Air-Fried Sausage Rolls: A Tasty, Quick Treat?

Sausage rolls are a popular snack in the UK and the US, and can be made in an air fryer for a quick, easy, and delicious treat. They can be made with just three ingredients and are quicker to cook than in a conventional oven. You can also make them gluten-free and dairy-free.

How to make sausage rolls in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Puff pastry
• Sausages
• Egg
• Mustard (optional)
• Salt and pepper
• Oil

Method

• Remove the sausage meat from the casings and put it into a bowl. Use a fork to break up the meat.
• Roll out the puff pastry and cut it in half lengthways.
• Add any extra ingredients to the sausage meat, such as mustard, apple sauce, or onion chutney. You can also add grated carrot or other vegetables at this stage.
• Divide the sausage meat into two lines along the length of the pastry.
• Fold the pastry over the meat and gently press down. Use a fork to crimp the edges.
• Brush the long rolls with a beaten egg and cut into the desired number of rolls.
• Place the rolls into your air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Cook at 180-200°C for 12-20 minutes, or until the sausage rolls are golden brown and cooked through.

Tips

• If you are making gluten-free sausage rolls, ensure all ingredients are gluten-free and there is no cross-contamination.
• You can use light puff pastry, but it may be trickier to work with as it is softer.
• Allow the puff pastry to rest at room temperature before using, to prevent it from cracking or breaking.
• You can cook frozen sausage rolls in an air fryer. Cook them for 20 minutes at 160°C.
• You can reheat sausage rolls in an air fryer. Cook them for 7 minutes at 180°C.

What ingredients are needed

Sausage rolls are a tasty snack and can be made in an air fryer with just a few ingredients. The ingredients you will need are:

• Puff pastry: This is the best pastry to use for sausage rolls as it is light and flaky. You can use store-bought puff pastry or make your own. If you want to make gluten-free sausage rolls, you can find gluten-free puff pastry in most supermarkets, usually in the chilled free-from section.
• Sausages: You can use any type of sausage you like, such as plain pork sausages, Cumberland, or Lincolnshire. If you want to add extra flavour, you can use sausages with apple or caramelised onion. You will need to remove the sausage meat from the casings and put it into a small bowl. You can also use sausage meat or pork mince instead of sausages.
• Egg: This is optional, but it will give the pastry a golden colour and help it to crisp up. You can also use plant-based milk or beaten egg to brush your sausage rolls if you prefer.

You can also add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour of your sausage rolls, such as:

• Wholegrain mustard: This adds a flavour boost to your sausage rolls.
• Nigella seeds: These seeds add a pop of colour and a subtle onion flavour to your sausage rolls.
• Apple sauce: Adding a little apple sauce to your sausage meat can give it a sweet and savoury taste.
• Onion: You can add some finely grated onion to your sausage meat for extra flavour and texture.

How long does it take

The cooking time for sausage rolls in an air fryer depends on the size of the sausage rolls, the number of batches, and the type of air fryer being used.

For example, if you are making 12 medium-sized sausage rolls in an air fryer, you will need to cook them in two separate batches of 6 at a time. This will take a total of 34 minutes, including a 4-minute preheat and a 15-minute cook time for each batch.

If you are making 4 extra-large, 6 large, or 12 medium-sized sausage rolls, the cooking time is typically 15 minutes. For 36 mini sausage rolls, the cooking time is reduced to 10 minutes.

When cooking from frozen, the cooking time will be longer. Large frozen sausage rolls will take 18 to 20 minutes, while mini frozen sausage rolls will take 10 to 12 minutes.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model and type of air fryer being used. Some air fryers may require preheating, while others do not. Additionally, the temperature setting can also affect the cooking time. Most recipes recommend setting the air fryer between 180-200°C, but some suggest a lower temperature of 160°C for cooking from frozen.

What temperature to cook at

The ideal temperature to cook sausage rolls in an air fryer is 180°C/350°F. This is 20°C lower than in a conventional oven.

Cooking at a higher temperature will crisp up the pastry but may result in the sausage meat being undercooked. A slightly lower temperature allows the pastry time to puff up and expand before the outer layers crisp up.

Some recipes suggest cooking at 190°C for 13 minutes, or 200°C for 12-14 minutes, or 12 minutes without specifying the temperature.

If you are cooking frozen sausage rolls, you will need to reduce the cooking temperature and increase the time. Frozen sausage rolls should be cooked for 20 minutes at 160°C/320°F.

How to reheat them

Yes, you can reheat sausage rolls in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

How to Reheat Sausage Rolls in an Air Fryer:

• Set your air fryer to 180°C/350°F. Some sources suggest a slightly lower temperature of 160°C/320°F, especially if you are reheating frozen sausage rolls.
• Place the sausage rolls in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You may need to reheat in batches.
• Reheat for 7-20 minutes, depending on the size and number of sausage rolls, and whether they are frozen or not. Smaller batches of room-temperature sausage rolls will take less time, while frozen sausage rolls will take longer.
• Check on the sausage rolls regularly to ensure they are heating through evenly and not burning.
• Once the sausage rolls are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and enjoy!

Reheating sausage rolls in an air fryer is a great way to restore their crispy texture and ensure they are heated through evenly. It is a quick and convenient method, perfect for reheating smaller batches or even just one or two sausage rolls at a time.

Frequently asked questions