Air Fryer Sausages

Air fryer sausages? It’s a big yes from us. Cook them plain, glaze them with hot honey, turn them into sausage rolls or wrap them in bacon… we have a few ideas for your next batch of air fryer sausages. Let’s tuck in!

The basics: cooking air fryer sausages

Time to tackle the big question: is it better to cook sausages in the oven or air fryer?  The air fryer is cheaper to run and just as effective: we think it’s ideal for cooking sausages to golden perfection. Using a rack allows excess fat to drain away. To avoid over-browning, the secrets are to (a) use a lower temperature and (b) rotate the sausages halfway through the cooking time.

How long does it take to cook sausages in the air fryer?

For a standard butcher’s sausage (not chipolata) weighing 50-60g, we recommend cooking in a single layer at 180°C for 14-16 minutes. You may need a little longer. Cut one sausage in half to check it’s cooked through. Cocktail sausages will be ready in 7-10 minutes. A frozen vegetarian sausage, like Quorn, will cook in 14 minutes at 180°C.

Should you poke holes in sausages before air frying?

We don’t pierce sausages before air frying. It lets out steam (preventing popped sausages), but also fat and moisture, which helps to keep your sausages juicy! If you don’t want them to burst, we suggest using the lower temperature, and start checking early – sausages are often fully cooked before they look brown.  

How long do cocktail sausages take in the air fryer?

Cocktail sausages can be cooked in the silicone dish or on the crisper rack of the Clear Mini. Try turning them into mini Pigs in Blankets by wrapping each one in a rasher of streaky bacon – yum. Cocktail sausages vary in weight (so watch them closely) but will take only 7-10 minutes in the air fryer at 180°C.

Can you make a cooked breakfast in the air fryer?

Um, yes!  Start with the sausages and hash browns on the rack for the first 8-10 minutes, then add some bacon and continue cooking (and watching through the glass, of course) for another 4-6 minutes, or until everything is sizzling. You could even squeeze a halved tomato in there at the same time!

Air Fryer Sausage Rolls

Makes 12

2 pork sausages, uncooked
Salt and pepper
120g puff pastry
1 egg, beaten

1 – Squeeze the sausages out of their skins. Put the sausagemeat into a bowl and add seasoning. (You can fancy it up at this point – try adding a spoonful of caramelised onion chutney, or a sprinkle of dried sage and onion granules.)

2 – Roll the pastry out to a rectangle that’s about 30cm x 15cm. If using ready-rolled pastry, cut off about a third (15cm) of the pastry sheet.

3 – Brush each long edge with some of the beaten egg.  

4 -  Take the sausagemeat out of the bowl and form it into one long, skinny sausage. Place it along the centre of the pastry and fold in one side, then the other, pressing gently to seal.   

5 – Flip the long roll so the seam is underneath, and use a sharp knife to cut it into bite-sized sausage rolls. Arrange them on the crisper rack in the glass drawer of your Clear Mini and brush each one with a little egg.   

6 – Bake at 180°C for 10-13 minutes. To check for doneness, remove one sausage roll and cut it in half: there shouldn’t be any pink inside. Cool slightly before serving… these will vanish fast!

SAUSAGE SPAM US

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