Air-Fried Boerewors: A Quick, Tasty South African Treat

Boerewors is a thick South African sausage that is a delicacy and an essential part of the country's cultural heritage. The name is derived from the Afrikaans words boere, meaning farmers, and wors, meaning sausage. While the classic method of cooking boerewors is on a braai, it can also be cooked in an air fryer. In this article, we will explore the best methods for cooking boerewors in an air fryer, including temperatures and cooking times, to ensure juicy and flavourful results.

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. By setting the temperature to 200°C, you create the ideal environment for cooking boerewors, ensuring it turns out crispy and juicy. Here's a detailed guide to help you master this step:

Firstly, understand the importance of preheating. Preheating your air fryer to 200°C is crucial as it ensures your boerewors cooks evenly and efficiently. This step brings the air fryer up to the optimal temperature before the boerewors is placed inside, creating a consistent cooking environment.

Next, know the benefits of preheating. When you preheat your air fryer, you're not only ensuring the appliance is ready but also preparing the cooking space. This step helps to create a stable temperature zone, which is essential for achieving the desired doneness and texture of your boerewors.

Now, let's discuss the timing. Preheating your air fryer to 200°C usually takes around 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the model and its wattage. It's important to refer to your air fryer's user manual to get an accurate estimate for your specific model.

Additionally, consider safety precautions. Always exercise caution when handling hot appliances. After preheating, your air fryer will be extremely hot. Remember to use oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves when placing the boerewors into the air fryer to protect your hands from burns.

Lastly, maintain consistency. For the best results, try to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. Avoid frequently opening the air fryer basket during cooking, as this can cause heat loss and affect the cooking time.

By following these guidelines, you'll be a pro at preheating your air fryer to 200°C, ensuring your boerewors turns out perfectly cooked and delicious every time.

Cooking time: 12-15 minutes

Cooking Boerewors in an Air Fryer

To cook boerewors in an air fryer, you'll need to follow a few simple steps:

• Defrost if necessary: If your boerewors is frozen, make sure to defrost it in the refrigerator beforehand.
• Prick the sausage: Before placing the boerewors in the air fryer, lightly prick it with a fork to release excess fat during cooking, resulting in a healthier and less greasy dish.
• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to the appropriate temperature, typically around 180°C (356°F).
• Arrange the boerewors: Place the pricked boerewors in the air fryer basket, ensuring it's not overcrowded for even cooking.

The cooking time for boerewors in an air fryer will depend on the size and thickness of the sausage and the specific air fryer model. As a general guideline, cook a standard-sized boerewors sausage for approximately 12-15 minutes. Keep an eye on the sausage to prevent overcooking and flip it halfway through for even browning. Remember that air fryers cook by circulating hot air, so adjust the cooking time as needed for your desired level of doneness.

• Check the internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches at least 74°C (165°F) to guarantee thorough cooking.
• Crispiness: If you prefer a crispier exterior, you can increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
• Serve hot: Boerewors is best enjoyed straight from the air fryer while it's still hot. Serve it with your favourite sides and sauces.

Flip halfway through

When cooking boerewors in an air fryer, it is important to flip the sausage halfway through the cooking process. This ensures even cooking and helps to create a juicy texture.

To do this, carefully flip the boerewors after 6 minutes of cooking at 180 degrees Celsius. It is important to be cautious when flipping to avoid popping the casing, which would cause the fat to leak out. After flipping, continue cooking at the same temperature for another 6 minutes.

Flipping the boerewors halfway through helps to ensure that all sides of the sausage get evenly cooked and develop a nice colour. It also allows the juices to redistribute and settle back into the meat, resulting in a juicy and flavourful sausage.

Additionally, flipping the boerewors can help prevent drying out. By flipping and monitoring the sausage during cooking, you can ensure it is cooked to your desired level of doneness, whether you prefer it well-done or with a little pink in the middle.

Finally, flipping the boerewors halfway through can also contribute to the convenience and ease of the air-frying method. By simply monitoring and flipping the sausage, you can achieve delicious results with minimal prep and cleanup.

Don't pierce the boerewors

Boerewors is a type of sausage from South Africa, typically made with beef but can also contain other meats such as lamb, pork, or venison. It is often grilled at a braai (barbecue) but can also be cooked in an oven, pan, or air fryer.

When cooking boerewors, it is important not to pierce the sausage. Piercing the boerewors will cause the juices to be released, resulting in dry sausage meat. This is true whether the boerewors is cooked on a barbecue, in an air fryer, or by other cooking methods. To avoid drying out the boerewors, turn the sausages with tongs instead of piercing them with a fork.

When cooking boerewors in an air fryer, it is also important to monitor the cooking time to avoid drying out the meat. For thick boerewors, cook for 16 minutes, flipping the sausage after 8 minutes to ensure even cooking. For thin boerewors, cook for a total of 12 minutes, flipping after 6 minutes. After removing the boerewors from the air fryer, let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle back into the meat.

Additionally, when cooking boerewors, it is recommended to coat the pan or air fryer basket with a little olive oil or vegetable oil to prevent the casing from drying out and ensure a light golden color on both sides.

Rest for 4-5 minutes

Once your boerewors is cooked, remove the tray from the heat and let it rest for 4-5 minutes. This will allow the juices to settle back into the meat, ensuring it is juicy and flavourful.

Resting the meat is an important step as it gives the juices time to redistribute, preventing them from running out when you cut into the boerewors. This helps to keep the meat moist and tender.

During the resting period, it is best to keep the boerewors in the tray and out of direct heat. You can simply leave the tray on the countertop, and the meat will continue to cook gently in the residual heat.

This resting period is also a good time to prepare any sides or garnishes to serve with your boerewors. For example, you could make a creamy garlic and butter mash or spicy chakalaka, as suggested by one home cook.

After the resting period, your boerewors will be ready to serve. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions