Mummy Dogs Recipe
If you’re looking for a fun, easy, and downright adorable snack that’s sure to be a hit at any gathering, you’re going to love this Mummy Dogs Recipe. I first made these for a Halloween party, and honestly, they’ve become a year-round favorite whenever I want something playful yet delicious. The perfect mix of gooey cheese, savory hot dogs, and flaky crescent dough wrapped up like little mummies—what’s not to love? Stick around because I’m about to walk you through everything you need to know to make these little guys a staple in your snack rotation.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simplicity Meets Fun: You only need a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, but the result looks impressively festive.
- Cheesy Goodness Inside: The cheese tucked into the hot dog pockets melts just right to keep every bite flavorful and moist.
- Flaky Golden Crust: The crescent roll dough bakes up light and flaky, wrapping everything perfectly to resemble mummies.
- Customizable & Kid-Friendly: You can easily swap cheeses or add your favorite toppings to make them your own.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Let’s talk ingredients. These are super straightforward but carefully chosen so you get that classic mummy dog texture and flavor. Each plays its part to make this recipe pop — especially when you’re aiming for the cutest, yummiest results.
- Hot Dogs: I prefer a good quality all-beef hot dog for rich flavor, but any type you like works! Just make sure they’re firm enough to hold their shape when cut.
- Crescent Roll Dough: This pre-made dough is key for the flaky crust; be sure to pinch the perforations so you get clean strips without tearing.
- American Cheese: I like this because it melts smoothly and has a nice mild flavor. You’ll want thin slices to create the perfect cheese strips for stuffing.
- Decorative Eyes (or white cheese and olives): For the most fun visual effect, pick up decorative edible eyes or DIY your own with white cheese and tiny olive pupils—both work like a charm.
Tweak to Your Taste
One of the things I love most about the Mummy Dogs Recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Whether you want to kick up the spice, go vegetarian, or get creative with the cheese, you’ve got lots of room to play.
- Spicy Twist: I once added a few dashes of smoked paprika or a dab of spicy mustard inside the cheese pocket for a smoky heat that totally transforms the flavor. It’s a winner if you like a little kick!
- Cheese Variations: Substitute mozzarella for a stringier melt or pepper jack if you want some zest. Sometimes I use shredded cheese instead of slices just for a different texture.
- Vegetarian Option: Swap hot dogs for vegetarian sausages and it’s just as satisfying. I’ve done this for my veggie-loving friends and everyone was impressed.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mummy Dogs Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
First things first: preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, pull out your crescent roll dough and pinch all the perforations together — this little trick keeps the dough from falling apart when you slice it into strips. Then carefully cut the dough into thin strips, about ½ inch wide. Trust me, making your strips uniform helps them wrap neatly around the hot dogs.
Step 2: Cheese & Hot Dog Magic
Grab your American cheese and cut it into about 16 long, thin strips—these will fit perfectly inside each hot dog. Pat your hot dogs dry with paper towels (moisture = soggy dough, and no one wants that), then slice a slit lengthwise to create a pocket. Stuff a cheese strip inside that pocket. This step is what makes the melty cheese surprise when you bite in!
Step 3: Wrap ‘Em Up
Now, wrap your dough strips around each stuffed hot dog to make them look like little mummies. Don’t worry about being perfect—some uneven wrappings just add to their charm. Place the wrapped mummies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 4: Bake to Flaky Perfection
Pop the tray into your oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the dough is nice and golden brown and the hot dogs are heated through. The smell at this point is honestly irresistible.
Step 5: Add the Eyes
While the mummies are still warm, it’s time to give them eyes. Use a straw to punch out small circles from a slice of white cheese for the whites of the eyes. I blow gently into the straw to pop each little circle out—kind of fun for a quick kitchen trick! Then, add a tiny slice of olive as the pupil. You can use edible eyes from the store, but I love this DIY touch because it’s just as cute and flavor-packed.
Pro Tips for Making Mummy Dogs Recipe
- Prevent Dough Tears: Always pinch the crescent dough perforations firmly to avoid tearing when cutting strips.
- Dry Your Hot Dogs: Patting hot dogs dry before wrapping keeps the dough from getting soggy and ensures a crisp texture.
- Use a Straw for Perfect Eyes: Blowing out white cheese circles with a straw is an easy and fun trick to create uniform, cute eyes.
- Wrap Loosely: Don’t wrap the dough too tightly—some gaps and overlaps make your mummy dogs look delightfully authentic.
How to Serve Mummy Dogs Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with the eyes since they steal the show, but if I want to jazz things up, a tiny drizzle of ketchup or mustard works well for ‘bloody’ or ‘classic’ vibes. A sprinkle of finely chopped chives or green onions around the plate adds a little fresh pop of color that contrasts nicely with the golden dough.
Side Dishes
For sides, I like pairing mummy dogs with some crunchy veggie sticks or a fresh garden salad to balance the richness. Potato wedges or sweet potato fries are also a natural match—especially when you want to make this a filling meal. I’ve even served them alongside baked beans for a bit of a BBQ feel.
Creative Ways to Present
Once, I arranged these on a platter lined with shredded lettuce to resemble a spooky graveyard scene—felt festive and packed a punch at a Halloween party. You could serve them standing upright in a mug or jar filled with chips for a quirky, grab-and-go vibe at family get-togethers. Kids love helping place the eyes, so this can be a fun activity too!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
When I have leftovers (and sometimes I do), I wrap each mummy dog tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container in the fridge. They stay good for about 2-3 days, which gives me enough time for quick snacks or an easy lunch.
Freezing
Freezing these works pretty well too! I wrap them individually in foil after baking, then seal them in a freezer bag. When I want one, I pop it into the oven directly from the freezer at 350°F until heated through and crisp again—usually about 15-20 minutes.
Reheating
My favorite reheating method is to use the oven or a toaster oven to keep the crust flaky—microwaving can make the dough soggy, and no one wants that! Just 10 minutes at 350°F and they come out warm, melty, and tasty like fresh-made.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of cheese for the Mummy Dogs Recipe?
Absolutely! While American cheese melts perfectly and has a mild flavor, you can substitute with mozzarella, cheddar, pepper jack, or any cheese that melts nicely. Just make sure to slice it thin enough to fit inside the hot dogs without overpowering the dough wrapping.
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What if I don’t have crescent roll dough?
If crescent roll dough isn’t available, puff pastry is a great alternative that also bakes up flaky and golden. Just thaw it properly and cut it into thin strips to wrap around the hot dogs.
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How can I make this recipe vegetarian or vegan?
Swap the hot dogs for your favorite vegetarian or vegan sausages. For vegan cheese, there are several meltable options available now that work well, but be sure to check the dough ingredient list if you’re aiming for vegan as crescent dough often contains butter.
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Can I prepare Mummy Dogs Recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the mummies and keep them wrapped and refrigerated for a few hours before baking. Just bake fresh when ready to serve for the crispiest results.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, making this Mummy Dogs Recipe brings a smile to my face every time. It’s such an easy dish that looks impressive and tastes even better. Whether you’re entertaining kids, hosting a casual get-together, or just craving a fun snack to nibble while binging your favorite show, these little mummies deliver on flavor and charm. I’m excited for you to try them and maybe even put your own twist on this playful classic.
Print
Mummy Dogs Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Mummy Dogs are a fun and spooky Halloween snack featuring hot dogs wrapped in crescent roll dough with gooey cheese inside, baked until golden and topped with decorative eyes for a creepy-cute effect perfect for kids and parties.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 hot dogs
- 1 can crescent roll dough
- 4 slices American cheese
- 16 decorative eyes, or white cheese and olives for homemade eyes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the mummy dogs.
- Prepare Cheese Strips: Cut the American cheese into about 16 long strips and set them aside for stuffing.
- Prepare Dough Strips: Pinch the perforations in the crescent roll dough to seal, then cut the dough into thin strips suitable for wrapping.
- Dry Hot Dogs: Use paper towels to dry off the hot dogs to help the dough stick better.
- Create Cheese Pockets: Cut a slit in each hot dog to create a pocket and insert a strip of cheese inside.
- Wrap Hot Dogs: Wrap each cheese-stuffed hot dog with the crescent dough strips so they look like mummies.
- Arrange on Sheet: Place the wrapped hot dogs on a baking sheet, spacing them apart for even cooking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated 375-degree oven for about 15 minutes, or until the hot dogs are heated through and the dough is golden brown.
- Make Eyes: Use a straw to punch out small circles from a slice of white cheese, then slice olives to create pupils.
- Add Eyes: While the mummy dogs are still warm, place the cheese circles and olive pupils onto each to create spooky eyes.
Notes
- To prevent the dough from puffing too much, pinch perforations before cutting strips.
- If you don’t have decorative eyes, use white cheese circles and olive slices for a homemade version.
- Drying the hot dogs helps the dough stick better and prevents sogginess.
- For extra flavor, you can brush the dough strips lightly with melted butter before baking.
- Serve warm for the best cheesy gooey experience.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mummy dog
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
