Air-Fryer Toad In The Hole: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Toad in the Hole is a British comfort food consisting of sausages baked in Yorkshire pudding batter. It is usually made in a large pan, but it can also be made in an air fryer, which is arguably easier. This guide will take you through the simple steps to making this delicious dish in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making toad in the hole, as it ensures the oil gets hot enough to help the batter rise and gives the dish its fantastic rise. Here is a detailed guide on how to preheat your air fryer for making toad in the hole:

First, set your air fryer to 200°C. Most recipes recommend this temperature for preheating. While the air fryer is heating up, you can prepare your other ingredients. This includes making your Yorkshire pudding batter by mixing eggs, milk, flour, and seasonings until smooth. You can also use this time to prepare your sausages and any side dishes you plan to serve with your toad in the hole.

Next, choose a suitable baking tin that fits comfortably in your air fryer. A metal baking tin with a thin base is recommended, as it will ensure the oil gets hot enough. A 20-cm sandwich or cake tin is a good option. Place the tin inside the air fryer basket and add the oil. The amount of oil you use can vary, but typically around 2-3 teaspoons or tablespoons are recommended.

Now, you can preheat the oil in the tin. Air fry for about 3 minutes. This step is crucial, as it ensures the oil is hot enough to give your batter a fantastic rise. If you skip preheating the oil, you will need to air fry for a longer time, around 5-to-8 minutes, to get the oil hot enough.

Once the oil is hot, you can move on to the next steps of your toad in the hole recipe, such as lightly browning your sausages in the hot oil and then pouring the batter over them. Remember to work quickly after adding the batter so that the oil stays hot.

By following these steps, you will ensure your air fryer is properly preheated, setting your toad in the hole up for success!

Brown the sausages

To brown the sausages, you'll first want to cook them in oil. The sausages should be placed in a hot tin with oil, or directly in the air fryer drawer with oil. You can use vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil, but be aware that olive oil doesn't reach as high a temperature.

Cook the sausages for around 5 minutes, or until they start to brown. You are not looking to cook them through at this stage, just to give them a head start. You can also cook the sausages for 10 minutes at 350°F (180°C) and then slice them into three or four pieces. Alternatively, cut the sausages in half widthwise and cook them for 6-8 minutes, turning once.

If you are using an air fryer that has different modes, you can use the ''air fry' mode to cook the sausages, and then switch to 'bake' mode to cook the toad in the hole.

Make the batter

To make the batter for toad in the hole in an air fryer, you will need eggs, flour, milk, and a pinch of salt. Some recipes also suggest adding a splash of onion powder, stone-ground mustard, and pepper.

Crack the eggs into a mixing bowl and add a splash of milk. Use a balloon whisk to whisk the eggs and milk together. Start by mixing in the middle of the bowl, slowly incorporating the flour and other dry ingredients into the eggs and milk. Gradually add the remaining milk and continue mixing until you have a smooth batter.

If you have an electric mixer or an immersion blender, you can add all the ingredients to a tall measuring jug and blitz until the batter is smooth.

Some recipes suggest resting the batter for 30 minutes or even overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.

Pour the batter over the sausages

Now it's time to pour the batter over the sausages. You want to do this as quickly as possible so that the oil in the tin stays hot. Close the basket of your air fryer and let the toad in the hole cook for 12 minutes. If you are using a Ninja Dual Air Fryer, switch to 'bake' mode for 15 minutes until the batter is fully cooked.

Different air fryers cook with different efficiencies, so you may need to cook yours for a little longer. Close the air fryer basket as quickly as possible to prevent the batter from deflating. Hopefully, after 12 minutes, your toad in the hole will be perfectly golden brown and have risen sufficiently. If not, simply cook for a few minutes longer.

You can serve your toad in the hole straight out of the air fryer. Pour some onion gravy over it and serve with vegetables or mash.

Check it's ready

Checking if your toad in the hole is ready is a crucial step in the cooking process. You don't want to serve it undercooked, but you also don't want to overcook it and risk drying out the sausages and batter. Here are some detailed tips on how to check if your toad in the hole is ready:

First, pay attention to the colour. The dish should be a golden brown colour when it's ready. The batter should be puffed up and crisp at the edges. This colour transformation is a key indicator that the toad in the hole is cooked properly.

Secondly, use your sense of smell. A delicious aroma should be wafting from your air fryer when the toad in the hole is done. The smell of cooked sausages and crispy batter will be hard to miss!

Thirdly, timing is important. Most recipes suggest cooking the toad in the hole for around 12 minutes after adding the batter. However, it's important to remember that all air fryers cook at different efficiencies, so you may need to adjust the timing accordingly. Keep a close eye on your toad in the hole during the cooking process to ensure it doesn't overcook.

Finally, use a spatula to carefully lift the toad in the hole from the air fryer. If it lifts easily and feels firm to the touch, it's likely ready. If it feels too soft or mushy, it may need a few more minutes.

Remember, it's always better to slightly overcook your toad in the hole than to undercook it, as you want to ensure the sausages are thoroughly cooked for food safety reasons. However, be mindful that overcooking can dry out the dish, so finding that perfect balance is essential.

Frequently asked questions