Air-Fryer Cocktail Sausages: The Perfect Quick-Fix Appetizer

Cooking cocktail sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious appetiser or side dish. This guide will cover everything you need to know about preparing and cooking cocktail sausages in an air fryer, including recommended cooking times and temperatures, as well as some serving suggestions.

Frozen cocktail sausages in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook frozen cocktail sausages in an air fryer. In fact, they are one of the best types of sausages to cook from frozen in an air fryer because their small size means they cook faster and their higher fat content means they brown better.

Frozen cocktail sausages will take around 12 minutes to cook in an air fryer at 200C/400F. If you don't want them to be browned, they will be cooked in 10 minutes.

Simply dump your frozen cocktail sausages into the air fryer and cook for 12 minutes at 200C/400F until golden. You can also make a honey and mustard sauce to serve as a dip or glaze by mixing honey, mustard, garlic puree and Greek yoghurt in a small bowl.

You can make a 1970s-style appetiser by putting the cooked cocktail sausages on cocktail sticks with pineapple and cheddar cheese chunks.

Yes, you can cook thicker sausages such as Bratwurst and Italian sausages from frozen in an air fryer, but they will take longer—around 15 minutes at 180C/350F. You can also cook frozen breakfast sausages, but these will take less time—around 10 minutes at 180C/350F.

Yes, you can cook fresh sausages in an air fryer. Prick the sausages a few times with a sharp knife or fork to prevent the skin from splitting and help drain some of the fat. Then, cook for 10-15 minutes at 180C/350F, turning every 5 minutes, until they are cooked through.

Pricking sausages with a fork

When pricking sausages, it is important to be careful not to poke too deeply. Making small, shallow punctures is sufficient to allow the fat to escape without causing the juices to leak out. If the juices escape, the sausages may become dry and less tasty.

The number of pricks can vary depending on the size of the sausage. For example, for an average-sized Italian sausage, pricking it three times with a sharp knife may be sufficient. However, for smaller sausages like cocktail sausages, a few pricks with a fork should be enough.

Pricking sausages before air frying also helps prevent them from bursting or splitting during cooking. This is especially important for sausages with natural casings, as the casing can expand and burst without small punctures to release the pressure.

Additionally, pricking sausages can help with even cooking. By allowing the fat to escape, the sausages are less likely to have unevenly cooked spots or end up greasy in some areas.

In conclusion, pricking sausages with a fork or a sharp knife is a crucial step when cooking sausages in an air fryer. It helps release excess fat, prevent bursting, and promote even cooking. Just remember to prick gently and not too deeply to avoid drying out the sausages.

Air fryer temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking cocktail sausages in an air fryer is between 180°C and 200°C.

For example, one source recommends cooking cocktail sausages at 200°C for 12 minutes to achieve a beautiful brown colour. Another source suggests cooking at 180°C for 8 minutes for a similar result.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the desired level of browning. For instance, sausages cooked at 200°C for 10 minutes will be cooked through but not browned.

Additionally, the air fryer model, the number of sausages, and the addition of other ingredients can also affect the cooking time. Therefore, it is always a good idea to keep an eye on the sausages and adjust the time as needed.

Furthermore, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before adding the sausages. This ensures that the sausages cook evenly and helps to prevent them from burning on the outside while remaining raw in the middle.

When cooking sausages in an air fryer, it is also suggested to prick them with a fork or knife to prevent the casings from bursting or splitting due to the heat and pressure.

Cooking time

If you are cooking your cocktail sausages at 180°C/350°F, they will take around 8 minutes to cook. However, if you want your sausages to have a beautiful brown colour, you should cook them for 12 minutes.

If you are cooking your cocktail sausages at 200°C/400°F, they will take 12 minutes to cook and will turn a beautiful brown colour.

If you are cooking frozen cocktail sausages at 200°C/400°F, they will also take 12 minutes to cook.

If you are cooking frozen cocktail sausages at 180°C/350°F, they will take between 14 and 15 minutes to cook.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the model of your air fryer, so it is always a good idea to keep an eye on your sausages as they cook.

Serving suggestions

Cocktail sausages cooked in an air fryer are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Appetisers: The classic way to serve cocktail sausages is as appetisers, either on their own or with a dip. For a sticky and tasty treat, toss the sausages in a honey and mustard sauce before serving. You can also create a retro 1970s-style appetiser by serving the sausages on cocktail sticks with pineapple and cheese.
• Breakfast: These sausages are a perfect addition to a full English breakfast or a fry-up. You can also serve them in a sausage bap or baguette with caramelised onions.
• Sides: Air fryer cocktail sausages make a great side dish to a variety of meals. Try serving them with air fryer sweet potato fries and corn on the cob, or with mashed potatoes and onion gravy for a hearty dinner.
• Snacks: For a quick and easy snack, cook the sausages and serve them with cocktail sticks.
• Meal Prep: Cook a batch of sausages and store them in the fridge or freezer for later. They can be easily reheated in the air fryer, microwave, or oven for a convenient and tasty snack or meal.

Frequently asked questions