The classic party food, and the air fryer frees up your oven at exactly the moment you need it most. Cook them at a moderate temperature rather than a fierce one, so the bacon fat renders fully instead of the outside charring while the underside stays flabby.
Everything you need
- 24 cocktail sausages
- 12 streaky bacon rashers, halved lengthways
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Single layer, always. Crowding the basket steams food instead of crisping it. Tap any ingredient to open its converter.
Method
0 of 6 done-
Stretch each bacon half slightly with the back of a knife, which makes it wrap more tightly and stops it shrinking off.
For this step
- 12 streaky bacon rashers
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Wrap one piece of bacon around each sausage, overlapping slightly, and set them seam side down on a plate.
For this step
- 12 streaky bacon rashers
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Preheat the air fryer to 180°C / 355°F for 3 minutes. Arrange the wraps seam side down in a single layer with a little space between each.
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Air fry for 10 minutes, then turn them all over and cook another 4 minutes, until the bacon is browning all round.
For this step
- 12 streaky bacon rashers
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Mix the maple syrup, mustard, pepper and thyme. Brush over the sausages and return to the basket for 2 minutes to set the glaze.
For this step
- 24 cocktail sausages
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
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Rest for 2 minutes so the glaze firms up slightly, then serve warm on cocktail sticks.
For this step
- 24 cocktail sausages
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Air fryer notes
- Cook at 180°C / 355°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
- Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
- Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.
Cook's tips
- 180°C, not 200°C. The higher temperature blackens the bacon before the fat under it has rendered.
- Seam side down for the first ten minutes seals the wrap so you don't need cocktail sticks while cooking.
Make it your own
- Skip the glaze and roll the raw wraps in cracked black pepper and brown sugar instead.
- Use chipolatas cut in half if cocktail sausages are hard to find.
Storing & reheating
Refrigerate for 3 days and reheat at 180°C for 4 minutes. Wrap them raw up to a day ahead and keep covered in the fridge; cook from cold, adding 2 minutes.
Frequently asked
How long do pigs in blankets take in an air fryer?
About 14 to 16 minutes at 180°C, turned once, plus 2 minutes to set a glaze. Check the bacon is crisp underneath as well as on top.
Can I cook them from frozen?
Yes. Add 6 to 8 minutes and start them at 170°C so the sausage inside heats through before the bacon over-browns.
Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.
More air fryer recipes
A note on cooking safely. Recipes are provided for informational purposes only and are not medical or nutritional advice. Cooking times, temperatures and quantities are suggestions: use your own judgement, and check that meat, poultry, fish and eggs are properly cooked before serving.
Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes, particularly if you have allergies, a medical condition or specific nutritional requirements.