Toad in the Hole in the Air Fryer
Toad in the hole usually means heating a whole oven for 40 minutes. An air fryer toad in the hole is a smaller version for two, with a crisp, puffed batter and browned sausages in about 20 minutes. It needs the right tin and a very hot start, and this page explains both, along with what to do if your air fryer is small.
- Temperature
- 190°C
- Total time
- 1hr
- Prep
- 10min
- Servings
- 2
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 560kcal
Why the air fryer works for toad in the hole
An air fryer toad in the hole needs less oil and less waiting than the oven version. The basket heats within a couple of minutes, and the hot air gives the batter a crisp, ruffled top. The result is smaller than the Sunday tray bake, but it is quick enough for a weeknight and uses just a few cupboard ingredients.
There are limits. Toad in the hole in an air fryer works best in a basket of 4 litres or more, with a metal tin or a silicone mould of about 18 cm. If the batter rises close to the heating element it can brown too fast, so leave a few centimetres of space above the tin. For feeding four, bake it in the oven or make two batches.
How to make toad in the hole in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Make the batter Whisk the flour, eggs, milk, mustard, thyme and a pinch of salt into a smooth batter with the consistency of single cream. Leave it to rest for , which helps it rise.
- Heat the tin Pour the oil into a metal tin or ovenproof dish about 18 cm across that fits in your basket with room around the sides. Place it in the air fryer and preheat to 200 °C for , until the oil is very hot and shimmering.
- Brown the sausages Carefully add the sausages to the hot tin and cook for at 200 °C, turning once, so the surface begins to colour.
- Add the batter Using oven gloves, pull the tin out, pour in the batter quickly (it should sizzle), and return it straight away. Lower the heat to 190 °C and cook for . Do not open the drawer for the first or the batter will sink.
- Check and serve The batter should be deep golden and risen. Check that a sausage has reached 75 °C in the centre, as the FSA recommends for sausages. Serve straight away with gravy.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Toad in the Hole | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Homemade toad in the hole, for 2After browning sausages 5 min | 190 °C | 18–20 min |
| Small toad in the hole, for 1Use 2 sausages and a small tin | 190 °C | 15–18 min |
| Frozen toad in the holeCheck the packet | 180 °C | 15–18 min |
| Ready-made chilled toad in the hole | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Reheating toad in the hole | 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.
Tips
- Rest the batter. Twenty minutes in the fridge or on the side lets the flour absorb the liquid and gives a lighter rise. Have the eggs and milk at room temperature.
- Use a dark metal tin. It heats faster than glass or ceramic and gives a crisper base. A silicone mould also works but gives a softer batter.
- Use sausages that suit the tin. Good quality pork sausages with plenty of meat hold their shape. Thin ones overcook, so see the sausages page for timings.
Serving
Serve with onion gravy, mashed potato and peas or green beans. Roasted carrots and a spoonful of English mustard also work. Leftover slices cold in a sandwich are very good. For other classic British dishes, browse the dinner category.
Storing and reheating
Leftover toad in the hole keeps for 2 days in the fridge in a covered container. Reheat slices in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the sausage). The batter will not be quite as puffed as on the first day, but it crisps up well.
Variations
- Mustard and onion: Add a thinly sliced onion to the hot tin with the sausages for a sweeter flavour.
- Herby: Add 1 tbsp chopped chives or sage to the batter.
- Sausages with bacon: Wrap each sausage in a rasher of streaky bacon before browning.
Troubleshooting
- The batter is flat or soggy
- The tin was not hot enough or you opened the drawer too early. Heat the oil until it is very hot, pour the batter in quickly and keep the drawer shut for the first 12 minutes.
- The batter is burnt on top but raw underneath
- Some air fryers blow strongly from the top. Cover the tin loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes, or use a slightly lower temperature for longer.
- The sausages are pale
- Brown them in the hot oil for 5 minutes before adding the batter. Pale sausages under batter will not colour afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How long does toad in the hole take in an air fryer?
About 30 minutes in total for a homemade one. Preheat the tin and brown the sausages for 5 minutes at 200 °C, then cook with the batter at 190 °C for 18–20 minutes.
Can you cook toad in the hole in an air fryer?
Yes, as long as a small metal tin or silicone mould fits inside the basket. A larger family-size toad in the hole is better in the oven.
How do you cook frozen toad in the hole in an air fryer?
Follow the packet instructions but set the air fryer to 180 °C. It usually takes 15–18 minutes from frozen, and the sausages must be steaming hot at 75 °C.
How long does it take to reheat toad in the hole in an air fryer?
Reheat slices at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until steaming hot all the way through, which restores some of the crispness.
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