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If you’ve ever baked sausage rolls in the oven and waited what felt like forever for them to turn golden, you’re going to love this! Learning how to cook sausage rolls in an air fryer isn’t just quicker, it’s also cleaner, easier, and produces beautifully crisp pastry with juicy sausage inside.
This guide walks you through the exact steps, tools, and pro tips to make foolproof sausage rolls right in your air fryer, whether you’re using frozen, pre-made, or homemade ones. So, let’s switch on the air fryer.
Why Cook Sausage Rolls in an Air Fryer?
Air fryers circulate hot air around your food, cooking it evenly on all sides with little to no oil. This means:
- Less fat, since no oil is needed.
- Perfect crispiness, thanks to even air circulation.
- Faster cooking, with no need to preheat a full-size oven.
- Easy cleanup, since everything happens inside one basket.
It’s the ideal method for beginners who want minimal fuss with maximum results.
Why This Method Works
Sausage rolls have two main parts, the pastry and the sausage filling, and each reacts differently to heat. The air fryer excels here because:
- The hot air circulates around the pastry, crisping the exterior evenly without drying out the filling.
- The compact cooking space helps maintain consistent temperature, ensuring the sausage cooks through to a safe internal temperature (at least 160°F / 71°C for pork sausage).
- The reduced moisture build-up prevents sogginess — a common problem with oven-baked or microwaved sausage rolls.
In short, air frying gives you that bakery-style crunch with half the effort.
What You’ll Need
Ingredients
- Sausage rolls (store-bought frozen, pre-made refrigerated, or homemade)
- Cooking spray or oil mister (optional, for extra crispness)
- Egg wash (1 beaten egg with a tablespoon of water or milk, optional for shine)
Tools & Equipment
- Air fryer (any model with a basket or oven-style tray)
- Tongs or silicone spatula
- Instant-read thermometer (optional but useful for beginners)
- Parchment paper liners (optional, for easier cleanup)
Tip: Air fryer basket size varies — don’t overcrowd. If needed, cook in batches for the crispiest results.
Step by Step Guide to Cook Sausage Rolls in an Air Fryer
1. Preheat (Optional but Recommended)
While many air fryers heat up quickly, preheating helps ensure even cooking.
- Set to 350°F (180°C) and preheat for 3–5 minutes.
2. Prepare the Rolls
- If frozen: No need to thaw! Air fry them straight from the freezer.
- If homemade or fresh: Lightly brush the tops with egg wash for that glossy, golden finish.
Avoid over-brushing, too much egg wash can drip and cause uneven browning.
3. Arrange in the Basket
- Place sausage rolls in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray.
- Leave ½ inch (1 cm) of space between each roll for air circulation.
4. Set Temperature & Cook Time
Here’s a quick reference:
| Type of Sausage Roll | Temperature | Time | Notes |
| Frozen mini rolls | 350°F (180°C) | 10–12 minutes | Shake basket halfway |
| Frozen full-size rolls | 350°F (180°C) | 15–20 minutes | Flip once halfway |
| Fresh or homemade | 350°F (180°C) | 10–15 minutes | Check pastry color |
Always check that the sausage inside reaches 160°F (71°C) before serving.
5. Flip or Shake
Halfway through cooking, gently shake or flip the rolls. This prevents soggy bottoms and ensures both sides get evenly golden.
6. Cool and Serve
Let them rest for 2–3 minutes after air frying to allow the pastry to firm up properly. Serve with ketchup, brown sauce, mustard, or your favorite dip!
Pro Tips & Best Practices
- Avoid Overcrowding: Air needs room to circulate. Too many rolls at once = uneven cooking.
- Use Parchment Wisely: Only use perforated liners or poke holes yourself — solid paper blocks airflow.
- Don’t Skip Preheating for Larger Rolls: It helps the sausage cook through without over-browning the pastry.
- Add a Light Spray of Oil: For extra crunch, mist the pastry lightly before air frying.
- Check Doneness: Pastry should be golden-brown, and sausage should be piping hot and juicy inside.
Common Questions (FAQ)
1. Can I cook frozen sausage rolls in the air fryer?
Yes! You can air fry frozen sausage rolls without defrosting. Just add 3–5 more minutes to the cooking time and check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
2. What temperature should I use for sausage rolls in an air fryer?
350°F (180°C) is ideal for most sausage rolls — it’s hot enough to brown the pastry without burning before the filling is cooked.
3. Can I reheat sausage rolls in an air fryer?
Absolutely. Set your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) and reheat for 5–7 minutes. They’ll come out crispy outside and hot inside, unlike microwaving, which can make them soggy.
4. My sausage rolls keep splitting in the air fryer — why?
That usually means the air fryer is too hot or they’re overfilled. Lower the temperature slightly to 340°F (170°C) and ensure you don’t tightly seal the pastry when rolling.
5. Can I cook vegetarian sausage rolls the same way?
Yes! Use the same settings, most plant-based fillings cook quickly and don’t require longer times than pork or beef sausage.
6. Do I need to turn sausage rolls halfway through?
Yes. Turning or shaking halfway through helps both sides crisp evenly — especially if your air fryer has a small basket.
When NOT to Use This Method
- If your air fryer is very compact, larger pastry rolls might not cook evenly; use mini rolls instead.
- If sausage rolls are heavily glazed or coated with sugary sauces, opt for baking — sweet coatings may caramelize too fast in the air fryer.
- Avoid using non-vented parchment or foil — it blocks airflow and ruins the texture.
Alternative Methods
- Oven Baking: Great for larger batches; takes 25–30 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Conventional Frying: Not recommended for sausage rolls — adds extra grease and can make the pastry oily.
- Microwave Heating: Fast but results in a soft, soggy pastry — better for reheating than cooking.
For most home cooks, the air fryer strikes the perfect balance between speed, crispness, and convenience.
Conclusion
Now you know how to cook sausage rolls in an air fryer for the crispiest, juiciest results, no oven, no mess, just quick perfection!
Whether you’re making them from scratch or pulling them straight from the freezer, the air fryer method is beginner-friendly, energy-efficient, and consistently reliable.
So next time you’re craving that golden, flaky bite, skip preheating the oven, your air fryer can handle it. Enjoy your sausage rolls hot, crisp, and ready in minutes!