How to make sausage rolls

What you need to make homemade sausage rolls

A sausage roll is a picky tea non-negotiable, and they're super easy to whip up at home. You only need a handful of ingredients to make classic sausage rolls:

• Puff pastry: Ready-rolled puff pastry keeps things quick and easy while still delivering crisp, buttery, flaky layers.

• Sausage meat: For that quintessential savoury, meaty flavour in the filling.

• Egg: Brush over the pastry before baking for a deep golden, glossy finish.

• Sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for extra crunch and a final flourish.

How to cook sausage rolls in an air fryer

An air fryer is ideal for cooking smaller batches of sausage rolls when you fancy a quick snack. Preheat your air fryer, then arrange the sausage rolls in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one so the hot air can circulate and the pastry turns golden. You can also cook from frozen (great if you want to prep ahead) , or warm up chilled sausage rolls until piping hot for that just-baked taste.

Tips for perfect homemade sausage rolls

• Keep your pastry cold: Chilled puff pastry will give you the best rise and flaky layers.

• Don’t overfill: Leave enough pastry to comfortably wrap and seal the filling.

• Seal them well: Brush the pastry edge with beaten egg and press firmly to stop the rolls opening as they bake.

• Give them a glossy finish: Brush the tops with beaten egg before baking for beautifully golden pastry.

• Mix up the toppings: Try sesame, fennel or poppy seeds, crispy onions or panko breadcrumbs for extra flavour, texture and crunch.