AIR FRYER SAUSAGE ROLLS WITH SESAME TOPPING
Yield: 8–12 sausage rolls (depending on size)
Prep Time: 35–45 minutes
Chill Time: 20 minutes (recommended)
Air Fry Time: 12–18 minutes per batch
INGREDIENTS
For the Sausage Filling:
• 500 g ground pork sausage meat (or chicken/beef sausage meat)
• 1 small onion, very finely grated or minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced very fine
• 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon salt (reduce if sausage is already salty)
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional but adds flavor depth)
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For the Pastry:
• 2 sheets puff pastry (thawed but still cold)
For the Topping:
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2–3 tablespoons sesame seeds
Optional:
• Light cooking spray or brush of oil for extra crispness
STEP 1: PREPARE THE SAUSAGE FILLING
- In a large mixing bowl, combine sausage meat, onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, and milk.
- Add salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, dried parsley, and Dijon mustard.
- Mix gently using clean hands until just combined. Do not overmix as this can make the filling dense.
- Cover and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes. This helps the mixture firm up and improves shaping.
STEP 2: PREPARE THE PUFF PASTRY
- Lightly flour your surface.
- Roll each sheet slightly to smooth out folds and make it slightly thinner (around 3 mm thick).
- Cut each sheet in half lengthwise to create 4 long strips.
Keeping the pastry cold is very important. If it becomes soft, return it to the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
STEP 3: FORM THE SAUSAGE ROLLS
- Divide the sausage mixture into 4 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a long log shape that matches the length of your pastry strip.
- Place sausage log along one long edge of pastry strip.
- Leave about 1–2 cm of pastry edge for sealing.
- Beat egg with 1 tablespoon milk to create egg wash.
- Brush egg wash along the exposed pastry edge.
- Roll pastry over the sausage tightly but gently.
- Press seam to seal.
- Place seam side down.
- Cut each long roll into 2–3 smaller pieces.
STEP 4: ADD SESAME TOPPING
- Place sausage rolls on a tray or plate.
- Brush tops generously with egg wash.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds evenly on top.
- Lightly score tops with a sharp knife (2 small slits). This prevents bursting during air frying.
- Chill rolls in refrigerator for 15–20 minutes for best shape retention.
STEP 5: AIR FRYING
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3–5 minutes.
- Lightly spray basket with oil.
- Place sausage rolls in a single layer. Do not overcrowd. Leave space between each roll for air circulation.
- Air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 12–15 minutes.
- Flip carefully halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Check internal temperature — it must reach 75°C (165°F).
- If needed, cook an additional 2–3 minutes for deeper golden color and crispier pastry.
If cooking from frozen (uncooked):
Air fry at 180°C for 16–20 minutes. No need to thaw.
HOW TO MAKE THEM EXTRA CRISPY IN AIR FRYER
• Lightly spray tops with oil before air frying.
• Do not stack or overlap rolls.
• Cook in smaller batches.
• Let them rest 3–4 minutes after cooking; pastry crisps further as it cools slightly.
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
Refrigerator:
Store cooked sausage rolls in airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheating in Air Fryer:
Reheat at 170°C (340°F) for 4–6 minutes until hot and crisp.
Freezing Uncooked:
Freeze without egg wash. Once frozen solid, transfer to freezer bag. Keeps for 2 months.
Freezing Cooked:
Cool completely before freezing. Reheat directly in air fryer.
APPROXIMATE CALORIES
Per medium sausage roll (based on 10 rolls total):
Calories: 280–320 kcal
Protein: 10–12 g
Fat: 22–24 g
Carbohydrates: 15–18 g
Sodium: 400–500 mg
Using chicken sausage may reduce calories to approximately 240–260 per roll.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Can I use chicken sausage instead of pork?
Yes. Chicken sausage works very well and is slightly lower in fat. - Why did my pastry open during air frying?
It may not have been sealed properly or was overfilled. Always brush egg wash along the edge before sealing. - Can I make mini sausage rolls?
Yes. Cut into smaller bite-sized pieces. Reduce cooking time to 8–10 minutes. - Why is the bottom pale?
Flip halfway through cooking. Some air fryers heat stronger from the top. - Can I prepare them the night before?
Yes. Assemble and refrigerate overnight, then air fry fresh the next day. - Do I need to cook sausage meat before wrapping?
No. It cooks completely inside the air fryer. - Can I use phyllo dough instead of puff pastry?
You can, but texture will be different and cooking time may change. - How do I know they are fully cooked?
The center must reach 75°C (165°F). The pastry should be golden brown and crisp.
SERVING IDEAS
Serve warm with:
• Ketchup
• Spicy mustard
• Garlic mayo
• Sweet chili sauce
• Fresh salad
These air fryer sausage rolls are perfect for snacks, parties, lunchboxes, or tea-time.