Air-Fryer Lil Smokies: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a convenient way to make lil smokies, which are perfect as appetisers or snacks for game day, potlucks, and parties. They are also great for when you're short on time, as they can be made in just a few minutes. The smokies are cooked in the air fryer, then coated in barbecue sauce and brown sugar, and cooked again until the sugar is caramelised. You can also wrap the smokies in bacon, or serve them with a dipping sauce made from grape jelly.

Choosing the right sausages

Type of Sausage

You can choose from a variety of sausages, such as Italian sausage, bratwurst, breakfast sausage, or even fully cooked options like kielbasa or chicken sausages. Select the type that best suits your taste preferences and the occasion.

Size and Thickness

The size and thickness of the sausages will impact their cooking time in the air fryer. Thinner sausages, like breakfast sausages, will cook faster (around 8-10 minutes) compared to thicker options like bratwurst or Italian sausage, which will take 9-12 minutes.

Fresh or Frozen

If you're using fresh or thawed sausages, it's recommended to poke holes in the casings with a fork or paring knife to allow the fat to escape. For frozen sausages, you can cook them straight from frozen, but they may take a little longer to cook through.

Quality and Ingredients

Look for sausages with high-quality meat and avoid those with excessive fillers or preservatives. Check the ingredient list to ensure they align with your dietary preferences and restrictions.

Cooking Method

Consider whether you want to cook the sausages directly on the air fryer rack or use a pan or basket. Some recipes, like Lil Smokies, involve coating the sausages in sauce and cooking them in a pan within the air fryer, while others suggest placing the sausages directly on the rack for a crispier exterior.

Personal Preferences

Everyone has unique taste preferences, so choose a sausage that appeals to your palate. Opt for a brand or variety that you've enjoyed in the past or be adventurous and try something new. You can also experiment with different types of BBQ sauce and other seasonings to enhance the flavor of your Lil Smokies.

Preparing the air fryer basket

Firstly, it's important to note that different air fryers may have specific requirements, so checking your air fryer's manual for recommendations is always a good idea. Some baskets may have a nonstick coating, which simplifies the preparation process. If your basket doesn't have a nonstick coating, there are several options to choose from. You can use nonstick spray, olive oil, or vegetable oil to coat the basket, making cleanup easier and preventing food from sticking. Additionally, if your air fryer allows it, you can line the basket with parchment paper or foil.

When preparing the basket, it is also essential to ensure that it is clean and dry. Any leftover residue from previous cooking can affect the taste and quality of your lil smokies. It is also important to ensure that the basket is completely dry before adding any oil or nonstick spray to prevent uneven heating and potential smoke.

Once your basket is prepared, you can move on to the next step of arranging the lil smokies inside. Remember to leave some space between each sausage to allow for even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you might need to cook the sausages in batches to avoid overcrowding.

After placing the sausages in the basket, you can proceed with the cooking instructions, following your preferred recipe. Remember to monitor the sausages during cooking and adjust the timing and temperature according to your air fryer's performance and your desired level of doneness.

By following these instructions for preparing the air fryer basket, you'll be well on your way to making delicious lil smokies that are perfect for game days, parties, or any occasion!

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking temperature and time for lil smokies in an air fryer will depend on the type of air fryer you have, the number of sausages you are cooking, and whether you are cooking them with sauce or not.

If you are cooking lil smokies in a loaf pan with sauce, cook them for 15 minutes at 360°F/182°C, stirring halfway through. If you are cooking them directly on the grate, they will only need 8 minutes at 380°F/193°C.

If you are cooking lil smokies without sauce, place them in your air fryer basket and cook at 350°F/175°C for 5-8 minutes, tossing or flipping halfway through. Then, brush BBQ sauce over them and sprinkle with brown sugar. Place them back in the air fryer and cook for another 2-5 minutes, or until the sugar is caramelized.

If you are wrapping your lil smokies in bacon, cook them in the air fryer at 390°F/200°C for 5 minutes. Flip them and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, or until the bacon is as crisp as you like.

Sauce ingredients and preparation

To make a sauce for your Lil Smokies, you can use a combination of barbecue sauce, grape jelly, and chili sauce. Alternatively, you can simply use barbecue sauce and brown sugar.

For the first option, whisk together 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce, 1/4 cup of grape jelly, and 1/4 cup of chili sauce. You can use your favourite barbecue sauce, but a lighter sauce is recommended. For the chili sauce, use a product like Heinz Chili Sauce, and avoid the Asian sweet style.

For the second option, whisk together your barbecue sauce of choice with a teaspoon of brown sugar.

Once you have cooked your Lil Smokies in the air fryer, brush the sauce over them and cook for a further 2-5 minutes.

Serving suggestions

Lil Smokies are a great snack for game day, potlucks, cocktail parties, and family gatherings. They are also a good option for watching the big game on TV, tailgating, and New Year's Eve.

You can serve lil smokies straight from the air fryer with toothpicks as a finger food. If you want to get creative, there are several ways to change up the flavor and presentation of this dish. Here are some ideas:

Bacon-Wrapped Smokies

Wrap each sausage in a piece of bacon and secure it with a toothpick. You can also add some brown sugar, chili powder, cracked pepper, and ground mustard to the mix. This gives the smokies a nice spicy kick.

Pigs in a Blanket

Wrap each sausage in strips of crescent roll dough and air fry or bake until golden brown.

Dipping Sauces

While lil smokies are delicious on their own, you can also serve them with a variety of dipping sauces. Some options include barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, honey mustard, or spicy brown mustard. If you want something sweet, you can even dip them in grape jelly!

Side Dishes

Lil smokies go well with a variety of side dishes, such as wings, dips, and other barbecue or potluck favorites. You can also serve them with pizza rolls, buffalo chicken wings, soft pretzels, or potato skins.

Presentation Ideas

To make your lil smokies look even more appealing, consider serving them on a platter with some fresh herbs or greens as a garnish. You can also stick a small toothpick into each sausage with a little flag or sign that says what type of sausage it is or what flavors are included. This is especially helpful if you are serving multiple types of lil smokies.

Frequently asked questions