Chipolatas in the Air Fryer
Chipolatas are thin, so they can burn on the outside in a frying pan before the middle is hot, or split under a grill. Chipolatas in air fryer baskets cook quickly and evenly in 10 to 12 minutes, with a golden skin and no splitting. You need no oil, and the fat drains into the drawer, which makes them a handy choice for breakfast, a fry-up or a buffet.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 16min
- Prep
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 290kcal
Why the air fryer works for chipolatas
Chipolatas in air fryer baskets cook evenly because the hot air surrounds each sausage. In a frying pan the thin casings catch on the metal and burn on one side, and under a grill they spit and split. The air fryer heats the whole sausage at a steady 180 °C, so the skin turns golden while the middle cooks through, and the fat drains away.
Chipolatas also warm up faster than standard pork sausages, which makes them ideal when you want a quick breakfast. If you are cooking the thicker kind, see sausages in the air fryer for the timings.
How to make chipolatas in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare Take the chipolatas out of the fridge before cooking. There is no need to prick the skins, as the thin casing lets steam escape.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . A hot basket sets the skin quickly so the sausages do not stick.
- Arrange Lay the chipolatas in a single layer in the basket with a little space between them. If they are very tightly packed, cook in two batches. Brush with the oil for a deeper colour, or leave them dry.
- Cook Cook for , turning them over after , until golden brown all over. Smaller ones will be ready at .
- Check and rest Sausages are minced meat, so the FSA says they must be cooked until steaming hot with no pink inside. Check that the centre of the thickest one has reached 75 °C and rest them for before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Chipolatas | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled chipolatasTurn halfway | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Frozen chipolatasNo need to defrost | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
| Cocktail sausages | 180 °C | 7–8 min |
| Vegetarian chipolatasFollow the packet | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Reheating chipolatas | 160 °C | 3–4 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cook them all the same size. Mixed packs of thick and thin sausages finish at different times, so take the thin ones out early.
- Do not overcrowd. Sausages touching each other steam rather than brown. One layer with gaps is ideal; use two batches for a large number.
- Use the drawer fat. The fat that collects in the drawer can be used to fry onions or bread, but let it cool before pouring it away in a container, never down the sink.
Serving
Serve them for breakfast with bacon, scrambled eggs, grilled tomatoes and toast, or in a bap with ketchup. For dinner, serve them with mash, peas and onion gravy, or alongside jacket potatoes. Chipolatas in air fryer batches also work for party buffets with a mustard dip, and wrapped in bacon they become pigs in blankets for Christmas.
Storing and reheating
Cooked chipolatas keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 3–4 minutes until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). They are also good cold in a lunchbox.
Variations
- Honey and mustard: Toss the hot sausages in 1 tbsp honey and 1 tsp wholegrain mustard for the last 2 minutes.
- Maple and sage: Brush with maple syrup and sprinkle with dried sage for a sweet and savoury finish.
- Sausage tray: Add halved new potatoes and red onion wedges to the basket for the first 8 minutes, then add the sausages on top.
Troubleshooting
- The chipolatas split open
- The heat was too high. At 180 °C the skin has time to expand, while above 200 °C the steam builds faster than it can escape. Do not prick them either, as that releases juices.
- The sausages stick to the basket
- Preheat first and brush the basket with a drop of oil, or use a perforated air fryer liner, and wait for the skin to set before turning them.
- The sausages are pale
- Cook for another 2 minutes, or finish with a minute at 200 °C. A light brush of oil helps colour.
Frequently asked questions
How long do chipolatas take in an air fryer?
Chilled chipolatas take 10–12 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. From frozen they need 14–16 minutes.
Can you cook chipolatas from frozen in the air fryer?
Yes, with no need to defrost. Cook at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, turn halfway, and check that the centre has reached 75 °C.
Do you need to prick chipolatas before air frying?
No. Their casing is thin, and pricking lets fat and juices out, so the sausages come out drier.
What is the difference between chipolatas and sausages?
Chipolatas are thinner, about 1.5 cm across, and cook faster than standard pork sausages. They are often used for pigs in blankets or breakfasts.
Can you cook chipolatas in an air fryer without oil?
Yes. They contain enough fat, and the drawer catches what drips away.
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