Air Fryer Pigs In Blankets: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Pigs in blankets are a classic side dish, often served during Christmas or as part of a roast dinner. The British version of this dish involves wrapping sausages in bacon, while the American version uses mini hot dogs and crescent rolls. Cooking pigs in blankets in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make this dish, taking anywhere from 8 to 15 minutes. This method also saves oven space, which is especially useful during special occasions like Christmas when multiple side dishes need to be prepared.

How to make pigs in blankets in an air fryer

Pigs in blankets are a popular side dish for a roast dinner or Christmas lunch. They are made by wrapping sausages in bacon and cooking until crispy. This can be done in an air fryer, which is quicker than using an oven and saves space. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make pigs in blankets in an air fryer.

Ingredients:

You will need two ingredients: sausages and bacon. For the sausages, you can use chipolatas or cocktail sausages. If you want bigger pigs in blankets, you can use larger sausages and cut them into pieces. For the bacon, use thin strips of streaky bacon, preferably smoked for extra flavour.

Method:

• Cut the bacon into halves or smaller pieces, depending on the size of your sausages.
• Wrap each sausage in a piece of bacon.
• Place the wrapped sausages in the air fryer basket. Make sure to leave some space between them to allow air to circulate. You may need to cook them in batches.
• Spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
• Cook at 180-190°C for 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your sausages. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary.
• Once the bacon is crispy and the sausages are cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and serve.

Tips:

• You can make pigs in blankets in advance and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to cook them.
• You can also cook frozen pigs in blankets in the air fryer. They will take a little longer, around 11-13 minutes.
• Get creative with your ingredients! Try using different flavours of sausages or bacon, or drizzling with honey or maple syrup before cooking.

How long to cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer

Pigs in blankets are a classic British side dish, perfect for a festive feast or a Sunday roast. This dish consists of juicy sausages wrapped in crispy bacon. The air fryer is a great way to save precious oven space during special occasions like Christmas, when you often have lots of side dishes to prepare.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Gather your ingredients: sausages and bacon. You can use little cocktail sausages or chipolatas for this recipe. If you prefer larger pigs in blankets, you can use bigger sausages and slice them into chunks. For the bacon, choose thin strips of streaky bacon; smoked bacon will add extra flavour.

Step 2: Assemble the Pigs in Blankets

Cut the bacon slices in half and wrap each piece around a sausage. Place the bacon-wrapped sausages in the air fryer basket with the bacon seam downwards to prevent unwrapping during cooking.

Step 3: Cook the Pigs in Blankets

Preheat your air fryer to 180-190°C (some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 390°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking. Place the pigs in blankets in the basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space for air to circulate.

Step 4: Cooking Time

Cook the pigs in blankets for 8-15 minutes. The cooking time will depend on your air fryer and the size of your sausages. Keep an eye on them, especially after 10 minutes, to ensure they don't overcook. The bacon should be crispy and golden brown, and the sausages should be cooked through.

Step 5: Serving Suggestions

Air fryer pigs in blankets make a delicious addition to a roast dinner or Christmas lunch. They can be served with a variety of sides, such as roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, and honey-roast parsnips and carrots. They are also great as a party appetiser with dips or air fryer baked camembert.

Tips and Variations:

• You can make pigs in blankets ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to a day before cooking.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
• For extra flavour, drizzle the pigs in blankets with honey or maple syrup before cooking, or sprinkle with chopped rosemary or thyme after cooking.
• If you're short on time, you can cook store-bought frozen pigs in blankets in the air fryer. They will take a little longer, around 12-13 minutes.

What to serve with pigs in blankets

Pigs in blankets are a versatile dish that can be served at breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even as a snack at a party. They are also suitable for BBQs and potlucks. Here are some ideas for what to serve with pigs in blankets:

Baked Beans

Baked beans are a classic side dish that pairs well with the sweet and savoury flavours of pigs in blankets. They are hearty, sweet, smoky, and delicious. You can make them even smokier by adding barbecue sauce, onions, peppers, and bacon.

Mac and Cheese

You can never go wrong with mac and cheese. This classic dish complements a variety of flavours and goes especially well with the smoky and savoury sausages in pigs in blankets. For extra cheesiness, you can wrap your sausages in shredded cheese before rolling them in pastry.

Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a perfect match for pigs in blankets as they are moist and creamy, balancing out the dryness of pigs in a blanket. For a healthier option, you can use hummus instead of mayonnaise. You can also top them with guacamole for extra creaminess and colour.

Pancakes and Scrambled Eggs

Pigs in blankets can also be served as a breakfast item. You can pair them with sweet and fluffy pancakes and tender scrambled eggs for a filling and energising morning meal. You can even modify the pigs in a blanket by rolling a sausage in a piece of pancake.

Corn Pudding

Give your party a Southern flair by serving corn pudding with your pigs in blankets. This sweet and creamy custard is made with corn, milk, and eggs. It's easy to make and bakes for about an hour.

Dips and Sauces

Pigs in blankets go well with a variety of dips, sauces, and dressings to add moisture and flavour. Some classic options include ketchup, mustard, and barbecue sauce. You can also get creative with dressings like honey mustard, honey-dijon, or chilli cheese.

Fruit Salad

Pigs in blankets can be heavy, so a light and refreshing dessert like a fruit salad is a perfect way to round out the meal. Try a combination of fresh strawberries, mangoes, mandarin oranges, and peaches coated in cream.

Mushroom Quinoa

Mushrooms are full of umami flavour and pair well with pigs in blankets. Mushroom quinoa is a great side dish that is easy to make and takes about 30 minutes to cook. Quinoa is a complete protein and contains fibre, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and B.

Green Bean Fries

Green bean fries are a popular dish among those on the Paleo diet, but everyone can enjoy them. They are crispy and taste great with spicy ketchup or buffalo sauce dip. This simple recipe takes about 20 minutes to make.

Spinach Salad

A spinach salad with grains, vegetables, fruits, cheese, and nuts is a flexible side dish that pairs well with a variety of flavours. It can be prepared in advance and is a healthier option due to its high levels of antioxidants and nutrients.

Scalloped Potatoes

Scalloped potatoes are a mild and creamy side dish that pairs well with meat dishes. They are easy to make and can be a filling main course if you add extra ingredients. They also contain antioxidants and vitamin C.

Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

This is a versatile vegetable dish that takes about 40 minutes to prepare. It pairs well with pork, poultry, and beef. Roasting broccoli gives it a wonderful flavour, and the addition of Parmesan cheese makes it even more delicious.

Can you make pigs in blankets in advance?

Yes, you can make pigs in blankets in advance. There are a few ways to do this, depending on the ingredients you are using and whether you are making them from scratch or using store-bought pastry and sausages.

If you are making them from scratch, you can assemble the pigs in blankets and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to cook them, you can cook them straight from frozen or allow them to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before following the cooking instructions.

If you are using store-bought pastry and sausages, you can cut the pastry and sausages and put them back in the fridge to stay cool. Then, when you are ready to cook, take them out of the fridge and assemble them. You can also assemble the pigs in blankets and store them in the fridge for up to 2 hours before cooking.

If you want to make a big batch, you can cook the pigs in blankets and then store them in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer when you are ready to serve them.

Can you cook frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer. Air fryers are known for their ability to cook frozen foods quickly and efficiently, making them crispy and delicious. This method is perfect for game day snacks or a quick appetizer for football season.

To cook frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer to the temperature recommended on the packaging of the frozen pigs in blankets. This is usually around 350-375°F (180-190°C).
• Arrange the frozen pigs in blankets in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece for proper air circulation.
• Set the cooking time for 5-11 minutes, depending on the brand and your air fryer model. Frozen pigs in blankets may take a little longer to cook than fresh ones.
• Flip the pigs in blankets halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and crispiness on all sides.
• Check the internal temperature of the sausages using a meat thermometer. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to be fully cooked.
• If you prefer your pigs in blankets extra crispy, increase the temperature slightly and cook for a few more minutes, keeping a close eye on them to prevent overcooking.
• Once the pigs in blankets are cooked through and have a golden-brown exterior, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.

Some popular brands that offer frozen pigs in blankets include Hormel, Nathan's Famous, T.G.I. Friday's, Trader Joe's, Auntie Anne's, Applegate, and Costco's Kirkland Signature.

You can also experiment with different dipping sauces to elevate your pigs in blankets, such as mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, honey mustard, cheese dip, ranch dressing, Sriracha mayo, sweet chili sauce, and buffalo sauce.

Frequently asked questions