Sausage Rolls in the Air Fryer
Sausage rolls are often soggy underneath or pale on top when they come out of a crowded oven. In the air fryer the puff pastry puffs up and turns golden all over in about 18 minutes, and the sausage meat cooks through. This page covers a homemade batch and explains how to cook frozen sausage rolls and reheat leftovers.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 48min
- Prep
- 20min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 520kcal
Why the air fryer works for sausage rolls
Sausage rolls in air fryer baskets avoid the usual problems of a full oven. The hot air hits the pastry from every direction, so the layers puff and turn golden without a long wait, and you do not have to heat a whole oven for four rolls. The small chamber also helps the filling cook through before the pastry darkens.
It is also the best way to reheat them. A shop-bought or leftover sausage roll goes crisp again in 4–5 minutes, where the microwave makes the pastry limp. Cooking frozen sausage rolls in the air fryer is just as easy. Check the pack, as some are already baked and some are raw.
How to make sausage rolls in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Mix the filling Mix the sausage meat with the sage and mustard in a bowl. Divide it into two portions and roll each into a sausage the length of the pastry.
- Fill the pastry Unroll the pastry on a floured surface and cut it into two long strips. Lay a sausage of meat along each strip, brush one edge with egg, then fold over and press the seam down with a fork. Cut each roll in half to make 4 large rolls, and chill for .
- Glaze Brush the rolls with beaten egg, scatter over the sesame seeds and snip two small slits in the top of each.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180 °C for .
- Cook Lay the rolls on a sheet of perforated baking paper in the basket, seam side down. Cook for , turning them over after only if one side is browning faster.
- Check and cool Push a thermometer into the middle of a roll. It should read at least 75 °C, as the FSA says sausage meat must be cooked until piping hot with no pink. Cool for a few minutes so the filling sets.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Sausage Rolls | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade large sausage rollsChill first | 180 °C | 18 min |
| Frozen sausage rolls (ready-baked)Turn once | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
| Chilled ready-made rolls | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Reheating cooked rollsSteaming hot (75 °C) | 160 °C | 4–5 min |
| Mini party sausage rollsWork in batches | 180 °C | 10–12 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
- Keep the pastry cold. Cold pastry puffs up better. If it softens while you work, chill the rolls for 10 minutes before they go in the basket.
- Cook in one layer. Rolls that touch each other steam rather than crisp. Do two batches if the basket is small.
- Use a good sausage meat. A higher meat content gives a firmer filling that holds its shape, and lets less fat escape.
Serving
Serve sausage rolls warm with brown sauce or chutney and a green salad, or pack them cold for lunch. For a finger-food spread, add spring rolls and a few sausages. If you cook sausages from the freezer, see frozen sausages. Sausage rolls in the air fryer are also quick enough to bake fresh for guests.
Storing and reheating
Cooked sausage rolls keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, put them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C) and the pastry is crisp. Uncooked rolls freeze well for up to 3 months.
Variations
- Cheese and onion: Add 50 g grated mature cheddar and 1 finely chopped spring onion to the filling. This is not dairy-free.
- Fennel and apple: Mix 1 tsp fennel seeds and 1 grated apple into the sausage meat for a sweeter filling.
- Mini rolls: Cut each long roll into 6 small pieces and cook at 180 °C for 10–12 minutes, for a party plate.
Troubleshooting
- The bottom of the sausage rolls is soggy
- Cook on perforated baking paper or a lightly oiled basket, and never stack the rolls. Chill the filled rolls first so the pastry stays cold.
- The pastry is golden but the meat is pink
- The rolls are too thick for the temperature. Lower the heat to 170 °C and add 3–4 minutes, and always check with a thermometer.
- The pastry has leaked fat
- Press the seam firmly and keep the pastry cold. Sausage meat with a high fat content will always leave some grease behind.
Frequently asked questions
How long do sausage rolls take in an air fryer?
Homemade large rolls take about 18 minutes at 180 °C. Small party rolls take 10–12 minutes, and ready-made chilled rolls 12–14 minutes.
Can you cook frozen sausage rolls in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen ready-baked rolls at 180 °C for 14–16 minutes, turning once, until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C). Check the pack for raw rolls, which need longer.
How do you reheat sausage rolls in the air fryer?
Heat them at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until the pastry is crisp again and the middle is steaming hot (75 °C). They are better than the microwave, which makes the pastry soft.
Do you need to add oil to sausage rolls in the air fryer?
No. Puff pastry contains plenty of fat. A brush of beaten egg is enough for colour.
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