Easy Mummy Hot Dogs

These absolutely adorable mummy pigs in a blanket transform ordinary hot dogs into the most charming Halloween treats that will bring smiles to faces of all ages. Using just three simple ingredients and taking less than 30 minutes from start to finish, these spooky little wrapped mummies are perfect for Halloween parties, themed dinners, or any time you want to add some festive fun to your meal.

I absolutely love this time of year when everything gets a little spooky and we can have so much fun with our food presentation. These mummy pigs in a blanket came about when I was trying to think of ways to make regular dinner more exciting for my kids during Halloween season. The first time I made them, my daughter squealed with delight and insisted on helping me add the candy eyes to each little mummy. Now they've become a Halloween tradition that my kids request every October, and they're always the hit of any party I bring them to.

Ingredients and Why They Matter

• Hot dogs or cocktail sausages: provide the perfect base that's kid-friendly and cooks quickly while being easy to wrap with dough
• Refrigerated crescent roll dough: creates those realistic mummy bandages when cut into strips and wraps beautifully around the hot dogs
• Candy eyes: bring these little mummies to life and add that essential cute factor that makes them so special and fun

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare your oven and workspace:

Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup much easier later.

Prepare the hot dogs:

Cut 8 hot dogs in half crosswise to create 16 smaller, snack-sized pieces. This size is perfect for little hands and creates more servings from the same amount of ingredients.

Prepare the crescent dough:

Remove the crescent roll dough from the package and unroll it onto a clean work surface. Press all the perforations together firmly to create one large, solid sheet of dough without any seams.

Cut the mummy strips:

Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut the pressed dough into long strips about 1/8 inch wide. You'll need multiple strips for each hot dog to create that authentic mummy-wrapped look.

Wrap the mummies carefully:

Take one halved hot dog and begin wrapping it with the dough strips, leaving small gaps between each wrap to mimic mummy bandages. Stretch the dough slightly as you wrap to ensure it stays put during baking. Leave a small area near one end unwrapped for the face where you'll add the eyes later.

Arrange on baking sheet:

Place each wrapped mummy on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart to allow for even cooking and slight expansion of the dough.

Bake to golden perfection:

Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crescent dough is golden brown and fully cooked. The hot dogs should be heated through and the dough should be crispy on the outside.

Add the spooky eyes:

Remove from the oven and let cool for just 2-3 minutes, then gently press candy eyes into the exposed area of each hot dog while the dough is still slightly warm. This helps the eyes stick better.

Serve while warm:

Arrange on a serving platter and serve immediately while they're still warm for the best taste and texture.

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I discovered through making these many times that the key to success lies in the wrapping technique. The first time I made them, I wrapped the dough strips too loosely and they just fell off during baking, leaving me with naked hot dogs instead of mummies. Now I always stretch the dough slightly as I wrap and make sure each strip overlaps the previous one just enough to stay secure while still looking like authentic mummy bandages.

Perfecting the Mummy Wrapping Technique

The art of creating realistic-looking mummy wraps takes just a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, the process becomes really fun and satisfying. Start wrapping from one end of the hot dog, leaving about half an inch unwrapped for the face area. Wind the dough strip around the hot dog in slightly irregular patterns - real mummy bandages wouldn't be perfectly uniform, so embrace the imperfections. The key is creating enough coverage to look like wrapped bandages while leaving small gaps that show the hot dog underneath. These gaps not only add to the authentic mummy appearance but also help prevent the dough from becoming too thick in any one area, which could result in uneven cooking. Each mummy should look slightly different, which adds to their charm and character.

Working with Crescent Dough Successfully

Crescent roll dough can be a bit tricky to work with if you don't know the techniques, but once you understand how to handle it properly, it becomes incredibly easy and forgiving. The most important step is pressing those perforations together firmly - use the heel of your hand to really seal them so they don't separate during cutting or baking. When cutting the strips, a pizza cutter works better than a knife because it rolls through the dough without pulling or stretching it out of shape. If your kitchen is warm, the dough might become soft and sticky - if this happens, pop it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up before continuing with the wrapping process.

Creative Variations and Customizations

While the basic mummy design is absolutely perfect, there are so many fun ways to customize these for different preferences or dietary needs. Turkey dogs or chicken sausages work just as well as traditional hot dogs and might be preferable for some families. You can also use cocktail sausages for even smaller, more bite-sized versions that are perfect for parties. For the wrapping, consider using different types of dough like puff pastry for a more elegant version, or even strips of bacon for a completely different flavor profile. Some families like to add a thin layer of mustard or cheese inside the wrapping for extra flavor. The candy eyes can be substituted with small dots of mustard or ketchup if you can't find the candy version.

Serving and Presentation Ideas

These mummy pigs in a blanket are incredibly versatile and work well for so many different occasions and meal types. For Halloween parties, arrange them on a dark platter with some plastic spiders or other spooky decorations around the edges. They look fantastic as part of a larger Halloween spread alongside other themed foods like pumpkin dip, orange and black fruit platters, or spooky cupcakes. For family dinners, they pair wonderfully with simple sides like sweet potato fries, roasted vegetables, or a simple salad. The fun presentation makes even the most ordinary meal feel special and festive. I love serving them with a variety of dipping sauces in small bowls - ketchup, mustard, honey mustard, and barbecue sauce all work beautifully and let everyone customize their experience.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

While these are definitely best served fresh and warm from the oven, you can do quite a bit of prep work ahead of time to make party day easier. The hot dogs can be cut and the dough can be prepared and cut into strips earlier in the day, then stored covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to wrap and bake them. If you need to make them completely ahead of time, you can wrap the mummies and store them on the baking sheet covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if they're going into the oven cold. Leftover baked mummies can be stored in the refrigerator and reheated in the oven or microwave, though they're definitely best when fresh.

These mummy pigs in a blanket have become one of my favorite ways to bring Halloween magic into our kitchen because they perfectly capture that spirit of playful spookiness that makes the season so special. Every time I make them, I'm reminded of how the simplest ideas often create the most joy, and watching kids' faces light up when they see these little mummies never gets old. They've taught me that sometimes the best recipes aren't about complex techniques or exotic ingredients - they're about creativity, fun, and bringing people together around food that makes everyone smile.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular hot dogs for this recipe?

Yes, any brand of hot dogs works great. You can cut them in half or leave them whole depending on your preference.

→ What if I don't have candy eyes?

No problem! You can use small dots of mustard or ketchup instead of candy eyes for the mummy faces.

→ How long do these stay fresh?

These are best eaten fresh and warm from the oven, but you can store leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days.

→ Can I make these in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Lightly grease your air fryer basket and cook for 7-10 minutes until the dough turns golden brown.

→ Why does my dough come unwrapped while baking?

Make sure to stretch the dough strips tightly when wrapping. Hot dogs shrink and dough expands during cooking, so snug wrapping helps.

→ How many people does this recipe serve?

This recipe makes 16 mummy hot dogs, perfect for parties or feeding a family of 4-6 people as an appetizer.