Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Sausage Rolls, Anytime!

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen sausage rolls. They're quicker than using an oven, and you can get perfectly crispy sausage rolls with a golden exterior. The cooking time depends on the size of the sausage rolls and the model of the air fryer, but generally, it takes around 12-20 minutes at a temperature of 180°C/360°F. You can cook them straight from frozen, and there's no need to preheat the air fryer first. It's best to cook them in a single layer to ensure even cooking, and you may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cooking times and temperatures for frozen sausage rolls

Frozen sausage rolls can be cooked in an air fryer and doing so is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic snack without needing to switch the oven on.

Cooking Times and Temperatures

The cooking time and temperature will depend on the size of the sausage rolls.

For large frozen sausage rolls, cook at 180C/360F for 18 to 20 minutes, turning once halfway.

For mini frozen sausage rolls, cook at 180C/360F for 10 to 12 minutes, again turning once halfway.

If the sausage rolls are not golden brown at the end of the cooking time, increase the temperature to 200C/390F and cook for a further 1 to 2 minutes.

Additional Tips

• Leave a little space between the frozen sausage rolls to allow the hot air to cook them evenly.
• For a more golden brown exterior, brush some beaten egg or milk over the frozen sausage rolls before air frying.
• Keep an eye on the sausage rolls as they cook to ensure they are not burning.
• If in doubt, use a meat thermometer to check that the sausage rolls are cooked all the way through.
• Leave the cooked sausage rolls to rest for a few minutes before eating, as they will be very hot.

Reheating frozen sausage rolls

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Sausage Rolls

• Preheat your air fryer, if necessary. Check your air fryer model's instructions to determine if preheating is required.
• Line the air fryer basket with baking parchment or foil. Alternatively, you can spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking. Ensure any parchment paper covers almost the entire surface, with none sticking up the sides, to avoid it catching and burning.
• Place the frozen sausage rolls in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one to allow for even cooking. You can cook them in batches if needed.
• Optionally, brush the sausage rolls with beaten egg or milk to promote browning.

Step 2: Air Fry the Sausage Rolls

• For large frozen sausage rolls, air fry at 180°C/360°F for 18 to 20 minutes.
• For mini frozen sausage rolls, air fry at 180°C/360°F for 10 to 12 minutes.
• Flip the sausage rolls halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• If the sausage rolls are not golden brown after the initial cooking time, increase the temperature to 200°C/390°F and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 3: Rest and Serve

• Allow the sausage rolls to rest for a few minutes after cooking. They will be very hot inside, so be careful not to burn yourself.
• Serve and enjoy!

Note: The cooking times and temperatures provided are guidelines and may vary depending on your air fryer model. Keep an eye on the sausage rolls during cooking to ensure they don't burn. You can also use a meat thermometer to check if they are cooked through.

Air fryer basket prep

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional)

Some air fryers may require preheating, while others can cook food straight from frozen without preheating. Check your air fryer model's instructions or manual to determine if preheating is necessary. If your air fryer has a preheat function, set it to the recommended temperature, usually around 200°C, and let it heat up for a few minutes before adding the frozen sausage rolls.

Step 2: Prepare the Sausage Rolls

Take your frozen sausage rolls out of the freezer and lay them in the air fryer basket. It is important to leave a little space between each sausage roll to allow for even cooking. Overcrowding the basket may result in uneven cooking or prevent the sausage rolls from reaching the desired golden brown colour.

Step 3: Apply Egg Wash or Milk (Optional)

For a more golden brown exterior, you can optionally brush the frozen sausage rolls with a beaten egg or milk before placing them in the air fryer. This step is not necessary, but it will enhance the colour and glossiness of the pastry.

Step 4: Single Layer Arrangement

Arrange the frozen sausage rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sausage rolls in batches to avoid overcrowding. Ensure that the sausage rolls are not stacked on top of each other and have enough space to cook evenly.

Step 5: Add Water (Optional)

If your air fryer tends to produce a lot of smoke, you can add a small amount of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking. This will help prevent the smoke caused by dripping fat from the sausages. Adding water is not mandatory but can be a helpful precaution to reduce smoke.

Step 6: Temperature and Timing

Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and timing based on the size of your sausage rolls. For large frozen sausage rolls, cook at 180°C/360°F for 18 to 20 minutes, turning them once halfway through. For mini frozen sausage rolls, cook at the same temperature for 10 to 12 minutes, also turning them halfway. Adjust the temperature and timing as needed, depending on your air fryer model and the desired level of doneness.

Step 7: Check for Doneness

Keep an eye on the sausage rolls during the cooking process to ensure they don't burn. Use a meat thermometer to check if the sausage rolls are cooked through. The internal temperature of the sausage meat should reach at least 74°C or 165°F. If the sausage rolls are not yet golden brown at the end of the recommended cooking time, you can increase the temperature to 200°C/390°F and cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 8: Resting

Once the sausage rolls are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the rolls to cool slightly and ensures that the filling is not too hot when consumed.

Air fryer temperature settings

The optimal temperature setting for cooking sausage rolls in an air fryer is 180°C/350°F. This is 20°C lower than the temperature used in a conventional oven.

When cooking at a higher temperature, the cooking time needs to be reduced to prevent the pastry from burning. However, this results in the sausage meat not being cooked all the way through.

A slightly lower temperature allows the pastry time to puff up and expand before the outer layers crisp, resulting in a superior sausage roll.

Frozen Sausage Rolls

You can cook frozen sausage rolls in an air fryer. The cooking temperature needs to be reduced, and the time increased. Frozen sausage rolls will need 20 minutes at 160°C/320°F.

Reheating Sausage Rolls

To reheat cooked sausage rolls in an air fryer, a temperature of 340°F/170°C is recommended, with a cooking time of 14 minutes. This will ensure the sausage rolls are heated through to a safe internal temperature of 145°F/62°C.

Air Fryer Types

There are several types of air fryers available, and the majority of these can be used for cooking sausage rolls:

• Round air fryers with a paddle in the centre that rotates to move the food. This type is not suitable for recipes where the food is breaded, glazed, or likely to break up.
• Box-type units with a pull-out drawer/basket. Some larger models have two drawers, allowing different items to be cooked at different temperatures or times.
• Mini oven air fryers, which are larger and have a glass door and shelves.
• Multicookers with air fryer functions, where the basket drops in from the top.

Pre-Heating

Whether or not you need to pre-heat your air fryer before cooking depends on the model and type. Check your manual for guidance.

Cooking Times

The cooking time for sausage rolls in an air fryer will depend on the size of the sausage rolls. Thicker sausage rolls will require a longer cooking time. For example, 36 mini sausage rolls will only need 10 minutes at 180°C/350°F.

Other Tips

• You don't need to line the air fryer basket when cooking sausage rolls, but you can use baking parchment or foil if you wish.
• If you are cooking in batches, the cooking time for the second batch may be slightly reduced due to retained heat.
• You can cook frozen sausages in an air fryer, but they should be defrosted first.
• Poke holes in the sausage casings to allow the fat to escape.

Air fryer alternatives

Air fryers are small, convection ovens that cook food quickly and efficiently. They are a great alternative to traditional frying methods as they require less oil and are healthier. Here are some alternative options to air fryers that can be used to cook frozen sausage rolls:

Oven

Ovens are the traditional alternative to air fryers. They are larger and may take longer to cook food, but they can accommodate larger portions. Ovens use convection heat to cook food, which is similar to air fryers, but they may not circulate the hot air as efficiently.

Microwave

Microwaves are another common kitchen appliance that can be used as an alternative to air fryers. Microwaves use microwave radiation to cook food, which can be faster than convection heating but may not always produce the same crispy texture as air fryers.

Stovetop

Cooking frozen sausage rolls on a stovetop is another option. Using a pan or skillet on a stovetop allows for more control over the cooking process and can result in a crispy texture similar to air fryers. However, stovetop cooking may not be as even as air fryers due to the direct heat source.

Deep Fryer

Deep fryers are another option for cooking frozen sausage rolls. They use hot oil to cook food, which can result in a crispy texture. However, deep fryers require more oil than air fryers and may not be as healthy.

Toaster Oven

Toaster ovens are similar to traditional ovens but are smaller in size and often have additional features such as toasting bread. They can be a good alternative to air fryers for smaller portions or single servings.

Frequently asked questions