Air Fryer Pigs In Blankets: A Quick, Easy Treat

Pigs in blankets are a classic dish, traditionally served at Christmas or as a side dish to a roast dinner. But who's to say you can't enjoy them all year round? This ultimate British classic combines pork sausages wrapped in streaky bacon, but you can also make a quick and easy version using crescent roll dough and sausages or hot dogs in your air fryer. This is a great snack for kids to make and enjoy, and they can be frozen and reheated too.

How to make pigs in blankets in an air fryer

Pigs in blankets are a delicious snack and can be made in an air fryer with minimal ingredients and effort. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make them:

Ingredients:

• Sausages (chipolata or cocktail-size)
• Bacon (streaky)
• Honey
• Mustard
• Crescent roll dough or pastry dough
• Oil or cooking spray

Method:

• Prepare the sausages: Place the desired number of sausages on a board or clean work surface.
• Wrap the sausages: Take a piece of streaky bacon and starting from one end of the sausage, wrap it tightly. Repeat this process for all the sausages.
• Make the glaze (optional): In a small bowl, mix honey and Dijon mustard until well combined. Using a pastry brush, dab the honey-mustard glaze over the wrapped sausages.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set the air fryer to 180-200°C (320-390°F) for about 5 minutes. Spray the air fryer basket with oil or use an air fryer liner.
• Place the pigs in blankets: Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each one. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Air fry: For crispy pigs in blankets, air fry at 180°C (320°F) for about 10 minutes, turning them halfway through. If you prefer your bacon extra crispy, cook for a few minutes more but keep an eye on them to avoid burning.
• Serve: Pigs in blankets can be served as an appetiser or snack with dipping sauces like ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, BBQ sauce, cheese sauce, or ranch dressing.

Tips:

• You can also use other types of sausages like turkey or chicken sausages.
• If you don't have honey, you can substitute it with maple syrup or golden syrup.
• If you prefer a pastry blanket, you can use puff pastry, or roll out pastry or biscuit dough.
• For easy clean-up, use parchment paper in your air fryer.
• You can cook frozen pigs in blankets in the air fryer by increasing the cooking temperature to 200°C (390°F) and cooking for 12-13 minutes or until cooked through.

What ingredients are needed

Pigs in blankets are a delicious snack and can be made in an air fryer with minimal ingredients. The ingredients you will need are:

• Sausages: Typically, chipolata sausages are used, but you can also use cocktail-size smoked link sausages or hot dogs. You can opt for turkey or chicken sausages as well.
• Bacon: Streaky bacon is the traditional choice for wrapping around the sausages.
• Dough: Crescent roll dough is commonly used, but you can also use pastry dough or biscuit dough.
• Oil: Vegetable oil or olive oil cooking spray is used to coat the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
• Glaze (optional): For an extra touch of flavour, you can make a honey mustard glaze by mixing honey and Dijon mustard.

With these simple ingredients, you can create a tasty treat that's perfect for any occasion!

How long to cook for

The cooking time for pigs in blankets in an air fryer depends on the type of sausages used, the wattage and power of the heating element, and whether the air fryer is preheated.

For chipolatas or cocktail sausages wrapped in streaky bacon, the cooking time is generally between 8 to 12 minutes at 180°C (355°F). However, if you prefer your bacon extra crispy, you can cook it for a few minutes longer. It is important to keep a close eye on the sausages to ensure they don't burn.

If you are using thicker sausages, the cooking time will be longer, around 15 to 18 minutes.

When cooking, it is recommended to place the pigs in blankets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, with an inch or two between each sausage to allow for even cooking and expansion. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer is on the smaller side.

Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the model of your air fryer. Larger models may cook the pigs in blankets more quickly, so it is important to keep an eye on them and adjust the cooking time as needed.

If you are cooking frozen pigs in blankets, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and add one to three minutes to the original cooking time to ensure they are cooked through.

Dipping sauces

Pigs in blankets are a versatile dish that can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Here are some ideas for sauces that will complement the flavours of the pigs in blankets and elevate your dish:

Honey Mustard Sauce

This sauce is a classic pairing with pigs in blankets and can be made by mixing mayonnaise, mustard, and honey, and a touch of vinegar. The sweetness of the honey and the tanginess of the mustard create a perfect balance that enhances the flavour of the sausages and pastry.

BBQ Sauce

A tangy and slightly sweet BBQ sauce can be a delicious accompaniment to pigs in blankets. The smokiness of the BBQ sauce pairs well with the savoury sausages, adding a touch of sweetness and a rich, bold flavour to your dish.

Cheese Sauce

For a creamy and indulgent option, consider serving your pigs in blankets with a cheese sauce. A sharp cheddar cheese sauce or a creamy gouda sauce can add a rich and savoury dimension to the dish, making it even more irresistible.

Ranch Dressing

Ranch dressing is a versatile and popular dipping sauce that can also be used as a tasty accompaniment to pigs in blankets. Its creamy texture and tangy flavour complement the savoury notes of the sausages, offering a refreshing contrast to the crispy pastry.

Ketchup and Mustard

Of course, the classic combination of ketchup and mustard is always a simple and well-loved option for pigs in blankets. These condiments need no introduction and provide a familiar and comforting flavour profile that appeals to both children and adults alike.

How to cook frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer

Pigs in blankets are a delicious snack and can be made in an air fryer with minimal prep work. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F or 370°F or 375°F (190°C). Preheating the air fryer is crucial for achieving the best results.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Pigs in Blankets

Place the frozen pigs in blankets in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between each piece, as they will expand during cooking. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 3: Cook the Pigs in Blankets

Close the air fryer and cook the pigs in blankets for 5-7 minutes at 375°F or 6-9 minutes at 370°F. Flip them gently halfway through the cooking process. Keep a close eye on them towards the end, as you don't want the pastry to become too brown.

Step 4: Serve

Once the pastry is lightly golden brown and puffed, remove the pigs in blankets from the air fryer. Serve them immediately with your favourite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, or cheese sauce.

Tips:

• If cooking from frozen, you may need to add a minute or two to the original cooking time to ensure they are cooked through.
• Experiment with different seasonings: try sprinkling garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika on the pigs in blankets before cooking for an extra kick of flavour.
• For extra crispiness, increase the temperature slightly during the last few minutes of cooking.
• To reheat any leftovers, use the air fryer to retain crispiness.

Enjoy your tasty, crispy, and juicy pigs in blankets!

Frequently asked questions