Tiffany Haney
Black pudding, a type of blood sausage made from animal blood and fat, is a classic British dish. It is often served as part of a traditional breakfast, packed into breakfast rolls, or added to meals as a protein-rich side. While it can be cooked in a frying pan, using an air fryer is a great alternative as it is easy, delicious, and reduces the risk of overcooking. In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to cook black pudding in an air fryer, so you can enjoy a crispy exterior with a soft and rich interior.
How to cook blood sausage in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of sausage | Black pudding |
| Type of cooker | Air fryer |
| Temperature | 180°C/360°F or 200°C/390°F |
| Cooking time | 7, 10, 12 minutes |
| Preparation | Defrost, slice, dry, brush with oil |
| Serving suggestions | Traditional breakfast, breakfast rolls, snacks, side |
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What You'll Learn
How to get a crispy exterior
To get a crispy exterior when cooking blood sausage in an air fryer, there are several steps you can follow. Firstly, ensure your blood sausage is dry by patting it with paper towels or a clean tea towel. This step is especially important if you are cooking the sausage from frozen, as you should also ensure there are no ice crystals on the surface. You can do this by running the frozen sausage under the tap for a few seconds before drying it.
Once the sausage is dry, brush both sides and the edges with a light coating of oil. This will help to create a crispy exterior. Place the sausage into the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each sausage to allow for air circulation. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the sausages in batches or turn them halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping.
Set your air fryer to the desired temperature and cooking time. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages and your air fryer model, but on average, they should cook for around 10-12 minutes at 180°C/360°F or 200°C/390°F. For frozen sausages, start with a lower temperature of 160°C/320°F for the first 8 minutes, then separate the sausages and increase the temperature for the remaining cooking time.
Finally, check the crispiness of your sausages by removing them from the air fryer and examining their appearance and texture. If you desire a crispier exterior, return them to the air fryer and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes at a time until they reach your desired level of crispness.
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Cooking from frozen
You can cook blood sausages from frozen in an air fryer in a few simple steps. First, preheat your air fryer to 390 °F (thin sausages) or 360 °F (thick sausages) for 5 minutes. You can also preheat to 400 °F if you want to ensure a nice crispy brown crust.
Next, place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. It is fine if they are stuck together in a block, but if you want to avoid them sticking, you can use a spray oil on the basket or line it with parchment paper. You do not need to add oil to the sausages unless your air fryer basket tends to be sticky.
Now, place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 5 minutes. Then, remove the basket, separate the sausages, and return it to the air fryer for another 8 to 10 minutes, or 6 to 7 minutes if they are thinner sausages. You can flip them halfway through cooking.
In total, the sausages will take around 12 to 15 minutes to cook, but you can check if they are done by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165 °F (74 °C) before consuming.
Your juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked sausages are now ready to serve!
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Oil type and quantity
When cooking blood sausage in an air fryer, you'll want to use oil to achieve a crispy exterior. The type and quantity of oil you use can vary depending on your preference and the specific air fryer you are using. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you get started:
Oil Type:
The choice of oil is important as it can affect the flavour and the smoking point of the cooking process. Oils with a high smoking point, such as avocado oil, peanut oil, or refined olive oil, are good choices for air frying as they can withstand higher temperatures without smoking or burning. These oils have neutral flavours that won't overpower the taste of your blood sausage.
Oil Quantity:
The amount of oil you use will depend on the number of sausages you are cooking and the size of your air fryer basket. As a general rule, you'll want to use just enough oil to lightly coat the surface of each sausage. This typically translates to about 2 teaspoons of oil for 4 to 6 slices of blood sausage. You can adjust this amount depending on your desired level of crispiness. If you prefer a drier sausage, you can reduce the oil quantity, and if you like them extra crispy, you can add a little more.
When applying the oil, use a brush to ensure an even coating on both sides of the sausages and the edges. This helps create a uniform crispiness and prevents the sausages from sticking to the air fryer basket. It's important to note that using too much oil may cause smoke or lead to an uneven cooking result, so it's best to start with a small amount and add more as needed.
Additionally, make sure to thoroughly dry the blood sausage slices before coating them with oil. Excess moisture can affect the crispiness and lead to uneven cooking. You can use paper towels or a clean tea towel to pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.
By following these guidelines for oil type and quantity, you'll be well on your way to cooking delicious blood sausages in your air fryer with a crispy exterior and the desired texture.
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Air fryer temperature and time
The temperature and time for cooking blood sausage, or black pudding, in an air fryer will depend on whether the sausage is frozen or thawed, and the power of your air fryer.
If your black pudding is frozen, it is a good idea to defrost it first. You can do this by running it under the tap for a few seconds, drying it thoroughly, and then proceeding as normal. If you are cooking it straight from frozen, you can separate the slices and cook them for 8 minutes at 160°C/320°F, and then air fry for a further 8 minutes at 180°C/360°F.
If your black pudding is thawed, you can brush the slices with a little oil and then place them in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each slice so the air can circulate. For a crispy exterior, cook at 200°C/390°F for 12 minutes. You may want to turn them after 8 minutes, depending on how packed your air fryer is. Check the crispiness and caramelization, and if you want more, continue cooking for 1-2 minutes at a time until they are done to your liking.
The cooking time may vary depending on the power of your air fryer and the thickness of your slices, so keep an eye on your black pudding to ensure it is cooked to your preference.
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Serving suggestions
Blood sausage, or black pudding, is a classic British dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions for blood sausage cooked in an air fryer:
Traditional Breakfast
Add blood sausage to a traditional English, Scottish, or Irish breakfast. It pairs well with other breakfast items such as eggs, bacon, and brunch dishes.
Breakfast Rolls
Pack blood sausage into a breakfast roll or sandwich. This makes for a tasty and protein-packed breakfast or brunch option.
Side Dish or Snack
Serve blood sausage as a side dish or snack alongside your favourite meals. It adds a rich and flavoursome element to any dish.
Full English Breakfast
Create a full English breakfast in your air fryer by pairing blood sausage with bacon, sausages, and even vegetables like Brussels sprouts.
Breakfast for a Crowd
If you're cooking for a larger group, consider using an oven to cook blood sausage alongside other breakfast items. This method simplifies meal preparation and ensures everything is cooked together.
Smoky Flavour
For a unique twist, try cooking blood sausage on a barbecue. This adds a smoky flavour that can't be replicated with indoor cooking methods.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the blood sausage slices into the air fryer basket, spreading them out and leaving a little space between each slice. Brush the slices with a little oil and cook for 10-12 minutes at 180-200C/360-390F or until piping hot in the centre.
Yes, preheat the air fryer if your model requires it.
You can turn the slices halfway through cooking if you want to, but it is not necessary.
Yes, you can cook frozen blood sausage in an air fryer. If the slices are stuck together, start with 8 minutes at 160C/320F, then separate and cook for a further 8 minutes at 180C/360F.
Blood sausage, or black pudding, is made from animal blood (usually from pigs) mixed with fat, oatmeal, and seasonings. It is a classic British ingredient often served for breakfast.
