Air fryer pigs in blankets are a classic British side dish, served with roast dinners and Christmas lunch!
Pork cocktail sausages (the pigs) wrapped in streaky bacon (the blankets) are a real festive favourite in this house and not to be confused with the American pigs in a blanket which are mini hot dogs in Crescent rolls. You might also like my devils on horseback recipe too!
Cooking pigs in blankets in an air fryer frees up valuable oven space at Christmas and other special occasions when you have lots of different side dishes to prepare and cook!
They make the best traditional accompaniment to juicy Christmas turkey or Christmas ham and I always have to make double the amount I think I'm going to need, just to make sure no one is disappointed!
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👩🍳 Love air fryer sides? Try my easy air fryer stuffing balls!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Easy Christmas side dish.
- Much quicker than oven cooking.
- Cook in an air fryer to free up oven space.
- Serve as an appetiser at Christmas parties.
🛒 Ingredient notes
You can use ready-prepared pigs in blankets (which are always available in supermarkets around Christmas time), or buy uncooked cocktail sausages or chipolatas, and smoked streaky bacon, to make them yourself at home.
🥄 Equipment
Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!!
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.
The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven (saving energy), and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180c (350F) and spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a light oil (fry light) to prevent them from sticking.
Two: Once the air fryer comes up to temperature, place the pigs in blankets in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.
💭 Expert tip
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Air needs to be able to circulate all around so the bacon gets crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two batches.
🍴 What to serve with air fryer pigs in blankets
Air fryer pigs in blankets are the perfect accompaniment to a roast dinner or Christmas lunch.
At Christmas I serve them with air fryer turkey crown, beef and honey roast gammon, polenta roast potatoes, Parmentier potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, garlic sweet potato mash, slow cooker red cabbage, honey roast parsnips and carrots, cheesy Brussels sprouts gratin, crispy air fryer brussels sprouts, bread sauce, and devils on horseback!
You could also serve the pigs in blankets as a party appetiser, with some of your favourite dips or air fryer baked camembert.
📖 Variations
- Drizzle the pigs in blankets with honey or maple syrup before air frying.
- Use different flavour sausages.
- Use maple-cured streaky bacon for added flavour.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary or thyme at the end of cooking.
- Cook them in your slow cooker instead.
🥡 Storage
Store: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Air fry or microwave for a few minutes until hot.
Freeze: Once cooked, you can freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost before reheating in your air fryer.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Store-bought frozen pigs in blankets can be cooked in the air fryer. They will take around 12-13 minutes.
Yes, just make sure your sausages are gluten-free.
😋 More air fryer sides
- Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
- Air Fryer Green Beans
- Air Fryer Radishes
- Air Fryer Broccoli Parmesan
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Air Fryer Baby Carrots
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese
You might also like my air fryer sausages recipe!
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Recipe
Air Fryer Pigs in Blankets
Equipment
Ingredients
- 20 Pigs in Blankets
- ¼ teaspoon Fry Light
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180c (350F) and spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a light oil (fry light) to prevent them from sticking.¼ teaspoon Fry Light
- Once the air fryer comes up to temperature, place the pigs in blankets in the air fryer basket and air fry for 8-10 minutes until the bacon is crispy and golden brown.20 Pigs in Blankets
Notes
- Don't overcrowd your air fryer basket. Air needs to be able to circulate all around so the bacon gets crispy. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in two batches.
- Drizzle the pigs in blankets with honey or maple syrup before air frying.
- Use different flavour sausages.
- Use maple-cured streaky bacon for added flavour.
- Sprinkle with chopped rosemary or thyme at the end of cooking.
- Cook them in your slow cooker instead.
kushigalu
I love this air fryer version. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Toni
My kids couldn't get enough of these!! They're so good and easy to make! Thanks!
Angela
Love this! Such a simple and delicious recipe. Perfect holiday appetizer too!
Katherine
Such a great idea to cook pigs in blankets in the air fryer!
Beth
Those look delicious. I love anything wrapped in bacon, and I love easy!