Can You Deep Fry Frozen Sausages?
Can you deep fry frozen sausages?
The answer is yes! Frozen sausages can be cooked in a deep fat fryer and they come out beautifully crisp and evenly browned. In this guide, I’ll explain how to deep fry frozen sausages safely, how long they take to cook and a few tips to help you get the best results.
One of the reasons people love deep-fried food is because it tastes so good, and sausages are no exception.
Deep frying is one of my favourite ways to cook sausages because they brown really evenly and cook surprisingly quickly.
Can You Deep Fry Frozen Sausages?
Yes, you can deep fry frozen sausages.
If you’ve bought sausages ready frozen from the supermarket, they can usually go straight into the deep fat fryer without any preparation.
If you’ve frozen fresh sausages yourself, there are a couple of things to consider.
If the sausages were frozen individually, or you can easily separate them, they can be cooked straight from frozen in exactly the same way.
However, if they’re frozen together in one large block, you’ll need to thaw them just enough to pull them apart before cooking.
I usually do this using the defrost setting on the microwave for a few minutes.
Once you can separate the sausages, they’re ready for the fryer.
Is It Safe To Deep Fry Frozen Sausages?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to deep fry frozen sausages, provided they’re cooked all the way through.
The easiest way to check this is by using a digital food thermometer. The centre of the sausage should reach 75°C for at least 30 seconds or 80°C for at least 6 seconds before serving.
As with any frozen food, take extra care when lowering the basket into the hot oil, as any ice on the surface of the sausages may cause the oil to spit slightly.
Before You Get Started
A couple of things are worth mentioning before you begin.
Don’t overcrowd the fryer. Cook the sausages in a single layer so they cook evenly.
Check your fryer’s instructions. Different models recommend slightly different temperatures, so it’s always worth following the manufacturer’s guidance.
How To Deep Fry Frozen Sausages
Here’s how to deep fry frozen sausages safely:
- Preheat your deep fat fryer to around 180°C (or follow the manufacturer’s recommended temperature).
- Place the frozen sausages into the fryer basket in a single layer.
- Carefully lower the basket into the hot oil. The oil may bubble more than usual for the first few moments because of the water content from the frozen sausages.
- Cook for around 10–12 minutes, or until the sausages are evenly browned.
- Check the internal temperature before serving. If they haven’t reached 75°C for at least 30 seconds or 80°C for at least 6 seconds, continue cooking for another couple of minutes.
Every now and then you’ll find a sausage splits open and turns itself inside out while cooking. It doesn’t look particularly pretty, but it’s perfectly normal and still tastes just as good!
Serve immediately, or keep the cooked sausages warm in a low oven while you cook the remaining batches.
How Long Do Frozen Sausages Take To Deep Fry?
Answer: Around 10–12 minutes.
The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages and the temperature of your fryer.
I always recommend checking the centre with a food thermometer rather than relying on colour alone.
Can I Deep Fry Cooked Sausages From Frozen?
Technically, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
By the time cooked sausages have heated through from frozen, they often become overcooked, shrivelled and develop a very dark skin.
If possible, it’s much better to thaw cooked sausages first before reheating them in the oven or microwave. You’ll usually end up with a much better texture and flavour.
