The Meat Replacement For Briny Pigs In A Blanket

There are not many appetizers that can beat pigs in a blanket. It's without doubt a party favorite: tiny smoked sausages are wrapped in buttery crescent rolls, perhaps with ketchup and mustard dipping sauces to accompany each bite. What could be more perfect? But with more and more people opting for meat-free snacks and meals, there might be a new crowd-pleasing appetizer headed to A-list preferred status. Enter: pickles in a blanket. This twist on an iconic hors d'oeuvres gets a salty, briny, and crunchy change up by using mini pickles instead of mini wieners.

Beyond the plant-based meat alternatives that are making this appetizer happen, there's also a pickle phenomenon in play. More and more consumers are seemingly looking to get their pickle fix, whether it's in their drinks or their snacks. Of this makes the pickle in a blanket concept an easy way to jump on the bandwagon. And for those of you who want to get their pickle and hot dog fix, look no further than Chicago-Style pigs in a blanket. That's essentially pigs in blanket but with a tangy pickle nestled within the crescent roll.

If you're ready to try this tasty snack out, you're probably wondering if your relatively long-lasting jar of already-opened pickles is still good to eat. While it's dependent on the brand of pickles, many shelf-stable jarred pickles contain preservatives that extend their freshness. So definitely double check before grabbing a jar in the back of your fridge to make pickles in a blanket. And if you don't have a jar of tiny pickles on hand already, consider grabbing some cornichons or gherkins instead.

Once you've selected your tiny pickle variety, you'll need to get your hands on either homemade or canned biscuits or crescent rolls (you know the ones). Roll each pickle in a square or triangle of dough just like you would with pigs in a blanket. Some recipes even have you layer a mixture of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and bacon for additional flavor and texture, is similar to the classic Midwestern snack known as pickle roll ups. Whether you're making pigs in a blanket or taking on a meat-free version and using pickles, this easy appetizer is sure to be a crowd pleaser at your next happy hour.