Australian/ Baking/ Lunch/ Recipes/ Snack

Australian Pork Sausage Rolls

14/09/2020

Sausage rolls are a classic Aussie snack. They’re so easy to make in batches to freeze and cook when you’re feeling lazy! Flavoured with garlic, rosemary and fennel, homemade pork sausage rolls are the perfect party food or lunch on the go.

A stack of sausage rolls with a dish of tomato sauce, perfect for dipping!

Why We Love This

Sausage rolls are surprisingly easy to make at home – no fancy ingredients or techniques needed here.

They’re perfect to batch cook and freeze for later. Great for birthday parties and family gatherings, especially when paired with mini beef party pies and zucchini slice. Or just enjoy as a quick lunch or tasty snack on the go.

Making them at home means you can tweak the ingredients and flavours to suit your taste. The warm aroma of flaky pastry cooking in the oven fills your kitchen and will have you craving that first bite for sure!

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Related: Lorne Sausage / Spinach & Feta Triangles

Plate of sausage rolls with tomato dipping sauce.

What are Sausage Rolls? 

Even though they technically originate in the UK, these tasty morsels are an Aussie icon for sure! Made from minced pork and spices (such as fennel, rosemary and garlic) formed into a sausage shape and wrapped in a flaky puff pastry.

Some think they’re similar to ‘Pigs in a Blanket’ (popular in the US), but the soft mince meat sausage is very different from the hot-dog style cocktail weiners from the US style recipe.

Sausage rolls are super popular in Australia as a quick lunch or snack on the go. We’ll often buy them from countryside bakeries as a quick bite when out on a road trip – followed by a vanilla slice or choc coated lamington of course!

They’re also one of the best last minute party foods ever – keep a frozen batch tucked away for emergencies and bake them straight from the freezer as needed!

What You’ll Need

This super easy pork and fennel sausage roll recipe need just a handful of ingredients:

  • Pork Mince – Ground pork is the most popular base for sausage rolls, but we’ve also made sausage rolls with beef mince. You could use chicken, turkey, or lamb if you prefer. You can also buy pre-made sausage meat (pre-blended with breadcrumbs, herbs and spices) to make it even easier.
  • Puff Pastry Sheets – We use store-bought frozen puff pastry. Allow it to thaw on the bench while you’re preparing the sausage meat so it becomes softer and easier to fold. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not make your own puff pastry at home!
  • Breadcrumbs – Regular breadcrumbs, Japanese panko breadcrumbs and even flavoured stuffing mix work great. Keep an eye out for gluten free breadcrumbs if you need.
  • Herbs & Spices – It’s fine to use dried herbs and spices, but you can also use fresh herbs from the garden if you have them. Feel free to substitute with your own combinations to suit your tastes.
  • Tomato Sauce – Aka ketchup. Perfect for cooling down your freshly baked sausage rolls so you don’t burn your tongue when eating them too quickly! (Which is what we will aaaallllways do haha).

How to make:

  1. Preheat the oven to 180ËšC / 356ËšF (fan-forced). Pop your pork mince, breadcrumbs, fennel, rosemary and garlic. Mix everything together using your hands to combine and form into a ball.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk the egg and add the milk.
  1. Place equal portions of the sausage mince across the middle of each sheet of puff pastry (for best results, form the sausages 2cm wide x 2cm high). Fold the right hand side of the pastry over the mince, brush the top and open side with egg wash mixture then continue to roll up.
  2. Transfer the sausage rolls to a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper. Partially slice each roll into 4-5 cm pieces (cut down around three quarters of the way, leaving the base of the pastry intact), then baste with more egg wash.

Bake for around 40 minutes or until meat is cooked and pastry is flaky and golden brown on top. Serve hot with your favourite sauce for dipping!

Wandercook’s Tips

  • Fresh Mince Meat – This will always taste better than pre-made sausage mix. But if you need to save time, we’ll never judge.
  • Use Your Hands – This is the best way to evenly mix the herbs, spices and breadcrumbs through the sausage meat. If you don’t like touching the meat feel free to use kitchen gloves suitable for food handling.
  • Texture – Make sure the sausage meat is the right consistency. If it seems too ‘wet’ or it’s sticking to your hands, add some extra breadcrumbs to soak up the excess liquid. This will stop the sausage rolls becoming soggy while cooking.
  • Don’t Skip the Egg Wash – This is essential for that golden flaky pastry you’ve been dreaming of.
  • Slicing – Don’t cut the sausage rolls all the way through – this helps them hold their shape while baking. It’s easy enough to break them up once they’re cooked!

FAQs

How long do cooked sausage rolls last?

They’ll last a day or two in the fridge – any longer and the puff pastry will start to get too soggy.

Can I freeze sausage rolls?

Yep, you can freeze them either cooked or uncooked. Wrap them in a plastic bag, container or cling wrap, then store in the freezer for up to three months.

How do I reheat frozen sausage rolls (uncooked)?

To reheat from frozen, you can either allow them to fully thaw before cooking, or put them straight in the oven and cook them for a little longer to make sure the middle is fully cooked and heated through.

How do I reheat cooked sausage rolls?

We recommend zapping them in the microwave for a minute or two first, then finish them in the oven for 5-10 minutes for crispy flaky pastry.

My sausage rolls were soggy after cooking – why?

Here’s a few things you can do to avoid soggy sausage rolls:
– Preheat the oven properly – Make sure it’s at temperature before cooking so the pastry cooks quickly.
– Use cold baking trays – If you leave them in the oven while preheating, they’ll melt the pastry and cause them to cook unevenly.

How do I know when they’re cooked?

When cooked at the proper temperature for the full cooking time, they’ll definitely be ready. If you’re still concerned, you can cut one open and take a look. You’ll know it’s cooked because the sausage meat will be a different texture and colour when fully cooked than it was when it was raw. Note that if you include bacon in your minced meat, they will continue to look pink even once fully cooked.

Variations

  • Add Veggies – Grated or finely chopped veggies such as potato, carrot, celery and onion taste great and add extra nutrients to your sausage rolls! Avoid juicy veggies like zucchini which can cause the pastry to become soggy while cooking.
  • Add Herbs – We recommend finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary or thyme. Experiment to see which herbs you like best.
  • Amp Up The Flavour – Try adding chopped up cheddar cheese, feta or bacon.
  • Make them Spicy – Try a sprinkling of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes.
Close up of sausage rolls with tomato sauce.

More epic party recipes to try next:

★ Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment and star rating below!

Close up of sausage rolls with tomato sauce.

Australian Pork Sausage Rolls

Sausage rolls are a classic Aussie snack. They're so easy to make in batches to freeze and cook when you're feeling lazy! Flavoured with garlic, rosemary and fennel, homemade pork sausage rolls are the perfect party food or lunch on the go.
5 from 10 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Course: Appetiser, Lunch, Snack
Cuisine: Australian
Servings: 16 Sausage Rolls
Calories: 269kcal
Author: Wandercooks
Cost: $10

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 180ËšC / 356ËšF (fan-forced).
  • Pop your pork mince, breadcrumbs, fennel, rosemary and garlic. Mix everything together using your hands to combine and form into a ball.
    500 g pork mince, 1/4 tsp ground fennel, 1 tsp rosemary, 1 tsp garlic, 60 g bread crumbs
  • In a small bowl, whisk the egg and add the milk for your egg wash.
    1 egg, 1 tbsp milk
  • Place equal portions of the sausage mince across the middle of each section of puff pastry sheet (for best results, form the sausages 2cm wide x 2cm high). Fold the right hand side of the pastry over the mince, brush the top and open side with egg wash mixture then continue to roll up.
    2 puff pastry sheets
  • Transfer the sausage rolls to a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper. Partially slice each roll into 4-5 cm pieces (cut down around three quarters of the way, leaving the base of the pastry intact), then baste with more egg wash.
  • Bake for around 40 minutes or until meat is cooked and pastry is flaky and golden brown on top. Serve hot with tomato sauce / ketchup or your favourite sauce!
    tomato sauce / ketchup

Video

YouTube video

Recipe Notes

  • Pork Mince – Ground pork is the most popular base for sausage rolls, but we’ve also made sausage rolls with beef mince. You could use chicken, turkey, or lamb if you prefer. You can also buy pre-made sausage meat (pre-blended with breadcrumbs, herbs and spices) to make it even easier.
  • Puff Pastry Sheets – We use store-bought frozen puff pastry. Allow it to thaw on the bench while you’re preparing the sausage meat so it becomes softer and easier to fold. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, why not make your own puff pastry at home!
  • Breadcrumbs – Regular breadcrumbs, Japanese panko breadcrumbs and even flavoured stuffing mix work great. Keep an eye out for gluten free breadcrumbs if you need.
  • Herbs & Spices – It’s fine to use dried herbs and spices, but you can also use fresh herbs from the garden if you have them. Feel free to substitute with your own combinations to suit your tastes.
  • Tomato Sauce – Aka ketchup. Perfect for cooling down your freshly baked sausage rolls so you don’t burn your tongue when eating them too quickly! (Which is what we will aaaallllways do haha).
  • Fresh Mince Meat – This will always taste better than pre-made sausage mix. But if you need to save time, we’ll never judge.
  • Use Your Hands – This is the best way to evenly mix the herbs, spices and breadcrumbs through the sausage meat. If you don’t like touching the meat feel free to use kitchen gloves suitable for food handling.
  • Sausage Texture – Make sure the sausage meat is the right consistency. If it seems too ‘wet’ or it’s sticking to your hands, add some extra breadcrumbs to soak up the excess liquid. This will stop the sausage rolls becoming soggy while cooking.
  • Don’t Skip the Egg Wash – This is essential for that golden flaky pastry you’ve been dreaming of.
  • Slicing – Don’t cut the sausage rolls all the way through – this helps them hold their shape while baking. It’s easy enough to break them up once they’re cooked!
  • Variations:
    • Add Veggies – Grated or finely chopped veggies such as potato, carrot, celery and onion taste great and add extra nutrients to your sausage rolls! Avoid juicy veggies like zucchini which can cause the pastry to become soggy while cooking.
    • Add Herbs – We recommend finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley, rosemary or thyme. Experiment to see which herbs you like best.
    • Amp Up The Flavour – Try adding chopped up cheddar cheese, feta or bacon.
    • Make them Spicy – Try a sprinkling of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Australian Pork Sausage Rolls
Amount per Serving
Calories
269
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
19
g
29
%
Saturated Fat
 
6
g
38
%
Cholesterol
 
33
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
123
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
119
mg
3
%
Carbohydrates
 
16
g
5
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
1
g
1
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
15
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
16
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Australian Pork Sausage Rolls
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18 Comments

  • Reply
    Rosalie E Ogden
    02/08/2021 at 1:30 am

    5 stars
    It’s been 32 years since I was in Australia. We’d snack on these as we were walking down the street. They had a few sauces to dip if you wanted. Hope to find sauces (not ketchup) to make. Any ideas?

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      02/08/2021 at 9:28 am

      Hey Rosalie! Great question. While sausage rolls are most often served with tomato sauce, it may have also been served with BBQ sauce, sweet chilli or malt vinegar. These days, it’s usually only tomato sauce when you get them from bakeries or delis etc. You’ll have to taste test them all and see which is your favourite! 🙂

  • Reply
    Dana
    31/05/2020 at 11:27 am

    5 stars
    I’ve been trying to expand from my go-to recipes while in isolation and came across this recipe. This is a great recipe, and came together so easily! I must admit that I’ve never had sausage rolls before, so I cannot compare to any other recipes. However, they are definitely well-seasoned and tasty.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      01/06/2020 at 12:57 pm

      Hey Dana, that’s so good to hear you’ve been having fun trying new recipes. We’ve definitely been enjoying cooking more ourselves too. Thanks for the feedback, and I hope one day you get to compare with the real deal from a bakery! 🙂

  • Reply
    Whitney Humphrey
    28/04/2020 at 1:14 am

    Hello, for cooking if the temperature in degrees Celsius? I noticed everything else was in grams so I thought I’d ask. The recipe looks delicious and I plan on converting and making it soon!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      28/04/2020 at 10:26 am

      Hello! For the sausages – it’s 1.1 pounds for 500g of meat. 🙂 Then for the degrees, you want to cook it at 350F – hope this helps and have fun baking!

  • Reply
    Kelley
    22/01/2020 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, these look and sound amazing! And so easy to make.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      24/01/2020 at 11:34 am

      Super easy! Hope you enjoy. 🙂

  • Reply
    Anita
    22/01/2020 at 11:46 am

    5 stars
    These sausage rolls are too delicious. I love the fennel and rosemary in this, and using store-bought puff pastry sheets mean this is pretty much an instant recipe for me. 🙂

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      24/01/2020 at 11:34 am

      Exactly! That cuts down the time soooo much.

    • Reply
      Katherine A Dietz
      20/07/2021 at 8:53 pm

      What is the measurement for breadcrumbs 60g is what in us measurements?
      Also how to make pork mince?
      Could the pork be cooked, drained, and then added to the pastry? Thanks Katherine

      • Reply
        Wandercooks
        22/07/2021 at 9:55 am

        Hey Katherine! Use 2oz of breadcrumbs. 🙂 For the pork mince, it’s readily available at supermarkets here in Australia, and that’s the best way to buy it. You could try asking a butcher to make pork mince / ground pork OR you could also achieve it by following this guide on grinding your own pork at home without a grinder. Hope this helps! 🙂

        We do not recommend pre-cooking the pork for this recipe. The ground / minced pork is the signature part of this dish.

  • Reply
    sherry brubaker
    22/01/2020 at 11:22 am

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! It’s something my kids BEG for in the morning because it’s such an easy to-go breakfast!

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      24/01/2020 at 11:35 am

      Oh man…I wish my parents let me eat these for breakfast when I was younger!

  • Reply
    stephanie
    22/01/2020 at 10:35 am

    5 stars
    These were sooo delicious! My son loved them.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      24/01/2020 at 11:35 am

      Yay! Glad to hear they were kid-approved! 😀

  • Reply
    Krissy Allori
    22/01/2020 at 10:03 am

    5 stars
    Where have these been all my life? Oh man, these are just great. I’ll be saving this recipe for sure. It’s a keeper.

    • Reply
      Wandercooks
      24/01/2020 at 11:35 am

      Wicked Krissy, hope you like them! 🙂

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