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Easy Sausage Swirls

These 3-ingredient Easy Sausage Swirls are made by spreading your favorite spicy mustard and bulk pork sausage over purchased crescent roll dough to make a fantastic appetizer! Or serve with scrambled eggs and fruit for a delicious breakfast treat.

These Easy Sausage Swirls are one of those recipes you need in your back pocket to pull out when an occasion calls for something quick and impressive. If you can pop open a can of crescent roll dough, you can whip up these swirly rounds of flaky dough filled with sausage and mustard in just over 30 minutes.

Finished sausage swirls on a board with dipping sauce.

Just imagine there’s a big football party in the neighborhood, and you’re supposed to bring a dish, but you didn’t plan ahead. You know, not all of us plan weeks in advance. I’m just sayin’.

If you’re down to the last minute and need a little something-something, this is a great idea. It’s simple. Guys, girls, and kids all love it, and you just may have everything you need to make it in your fridge right now.

Besides being the perfect party food, these yummy bites also work well on a brunch buffet or as an appetizer with drinks. 

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe


  • Three ingredients! That’s it!
  • Versatile – use one of the suggested variations to make it your own.
  • Can be used as an appetizer, a breakfast dish, or party food.

🛒 Ingredient Notes


These little Sausage Swirls use three simple ingredients. Crescent rolls, mustard, and bulk pork sausage. That’s it!

Ingredients required for the recipe.

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  • Crescent Rolls – Any brand you like is fine, and you can easily substitute with the reduced-fat rolls.
  • Mustard – I’ve made these with both spicy brown mustard and a very grainy mustard. I prefer the grainy type, but they’re equally delicious with either.
  • Sausage – You’ll want bulk sausage and can use your favorite brand – I recommend Jimmy Dean – and your desired heat level. If you’re serving children, I’d stick with a mild or sage flavored sausage. If serving adults who appreciate a little spiciness, go for it!

You’ll find detailed measurements for all ingredients in the printable version of the recipe at the bottom of this post.

🔪 How to Make Sausage Swirls


  1. Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees.
  1. Separate the crescent dough into four long rectangles. (I was working with just two at a time in the photos.) Pinch the seams of the dough together so that they’re sealed.
  2. Spread each of the rectangles with your choice of mustard.
  3. Gently spread the sausage on top of the mustard.
  4. Now, roll each of the rectangles up lengthwise into a long cylinder.
  5. At this point, you can cover and chill them until you’re ready to bake.

👉 PRO TIP: The sausage is much easier to spread if you let it sit out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes beforehand. If you’re using a sausage that you haven’t tasted before, be sure to cook up a little quarter-sized piece in a skillet and taste it before using it in the recipe so you’ll be aware of how spicy it is. 

  1. Cut each cylinder into about 1 to 1 1/2″ pieces.
  2. Place each piece on its end on a parchment-lined baking sheet and flatten it gently into a small disk.
  3. Cook for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
Finished sausage swirls on a board with dipping sauce.

🔀 Variations


There are so many ways to vary this recipe and make it into your own creation! Try one of more of these:

  • Before rolling, add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly sprinkled over the sausage layer.
  • Add a layer of 1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese.
  • Use puff pastry instead of crescent rolls.
  • Substitute turkey sausage for a lower fat option.
  • Use bulk Italian sausage with a layer of cream cheese.

🍽️ Serving Suggestion


Serve with additional mustard to spread on each swirl. I sometimes make a dipping sauce with 4 parts mayonnaise, 1 part grainy or spicy brown mustard, and a squirt of lemon juice.

Don’t forget that these sausage swirls are more than just an appetizer! They’re also perfect for breakfast. Serve with your favorite style of eggs and some cheese grits or fresh fruit.

Sausage swirl on a serving plate with dipping sauce.

❓ Questions About Sausage Swirls


Can sausage swirls be made in advance?

Yes, you can make these ahead of time, which is especially convenient if you’re cooking for a party. Prep up to baking, cover well, and keep them in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow the prepared swirls to come to room temperature, and then bake according to the recipe.

How do I store leftover sausage swirls?

Any leftovers will keep well covered in the refrigerator for about three days. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

Lana Stuart.

Questions? I’m happy to help!

If you have more questions about the recipe, or if you’ve made it and would like to leave a comment, scroll down to leave your thoughts, questions, and/or rating!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Finished sausage swirls on a board with dipping sauce.

Easy Sausage Swirls

These 3-ingredient Easy Sausage Swirls are made with spicy mustard and sausage rolled up into crescent roll dough for a fantastic appetizer!
5 from 3 votes
Print It Rate It
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 150kcal
Author: Lana Stuart

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces refrigerated crescent rolls (2 cans)
  • ¼ cup grainy or brown spicy mustard
  • 1 pound bulk pork sausage

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Separate crescent rolls into four long rectangles. Press perforations well to seal.
  • Spread each rectangle lightly with mustard.
  • Divide sausage into four equal parts and spread a thin layer on each rectangle.
  • Roll each rectangle into a long cylinder.
  • Chill, covered, until ready to serve.
  • Slice the rolls into 1” pieces.
  • Gently flatten each slice into a small disk.
  • Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.

Notes

  • The sausage is much easier to spread if you let it sit out at room temperature for 30-45 minutes beforehand.
  • After rolling the dough, you can cover and chill until you’re ready to bake.
  • To make in advance — prep up to baking, cover well and keep in the refrigerator several hours or overnight. When ready to bake, bring to room temperature and then bake according to the recipe.
  • Any leftovers will keep well covered in the refrigerator for about three days. You can also freeze them for up to three months.

Nutrition Information

Serving 2 | Calories 150kcal | Carbohydrates 9g | Protein 4g | Fat 11g | Saturated Fat 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat 2g | Monounsaturated Fat 4g | Trans Fat 1g | Cholesterol 16mg | Sodium 358mg | Potassium 61mg | Fiber 1g | Sugar 2g | Vitamin A 19IU | Vitamin C 1mg | Calcium 4mg | Iron 1mg

Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.

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These Sausage Swirls use purchased crescent roll dough spread with mustard and sausage to make a fantastic appetizer for any occasion. https://www.lanascooking.com/sausage-swirls/

— This post was originally published on February 3, 2012. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.

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15 Comments

  1. I’m so glad I found this recipe my grandfather would make these when we would take family vacations and I have been searching for the recipe for a few years now.

  2. These look delicious Lana! I’m always looking for new appetizers so I’m pinning this :)

  3. Feast on the Cheap says:

    Love these, my mom makes something similar with prosciutto and they’re always gobbled right up!

  4. this looks gorgeous! thanks for sharing. i will subscribe to your blog. feel free to pop over and say hi sometime x

  5. Cookin' Canuck says:

    Oh yes – now this is Super Bowl appetizer bliss. I love how easy they are, too.

    1. Yes, definitely football food! And so easy.

  6. happyzhangbo-lovingfood says:

    These pinwheels look so cute and the recipe itself sounds so easy to make. Thanks for sharing the brillant idea and beautiful photos :)

  7. Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says:

    That sounds really delicious!

  8. Those look delicious. I adore finger foods for game day.

    1. Me, too, Carolyn. I love having a whole plateful of different little bites.

  9. I was wondering what to add to my Super Bowl menu (I have guests from Virginia, and want to make something different)……. Bingo!

    Thanks.

    Miss P

    1. Hope you like it! Also try the turnip green dip from last week – it’s delicious!

  10. Oh I like this idea, my hubby loves anything sausage:-) They look easy and fun to make! Hugs, Terra

    1. If your hubby likes sausage, he’ll really love these! Mine does :-)