What are pigs in blankets?
Succulent sausages wrapped in rashers of crisp bacon, pigs in blankets are an essential seasonal staple at the Christmas dinner table. A delight for carnivores up and down the country, this moreish combination can also be experienced all year round.
Pair with a free-range cockerel roasted until crisp and tinged gold, bread sauce, redcurrant jelly, and proper gravy for a delight during and beyond the festive period.
Pigs in blankets cooking time
Cooking times will vary depending on how crisp you like your bacon. Ideally, the bacon should have a satisfying crunch and a gnarly golden-brown colour at the edges, and this will take around 20-25 minutes in a preheated oven.
If you are limited on oven space (as is often the case at Christmas), you can pan-fry your pigs in blankets on a medium heat for 10-15 minutes. This is our preferred method, not just from a convenience perspective, but because the resulting sausage retains more moisture while the bacon achieves a similarly crisp result.
Best way to cook pigs in blankets
- Remove your pigs in blankets from the packaging, and pat dry any moisture.
- Preheat oven to 200ºC/Fan 180ºC/Gas 6.
- Place on a non-stick baking tray.
- Put them on the top shelf of your oven for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
- Don’t be shy of leaving them a little longer in the oven if necessary — crispier bacon works much better with the sausage meat.
Top tips
- Try a last-minute splash of maple syrup to glaze.
Recipe for pigs in blankets
This heart-warming pigs in blankets casserole is comfort food at its finest and a fantastic way to use up leftover vegetables.
