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.
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.
Beside being the perfect party food, these yummy bites also work well on a brunch buffet or as an appetizer with drinks.
- 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.
About the Ingredients
These little Sausage Swirls use three simple ingredients. Crescent rolls, mustard, and bulk pork sausage.
- 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
Let’s Go Step-by-Step
I always like to show you the photos and step-by-step instructions for my recipes to help you picture how to make them in your own kitchen. If you just want to print out a copy, you can skip to the bottom of the post where you’ll find the recipe card.
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees.
- 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.
- Spread each of the rectangles with your choice of mustard.
- Gently spread the sausage on top of the mustard.
- Now, roll each of the rectangles up lengthwise into a long cylinder. At this point, you can cover and chill them until you’re ready to bake.
COOK’S 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.
- Cut each cylinder into about 1 to 1 1/2″ pieces.
- Place each piece on its end on a parchment lined baking sheet and flatten it gently into a small disk.
- Cook for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, allow the prepared swirls to come 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.
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
I’d LOVE to know what you thought!
Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked it!
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Recipe
Easy Sausage Swirls
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
- Any brand of crescent rolls works and you can easily substitute with the reduced fat rolls.
- 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.
- Choose bulk sausage such as Jimmy Dean – and your desired heat level.
- 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.
- After rolling the dough, you can cover and chill until you’re ready to bake.
- Before rolling, add 1/2 cup grated Parmesan evenly sprinkled over the sausage layer.
- Or 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.
Nutrition Information
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 health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
— This post was originally published on February 3, 2012. It has been updated with new photos and additional information.
Delicious!
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.
These look delicious Lana! I’m always looking for new appetizers so I’m pinning this :)
Love these, my mom makes something similar with prosciutto and they’re always gobbled right up!
this looks gorgeous! thanks for sharing. i will subscribe to your blog. feel free to pop over and say hi sometime x
Oh yes – now this is Super Bowl appetizer bliss. I love how easy they are, too.
Yes, definitely football food! And so easy.
These pinwheels look so cute and the recipe itself sounds so easy to make. Thanks for sharing the brillant idea and beautiful photos :)
That sounds really delicious!
Those look delicious. I adore finger foods for game day.
Me, too, Carolyn. I love having a whole plateful of different little bites.
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
Hope you like it! Also try the turnip green dip from last week – it’s delicious!
Oh I like this idea, my hubby loves anything sausage:-) They look easy and fun to make! Hugs, Terra
If your hubby likes sausage, he’ll really love these! Mine does :-)