Reindeer Pigs in a Blanket – Fun Appetizer Idea for Holiday Parties

The first time I made these reindeer pigs in a blanket, the kids couldn’t stop laughing at their little pretzel antlers and candy eyes. What started as a last-minute idea turned into one of our favorite Christmas snacks.

These baked pigs in a blanket are simple to throw together with crescent rolls and little smokies. They’re perfect for Christmas gatherings, school parties, or cozy family, and kids will love helping assemble them.

Put a festive twist on a classic favorite with these adorable reindeer pigs in a blanket.

Reindeer Pigs in A Blanket

Here are the ingredients you need to make these Reindeer pigs in a blanket, plus step by step instructions for how to make them.

Ingredients

• 1 can of crescent roll dough
• 1 pack (14oz) Lil Smokies or cocktail wieners
• 1-2 cups pretzels
• ½ cup ketchup
• 48 candy eyes
• Melted butter (optional, for brushing the tops before baking)

Step by Step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

2. Break the pretzels in half to make antlers (two halves for each reindeer), and set them aside.

3. Drain the Lil Smokies and pat them dry with paper towel so the dough sticks better.

4. Unroll the crescent dough onto a cutting board. Keep it in one large rectangle and pinch together any perforated lines so it forms a solid sheet.

5. With a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough in half to create two large squares, then slice each square into 12 long strips, giving you 24 total.

6. Wrap each Lil Smokie with one dough strip, starting at one end and winding to the other. Set them on the prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart.

7. Gently insert two pretzel “antlers” into the top of each wrapped Smokie. Push them far enough into the dough and sausage so they stay secure during baking.

8. Optional: Brush the tops with a bit of melted butter for a golden finish.

9. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent dough is puffed and golden brown.

10. Remove from the oven and let the pan rest on a cooling rack.

11. Cool for about 20 minutes before decorating, the candy eyes and ketchup “noses” will slide off if they’re too warm.

12. To decorate, place a small dab of ketchup just under the antlers and press two candy eyes on top.

13. Add a small dollop of ketchup toward the bottom for the nose.

14. Serve warm with extra ketchup or mustard on the side and enjoy!

Notes:

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Remove the candy eyes and ketchup before storing and reapply after reheating.
• Freezing: Not recommended because of the decorations. If needed, remove eyes and ketchup, freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, and re-add decorations after reheating.
• Reheating:
  • From fridge: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5–10 minutes or air fryer for 5 minutes.
  • From frozen: Heat in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes or air fryer for 10 minutes.
• Make Ahead: Wrap the Lil Smokies and add pretzel antlers up to 3 days ahead; store covered in the fridge. You can also bake them ahead but wait to add eyes and ketchup until after reheating.
• Variations:
  • Use cut-up hot dogs instead of Lil Smokies.
  • Swap crescent dough for puff pastry.

If you’re looking for something easy and cute to bring to a Christmas get-together, these reindeer pigs in a blanket are it. They come together quickly, taste great, and always make people smile. I like to make extra because somehow, they’re gone before I even set out the rest of the food.

More Christmas Appetizer Bites

• Christmas Cheese Trees
• Christmas Wreath Charcuterie Board
• Christmas Tree Veggie Pizza Bites
• Snowman Veggie Platter
• Snowman Cheeseball
• Christmas Tree Fruit Platter

Print Recipe

Reindeer Pigs in a Blanket

Make your holiday table extra fun with these reindeer pigs in a blanket for a cute and tasty Christmas appetizer perfect for parties, kids, and family gatherings.

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Cool Time20 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Servings: 24 pieces

Author: Carol

Ingredients

• 1 can of crescent roll dough
• 1 14oz pack Lil Smokies or cocktail wieners
• 1-2 cups pretzels
• ½ cup ketchup
• 48 candy eyes
• Melted butter (optional, for brushing the tops before baking)

Instructions

• Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Break the pretzels in half to make antlers (two halves for each reindeer), and set them aside.
• Drain the Lil Smokies and pat them dry with paper towel so the dough sticks better.
• Unroll the crescent dough onto a cutting board. Keep it in one large rectangle and pinch together any perforated lines so it forms a solid sheet.
• With a knife or pizza cutter, cut the dough in half to create two large squares, then slice each square into 12 long strips, giving you 24 total.
• Wrap each Lil Smokie with one dough strip, starting at one end and winding to the other. Set them on the prepared baking sheet about 3 inches apart.
• Gently insert two pretzel “antlers” into the top of each wrapped Smokie. Push them far enough into the dough and sausage so they stay secure during baking.
• Optional: Brush the tops with a bit of melted butter for a golden finish.
• Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crescent dough is puffed and golden brown.
• Remove from the oven and let the pan rest on a cooling rack.
• Cool for about 20 minutes before decorating, the candy eyes and ketchup “noses” will slide off if they’re too warm.
• To decorate, place a small dab of ketchup just under the antlers and press two candy eyes on top.
• Add a small dollop of ketchup toward the bottom for the nose.
• Serve warm with extra ketchup or mustard on the side and enjoy!

Notes

• Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Remove the candy eyes and ketchup before storing and reapply after reheating.
• Freezing: Not recommended because of the decorations. If needed, remove eyes and ketchup, freeze in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months, and re-add decorations after reheating.
• Reheating:
  • From fridge: Warm in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes or air fryer for 5 minutes.
  • From frozen: Heat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes or air fryer for 10 minutes.
• Make Ahead: Wrap the Lil Smokies and add pretzel antlers up to 3 days ahead; store covered in the fridge. You can also bake them ahead but wait to add eyes and ketchup until after reheating.
• Variations:
  • Use cut-up hot dogs instead of Lil Smokies.
  • Swap crescent dough for puff pastry.
  • Make edible eyes with small cheese rounds and black olive pieces instead of candy eyes.