Pigs in Blankets in the Air Fryer
Pigs in blankets are the one part of Christmas dinner that always seems to run out, and they take up oven space you need for the roast potatoes. Pigs in blankets air fryer style are ready in about 15 minutes, with crisp bacon and juicy sausages, and the oven stays free. This guide gives times for fresh, frozen and mini ones.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 30min
- Prep
- 15min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 330kcal
Why the air fryer works for pigs in blankets
Pigs in blankets air fryer cooking solves the usual Christmas problem of a full oven. A basket takes a dozen at a time and heats up in minutes, so you can cook them while the roast rests. The circulating air crisps the bacon on every side, which an oven tray often fails to do on the underside, and the fat drips away into the drawer.
Because the bacon wraps the sausage, it protects it from drying out, and the two cook at a similar speed. The only real risk is overfilling the basket. Fit them in one layer with gaps, and cook in two batches if you are making more than a dozen.
How to make pigs in blankets in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Stretch the bacon Lay each rasher on a board and run the back of a knife along it to stretch it to about 1½ times its length. Stretched bacon wraps neatly and crisps instead of shrinking into a lump.
- Wrap Wind one rasher around each chipolata in a spiral, tucking the ends underneath. Secure with a cocktail stick if the bacon will not stay put. If you like a glaze, mix the maple syrup and mustard and keep it aside for the last of cooking.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for . Do not use oil, as the bacon releases its own fat.
- Cook Place the pigs in blankets in the basket with the bacon ends facing down, leaving a little space between them. Cook for , turning them over after . If you are using the glaze, brush it on for the last . Add if the bacon is still pale.
- Check Cut one open or push a meat thermometer into the centre of a sausage. Sausages are minced meat, so the FSA says to cook them until they are steaming hot with no pink inside, which means 75 °C. Rest for before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Pigs in Blankets | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Chilled pigs in blanketsTurn halfway | 180 °C | 15 min |
| Mini pigs in blankets | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Frozen pigs in blanketsTurn halfway | 180 °C | 18–20 min |
| Large sausages wrapped in baconCheck the centre is 75 °C | 180 °C | 18–20 min |
| Reheating pigs in blankets | 160 °C | 4–5 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.
You may also like: Christmas dinner in an air fryer
Tips
- Choose thin streaky bacon. Thick or dry-cured rashers take longer to crisp than the sausage takes to cook. Smoked or unsmoked both work.
- Cook in batches for a crowd. Keep the first batch warm under foil. A second batch reheated for 2 minutes at 180 °C is just as crisp as the first.
- Glaze at the end. Honey or maple syrup burns at high heat, so brush it on for the last 3 minutes only.
Serving
Serve them as part of a roast with turkey, stuffing and gravy; the Christmas dinner guide shows how to fit the other dishes around them, and a turkey crown cooks in the same machine. They also work as party nibbles with a mustard or cranberry dip, or in a bap for breakfast. For a plain version without the bacon, see sausages in the air fryer. Pigs in blankets in air fryer baskets are also good with Brussels sprouts and carrots.
Storing and reheating
Cooked pigs in blankets keep for up to 2 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). Do not reheat more than once.
Variations
- Honey and mustard: Brush with 1 tbsp honey mixed with 1 tsp wholegrain mustard for the last 3 minutes.
- Cranberry and sage: Tuck a small sage leaf under the bacon and serve with a spoonful of cranberry sauce.
- Cheesy: Slit each chipolata lengthways, push in a strip of cheddar and wrap with bacon as normal.
Troubleshooting
- The bacon is pale and rubbery
- It was too thick or the basket was overfull. Use streaky bacon, stretch it thinly and leave gaps between the pigs in blankets so the air can reach every side.
- The bacon unwinds during cooking
- Place the loose end underneath the sausage, or hold it with a cocktail stick. Remove the sticks before serving.
- The sausages are cooked but the bacon is not crisp
- Finish for 2–3 minutes at 200 °C, watching closely. Thick bacon may need an extra few minutes, and a glaze should only go on at the end.
Frequently asked questions
How long do pigs in blankets take in an air fryer?
Fresh or chilled pigs in blankets take about 15 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Mini ones take 10–12 minutes.
Can you cook pigs in blankets from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen pigs in blankets at 180 °C for 18–20 minutes, turning them halfway, until the bacon is crisp and the sausage is steaming hot at 75 °C.
Can you cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer without oil?
Yes. Bacon is fatty enough to crisp on its own, and the fat that drips into the drawer keeps the pigs in blankets from sticking.
How long does it take to reheat pigs in blankets in an air fryer?
Reheat leftovers at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, turning once, until steaming hot all the way through.
Can you make pigs in blankets the day before?
Yes. Wrap them, cover and chill for up to 24 hours, then cook as normal. Add a minute or two as they will be fridge-cold.
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