Reheating sausage rolls can be tricky if you want them to taste just as good as when they were freshly baked. It is easy to end up with rolls that are either too soggy or overly dry. Getting the balance right is all about knowing the best techniques and understanding how each reheating method affects the texture and flavor of the food.
Whether you are working with flaky pastry or a rich sausage filling, there are methods that can help restore the perfect bite, making your leftovers worth the effort.
Recently, I decided to experiment with reheating different types of food, including some classic favorites. You know those mornings when you are running late and miss the McDonald’s breakfast window? That disappointment used to ruin my day until I started exploring ways to reheat leftovers properly. I tested McDonald’s fries, nuggets, lasagna, scrambled eggs, and even roasted potatoes to see how close I could get to their original texture and taste.
The lessons I learned apply to sausage rolls too. With the right techniques, they can be just as flaky and delicious as when they were fresh out of the oven.
I tested various methods, so stay with me to find out which one worked the best.
1. My First Attempt Was With the Oven
The oven felt like the safest choice when I tested it, but honestly, it still did not hit the same level as freshly baked rolls. The pastry did crisp up, and the filling warmed through evenly, but it lacked that just-made aroma and buttery richness.
What stood out most was the time it took—waiting for the oven to preheat and then reheating for over 15 minutes made it feel like more effort than it was worth, especially if you are just craving a quick snack. It works well, but I would not say it is flawless.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in an Oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place sausage rolls on a baking tray and cover with foil.
- Heat for 10 minutes to warm the filling.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the pastry.
Rating: 8/10
2. Then I Tried the Air Fryer
When I tried the air fryer, I had high expectations for the crispiness, and it definitely delivered. The pastry came out flaky, and the filling was heated evenly in a fraction of the time the oven takes.
What I didn’t love was that the edges of the pastry felt a little too dry, almost overcooked, while the inside was just right. For convenience, this method is a winner, but if you are a perfectionist about texture, it may leave you wanting more. Still, it is fast, easy, and does a great job overall.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in an Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Place sausage rolls in the basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
- Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway to avoid overcooking.
Rating: 7/10
3. Microwave May Seem Convenient, But It Was a Bad Choice
I will be honest—the microwave is where sausage rolls go to die.
I tried this method hoping for a quick snack, but the results were disappointing. The filling heated up in seconds, sure, but the pastry turned into a sad, soggy mess. It lost all its flakiness, and the once-crispy layers became chewy and damp.
If you are absolutely starving and in a rush, it will do the job, but do not expect anything close to the original taste or texture. Honestly, it is a last resort, not a real solution.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in a Microwave
- Place sausage rolls on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover with a damp paper towel to reduce the risk of drying out the filling.
- Heat on medium power for 30-60 seconds, depending on size.
- Check if the filling is warm; add 10-second intervals if needed.
- Let them cool for a moment before eating (if you still want to).
Rating: 2/10
4. You Can Use a Skillet(If That Is Your Only Option)
I wanted this method to be better, but honestly, it was just okay. The skillet crisped up the bottom nicely, but that came with a risk—one second too long, and the pastry burned while the rest stayed soft.
The filling did warm up eventually, but it took a lot of flipping and constant attention to avoid ruining everything. By the time I was done, I realized I had put in way too much effort for a mediocre result.
If you are desperate and your oven or air fryer is out of commission, this can work but do not expect anything amazing.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in a Stovetop Skillet
- Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-low heat.
- Place sausage rolls in the skillet without crowding them.
- Cover with a lid to trap heat and help warm the filling.
- Flip the rolls every 2-3 minutes to prevent burning and ensure even heating.
- Remove when the filling is warm, and the bottom is crisp.
Rating: 5/10 (assuming you do not turn them into charcoal halfway through)
5. Toaster Oven Is Another Mediocre Solution
The toaster oven was a mixed bag for me. It sounded like a good idea—smaller than an oven and quicker to heat up—but the reality was frustrating. The pastry crisped up in some places but stayed limp in others, and the edges started to brown too much while the middle was still warming.
I kept turning them, hoping for an even result, but it just felt like way too much effort for something that still did not taste right.
It is not terrible, but it feels like a compromise you make when you cannot be bothered to use the oven or do not have one handy.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in a Toaster Oven
- Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place sausage rolls on a rack or tray to help with airflow.
- Heat for 8-10 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning the edges.
- Flip the rolls halfway through to help warm them evenly.
Rating: 5/10 (decent if you are okay with babysitting unevenly heated rolls)
6. Broiler Was Too Much Effort and Risk
The top of the rolls crisped up fast, but the filling barely had time to warm before the pastry started to scorch. You have to hover over it like a hawk, constantly checking to make sure it does not go from “crispy” to “burnt” in seconds.
The bottom of the rolls stayed soft and cold, which was disappointing. If you are desperate and want something hot quickly, the broiler might work, but only if you are okay with uneven results and a high chance of messing it up.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls with a Broiler
- Set your broiler to low or medium, depending on its settings.
- Place sausage rolls on a baking sheet, keeping them at least 6 inches away from the heat.
- Broil for 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye on them.
- Turn the rolls to crisp the other side if needed.
Rating: 4/10 (good luck keeping them from burning)
7. Steam Oven Is the Worst, Better to Eat the Rolls Cold
The pastry stayed soft and limp, completely missing the mark for what makes sausage rolls enjoyable.
Sure, the filling was warm and moist, but the soggy texture killed the overall experience. If all you care about is heating the filling without drying it out, this might work, but let’s be real—it is not how a sausage roll should feel or taste.
It’s as bad as a microwave, but you must wait more than 10 minutes.
Steps for Reheating Sausage Rolls in a Steam Oven
- Preheat the steam oven to a low or medium setting, around 250°F (120°C).
- Place the sausage rolls on a tray or rack to allow steam to circulate.
- Heat for 10-12 minutes, ensuring the rolls warm evenly.
Rating: 1/10
And the Winner Is…
After putting all these methods to the test, the clear winner for reheating sausage rolls is the oven. It delivers the best balance of crispy pastry and evenly heated filling, even if it takes a bit of time. If you are not in a rush and want something close to the original texture and taste, the oven is the way to go. It is not perfect, but it gets the job done better than anything else.
The air fryer is worth trying if you are short on time. It heats up quickly and gives decent results, though the pastry can dry out a little. It is convenient and effective enough to make it a solid second choice.
Now, let’s be honest about the ones to avoid. The microwave? Forget it. It turns sausage rolls into a soggy, chewy disappointment that is barely edible. If you are that desperate, you might as well eat them cold—at least they will still have some texture. The steam oven is just as bad. Sure, it keeps the filling warm, but it turns the pastry into a mushy mess. Do yourself a favor and skip it.
As for the broiler, skillet, and toaster oven, they all fall into the “meh” category. They work if you have no other option, but they come with risks like burning or uneven heating, and the effort-to-reward ratio just does not make them worth it.
So, there you have it. If you care about enjoying sausage rolls close to how they were meant to be, stick with the oven or an air fryer. For the others? You are better off eating them cold and saving yourself the disappointment.
