A staple of Australian cuisine, sausage rolls fit any occasion from a laid-back family get-together to a quick snack to a major celebration. Made from scratch, reasonably basic sausage buns beat store-bought equivalents. In this article, you’ll learn how to make sausage rolls from scratch and get tips and techniques to ensure they turn out perfect every time.
Ingredients you’ll need
Get all you will require prior to beginning. For a batch of truly delicious sausage rolls, you’ll require the following:
- Puff pastry: 3 sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed
- Sausage mince: 500g of good quality sausage mince
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup of fresh breadcrumbs
- Onion: 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- Garlic: 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Carrot: 1 medium carrot, grated
- Egg: 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- Parsley: 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper: To taste
- Milk: 1 tablespoon of milk for egg wash
Step-by-step instructions
1. Preheat your oven
Set your oven for 200°C (180°C fan driven). Using baking paper helps sausage rolls on a baking pan not cling together.
2. Prepare the sausage filling
Put in a large mixing bowl the sausage, breadcrumbs, chopped onion, minced garlic, shredded carrot, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stirring everything till it’s thoroughly blended will help. Use your hands or a wooden spoon to equally distribute the ingredients.
3. Prepare the puff pastry
Arrange the frozen puff pastry sheets exactly on a surface. There are two rectangular parts split half on every page. You should always have six strips.
4. Fill and roll the pastry
Divide the sausage mixture in six equal pieces. Form one piece into a log running long across one puff pastry strip. Press lightly to seal the borders after rolling the pastry over the sausage mixture. Use the remaining pastry pieces and sausage filling in repeating fashion.
5. Cut and glaze the rolls
Once you have rolled all the sausage rolls, cut each one into 4–6 smaller pieces depending on your desired size. Sear side down, line the ready-made baking tray with sausage rolls.
6. Bake the sausage rolls
Once the baking pan is in the preheated oven, bake the sausage rolls 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through and golden brown. Whereas the crust should be airy and crunchy, the sausage filling should be juicy and tender.
7. Serve and enjoy
Once ready, take the sausage rolls from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack. Serve warm with your favourite sauce, such as tomato sauce or mustard, and enjoy the flaky, flavorful treat.
Tips for making the perfect sausage rolls
- Use quality sausage mince: Make mince from exceptionally good sausage. Mostly, the taste of your sausage rolls depends on the quality of the sausage mince you use. Choose mince with suitable fat content to preserve the taste and juiciness of the filling.
- Chill the pastry: Fast work with the puff pastry will help to maintain its coolness. Baking can lose its puffiness should the crust get too hot to handle.
- Add extra flavour: For added depth, consider mixing in a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce or dried herbs like thyme or sage into the sausage filling.
- Make ahead: Now be ready. Sausage rolls cooked ahead of time freeze really beautifully. Just stack the rolls, cut them up, then freeze on a baking dish. Freeze them; then move them into a freezer-safe bag. After brushing with egg wash, bake from frozen adding a few minutes to the baking time. Getting ready to bake.
Variations to try
Though classic sausage rolls are constantly in demand, you might try numerous variants to change things:
- Spicy sausage rolls: Add chopped fresh chillies or chilli flakes to the sausage mixture for a spicy kick.
- Vegetarian sausage rolls: Replace the sausage mince with a vegetarian alternative of walnut, lentils, and mushroom.
- Cheese and sausage rolls: Mix grated cheese, such as Parmesan or cheddar, into the sausage filling for a cheesy twist.
- Herbed sausage rolls: To boost the smell and taste of the sausage mixture, toss it with fresh herbs such as oregano, thyme, or rosemary.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought puff pastry?
Yes, store-bought puff pastry is convenient and works perfectly for making sausage rolls. Just thaw it as per the package instructions.
How do I store leftover sausage rolls?
Leftover sausage rolls kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator keep for up to three days. Warm them up in the microwave or oven just before serving.
Can I freeze sausage rolls?
Absolutely! Sausage rolls freeze very well. Once baked, allow them to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. To reheat, bake the frozen rolls in a preheated oven until hot and crispy.
Conclusion
Making sausage buns at home is a rewarding pastime that produces a wonderful snack or dinner everyone will enjoy. This article contains all the recipes you will need to consistently create great sausage rolls. Whether you follow the basic recipe or add some variations, your homemade sausage buns will wow. Enjoy cooking!
