Pigs in a blanket facts for kids

Pigs in a blanket is a fun name for different dishes made with sausage. These tasty treats are often served as small snacks called appetizers or hors d'oeuvres. You might dip them in mustard or a creamy sauce called aioli. Sometimes, they are even part of a bigger meal.

The name "pigs in a blanket" means different things depending on where you are. In the United Kingdom, it's usually a small sausage wrapped in bacon. But in the United States, it's often a hot dog wrapped in croissant pastry.

Pigs in the United Kingdom

British "pigs in blankets" before they are cooked.

In the United Kingdom, "pigs in blankets" are small sausages, often called chipolatas. These sausages are wrapped in crispy bacon. They are a very popular side dish, especially with roast turkey during a traditional Christmas dinner.

The name "pigs in blankets" has been used in the UK since 1957. People in different parts of the UK might call them other names, like "wrapped sausages" or "pigs in skins." In Scotland, they are sometimes called "kilted sausages" or "kilted soldiers."

Pigs in the United States

American-style pigs in a blanket, often made with hot dogs and pastry.

In the United States, "pigs in a blanket" usually means hot dogs baked inside croissant dough. Sometimes, people use other types of sausages, like Vienna sausages or breakfast sausages. The dough can be homemade, but many people use ready-made dough from a can.

Sometimes, pancake dough is used instead of pastry. This version is often served like a corn dog on a stick. Larger pigs in a blanket can be a quick and easy main meal, especially for kids. Smaller ones are perfect as appetizers.

In Texas, there's a similar dish called Klobasneks or Kolaches. These come from Czech immigrants. They are usually a sausage wrapped in a special dough called kolache dough, not croissant dough. People in Texas often just call them "Kolaches." However, traditional Czech kolaches are actually sweet pastries, not savory ones.

In the US, you might also see these called "franks in a blanket" or "franks in blanks."

Pigs Around the World

A sausage bun (cheung jai bau) from Hong Kong, a type of sausage in pastry.

Many countries have their own versions of sausages wrapped in something delicious!

Sausage in Pastry or Dough

• In Germany, they have Würstchen im Schlafrock, which means "sausage in a dressing gown." These sausages are wrapped in puff pastry or sometimes pancakes.
• In Russia, it's called Sosiska v teste, meaning "sausage in dough."
• In Israel, a children's dish called Moshe Ba'Teiva ("Moses in the basket") is a kosher hot dog rolled in puff pastry and baked.
• In Finland, they are known as nakkipiilo.
• In Mexico, a sausage is wrapped in a tortilla and deep-fried. It's called "salchitaco," combining "sausage" (salchicha) and "taco."
• In Argentina, sausages are topped with ketchup, wrapped in empanada dough, and baked.
• In China, a Chinese sausage wrapped in pastry is called "Lap Cheong Bao" and is steamed. In Hong Kong, a baked version is called cheung jai bau or "hot dog bun."
• In Serbia, a popular fast food is rol viršla, which means "hot dog roll."
• In the Netherlands, a "Worstenbroodje" is a sausage in bread dough, especially in North Brabant.
• In Brazil, Enroladinho de Salsicha means "Sausage Roll." It's a sausage wrapped in bread-like dough and baked.
• In Denmark, the American-style pigs in a blanket are called Pølsehorn, meaning "sausage horns."

Sausage in Bacon

• In Denmark, there's a dish similar to the British version called Pølse i svøb, meaning "sausage in blanket." You can often find these at hot dog stands.
• In Austria and Germany, a sausage filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon is called Berner Würstchen.

See also

In Spanish: Pigs in a blanket para niños