Crescent dogs are a dinner version of pigs in a blanket that the entire family will love. Hot dogs and melty cheese wrapped inside flaky crescent rolls are simple to make and irresistible.
This recipe first appeared in a Pillsbury™ cookbook over 20 years ago. Our fans are crazy for crescents dogs! Since then, we’ve created dozens of additional crescent dog recipes, including mini and breakfast versions, as well as different cooking methods—from air fryers to campfires. It’s been perfected over the years with dozens of tests in our test kitchens to land on the perfect melty cheese to use and the best method to keep it tucked inside the crescent dogs. The delicious results speak for themselves with over 700 5-star ratings.
How to Make Crescent Dogs
Making crescent dogs is very easy especially when using our best tips for success. Refer to the recipe for all the specifics.
1. Stuff the Hot Dogs
We’ve rolled up our sleeves, getting into the kitchens for dozens of tests to determine maximum amount of cheese you can stuff in the crescent dogs. We found stuffing the cheese inside the hot dogs helps prevent it from oozing out of the crescents while baking.
2. Wrap the Hot Dogs
Place stuffed hot dog on wide end of triangle and roll up to the point. Then place on the cookie sheet with the side with the most crescent dough underneath.
3. Bake and Enjoy
Start baking the crescents the minimum time and add a minute or two as needed until they are golden brown. With a rich golden color, you can be sure the crescent dough is no longer doughy inside, while the hot dogs are hot and cheese is melty.
Crescent Dog Variations
This versatile recipe has been extensively tested in our kitchens and modified for many different occasions.
Crescent Mummy Dogs: A spook-tacular way to enjoy crescent dogs at Halloween. They’re so cute and just as delicious as the original recipe; you’ll get requests to serve them every year.
Crescent Corn Dogs: A hand-held, state fair favorite with a little cornmeal crunch.
Pigs In A Blanket: The one that started the crescent dog craze! Crescent roll dough is cut into smaller triangles to wrap around cocktail-size sausages for one- or two-bite crescent dogs the crowd will devour. Perfect for an appetizer at your next party.
Grilled Crescent Dogs: Bring your crescent dogs outside with this easy-to-make version cooked on the grill.
How to Store and Reheat Crescent Dogs
For the cheesiest taste and tender, flaky crescents, it’s best to make this recipe right before you plan to enjoy them. With storage, the cheese loses its moistness, and the crescents pick up moisture from the hot dogs and cheese making them tougher.
Refrigerator Storage
Wrap cooled leftover crescent dogs tightly on a plate, in an airtight storage container, or in a resealable food storage bag, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
Place a crescent dog on a microwavable plate and cover loosely. Microwave on medium (50%) 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, or just until heated through. Serve with your favorite condiments.
We do not recommend freezing crescent dogs (baked or unbaked) because the crescent dough does not stand up well to freezing and texture will be compromised.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not need to cook the hot dogs first. The beauty of this simple recipe is that the hot dogs are fully cooked when purchased and will heat through while the crescents bake, making it a snap to get them in the oven. Also, it’s a lot easier to wrap the crescent dough around cold hot dogs than it would be to wrap it around warm ones. Warm dogs will soften the dough, making it sticky, stretchy, and hard to work with.
Air fryers vary greatly, so read the instructions for your appliance. Here’s some general guidance: Line the bottom of the air fryer basket. Set air fryer to 325°F; cook the crescent dogs, cheese-side up, 3 to 4 minutes or until the crescents are light golden brown. With tongs, turn the crescent dogs over; cook 3 to 4 minutes longer or until golden brown.
Our smaller, appetizer-size air fryer mini crescent dogs work really well in the air fryer. Give them a try!
Here are our best make-ahead tips.
Making Crescent Dogs in Advance: Get a jump on the preparation by filling the hot dogs with cheese, as directed in step 1. Cover and refrigerate the filled hot dogs up to 3 days. When you are ready to bake the crescent dogs, unwrap and continue with step 2 of the recipe.
Bringing Crescent Dogs to a Party: Ask the host if their oven will be free when you arrive. Prep the recipe through step 2. Cover, keep cold, and bring to the party unbaked. When you arrive, unwrap, and bake as directed in step 3.
Crescent dogs are a terrific snack or part of a quick and comforting dinner any night of the week. Try them with Air Fryer French Fries and a Caesar salad kit. Or serve them with a side of Taco Smashed Potatoes and steamed broccoli—yum!
Also, enjoy with a steaming bowl of soup or chili. Try our make-ahead Slow-Cooker Bacon Corn Chowder for a hearty and cozy dinner on a chilly evening.
Crescent Dogs
- Prep Time 10 min
- Total 25 min
- Ingredients 3
- Servings 8
Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 4 slices (3/4 oz each) American cheese, each cut into 6 strips
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count)
Instructions
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Step1
Heat oven to 375°F.
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Step2
Using a sharp paring knife, cut a slit in hot dogs to within 1/2 inch of ends.
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Step3
For each hot dog, insert 3 strips of cheese into the slit.
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Step4
Unroll dough, and separate into 8 triangles. Wrap dough triangle around each hot dog. Place on ungreased cookie sheet, cheese side up.
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Step5
Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories
- 290
- Calories from Fat
- 200
- Total Fat
- 23g
- 35%
- Saturated Fat
- 9g
- 45%
- Trans Fat
- 2g
- Cholesterol
- 35mg
- 12%
- Sodium
- 810mg
- 34%
- Potassium
- 60mg
- 2%
- Total Carbohydrate
- 13g
- 4%
- Dietary Fiber
- 0g
- 0%
- Sugars
- 4g
- Protein
- 9g
% Daily Value*:
- Vitamin A
- 2%
- 2%
- Vitamin C
- 0%
- 0%
- Calcium
- 6%
- 6%
- Iron
- 6%
- 6%
Exchanges:
1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;Carbohydrate Choice
1Recipe Tips
