Quick Answer
There are a few good ways to keep pigs in a blanket warm when serving them at a party:
– Keep them in a chafing dish or slow cooker to keep them hot throughout the event. Use a sturdy metal chafing dish and keep the water bath or slow cooker on low-medium heat. Make sure to stir occasionally.
– Place them on a serving platter, then put the platter on a warming tray or electric hot plate to maintain heat. Keep the hot plate on low.
– Put them in the oven at the lowest temperature (around 170°F) after cooking to keep warm until ready to serve. Place a sheet pan in the oven, then put the cooked pigs in a blanket on the pan.
– Wrap cooked pigs in a blanket tightly in aluminum foil, then place them in an insulated casserole dish or Cambro container to retain heat.
– Serve them right away while still hot and encourage guests to eat quickly. Only cook what can be eaten in a short period of time.
Detailed Explanation
Pigs in a blanket are a tasty and fun party appetizer, but they can be tricky to keep warm and appetizing when made ahead of time for a large group. The key is finding ways to retain as much heat as possible and keep them at safe serving temperatures above 140°F.
Here are some tips for executing pigs in a blanket successfully for a party:
1. Cook them as close to serving time as possible
Ideally, you want to cook pigs in a blanket right before guests will be eating them. The hotter they are when they come out of the oven, the longer they will retain heat. Only make as many as you estimate will be eaten within the first 30 minutes to an hour of being served. You can always cook another batch if needed.
2. Use insulated serving dishes
Chafing dishes, slow cookers, warming trays, and insulated casserole dishes are all designed to retain heat. Place cooked pigs in a blanket in a pre-warmed chafing dish, slow cooker, or casserole dish to keep them cozy. Warming trays can be used to hold a platter of pigs in a blanket. Be sure to keep them on low or medium heat and stir gently every 20 minutes.
3. Wrap them up
For pigs in a blanket you won’t be serving immediately, wrap them up tightly in aluminum foil right after cooking. The foil will trap steam and keep them warm for 1-2 hours. Place the foil packets in an insulated container until ready to serve. Then open up the packets and transfer to a chafing dish or warming tray to reheat gently.
4. Keep them near other hot foods
If you’re serving other hot appetizers, casseroles, or dishes, arrange the pigs in a blanket platter near those to absorb some residual heat. Just be sure they aren’t right next to anything boiling hot.
5. Embrace lower oven heat
While you don’t want to actually cook pigs in a blanket at too low of a temperature, the oven can be used to keep them warm. Preheat your oven to around 170°F (the lowest setting). Place a sheet pan inside and arrange cooked pigs in a blanket on top. They can stay safely warm in the oven for 1-2 hours.
6. Provide plates and napkins so guests can hold heat
Encourage your guests to put pigs in a blanket on small plates when taking them from the serving area. The plates retain heat better than paper napkins. Provide napkins too so guests can hold the plates without burning their hands. The combo keeps them warmer longer.
7. Insert toothpicks for easy grabbing
Heat escapes every time pigs in a blanket are grabbed with fingers. Insert decorative toothpicks or small skewers before serving so guests can easily pick them up without squeezing.
8. Offer dipping sauces
Serving sauce or condiments like ketchup, mustard, or barbecue sauce alongside pigs in a blanket provides moisture and flavor as they cool down. They won’t seem as cold when paired with a warm dipping sauce.
9. Don’t let them sit too long
Pigs in a blanket are best enjoyed right away. After about 2 hours, they lose their appeal as the pastry dries out and the insides cool. Make it clear these are hot appetizers to enjoy immediately and provide other room temperature finger foods to snack on later.
Helpful Equipment for Keeping Pigs in a Blanket Warm
Having the right gear can make all the difference when preparing pigs in a blanket for a party. Here are some handy items to have:
| Item | Purpose |
| Chafing dish | Designed to keep food hot at the buffet with a gentle heat source under the water-filled pan. Sturdy metal construction. |
| Slow cooker | Cooks food slowly over many hours. Insert a metal pan and use on low setting to keep pigs in a blanket warm. |
| Warming tray | Heated trays with adjustable temperature controls, keeps food hot on the buffet line. |
| Electric hot plate | Compact heated plates that can be used like a burner surface to keep pans or plates of food warm. |
| Sheet pans | Metal baking sheets that retain heat well in the oven at low temps. |
| Insulated casserole carriers | Holds covered baking dishes, keeps food hot for transport to parties. |
| Heavy duty aluminum foil | Traps heat when wrapped tightly around foods. |
| Oven thermometer | Essential for checking that oven temp is accurate if using oven to keep food warm. |
| Decorative toothpicks | Help guests pick up pigs in a blanket without squeezing and losing heat. |
Investing in some commercial grade warming equipment can really take your party appetizers to the next level. But you can also improvise with household items like slow cookers, thermoses, and your oven. The key is maintaining consistent low heat around 140-160°F. Test temperatures with a food thermometer.
Serving Hot Pigs in a Blanket Successfully
Proper planning and preparation ensures pigs in a blanket will be a warm, tasty hit at your get together. Here are some serving tips:
– Let guests know they are fresh from the oven and encourage them to eat ASAP.
– Make announcements when a new hot batch arrives from the kitchen.
– Don’t overload the serving area. Only put out as many as will be eaten right away.
– Consider stationing someone near the appetizer who can monitor temperature and replenish with hot ones when needed.
– Stir gently every 20 minutes or so to evenly distribute heat in chafing dishes or slow cookers.
– Never mix fresh hot pigs in a blanket with ones that have been sitting out when refilling serving dishes.
– Display serving utensils prominently so people can easily grab them.
– If possible, supplement the pigs in a blanket with warm dipping sauces.
– Remind guests that paper plates retain heat better than napkins if they’ll be eating away from the kitchen.
– When in doubt, throw out. Don’t leave pigs in a blanket sitting for longer than 2 hours. Discard any that look dried out or feel cold.
With some strategic warming techniques and vigilant monitoring, you can keep your pigs in their blankets for at least an hour or two. The key is gentle, consistent heat. Serve them promptly, and your guests will devour these tasty bites!
Conclusion
Keeping pigs in a blanket appetizing and warm for a party takes a little planning, but is doable. Use insulated heated serving dishes, wrap in foil, keep near other hot foods, or embrace your oven’s lowest setting. Serve immediately and replenish often with fresh hot batches. With the right gear and some diligent monitoring, you can keep the heat on these cocktail hour favorites. The key is maintaining a constant warm temperature without overcooking the pastry or letting them sit until cold. Master these warming techniques, and your pigs will be cozy in their blankets all party long!