I miss pigs in a blanket and haven’t been able to make them since going gluten free. However, that all changed with the invention of gluten-free puff pastry… and now my gluten-free pigs in a blanket dreams are a reality. This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosures.
Anyone who has enjoyed a pig in a blanket knows that they’re basically hot dogs wrapped in puff pastry, which is a flaky and buttery dough.
Gluten-free puff pastry is hard to find in most grocery stores, but if you’re on the hunt for store-bought gluten-free puff pastry dough, read my article, Guide to Gluten-Free Puff Pastry, to find out what brands make gluten-free puff pastry and where you can find it.
In Denver, where I live, I cannot find gluten-free puff pastry to save my life. I once found Schar gluten-free puff pastry dough at my local Safeway, but it’s been years since Safeway has carried it, and I can’t find any gluten-free puff pastry sheets anywhere these days.
I soon realized that if I wanted to enjoy gluten-free pigs in a blanket, I’d have to learn how to make my own gluten-free puff pastry dough.
At first I was intimidated by the process of making my own puff pastry, but after making it a few times, and realizing it’s “not that bad,” I’m now a puff-pastry making machine.
You can get my gluten-free puff pastry recipe and see my techniques to getting that flakey and buttery gluten-free dough you crave. It’s actually easier than it looks – it just takes some practice.
Can You Buy Gluten-Free Pigs in a Blanket?
Before I show you how to make your own gluten-free pigs in a blanket, you might want to check if your local grocery store carries GeeFree foods pigs in a blanket. Check the GeeFree Foods store locator to see if they’re carried in a store near you.
Making Pigs In a Blanket
Now let’s get to the good part where I show you exactly how to make gluten-free pigs in a blanket in just a few simple steps and only two ingredients!
Step #1: Gather Your Ingredients
The first thing you want to do is get a hold of that gluten-free puff pastry. If you can find store-bought puff pastry, that is your easiest option.
I recommend Schar gluten-free puff pastry or GeeFree Foods puff pastry sheets. For my friends in the UK, please note Genius brand makes a gluten-free puff pastry. Check each company’s store locator to see if its puff pastry dough is available near you.
If you can’t find gluten-free puff pastry near you, you’ll have to make your own, and you can follow my step-by-step recipe and instructions in this article.
You’ll also want to get mini hot dogs (cocktail weiners), or simply cut up hot dogs into small, 2-3″ pieces. I use grassfed, all-beef cocktail hot dogs from Teton Waters Ranch, which I found at Natural Grocers. These hot dogs are juicy and delicious.
Step #2: Assemble the Pigs in a Blanket
Once you get your store-bought or homemade gluten-free puff pastry in order, it’s time to assemble and cook your gluten-free pigs in a blanket.
I was able to make 24 gluten-free pigs in a blanket using a single sheet of Schar gluten-free puff pastry. To maximize the dough, I rolled it out (just a tad), and then used my pizza slicer to cut small rectangles of dough.
I then wrapped each mini hot dog in the dough, pinched the dough together and placed each assembled pig in a blanket seam-side down on my baking sheet.
I then brushed the tops with egg wash for a more browned look. This is optional and please check the instructions on any store-bought brand to see if this step is recommended. It’s a recommended step when using my puff pastry recipe.
Step #3: Bake
Now you’re ready to bake the gluten-free pigs in the blanket in a 400º F preheated oven for about 12 minutes, keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn. The hot dogs will come out sizzling and the puff pastry will poof up like magic.
The Taste Test
I cannot tell you how excited I was to eat these gluten-free pigs in the blanket. It’s easily been seven or more years since I’ve had one.
The puff pastry was flaky and doughy, just as I remembered. The Teton hot dogs were juicy and tasty too. I dipped them in a little mustard for added flavor (although they certainly can be eaten as is).
Keep an eye out for gluten-free puff pastry at your local grocery store and ask the grocery store manager to stock it if your local grocery store doesn’t already. Alternatively, try your hand at making homemade gluten-free puff pastry at home. It’s easier than it looks … and I think the homemade version tastes best.
Other Recipes to Try
Gluten-Free Pigs in a Blanket
Ingredients
- 1 sheet gluten-free puff pastry see notes
- 24 mini hot dogs
- 4 tbsp mustard optional
Instructions
- Defrost gluten-free puff pastry dough as instructed on the package, or make your own gluten-free puff pastry dough from scratch. See notes.
- Preheat oven to 400º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out puff pastry dough to desired thickness (the thinner the better – about 1/2 – 3/4" thick).
- Use a butter knife or pizza cutter to cut 24 even rectangles in the dough.
- Wrap each mini hot dog with puff pastry rectangle. Pinch the dough together and place each hot dog seam side down on the baking sheet.
- Bake for about 12 minutes or until puff pastry expands and lightly browns. Watch the cook time carefully to ensure the puff pastry doesn't burn.
- Serve immediately with mustard (optional).
Found both at a Safeway in Colorado too. In Lowry. I have had zero luck with the puff pastry doing what I want. Both rolls were crumby and impossible to do anything with 🙁 I bought two boxes so I’ll be hopeful this was just a bad batch.