Experience tender beef sausages embraced by light, flaky pastry that bakes to a golden perfection. A simple egg wash lends a glossy finish, while optional poppy or sesame seeds add a delicate crunch. Perfect for game day or social gatherings, these handheld bites pair well with mustard, ketchup, or barbecue sauce. Easy to prepare with straightforward steps, they offer a satisfying blend of savory flavors and crisp texture that delights every palate.
My sister's Super Bowl parties taught me that fancy appetizers get ignored while humble platters vanish in minutes. One year I made elaborate bruschetta that sat untouched, while her cousin's pigs in a blanket disappeared before kickoff. Now I know better—sometimes the simplest comfort food creates the biggest moments.
Last February my kitchen became assembly central for the championship game. My roommate wandered in, drawn by the buttery smell of puff pastry, and we stood around the baking sheet picking at the fresh batch while pretending to taste for quality control. The platter never made it to the living room intact.
Ingredients
- Beef cocktail sausages: Pat them completely dry before wrapping or the pastry gets soggy where the meat meets dough
- Puff pastry: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results since room temperature dough gets sticky and hard to handle
- Egg wash: Whisk thoroughly until no streaks remain for that gorgeous golden brown finish
- Poppy seeds: Add a tiny crunch and make them look bakery worthy though sesame seeds work beautifully too
- Dipping sauces: Set out mustard ketchup and barbecue sauce because half the fun is the dipping
Instructions
- Get the oven ready:
- Preheat to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper because cleanup should be the easiest part
- Cut the dough:
- Unroll puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and slice into 24 strips about 1 by 3 inches each
- Prep the sausages:
- Pat each sausage completely dry with paper towels to ensure the pastry bakes up crisp and flaky
- Wrap them up:
- Roll each sausage in a dough strip overlapping slightly and pressing firmly to seal then place seam side down
- Add the shine:
- Whisk egg with water until smooth and brush over each wrapped sausage for that beautiful golden color
- Sprinkle and bake:
- Add seeds if you want then bake 18 to 20 minutes until puffed and deeply golden all over
- The hard part:
- Let them cool 5 minutes because burning your tongue on hot sausage is a rookie mistake
My nephew who turns his nose up at practically everything ate seven of these once while watching cartoons. His mom asked where they all went and he just shrugged with that innocent look kids perfect when caught red handed.
Making Ahead
You can assemble these hours before baking and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Brush with egg wash just before they go into the oven for the freshest results.
Getting Creative
Tuck a thin strip of cheddar inside before rolling for a cheesy surprise. A pinch of cayenne in the egg wash gives them a subtle kick that keeps guests reaching for more.
Serving Suggestions
Pile them on a wooden board and let people help themselves. The casual presentation makes them even more appealing.
- Set out small bowls of honey mustard or spicy mayo for variety
- Keep them warm in a 200°F oven if baking ahead
- Double the recipe because 24 pieces is never enough
Watch them disappear and accept that making extra next time is the only solution.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of sausage works best for this dish?
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Beef cocktail sausages are ideal as they are juicy and conveniently sized for wrapping.
- → Can I use crescent roll dough instead of puff pastry?
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Yes, crescent roll dough provides a softer texture and works well as an alternative to puff pastry.
- → How should I seal the pastry around the sausages?
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Overlap pastry edges slightly and press firmly to seal, placing seam-side down for baking.
- → Are there any suggested toppings before baking?
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Brushing with an egg wash ensures a golden finish; sprinkling poppy or sesame seeds adds extra flavor and texture.
- → What dipping sauces complement this dish best?
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Mustard, ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or spicy mayo enhance the savory flavors nicely.
- → Can I add cheese inside the wraps?
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Adding a slice of cheddar or Swiss cheese before wrapping creates a rich, cheesy variation.