Sausage Roll Recipe

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This Best Sausage Roll Recipe is the perfect snack for any time of day, featuring a savory 5-ingredient filling wrapped in golden, buttery, and flaky puff pastry.

I’m originally from Ireland but now living in the States, and whenever I’m craving a taste of home, I make a batch of my Sausage Rolls. They never disappoint, and the best part is, they’re ready in just an hour!

Wrapped in my Homemade Flaky Puff Pastry, these Sausage Rolls make the perfect savory, bite-sized snack or casual appetizer. In Ireland, they’re a classic treat, found at hot counters and even gas stations. To me, they’re the ultimate comfort food—and they can be yours too.

These are great for making ahead, whether you’re serving them as appetizers at a party or enjoying them on the go. Gather your favorite ground meats, veggies, and spices, and try making these Homemade Sausage Rolls from scratch!

Bold Bakers Loved This!

“I made these for a game night appetizer and they were a major hit! Everyone said they were delicious, and I was in complete agreement! They are quite easy to make, too.” — Nancy

“These are so wonderful! My family and I really enjoyed them. I had a couple of pieces left over and they were perfect with eggs the next morning too.” — Junepbug

“This recipe is fabulous. The dough was easy to make and is delicious and flaky. I used a simple Italian pork sausage for mine and the aroma in the house while baking was so good and the end result. Perfection.” — Ella

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 12/5/2024, to include substitutes for key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, sausage roll flavor variations, and more Pro Tips.

Table Of Contents

• What Are Sausage Rolls
• Tools You Need 
• Ingredients and Substitutes For Homemade Sausage Roll Recipe
• How To Make Homemade Sausage Rolls
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
• Sausage Roll Flavours Variations
• FAQs
• More Savory Pastries

What Are Sausage Rolls?

Sausage Rolls are savory pastry snacks that consist of pork sausage meat wrapped in puff pastry.

• The meat is formed into logs then sealed in the pastry with egg wash. They are popular in Commonwealth nations and are considered to-go foods.
• Although Sausage Rolls are known especially in the UK, they actually originated in 19th-century France. However, the English made this snack popular after filling the pastry with ground pork.

Tools You Need :

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking tray
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl
• Silicone spatula
• Rolling pin
• Knife
• Pastry brush
• Fork

Ingredients and Substitutes For Homemade Sausage Roll Recipe:

Puff Pastry

• Provides a buttery, flaky texture for the roll.
• Substitute: Shortcrust pastry for a denser texture, or my Homemade Puff Pastry for an easy and fresh option.

Sausage Meat

• Adds a rich, savory filling to the roll.
• Substitute:
  • Ground pork, chicken sausage, turkey, or plant-based sausage for a lighter or vegetarian option.
  • Just know that sausage meat is already mixed with herbs and seasoning so it will have more flavor than just ground chicken or pork.

Onion

• Adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the filling.
• Substitute: You can also use fennel, shallots or leeks. Onion powder or garlic powder will work, too.

Breadcrumbs

• It helps bind the filling and adds texture.
• Substitute:
  • Crushed crackers, rolled oats, or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a similar texture.
  • You can also use dried breadcrumbs but 1/2 the amount of fresh breadcrumbs. 

Egg

• Acts as a binder and gives a golden finish when brushed over the pastry.
• Substitute: A flax egg or aquafaba (chickpea liquid) for a vegan-friendly option.

Egg wash

• To make egg wash, beat one large egg and a tablespoon of milk until well combined.
• Egg-washing your pastry will create a nice, shiny finish.

Salt

• Just a pinch will bring out the flavors of your ingredients.

Pepper

• You can’t have salt without black pepper! It’ll make your sausage rolls taste bold.

How To Make Homemade Sausage Rolls:

Prep

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Make the roll dough

2. Mix the filling: In a medium bowl, mix together the sausage, egg, onion, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. Rol out the puff pastry dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry into roughly a 12 x 14-inch (30 x 35 cm) rectangle.

Assemble the Irish sausage rolls

4. Cut the puff pastry sheet with a sharp knife in half lengthwise so that you have two 6 x 14-inch (15 x 35 cm) strips of dough.
5. Divide the sausage mixture in half. For each piece of dough, form half of the filling into a sausage log that runs the length of the rectangles. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash.

6. Wrap the dough over the filling and shape into a log. Trim the pastry a little to tidy up the edge and press with a fork to seal. With the fork piece so holes in the top of the pastry.
7. Cut each log into equal pieces, about 1½-inches (4 cm) long at the seam side and place on your prepared baking sheet. You will yield around 20 sausage rolls.

Bake the sausage rolls

8. Brush with the egg wash and bake for 35-40 minutes, until puffed and golden brown.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips:

• Use my Easy Homemade Puff Pastry for this recipe.
• Use loose ground sausage for this Sausage Rolls Recipe. If you can only find sausage in the casing, then cut away and remove the casing.
• Classic sausage rolls have a very simple filling, but if you care to dress this up with fresh chopped herbs or diced peppers or greens, feel free!
• You can use store-bought puff pastry if you are pressed for time!
• These can be assembled and frozen before baking. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight, then brush with egg wash and bake!
• Try out my Fresh Homemade Breadcrumbs.
• If you use ‘dried’ bread crumbs then you need to reduce the amount, so use 1/4 cup of dried bread crumbs.
• Here are some sauces that pair well with sausage rolls: Brown Sauce (HP Sauce, Ketchup, Mustard (Dijon, whole grain, yellow), Sriracha or Hot Sauce, Chutney (Mango, apple, onion, or tomato and chilli, Garlic Aioli, Tomato Relish, Barbecue Sauce, Tartar Sauce, and Cranberry Sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage Instructions

You can easily make these Sausage Rolls ahead of time for convenience or for entertaining. Here’s how:

Make-Ahead:

• Assemble the Sausage Rolls: Prepare the rolls, but don’t bake them just yet. Place them on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
• Freeze for Later: To freeze, arrange the unbaked Sausage Rolls on a baking sheet and freeze for 1-2 hours until firm. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake, simply cook from frozen (add a few extra minutes to the baking time).

Storage:

• Leftovers: After baking, store any leftover Sausage Rolls in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Sausage Roll Flavours Variations

Here are some fun variations to try:

1. Spicy Sausage Rolls
   Use spicy sausage or add chili flakes for a little heat.
2. Vegetarian Sausage Rolls
   Swap the sausage for a vegetarian alternative, like lentils or veggie sausage.
3. Cheese-Stuffed Sausage Rolls
   Add a slice of cheddar, mozzarella, or blue cheese inside the filling for extra creaminess.
4. Mushroom and Sausage Rolls
   Add finely chopped mushrooms for an earthy, savory flavor.
5. Apple and Sage Sausage Rolls
   Mix in chopped apples and sage for a sweet and savory combination.
6. Bacon-Wrapped Sausage Rolls
   Wrap each roll in crispy bacon for extra flavor and crunch.
7. Herb-Infused Sausage Rolls
   Add fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the filling for a fragrant twist.

FAQs

Why are the bottoms of my Sausage Rolls Soggy?

The soggy bottom of your Sausage Rolls may be because your pastry absorbed the extra moisture from your sausage filling, or your pastry softened from handling, causing the gluten structure to collapse before fully forming.

To prevent soggy Sausage Rolls, keep in mind:

1. Try squeezing out as much moisture from your onions as possible to keep them from affecting your pastry.
2. Or refrigerate your pastry for a bit to keep its shape when baking.
3. You can also blind-bake the pastry to create a solid base for your sausage filling.
4. Another method to prevent a soggy bottom is to place your rolls on a cooling rack to let the steam come out from the bottom.

Why are my Sausage Rolls splitting open?

Your Sausage Rolls may split open while baking because the meat filling will shrink and release fat.

1. Try your best to wrap the pastry as tightly as possible over the filling.
2. Press your fork to seal the edges.
3. Brush a good amount of egg wash.

How do I keep my Sausage Rolls from going dry?

To ensure a moist Sausage Roll, make sure to incorporate fresh breadcrumbs and non-lean pork into your sausage filling.

1. Breadcrumbs add a great amount of moisture to your rolls, as they absorb the fats of your meat and will keep the bottom from going soggy.
2. Using non-lean pork will increase the fat and moisture in your roll; however, make sure not to work the sausage filling too much otherwise it can make it tough and dry.

How do I know if my Sausage Rolls are cooked through?

The best way to know if your Sausage Rolls are cooked through is to check the pastry.

1. If it becomes golden brown and crispy, it’s likely your rolls are properly cooked through.
2. If you want to double-check, feel free to take one out of the oven, cut it open, and use a meat thermometer or check the color of the meat. An internal temperature of 165°F or higher is safe for consumption.
3. But you can also look out for a mostly brown interior. If it’s slightly pink, that’s okay.

More Savory Pastries:

• Caprese Savory Tart
• Savory Zucchini & Cheese Muffins
• Simple & Savory Cornbread Muffins
• Cheddar & Jalapeno Savory Donuts
• 3 Savory Pop-Tarts

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 12/5/2024, to include substitutes for key ingredients, make-ahead and storage instructions, sausage roll flavor variations, and more Pro Tips.

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