Perfect Pigs In Blankets (Frozen or Fresh)

Name: Perfect Pigs In Blankets (Frozen or Fresh)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 12 min
Ingredients: 8-12 Sausages (- chipolata or traditional); 8-12 Slices bacon (- Streaky bacon is best)

Struggling to cook all the elements of a roast dinner in a traditional oven? Then your air fryer is here to help, by cooking the sausages wrapped in bacon (pigs in blankets)!

This simple dish is easy to prepare and takes only 8-15 minutes to cook. The air fryer gives the bacon a perfect crisp while keeping the sausages juicy and flavorful. Leaving room in your oven for the other dishes you want to serve.

In this recipe, I’ll show you how to make your own pigs in blankets or cook frozen pre-prepared ones. Allowing you to serve juicy sausages wrapped in a crispy bacon exterior.

Table of Contents

Why cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer?

Quick and Easy – Pigs in blankets are easy to cook in an air fryer. Simply add them to your air fryer basket and air fry for 8 -15 minutes. You can cook them frozen, no need to defrost them.

Crispy – Your air fryer will crisp the bacon around your pigs in blankets to perfection. Turning them will ensure all the bacon is crispy.

Oven Space – Cooking a roast dinner can be a logistical challenge and oven space can be limited. Using the air fryer to cook your pigs in blankets frees up oven space for other dishes.

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

It takes between 8-12 minutes in an air fryer set at 400 F (200 c) to cook fresh pigs in blankets in an air fryer. 10-12 minutes at 355 F (180 c) if frozen. Cook time depends on the size of the sausages and if they are frozen or fresh.

Fresh chipolata sausages = 8-10 minutes
Fresh traditional thick sausages = 10-12 minutes
Frozen chipolata sausages =10-12 minutes
Frozen traditional thick sausages = 15 minutes

Use a digital meat thermometer to check the sausages are cooked through (165 F/ 74 c).

How do I make homemade pigs in blankets?

If you want to make your pigs in blankets vs. store bought pre-made ones. All you need is…

Sausages – These can be chipolata or thicker traditional sausages.
Bacon – Streaky bacon is best, but can use back bacon as I have here.

Step 1 – Separate the sausages

Cut the sausage links.

Step 2 – Wrap the sausages

Take a sausage and a rasher of bacon and wrap the bacon around the sausage.

If you have opted to use thicker traditional sausages, you might need to use two rashers of streaky bacon.

What equipment do I need to cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer?

To cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer, all you need is…

Kitchen tongs – To turn and remove the pigs in blankets once cooked.
Digital meat thermometer – To check the sausages are safe to serve.
Air fryer liner (optional) – Parchment paper, aluminum foil, or silicone to reduce clean-up time.

How to cook pigs in blankets in an air fryer

It is easy to free up some oven space by cooking pigs in blankets in an air fryer. Follow these simple steps…

Step 1 – Preheat the air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer to 355 F (180 c) if cooking from frozen or 400 F (200 c) if cooking from fresh.

Step 2 – Prepare the basket (optional)

Once the air fryer has pre-heated, add an air fryer basket liner if using. Parchment paper or silicone are great options.

Step 3 – Add pigs in blankets

Place the pigs in blankets in the air fryer basket. Leave space between sausages.

Frozen Pigs in Blankets in an air fryer basket

Step 4 – Cook

Air fry the pigs in blankets for…

Fresh chipolata sausages = 8-10 minutes.
Fresh traditional thick sausages = 10-12 minutes
Frozen chipolata sausages =10-12 minutes
Frozen traditional thick sausages = 15 minutes

Step 5 – Turn

Halfway through the cooking time use the kitchen tongs to turn each sausage.

Step 6 – Check

After the full cooking time check the sausages have an internal temperature of 165 F (74 c) and that the bacon has crisped to your preference.

Step 7 – Extra Time (optional)

If you like the bacon around the sausages extra crispy, air fry for another 1-2 minutes.

Step 8 – Serve

Once the pigs in blankets are cooked to your preference use the tongs to remove them from the air fryer.

To soak up excess fat from them before serving, place the pigs in blankets on some paper towels first.

Top tips

Preheat – To serve up juicy sausages with crispy bacon around the outside preheat the air fryer.

Do not pierce – To ensure the sausages are juicy and full of flavor.

Turn – By turning the pigs in blankets halfway through the cooking time the bacon will be crispy all around.

Rest – After cooking your pigs in blankets let them rest for a minute or so before serving.

Serving with

Pigs in blankets are traditionally served as part of a roast dinner. In our house, a Christmas dinner would not be complete without pigs in blankets.

You can though serve them as part of a buffet when entertaining.

I love them cold on boxing day with bubble and squeak. There is something about the contrast in temperature between the cold meat and hot veg.

Air Fried Pigs in Blankets & Roast Dinner

Common questions

How do I store leftover pigs in blankets?

If you have some leftover pigs in blankets, wait for the pigs to cool to room temperature and put them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

How do I reheat pigs in blankets?

To reheat your pigs in blankets, air fry them at 340 F (170 c) for 2 minutes.

Best Air Fryer Frozen Food Recipes – All the best frozen food recipes in one place to help you make the most of your air fryer.

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Sausages – Step by step guide on how to air fry sausages.

Air Fryer Bacon – Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy crispy, delicious bacon without the mess of other frying methods.

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