Emilie Meyer
Cooking frozen smokies in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious appetizer. The cooking time will depend on the power output or wattage of your air fryer, but on average, it should take between 8 and 15 minutes to cook frozen smokies in an air fryer. You can also wrap your smokies in bacon and cook them in the air fryer for a more indulgent treat—this will only add a few minutes to the cooking time.
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What You'll Learn
Air fryer temperature and time
The temperature and time for cooking frozen smokies in an air fryer depend on the brand of the air fryer and the type of dish you are preparing. Here is a detailed guide:
Air Frying Frozen Smokies
Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies are a delicious and quick appetizer that can be made in just a few minutes. To make them, you can use any type of cocktail sausage, such as beef, pork, or chicken. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 5 minutes. If you are using frozen sausages, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Air Frying Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
For a tasty twist, you can prepare bacon-wrapped smokies in your air fryer. Start by slicing the bacon into thirds and wrapping each sausage in a piece of bacon, securing it with a toothpick. Then, add the seasonings of your choice, such as brown sugar, chili powder, and pepper, to a bag and shake to combine. Place the sausages in the air fryer basket at 390°F for 5 minutes. Flip the sausages and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon reaches your desired level of crispness.
Air Frying Smokies in Sauce
If you prefer your smokies with sauce, you can cook them directly in a loaf pan with your favorite barbecue sauce and a touch of brown sugar. Place the pan in the air fryer basket and cook at 360°F for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you want to baste the smokies instead of fully submerging them in the sauce, cook them at 380°F for 4 minutes, shake and baste, and then cook for another 4 minutes.
Reheating Smokies
Leftover smokies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place the smokies in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
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Pre-cooking preparation
To prepare frozen smokies for air frying, start by gathering the necessary ingredients and materials. You will need frozen smokies, which are miniature sausages, and an air fryer. Other ingredients you may want to use include barbecue sauce, brown sugar, and spices such as chili powder, pepper, and mustard. You will also need tools like a loaf pan, toothpicks, and a zip-top bag.
Begin by taking the frozen smokies out of the freezer and allowing them to thaw slightly. This will make them easier to work with. If you are using bacon-wrapped smokies, you will need to slice the bacon into thirds and wrap each sausage securely, using a toothpick to hold the bacon in place. For a spicy kick, you can toss the sausages in a mixture of brown sugar, chili powder, pepper, and mustard before wrapping them.
If you prefer your smokies glazed, prepare a semi-homemade sauce by mixing your favorite barbecue sauce with brown sugar. You can also add other ingredients like grape jelly or chili seasoning to customize the flavor. Once you have prepared the sauce, place the smokies in a loaf pan and cover them with the sauce. Alternatively, you can baste the smokies with the sauce instead of fully submerging them.
If you are cooking the smokies directly on the grate without sauce, you can skip the previous steps and proceed to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 390°F, depending on your desired level of doneness and the model of your air fryer. Some recipes recommend cooking at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes, while others suggest a higher temperature of 390°F for 5 minutes, followed by an additional 2 to 3 minutes of cooking.
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Dipping sauces
To cook frozen smokies in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the sausages in the basket, leaving enough space for air circulation, and cook for 5 minutes. You can also cook them at 350°F for 7-8 minutes, tossing halfway through. Then, brush the sausages with barbecue sauce and sprinkle brown sugar on top. Finally, cook for another 2-3 minutes. The whole process should take 8-10 minutes.
Now, for the dipping sauces! While some may enjoy smokies without any dipping sauce, there are a variety of options that can enhance the flavor of these treats. Here are some ideas for delicious dipping sauces that pair well with smokies:
BBQ Honey Mustard Sauce
A tangy, creamy, and sweet sauce that is perfect for those who want a balance of flavors. To make this sauce, simply mix mayonnaise, mustard, and honey BBQ sauce. You can adjust the proportions to your taste preferences.
Apricot Sweet Chili Sauce
This sauce offers a sweet and spicy kick that complements the savory smokies. It can be made by combining apricot jam or preserves, sweet chili sauce, and a splash of lemon juice. Adjust the proportions to your liking, and feel free to add more chili sauce for an extra spicy kick.
Classic BBQ Sauce
Sometimes, keeping it simple is best. A classic BBQ sauce can be a perfect pairing with smokies, especially if you want to let the flavor of the sausages shine through. Choose your favorite brand of BBQ sauce, or make your own by whisking together ingredients like ketchup, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and your preferred spices.
Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
For those with a sweet tooth, a brown sugar BBQ sauce can be a delightful treat. Simply whisk together barbecue sauce and brown sugar until the sugar has dissolved. You can adjust the proportions to your taste, and even add a few drops of hot sauce for a spicier kick.
Honey Mustard Sauce
A classic honey mustard sauce is a versatile and delicious option. It pairs perfectly with smokies, adding a touch of sweetness and a tangy kick. To make this sauce, whisk together high-quality honey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, white vinegar, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat. Adjust the proportions to your taste preferences.
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Reheating smokies
If you have leftover BBQ smokies, you can reheat them in the air fryer to give them some crunchy crispness again. Place the smokies in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
If you have frozen your BBQ smokies, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Place the frozen smokies in the air fryer basket and cook at 380°F for 4 minutes. Open the air fryer, shake the smokies, baste them with sauce, and cook for another 4 minutes.
If you have frozen bacon-wrapped smokies, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 390°F. Place the frozen smokies in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the smokies and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon is as crisp as you like.
If you're reheating a large batch of frozen smokies, cook in batches to ensure even heating. Subsequent batches may take less time as the air fryer will be hot.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer smokies are a quick and easy snack or appetizer for any occasion. They are perfect for game day, backyard barbecues, and family get-togethers. Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your air fryer smokies:
Dipping Sauces
Create a delicious dipping sauce by whisking together barbecue sauce and brown sugar. You can also add a touch of chili powder or cayenne pepper for an extra kick. If you're feeling creative, mix together grape jelly with your favorite barbecue sauce for a unique and tasty dip. For those who love ranch, serve your smokies with a side of ranch dressing. Or, if you prefer something a little more pungent, offer honey mustard or spicy brown mustard as a condiment.
Main Course
While smokies are often served as appetizers, they can also be part of a main course. Serve them with a side of rice or creamy ranch maize to turn them into a more substantial dish.
Toothpicks
If serving as finger food, provide toothpicks to make it easier for your guests to pick up the smokies. You can even prepare them in advance by placing a toothpick in each sausage before cooking.
Bacon-Wrapped Smokies
For an extra indulgent treat, wrap your smokies in bacon and secure them with a toothpick before air-frying. You can even toss the sausages in a spice mixture before wrapping them in bacon for an added flavor boost.
Sides and Snacks
Air fryer smokies pair well with wings, dips, and other barbecue or potluck favorites. If you're serving them as a snack during game day, consider making a batch of air fryer Chex Mix, air fryer smoked sausage, or air fryer fried pickles to go along with them.
With these serving suggestions, you can take your air fryer smokies to the next level and impress your guests at your next gathering.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended that you cook frozen smokies in an air fryer for 7-10 minutes at 350°F (175°C).
Yes, spray your air fryer tray with cooking spray. Place the smokies in the air fryer in a single layer and toss halfway through cooking.
Set your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). If you are cooking bacon-wrapped smokies, increase the temperature to 390°F.
After cooking the smokies, you can brush them with barbecue sauce and sprinkle brown sugar on top. Place them back in the air fryer and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to caramelize the sauce.
It is recommended that you cook frozen bacon-wrapped smokies in an air fryer for 7-10 minutes at 390°F.
