Emilie Meyer
Pigs in blankets are a classic British side dish, often served during Christmas and Sunday roast dinners. They are made with sausages wrapped in bacon or crescent roll dough. Air fryers are a convenient and healthier way to cook this dish, as they require little to no oil and free up oven space. You can cook pigs in blankets from frozen in an air fryer, but it's important to adjust the cooking time and temperature to avoid overcooking.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Lil smokies, canned crescent roll dough, and butter |
| Temperature | 180 °C (350 °F) to 200 °C (400 °F) |
| Time | 4-10 minutes |
| Calories | 144kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 9g |
| Protein | 3g |
| Fat | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 4g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g |
| Cholesterol | 14mg |
| Sodium | 398mg |
| Potassium | 37mg |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Calcium | 2mg |
| Iron | 1mg |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer and prepare the basket
Preheating your air fryer and preparing the basket are crucial steps to ensure your frozen pigs in blankets cook evenly and efficiently. Here's a detailed guide to help you with these important steps:
Firstly, understand the temperature conversion for your air fryer. Air fryers typically cook with heat as high as 400° Fahrenheit or 200° Celsius. However, it's important to note that air fryers may have varying wattages and power levels, which can impact cooking time and temperature. As a general rule of thumb, when converting oven recipes, reduce the cooking temperature by 10% and the time by 20%. For example, if an oven recipe calls for 350°F for 20 minutes, you would set your air fryer to 315°F (a reduction of 10%) and cook for 16 minutes (a reduction of 20%).
Now, let's apply this knowledge to preheating your air fryer for frozen pigs in blankets. Set your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F (or 180°C and 200°C). The exact temperature within this range may depend on your air fryer's specifications and your personal preferences. Aim for the lower end of the range if you want to err on the side of caution, as you can always cook your pigs in blankets a little longer if needed.
Once you've set the temperature, give your air fryer a few minutes to preheat. The time it takes to preheat will depend on your air fryer's model and power. Most air fryers will have an indicator light or a beep to let you know when they're preheated. While you're waiting, you can prepare your frozen pigs in blankets by arranging them on the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overcrowd the basket. Leave some space between each pig in a blanket to allow for even cooking.
Before placing the basket into the air fryer, consider spraying it with a light coating of oil or brushing it with butter. This step will help prevent sticking and promote even browning. Some air fryers may come with specific recommendations or instructions for preparing the basket, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's manual if you have any doubts.
Finally, when your air fryer is preheated, carefully place the prepared basket into the air fryer and set the timer. Remember that cooking times may vary, but as a starting point, aim for 8-10 minutes for crispy and golden brown pigs in blankets. Always keep an eye on your first batch to ensure they don't overcook or burn. You can adjust the timing for subsequent batches as needed.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for frozen pigs in blankets in an air fryer depend on the specific air fryer model and the number of pigs in blankets being cooked. Most air fryers can reach temperatures of 400° Fahrenheit/200° Celsius, and some can go even higher.
As a general rule, it is recommended to cook food in an air fryer at a temperature 25 to 50 degrees lower than the oven temperature specified in a recipe, for about two-thirds of the time. For example, if a recipe suggests an oven temperature of 400° Fahrenheit for 18 minutes, the air fryer temperature should be set to 375° Fahrenheit for 12 minutes. This rule of thumb is especially applicable to frozen items.
For frozen pigs in blankets, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to 350° Fahrenheit/180° Celsius. Then, spray the basket with a light coat of oil to prevent sticking and place the frozen pigs in blankets inside, ensuring they do not overcrowd the basket, as the air needs to circulate to make the bacon crispy. The pigs in blankets should be cooked for 8-10 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
It is important to note that cooking time may need to be adjusted depending on the wattage and power of the air fryer's heating element. If the pigs in blankets are not fully cooked after the suggested time, they can always be placed back in the air fryer for a few extra minutes. Checking the food halfway through the cooking process is a good way to prevent overcooking.
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Choosing the right ingredients
When selecting sausages for your pigs in blankets, choose a variety that is suitable for cooking in the air fryer. Cocktail sausages, chipolatas, or pre-fried sausage links are all good options. If you want to add a smoky flavour to your dish, look for "lil smokies" or smoked sausage varieties. If you prefer a heartier sausage, you can even use hot dogs as your base.
For the blanket, crispy bacon is a traditional choice, but you can also use pastry dough for a flakier texture. Canned or refrigerated crescent roll dough is a popular option, as it is easy to work with and creates a delicious homemade roll texture. However, if you want to get creative, you can also use puff pastry or pancake dough for a unique twist.
To add extra flavour and richness to your pigs in blankets, you can include some additional ingredients. Butter is a classic choice for brushing the pastry to give it a golden colour and a buttery flavour. You can also add cheese for an extra burst of flavour, but be mindful that it may melt and drip into your air fryer, so choose a firmer cheese and cut smaller slices.
Lastly, don't forget to choose some dipping sauces to serve with your pigs in blankets. Ketchup and mustard are classic choices, but you can also offer a variety of options such as BBQ sauce, cheese sauce, honey mustard sauce, or ranch dressing to take your dish to the next level.
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Preparing the pigs in blankets
Preparing pigs in blankets in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. You can use either fresh or frozen pigs in blankets, and the recipe can be adapted to suit your preferences.
Firstly, gather your ingredients. The classic combination is sausages and bacon, but you can also use lil' smokies or hot dogs, wrapped in crescent roll dough, puff pastry, or bread. If you're using bacon, you might want to pre-cook it in the microwave to avoid it coming out soggy. You can also add cheese to your pigs in blankets for an extra burst of flavour. Simply cut a slice of cheese a little shorter than your sausage, place it on top, and wrap it all up.
Next, preheat your air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F) and lightly grease the basket with butter or a light oil to prevent sticking.
Once your air fryer is up to temperature, it's time to cook your pigs in blankets. Place them in the basket, leaving space between each one to allow air to circulate. If you're cooking from frozen, add an extra minute or two to the cooking time. Cook for 4-6 minutes for fresh pigs in blankets, or until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
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Sauces and dips
Classic Mustard
The tangy and slightly spicy flavor of mustard perfectly complements the savory taste of the sausages. You can choose from yellow, Dijon, or spicy brown mustard, or even make your own honey mustard sauce by combining honey, Dijon mustard, and dry mustard with water.
BBQ Sauce
For a hint of smokiness, BBQ sauce is a fantastic option. Its sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy profile will enhance the smoky flavors of the sausages.
Honey Mustard Sauce
This sauce combines the sweetness of honey with the tanginess of mustard, creating a delightful balance of flavors that complements the savory sausages.
Cheese Sauce
For an indulgent option, cheese sauce is a great choice. It pairs well with the sausages and adds a gooey texture.
Ranch Dressing
Ranch dressing is a versatile dip that can add a creamy and tangy twist to your pigs in blankets.
Spicy Hot Dip
If you're feeling adventurous, try a spicy hot dip. You can make this by whisking together dry mustard, warm water, Dijon mustard, honey, and hot sauce.
Sriracha Mayo
For spice enthusiasts, Sriracha mayo is a perfect match. It combines the heat of Sriracha with the creaminess of mayonnaise, creating a fiery yet smooth sauce.
Garlic Parmesan Dip
This creamy and savory dip is made with garlic and Parmesan cheese, adding a burst of flavor that beautifully complements the sausages.
Teriyaki Glaze
For an Asian-inspired twist, try a teriyaki glaze made with soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. It adds a deliciously sweet and savory note to your pigs in blankets.
Remember, you can always adjust the recipes to your taste and experiment with different ingredients to create your unique sauces and dips.
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Frequently asked questions
It is recommended to cook pigs in blankets at 180 °C (350 °F) in an air fryer. However, some air fryers can cook at higher temperatures, so check your air fryer's capabilities.
The cooking time for pigs in blankets in an air fryer is generally between 4 and 10 minutes. If cooking from frozen, add a minute or two to the cooking time.
Before placing the pigs in blankets in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to the desired temperature. Spray the basket with a light oil or butter to prevent sticking.
No preparation is required for frozen pigs in blankets. Simply arrange them in the air fryer, ensuring there is space for air to circulate.
Pigs in blankets are a classic British side dish, often served with roast dinners, Christmas lunch, or Boxing Day buffets. They can also be served as an appetizer or snack, with dipping sauces such as ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, cheese sauce, honey mustard sauce, or ranch dressing.
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