Air Fryer Sausage Rolls: Quick Heating Guide

Sausage rolls are a British icon, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this classic snack without needing to switch the oven on. The cooking time depends on the size of the sausage rolls and the air fryer model, but generally, it takes around 10-20 minutes at a temperature of 180-200°C.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Depending on your model, preheating can take around 3 to 4 minutes, usually at a temperature of 180°C/360°F. Some air fryers have a specific preheat setting, like 4 minutes at 205°C. It is important to refer to your air fryer's manual for specific instructions.

Not all air fryers require preheating, so checking the manual is essential. If your air fryer does not require preheating, you can simply skip this step and proceed with cooking your sausage rolls. However, if you are cooking in batches, it is worth noting that the retained heat from the first batch may reduce the cooking time for subsequent batches. Therefore, it is advisable to keep a close eye on your sausage rolls to ensure they don't overcook.

Additionally, the size of your air fryer basket or drawer will determine how many sausage rolls you can cook at once. Most standard-sized air fryers can accommodate 4 to 6 sausage rolls, but larger models with two drawers or shelves may allow for cooking a larger quantity at once.

Prepare the sausage meat

Preparing the sausage meat is a crucial step in making sausage rolls, and here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Firstly, decide on the type of sausage meat you want to use. You can either buy ready-made sausage meat or make your own. If you opt for the latter, choose a good quality pork shoulder and grind it yourself, ensuring it's not too lean. You can also add other ingredients like onion, celery, bacon, and spices to enhance the flavour.

Once you have your sausage meat, it's time to shape it. Dampen your hands with a bit of water to prevent the meat from sticking, then form the meat into a long, compact log shape. You can also add some egg to help bind the meat together.

If you're making multiple sausage rolls, divide the meat into equal portions to ensure uniformity. For each portion, roll the meat into a 9-inch long sausage. Keep the rolled meat covered and refrigerated until you're ready to assemble the sausage rolls.

When you're ready to assemble, roll out your puff pastry into a rectangle. Cut the rectangle into long strips, depending on how many sausage rolls you want to make. Place the sausage meat in the centre of each strip, leaving some space at the edges. Brush the edges with a beaten egg or water to act as a glue.

Now, carefully roll the pastry over the sausage meat, ensuring the seam is at the bottom. Cut the long rolls into the desired size for your sausage rolls. You can make them big or small, depending on your preference.

Before baking, brush the tops of the sausage rolls with an egg wash to give them a golden colour. You can also add some spices or herbs on top for extra flavour and texture.

Finally, bake the sausage rolls in the oven until the pastry is crisp and golden, and the sausage meat is cooked through.

And that's it! You've now prepared delicious sausage meat for your sausage rolls, ready to be enjoyed as a snack, appetiser, or part of a meal.

Roll out the pastry

Rolling out the pastry is a crucial step in making sausage rolls. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the perfect pastry for your air fryer sausage rolls:

Firstly, prepare your work surface by sprinkling a light coating of flour on it. This will prevent the pastry from sticking as you roll it out. Take your puff pastry—store-bought or homemade—and place it on the floured surface.

Using a rolling pin, gently roll out the pastry to a thickness of about 0.25 inches. If you prefer to make your own pastry, simply combine flour and butter in a bowl, rubbing them together until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Then, gradually add water and mix with your hands until a dough forms.

Once you have rolled out the pastry, it's time to cut it. Using a sharp knife, cut the pastry in half lengthwise, creating two long strips that will form the base of your sausage rolls. If you're making mini sausage rolls, you can cut the pastry into narrower strips.

For regular-sized sausage rolls, each strip of pastry will be enough for three sausages. Place the sausages along the centre of each strip, leaving some space at the ends. If needed, stretch the sausages slightly to ensure they fill the length of the pastry.

Brush one of the long edges of the pastry with milk or a beaten egg, which will act as an adhesive. Starting with the long side closest to you, carefully roll the pastry around the sausages, keeping it tight and ensuring the sealed edge is at the bottom.

For mini sausage rolls, cut the strips into smaller sections before rolling, depending on the desired size. You can also experiment with different flavours by adding a layer of tomato puree or your favourite condiment to the pastry before adding the sausages.

After rolling, brush the sausage rolls with milk or egg wash to give them a golden glow when cooked. You can also make diagonal slashes on the rolls with a sharp knife for a decorative touch.

Finally, cut the sausage rolls into your desired size—mini bites, medium, or extra large—and they're ready to be placed in the air fryer!

Assemble the sausage rolls

To assemble the sausage rolls, first, remove the sausage meat from its casing and put it into a small bowl. Use a fork to break up the meat. Next, roll out the pastry and cut it in half lengthways. Then, divide the sausage meat into two lines along the length of the pastry. After that, fold the pastry over the meat and gently press down, using a fork to crimp the edges. Brush the long rolls with a whisked egg and cut each roll into the desired number of pieces. Finally, pierce the top of each roll with a knife.

Cook the sausage rolls

Now that you've prepared your sausage rolls, it's time to cook them in the air fryer! Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Preheat your air fryer: Refer to your air fryer's manual to determine if preheating is necessary. If so, set it to the recommended preheat temperature and time. Some air fryers have a dedicated preheat function, while others may require you to manually set the temperature and time.
• Prepare the egg wash: In a small bowl, beat an egg. You can also use extra virgin olive oil or milk as an alternative to the egg wash. This step is optional but will help achieve a golden colour on your sausage rolls.
• Assemble the sausage rolls: On a floured surface, roll out your puff pastry or shortcrust pastry to the desired thickness. Cut the pastry into long strips, leaving enough pastry to wrap around the sausage meat. Remove the casings from your sausages or use sausage meat and form it into a long sausage shape. Place the sausage meat on the pastry, leaving some space at the edges for sealing.
• Roll and seal: Brush one of the long edges of the pastry with the egg wash. Start rolling the pastry from the unwashed smaller top section, ensuring the sausage meat is completely sealed inside. Use your finger to gently press along the pastry seam to prevent it from opening during cooking.
• Cut and neaten: Using a sharp knife, cut the sausage rolls into your desired size. You can make them into regular-sized sausage rolls or mini sausage rolls. If needed, neaten the ends by cutting them with a sharp knife.
• Egg wash and slash: Generously apply the egg wash to the top and sides of each sausage roll, avoiding the exposed ends and sausage meat. Using a sharp knife, make diagonal slashes on each sausage roll. This step is optional but will give your sausage rolls a classic look.
• Place in the air fryer: Carefully transfer the sausage rolls to your air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Leave a little space between the sausage rolls to allow for even cooking.
• Cooking time and temperature: Set your air fryer to the recommended temperature of 180°C/350°F to 180°C/360°F. The cooking time will depend on the size of your sausage rolls. For regular-sized sausage rolls, cook for 15 minutes. For mini sausage rolls, reduce the cooking time to 8-10 minutes.
• Check for doneness: Keep an eye on your sausage rolls during the cooking process. If they are not browning evenly, you may need to flip them halfway through the cooking time. Use a meat thermometer to check if they are cooked through.
• Rest and serve: Once the sausage rolls are golden brown and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. They will be very hot inside, so be careful not to burn yourself.

Your sausage rolls are now ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them hot or cold, with your favourite dipping sauces or condiments on the side.

Frequently asked questions