that’s suitable for melting.

Not all are! High-quality chips are fine, and melting wafers are even better — they’re made for melting, after all!

Secure the dough for a seamless cruffin recipe.

When you first open the croissant tubes, unroll each sheet and lay them out on your workspace. Line them up and press the perforations together.

Doing this will eliminate any seams and will prevent the dough pieces from potentially separating when slicing, rolling, and baking! It’s a very important step.

Have fun with customizations!

The drizzle and sprinkles are the two easiest things to change and customize on a whim!

Just like how I’m using fun holiday sprinkles to make a Christmassy treat, you can use different toppings to create something totally unique.

I have some family members who love cream cheese icing, so for them, I’d make these with that creamy icing, a handful of blueberries, and bam!

A fruity, totally different dessert.

Red and white sprinkles for Valentine’s Day, green dye into the minty white chocolate for St. Patty’s Day… You get the picture! Be creative and spontaneous!

Storing and Serving

Any desserts made with croissant dough are best served immediately, right out of the oven and toasty warm!

But if you’re making these and storing them for later, hold off on the drizzle so that the crust doesn’t lose that crispness.

Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature — refrigerating will harden the topping!

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

Microwave-Safe Bowl – Anyone in the business of melting chocolates for sweets needs a handy microwave-safe bowl!
Pastry Wheel – This helps make clean, even strips of dough, but a Pizza Cutter or sharp knife will work in a pinch.
Muffin Pan – Silicone is a great non-stick option, but a standard metal pan helps muffins to brown evenly all the way around.

Cruffins Recipe FAQ

What is the difference between a cronut and a cruffin?

Both are desserts that use croissant dough to make something totally new! Can you guess the difference?

Cronuts are donuts made with croissants, and cruffins are muffins made with the same technique! The result? A crisper, flakier version of a traditional treat. And so easy to make at home!

Can you use puff pastry to make cruffins?

You can! However, I’d recommend melting and brushing some butter over it. It’s not as buttery and flakey as croissant dough, so that change will get you closer to the ideal texture.

Can cruffins be made ahead of time?

Sort of! They’re tastiest right out of the oven, but you can go ahead and prepare the dough a few days ahead of time and store it in the fridge.

Then all you have to do is pop them in the muffin pan and bake. You could even put them in the muffin tin, cover well with plastic wrap and foil, and really have them ready to go!

Enjoy!

With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Easy Breakfast Recipes

Baked French Toast Casserole

Sugar Cookie French Toast Casserole

Cranberry Apple Crockpot Oatmeal

Breakfast Sliders

Easy Cruffins Recipe (Peppermint White Chocolate Cruffin)

This Cruffin recipe takes just 30 minutes to make! Savor that crisp crust, soft and buttery center, and chocolatey peppermint flavors!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Method Oven

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 414cal

Author Donna Elick

Ingredients

16 ounces refrigerated croissant sheets 2 8 ounce tubes
4 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
1 cup white chocolate chips divided
1 teaspoon peppermint extract divided
2-3 tablespoons all-purpose flour for your work surface
1 teaspoon coconut oil
Holiday sprinkles

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the croissant dough: Open both cans of croissants and lay them out on a floured countertop or board. Press the edges of the perforations together to eliminate any visible seams.
Create the white chocolate layer: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt ½ cup of white chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract.
Assemble the layers: Spread the melted chocolate over one layer of croissant dough. Top with the second layer of croissant dough.
Slice and roll: Slice the dough into long strips, approximately 1 inch wide. You should be able to make about 8 rolls with this recipe. Roll each strip up, similar to a cinnamon roll.
Brush with butter: Brush the top of each roll with melted butter.
Arrange in muffin tin: Place each roll into a prepared muffin tin.
Bake until golden: Bake for about 20 minutes or until they turn a lovely golden brown.
Prepare the drizzle: While they are baking, melt the remaining ½ cup of white chocolate chips with ½ teaspoon peppermint extract and 1 teaspoon coconut oil. The coconut oil will make it smoother for drizzling.
Drizzle and decorate: Remove the cruffins from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle with the melted chocolate and top with holiday sprinkles.

Notes

– To avoid seams in the croissant dough, make sure to press the perforations together.

– Customize your cruffins by using different types of sprinkles and drizzles.

– Serve warm and enjoy a delightful treat!

Nutrition

Originally published December 2023, updated and republished December 2024

The post Easy Cruffins Recipe (Peppermint White Chocolate Cruffin) appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.

Snickers Stuffed Crescent Roll Mummies

Donna Elick — Sat, 24 Sep 2022 10:00:00 +0000

Stuffed Crescent Roll Mummies are spectacularly spooky sweet treats for Halloween, and you won’t believe how easy they are to make!! They’re flaky, warm crescent rolls with a Snickers candy bar stuffed inside. Perfectly ooey-gooey, and you can make a batch in only 20 minutes, using just 4 ingredients!

Baking a holiday treat doesn’t have to take loads of time or use special ingredients. And this Snickers dessert recipe is a fantastic example!

Stuffed Crescent Rolls

My Snickers dessert takes a classic candy and transforms it into a bread dessert that’s soft, satisfying, and easy to eat!

The chocolate melts into an ooey gooey mess, coating the crunchy peanuts and decadent caramel.

Finish them with a dusting of powdered sugar and candy eyes for decoration. SO good and so fun!!

With a bit of creativity, you can turn any recipe into a fun Halloween treat.

For example, make some pretzel dogs, then garnish them with ketchup and mustard eyes. You’ll have the same mummy effect as the Snickers stuffed crescent rolls!

For more spooky fun ideas, browse my Halloween party treats! My personal favorites are Meringue Ghosts, Creeper Pops, cake pops, and Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions

Snickers Bars – Fun sized, please!

Full sized candy bars will be much harder to wrap, first of all, but will also be way too messy and won’t hold up well after baking.

Of course, most fun sized candy bars will work! You’re limited only by your imagination and your grocery store’s candy aisle!
Crescent Rolls – Get the can with 8 individual rolls. Other canned or premade doughs, such as pizza dough, could be rolled out and cut to use as a substitute.

That’ll take some more work on your part, but will do the trick!
Candy Eyeballs – These are a staple for Halloween at our house. You can find them online (affiliate link), or at places like Michaels or Hobby Lobby..
Powdered Sugar – To add a nice sweetness that melts in with the buttery crescent roll pastry.

PRO TIP

Make your own powdered sugar by blending granulated sugar in a blender or food processor!

Stuffed Crescent Rolls Recipe Tips

Close any gaps. While you might be tempted to leave some gaps in the dough wrappings for that classic mummy look, that extra space will only lead to chocolate oozing out and making a real mess.
Chill the candy. For a cleaner, easier time assembling the stuffed crescent rolls, I recommend leaving the candy in the fridge until you’re ready to wrap them.
Use an Air Fryer instead of the oven! You can also bake crescent rolls in an air fryer! Fry them at 375°F for 5 minutes, or until browned.

Using this method, it’s crucial to make sure there are no gaps in the pastry on the bottoms or sides of the mummy!

Serving and Storing the Snickers Dessert

Plate these little guys right away, while they’re still melty and ooey-gooey! They’re still delicious at room temperature, too, but I think they’re best while fresh.

Stored in an airtight container, leftovers will keep for up to 4 days.

I don’t recommend prepping them ahead. The flavor is best when fresh, and they’re quick to make, so make them the day of your Halloween party.

Stuffed Crescent Rolls FAQ

Are Pillsbury crescent rolls the same as croissants?

Not quite! Croissants are made of a yeast laminated dough and have a flaky texture. Crescent rolls are a bit more doughy, tender, and chewy by comparison.

But both are buttery and delicious! I imagine a candy bar stuffed in a croissant would be delicious, too. So if that’s the dough you have, feel free to work with it!

How do you cut crescent rolls?

If you’re going with a substitute dough, you might struggle to get the same crescent shape. Let me help!

Roll the dough out into a circle – it may be easier to cut a circle out of a large piece and rework the cuttings into the dough. Cut the circle into 8 even pieces by cutting in half, then into quarters, and finally halving each of those slices.

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.

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Other Halloween Treats

Cheesecake Halloween Brownies

Candy Corn Rice Krispies Treats

Halloween Lush Dessert

Meringue Ghosts

Snickers Stuffed Crescent Roll Mummies

Stuffed Crescent Rolls can make an easy and fun Halloween dessert! This Snickers dessert recipe is for scrumptious Snicker stuffed mummies!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Method Oven

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 387cal

Author Donna Elick

Equipment

Ingredients

8 fun size Snickers bars unwrapped
8 ounces crescent rolls (can of 8)
16 candy eyeballs
2 tablespoons powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper; set aside.
Unroll the crescent roll dough and lay out the triangles of dough, gently stretching each one out in all directions.
Place a Snickers on each of the triangles of dough vertically, about an inch down from the short, flat side of the dough.
Cut the long pointy tips of the dough triangles off, about an inch below the bottom of the Snickers. Reserve those pieces of dough for later.
Cut horizontal strips in the dough along the left and right sides of the Snickers.
Fold the top piece of dough up and wrap the long strips around the outer edges of the candy bar, gently pressing to seal them closed. Do the same with the bottom piece of dough. Use the remaining strips to crisscross over the body of the Snickers mummy and tuck any excess dough under the mummies. Leave a small space open towards the top where you can place eyes after it bakes.
Using the reserved pointy pieces, cut them into thin strips. Use these strips to add more bandages to each mummy.
Place the stuffed crescent rolls about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top. Remove the pan from the oven and let the mummies cool on the pan for a couple minutes.
Sprinkle the tops with powdered sugar, and add two candy eyeballs to each stuffed mummy.
Best served warm, but also delicious at room temp.

Notes

The fewer gaps in the “bandages” the less seepage you will see. If you store the snickers in the fridge before making the mummies, this may also reduce any seepage. Baking them for 10 minutes at 400°F., I did not have any seepage. (I originally tested at 375 for 15 minutes and they did seep quite a bit, so keep your eye on them.)

You can also bake these in an air fryer, I recommend air frying at 375°F. for approx 5 minutes, or until golden brown. If you do this, be sure that there are no holes in the dough on the bottom or sides of the mummies.

Best served when ooey gooey, but they still taste delicious at room temp. Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Originally published September 2022

The post Snickers Stuffed Crescent Roll Mummies appeared first on The Slow Roasted Italian.