These sausage rolls are the perfect make-ahead appetizer. They are quick, easy, and delicious served hot or cold. Flaky puff pastry wrapped around savory pork sausage and baked to golden brown perfection? Yes, please!
Ah sausage rolls. These savory little bites remind me of growing up in England. We always had them around Christmas but that's not to say they didn't appear at other times of the year too. Served hot or cold, they are the perfect finger food fit for a crowd or just you and your household.
Imagine sinking your teeth into warm, fluffy, buttery puff pastry before encountering a deeply savory bite of perfectly seasoned sausage. The whole kit-and-kaboodle almost melts in your mouth and causes your taste buds to beg for more. These English sausage rolls are so quick and easy to make. What are you waiting for?
Jump to:
- What Are English Sausage Rolls?
- Recipe Ingredients
- Easy Variations
- How to Make Sausage Rolls
- Tips & FAQs
- At what temperature do you cook sausage rolls?
- How long do puff pastry sausage rolls take to cook?
- Can These Be Prepared In Advance?
- What to Serve With Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
- How to Store Leftovers
- Can You Freeze Homemade Sausage Rolls?
- More Easy Appetizer Recipes
- Recipe Card
- Recipe Ratings & Comments
What Are English Sausage Rolls?
English sausage rolls are delightful appetizer bites made from puff pastry (or shortcrust pastry) wrapped around seasoned pork sausage meat. The roll is sliced into bite-sized pieces and baked until the puff pastry is golden brown.
Another English starter I love is a Scotch Egg.
Recipe Ingredients
Just four ingredients (plus a splash of water) and you're on your way! Here is a list of what you will need to make these puff pastry sausage rolls. Scroll to the recipe below for precise measurements and amounts.
- Puff pastry sheet - If you're feeling adventurous, make your own. Otherwise, store-bought will do the trick. I prefer Pepperidge Farms' version. Just make sure to thaw the sheets before using.
- Mild pork sausage meat - I have been loving Jimmy Dean and Farmer John Ground Mild Pork Sausage.
- Egg
- Water
- Seasoning (optional) - Sausage meat is often seasoned already but, if it isn't, feel free to add your own. I like using ground black pepper, ground sage, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Easy Variations
There is ample opportunity for experimentation here. Take this simple sausage roll recipe and make it your own with these fun variations.
- Add some spice. You can either choose a spicy sausage or add a touch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika for a little kick.
- Use a different protein. While ground pork sausage is the traditional way to go here, you can easily use turkey or chicken sausage, seasoned ground beef, or even cubes of beef instead. For an American twist, if you're a hot dog fan, that's a great option too!
- Make your own shortcrust pastry - Traditionally, English sausage rolls are made with either puff pastry or shortcrust pastry. This recipe calls for puff pastry (I like it better) but I encourage you to experiment with shortcrust pastry as well. Let me know which one you prefer.
How to Make Sausage Rolls
This is a beautifully simple recipe. Just a few ingredients, a little rolling, a bit of egg wash, and some time in the oven. It's perfect for any skill level.
- Prep. Preheat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with a Silpat liner or parchment paper.
- Make the egg wash. Whisk together the egg and water.
- Season the sausage (optional). Place the sausage and the seasoning/s of your choosing in a bowl and mix to combine. Divide the sausage into 3 portions.
- Cut the pastry sheet into thirds and roll it out a bit.
- Fill the pastry. Roll the sausage portions into a snake shape and place it on one side of the pastry, leaving a border.
- Roll it up. Use a pastry brush to brush a bit of egg wash on the bottom of the pastry next to the sausage before folding the pastry over the sausage. Press the edges together with a fork.
- Score the pastry with a knife.
- Prepare to bake. Cut the sausage rolls into 1 ½-2" pieces. Place them on a baking sheet and brush with egg wash.
- Bake for 13 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for an additional 6-9 minutes.
Tips & FAQs
Want to get these puff pastry sausage rolls right on the first try? Here are a few tips and tricks I want to share with you that will help you achieve the best results possible.
- Think ahead. Make sure to take your pastry sheets out of the freezer and allow them to thaw before using. You can do this overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature. If you choose to thaw at room temperature, don't let the pastry sit out for longer than 40 minutes. It will become sticky and hard to work with.
- Leave a border. When you place the sausage on the puff pastry, don't place it directly on the edge. Leave a border of pastry dough and brush it with egg wash (see why next) before rolling.
- Use the egg wash as glue. The egg wash serves as glue to help the puff pastry stay sealed around the sausage. Before folding the dough over the sausage, brush some egg wash on the bottom edge of the sausage roll. This will keep the sausage inside the puff pastry.
- Start with a cold baking sheet. Placing un-baked sausage rolls on a warm/hot baking sheet will soften the dough before they make it to the oven. This will result in soggy-bottomed bites. No good.
At what temperature do you cook sausage rolls?
Bake these homemade sausage rolls at 400 degrees F. The high temperature is necessary to get the puff pastry to brown up just right. Any higher will burn the pastry before the sausage is cooked through and any lower will leave you with a less-than-puffy, undercooked puff pastry.
How long do puff pastry sausage rolls take to cook?
Bake these little rolls for about 20 minutes. After 13 minutes, rotate the baking tray. This will ensure even cooking. If your sausage rolls haven't reached golden brown after 20 minutes, go ahead and let them bake for 3-5 more minutes. Keep in mind that, if you are making longer rolls (instead of slicing them into little bites), they will need a bit more time in the oven.
Feeling cautious about food safety? To ensure the sausage has cooked through, insert an instant-read meat thermometer into one of the rolls. If the internal temperature has come to 165 degrees F, you are good to go! If not, allow them to bake for a bit longer.
Can These Be Prepared In Advance?
Yes, they can! Just before brushing the sausage rolls with egg wash, seal them in an airtight container (separate any layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking) and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When you are ready to enjoy, brush them with egg wash and pop them in the oven.
You can also freeze the pre-made sausage rolls (again, before brushing on the egg wash). Arrange the rolls on a sheet pan and put them in the freezer for about 4 hours to firm up (this is called flash freezing) before sealing them in a Ziploc bag. Store the sausage rolls in the freezer for up to 4 months. When you are ready to enjoy, brush them with egg wash and bake for 30 minutes, rotating the baking tray halfway through the cook time.
What to Serve With Puff Pastry Sausage Rolls
These English sausage rolls are the perfect finger food for your next gathering. They are wonderful on their own, but there is nothing wrong with serving them with your favorite dip or complementing them with a delicious side dish. Here are some ideas for you.
- Dip. Take these sausage rolls to the next level by dipping them in your favorite dip. I love brown sauce, HP or Daddies, ketchup, and even ranch but, if you are feeling adventurous, go ahead and whip up some of my French Onion Dip or this Feta Pesto Sundried Tomato Dip.
- Baked beans. Another English classic that goes beautifully with these little sausage bites.
- Veggies. Add a little brightness to the picture with my Corn Tomato Cucumber Salad or these Caprese Skewers.
- Cocktails. I love making these sausage rolls for cocktail parties. They are the perfect thing for your guests to nibble while they sip and mingle. Try serving them with my Eyeball Rum Punch or a classic gin and tonic.
How to Store Leftovers
These homemade sausage rolls are just as delicious cold as they are fresh out of the oven. So feel free to tuck them away in the refrigerator to be enjoyed later. Allow the bites to cool to room temperature before sealing them in an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you decide you want to reheat the leftovers, arrange them on a wire rack over a baking tray and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees F or until heated through.
Can You Freeze Homemade Sausage Rolls?
Yes! While I prefer to freeze sausage rolls before baking (see the section above titled "Can These Be Prepared In Advance?"), you can freeze them after baking as well. Allow them to cool completely before sealing them in an airtight container. Be sure to place a sheet of parchment paper between layers, if applicable. Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
When you are ready to reheat, pop them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes or until heated through.
More Easy Appetizer Recipes
I love a good, pop-in-your-mouth finger food. These sausage rolls are one of my favorite appetizer bites but I certainly have some other suggestions for you. Make one (or several) of these for your next gathering.
- Caprese Skewers
- Yorkshire Pudding
- Seven Layer Dip
- Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
- Cheese Straws
- Pizza Puffs
- Tomato Tart
- Crockpot BBQ Meatballs
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★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!
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English Sausage Rolls
Flaky puff pastry wrapped around savory pork sausage and baked to golden brown perfection? Yes, please! These sausage rolls are the perfect make-ahead appetizer. They are quick, easy, and delicious served hot or cold.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 24 Mini Sausage Rolls 1x
Ingredients
- 1 Puff Pastry Sheet- Homemade or Store-bought- I prefer Pepperidge Farms, thawed
- 12oz Mild Pork Sausage Meat
- 1 Egg & splash of water
- Optional add: thyme, sage, or onion spices to the sausage meat
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F/205C and line a baking sheet with a Silpat liner or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl whisk together the egg and water, set aside. https://vimeo.com/496313051
- Place the sausage and the seasoning/s of your choosing in a bowl and mix to combine. Divide the sausage into 3 portions.
- On a floured work surface place puff pastry sheet, (if using Pepperidge Farms it should already be scored into 3.) Cut pastry sheet into thirds then roll the pastry out just a bit (see the picture above). https://vimeo.com/496313034
- Take a chunk of the pork sausage meat and roll it into a snake shape-just under ½" thick. Place the sausage on one side of the pastry, not super close to the edge- you are going to fold the other side of the pastry over the sausage meat and enclose it with the bit of pastry next to the sausage. https://vimeo.com/496313012
- Before closing the pastry brush a bit of egg wash on the bottom of the pastry next to the sausage, then fold the pastry over the sausage. Using a fork to press down into the pastry to seal the pastry together.https://vimeo.com/496312990
- Using a knife score the pastry with lots of little lines on top. Cut the sausage rolls about 1 ½-2" thick. Place them on a baking sheet, making sure to space the sausage rolls evenly on the sheet. Brush with remaining egg wash.https://vimeo.com/496312955
- Bake for 13 minutes then rotate the pan. Bake for another 6-9 minutes- or until the sausage rolls are golden brown. Transfer the sausage rolls to a wire rack right after you take them out of the oven.https://vimeo.com/496633526
Notes
- Making Sausage Rolls Ahead of Time- Prepare sausage rolls up to the egg wash before baking. Store covered in the fridge for up to one day. Preheat the oven make a new egg wash, brush it on and bake sausage rolls according to the recipe.
- Freezing Baked Sausage Rolls- Make sure after they are baked you let them cool completely. Then in an airtight container place a layer of parchment paper between the layers of sausage rolls. To reheat the sausage rolls place them on a baking sheet and bake at 400F/205C for about 20 minutes or until they are warmed through.
- Freezing Unbaked Sausage Rolls- Prepare the sausage rolls up to just before the egg wash step, then freeze them on a baking sheet for 4 hours then place them in a Ziploc bag and use when you want! Just add extra 10-ish minutes on to the baking time- but make sure to check frequently as everyone's oven is different!
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: English
Keywords: English sausage rolls, puff pastry sausage rolls, homemade sausage rolls
This post was originally published on October 31, 2018, and as of March 1, 2023, it has been updated.
Yogesh says
I want to test it
Elizabeth says
Please let me know if you do Yogesh!
Kira says
Great recipe!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know, I appreciate it so much! XX Liz
Karen Edwards says
If you make a full sized sausage rolls how long do you cook them? At 400 degrees as well?
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Karen, thanks for stopping by. I have never made them into full size- I would guess to bake them at the same temperature bake for 15 minutes then rotate and bake for an additional 10-15. As always I recommend using a digital thermometer to make sure that the pork is cooked to 165F/ 74C. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if you make them, I would love to know! XX Liz
Joanna says
Fab recipe! Did this today and they are all gone... should have made more
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for the lovely review Joanna, I am so happy to enjoyed them. Take care XX Liz
Cathi Boyd says
We fell in love with sausage rolls on trips to England, Scotland, and Ireland. This recipe is so tasty—we like the sage Jimmy Dean sausage. For extra flair and flavor I often sprinkle on Everything Bagel seasoning on just before baking. I’m getting ready to make a double batch tonight for an employee Christmas open house. My husband wanted to be sure there would be something he likes to eat at the party! Thanks for the recipe.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Cathi, thank you so much for coming back to review the recipe. It truly helps me so I am so grateful! Adding EBB seasoning sounds like a game-changer, gotta try this!!! Merry Christmas!! XX Liz
Tony says
Thanks for the recipe.
Have you tried (e.g.) Jimmy Dean pre-cooked sausages? If so, how did you adjust the baking temp/time?
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Tony, thanks for reaching out. I have never made them with pre-cooked sausages- I have never used precooked sausages so I wouldn't know where to begin but my gut tells me that the high heat required to cook the puff pastry would dry out the pre-cooked sausage so I would advise against it personally. Sorry I don't have a better answer, please do let me know if you try the recipe. XX Liz
Leslie says
Great instructions and pictures. Thank you!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for the review, Leslie, I appreciate it more than you know!! Take care. XX Liz
Bob says
We started with the recipe as is and thought it was quite good. We have subsequently kicked it up with the addition of mixing sage and crushed red pepper into the sausage. Super easy to make. It's a keeper.
★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Oh I have tried sage many times, but not the red pepper I will have to try that! Thank you so much for coming back to review the recipe Bob, I am so happy you enjoyed it. XX Liz
Katie says
My British husband gobbled these right up! Took your advice and added some additional spices. Glad I doubled the recipe! 🙂 Thanks!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
This is awesome news Katie! Thank you so much for coming back to review the recipe, I truly appreciate it!! We never have enough sausage rolls, so we always double too!! LOL Take care. XX Liz
Elaine Oxford says
Made these today they turned out great made 35 they are delicious we like them with British Pickle Onions and a glass of Cider I am a Brit hence the pickles.
Thank you for the recipe I will make them
often I’m sure !
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi, Elaine thank you so much for reporting back!! Sausage rolls are the best with pickled onions, so happy you enjoyed the recipe. Take care. XX Liz
Linda says
This was a fantastic recipe! The ingredients and instructions worked perfectly! Definitely adding this recipe to my family favourites
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for coming back to leave a review Linda, I am so happy you all enjoyed the recipe!! Take care. XX Liz
caroline mroz says
Very easy and delish!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for coming back to leave a star rating and review Caroline, I am so happy you enjoyed the recipe!! Take care. XX Liz
Bella says
Do you use the entire pack of pork sausage with the 1 sheet of puff pastry? So essentially splitting up the pork content into 1/3rds for each third of puff pastry sheet?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Exactly!! Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you make the recipe, I would love to know what you think. XX Liz
Andree Sanborn says
what does "full size" mean?
I wish you had said how long each section of dough should be instead of "just a bit"
also: the third of sausage per pastry section I got right away, but I hadn't rolled the dough out long enough. Being disabled, I did not care at that point how thick these sausage rolls were because of the papin. So next time, I roll sausage then roll dough. The mess is in the oven now but I'm sure it'll taste fine. Photos will be mandatory for this bake, for sure.
I may be complaining but I can't wait for them to be out of the oven. Thank you.
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Andree, sorry that you didn't find the instructions helpful enough. I find each sausage roll I make is a little different sometimes the pastry is a tiny bit longer or shorter and I just adjust the sausage log thickness. I hope the sausage rolls turned out in the oven. XX Liz
David A. says
Made these for the first time over the weekend. They were delicious. First batch took me a good 20min to make (I'm a complete novice) but the 2nd batch I whipped up in just 5 minutes. Wife and kiddo loved them - especially as I used the Jimmy Dean Sage sausage meat for my preferred taste of a proper British sausage roll.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi David, thank you so much for coming back to leave a star rating and review I truly appreciate it!! Once you've made these babies you won't be able to stop, they are such a good party appetizer, I often make a double batch and freeze half so then I can just pop them in the oven when a craving strikes! Hahah XX Liz
Tracy says
My daughter loves sausage rolls when we go home to Scotland, but she's never had them in California. With not being able to go home this year your recipe was a lifesaver. She absolutely loved them. You've made a 13 year old very happy and I've shared the link with cousins so that they can make them for their kids too. Thank you so much!!!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
This warms my heart thank you so much for coming back to share this with me. I also truly appreciate the star rating, it helps me so much! I hope you have a lovely Christmas!! XX Liz
Tammy Good says
Omg, I made these for Christmas Eve for the first time and they turned out wonderfully. I found that they were very forgiving if you don’t fill them exactly right or cut them exactly even, it didn’t seem to matter. This is going to be my go to for parties and gatherings , (whenever we have parties again after covid 19) because they look and taste fancy but are super easy. THANK YOU!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you so much for coming back to rate and review the recipe Tammy, I appreciate it so much!! These are my party go-to appetizer as well!! Roll on parties again hopefully sooner than later! Take care XX Liz
Paul Casey says
As a long term ex-pat, I must confess that I could probably kill for a sausage roll. We took a 4 hour drive just before Christmas to little Ireland near Boston to load up with Irish bangers. Your pictures had me drooling, but Jimmy Dean???
I got 25lb of sausage in the freezer for emergencies. Not To mention the 10lb of bacon. Making myself hungry now!
Take the drive
Thanks for those great pictures
Paul
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Paul, thanks for reaching out. I understand the feeling of killing for a sausage roll! LOL We have had success with using both Farmer John and Jimmy Dean, we sometimes add dried sage, onion powder, and garlic powder depending on what we are craving that day. I wish I could take the drive to get some of that sausage meat and bacon, sounds absolutely scrumptious. We made a Full-English Christmas morning, I did have some frozen Irish Bangers and Danish Back bacon, followed by a Roast Dinner that night, was divine!! I hope you had a lovely Christmas and wish you all the best in 2021! XX Liz
Matt Heller says
Hi! Nice recipe, thanks!
I used pork and beef mince (80/20%) as no English style sausages are available here.
There's a lot of tasty fat in the meat, so I put about 30% breadcrumbs in there too.
The fat runs out but is perfect for basting the pastry after 20 mins.
Sage and onion is a must for me 🙂
★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
So pleased you enjoyed the recipe Matt! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a star rating and review I truly appreciate it! I love sage and onion sausage rolls too, so delicious!!! XX Liz
Steph says
Could you add cheese to the meat mixture or sprinkle in top?
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Steph, thanks for reaching out. You could totally add some cheese either inside or on top. If you want to do it on top I would suggest shredded parmesean. Please let me know if you have any further questions or if you try the recipe I would love to know what you think! XX Liz
Sammy says
Another winner from Confessions of a Baking Queen. Made these Sausage Rolls for a large, summer group at our lake house for breakfast. So easy for such rave reviews from guests. Another recipe from this site that is now on the must have list!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Thank you SO much for the kind words Sammy, you made me smile! This is such an easy, winner for our friends and family too! Thanks again, take care XX Liz
Karen Henry says
I have a question. Forgive me as I'm not quite clear about the pastry. I know the packs are stacked with several sheets and each sheet is almost paper thin. Do you use just one sheet at a time or do you use a stack of sheets and then fill with the sausage?? I'm an expat living in Canada and was horrified when 2 years ago I suddenly couldn't find sausage rolls for Christmas Eve!!! So this recipe will be getting made asap lol. Also, will have to come up with a sausage substitute as I don't think Canada sells Jimmy Dean 🙁
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Karen, thanks for reaching out! No worries about the Jimmy Dean, I am sure there is some brand of mild pork sausage. The puff pastry here comes in a pack of two sheets, each sheet perforated into three pieces, I take one sheet and slice the sheet full into the three pieces then roll each piece a little longer and wider just to thin it out a little bit then add the sausage. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you try the recipe, would love to know what you think! XX Liz
Christina Mayo says
These were excellent! Just like my best friend makes, based on her Mum's recipe from England. I made them as a Thanksgiving appetizer and they were gone in the blink of an eye. Next time I will definitely make a lot more!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Aww, thank you for the lovely review, Christina. I am so pleased you enjoyed them, they always disappear at my house too! Take care. XX Liz
Marilyn says
the recipe was perfect and so are the sausage rolls. It was so much easier to follow your directions than the ones in the NY Times this week. I covered each sausage roll with a bit of fresh cut sage, rosemary and parsley before rolling it up . They sealed just perfectly in a roll, brushing each side with water, rather than pinching them with a fork.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Aww, thank you so much for the 5-star review, Marilyn! Laying the spices on top sounds like a nice touch! Happy New Year! XX Liz
Sandra from Connecticut says
These are so good! Being a Brit I absolutely love sausage rolls. We have a store nearby that makes its own breakfast sausages that are really good. I used those - cut the skins off and rolled them into smaller longer sausages. The beauty of using those is that they have less fat in them. I often find Jimmy Dean sausage or the like, way too greasy. Using the sausages and bought puff pastry makes this so easy. They just came out of the oven and I can’t stop eating them. Going to have to make more!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Sandra, thank you so much for coming back to leave a review! It makes me so happy to hear you are enjoying them and the ratings really help my website so I appreciate it!! I hope you have a Merry Christmas!! Take care. XX Liz
Michelle G says
Super easy and so good! I used Pepperidge farms puff pastry and jimmy dean pork sausage, added onion and thyme, and they turned out great! I can’t wait to experiment with different spice combos because I know I’ll make these again! My family ate the entire batch in literally ten minutes.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Yes! They are so great to customize to your favorite spices! I often make a double batch and freeze them until next time I want some!! Thank you for coming back to leave a review!! Happy New Year!! XX Liz
Erica says
Coming from an English family, I can attest that these sausage rolls taste just like my mom used to make. Easy, tasty recipe that you should try for the holidays, and any time! Thank you for the memories!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Erica, thank you so much for the 5-star review! It is music to my ears hearing that it brought back memories!! Happy New Year! XX Liz
Ms Linda Hofmeister says
How would you adjust the directions for a Ninja Foodi 11-in-1?
Thank you!!!
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi there, I am so sorry I have never worked with that appliance, I would suggest keeping the sausage rolls in the fridge freezer and test baking one or two in there to find the best settings. Goodluck and please report back how you get on! XX Liz
Kathleen Bailey says
These are perfection!!!!!
★★★★★
Elizabeth Waterson says
Hi Kathleen, thank you so much for the 5-star review! So so pleased you enjoyed them! Take care. xX Liz
Daryell says
I made these, using your recipe and hints, about 3 years ago. They were phenomenal! The only thing I did different was to roll the forked seam to the bottom. Alas, I didn't bookmark your page and haven't made them since. My grandsons(ages 14 & 11) are coming for lunch tomorrow so I searched and found you again! I'm going to double the recipe and freeze half for them to air fry later. Thank you!
★★★★★