If you’ve ever been craving that perfect flaky, savory snack that brings a true taste of Scotland into your kitchen, then you’re in for a treat with this Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe. I absolutely love how these sausage rolls turn out—crispy on the outside, tender and flavorful on the inside, and they always disappear fast at my family gatherings. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just looking for a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat, this recipe will walk you through everything you need for delicious results every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Authentic Flavor: The blend of spices and meat gives you that classic Scottish taste that’s comforting and hearty.
- Super Simple Prep: With just a handful of ingredients and easy steps, you’ll have these ready in almost no time.
- Versatile Sizes: From bite-sized appetizers to large rolls perfect for lunch, you can customize the size to suit your needs.
- Great for Make-Ahead: You can freeze and reheat these sausage rolls without losing any of that fresh-baked goodness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the magic crew that comes together to create this hearty treat. I’ve found these ingredients balance perfectly to give you that juicy, flavorful filling wrapped in buttery, flaky puff pastry. Plus, most of these are pantry staples or easy to find at your local store.
- Puff pastry: Trader Joe’s pre-rolled sheets work great because the buttery layers are ready to go.
- Ground beef: I prefer beef for its richness, but mixing pork or even turkey can lighten things up and still taste great.
- Water: Adds moisture to bind the mixture without making it soggy—start small and adjust.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors, critical for properly seasoning the meat.
- Black pepper: Freshly ground is best for that sharp, warming kick.
- Coriander: Use dried ground coriander for a subtle earthy sweetness—it’s a key spice that makes these rolls distinctly Scottish.
- Nutmeg: Just a touch, for warmth and depth without overpowering.
- Plain breadcrumbs: This helps bind the filling and keeps the texture just right.
- Egg white: Used as a glaze to create a golden shiny finish that’s oh-so-appetizing.
Variations
I love playing around with this Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe depending on the occasion and who’s coming over. It’s one of those recipes that welcomes personalization, so don’t be shy to make it your own!
- Use pork or a beef-pork mix: I experimented with half beef, half pork once, and my family loved the slightly sweeter, fattier filling it made.
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or some chili flakes for a little heat if you want to surprise your guests.
- Go vegetarian: Substitute meat with a mixture of cooked lentils, mushrooms, and spices—it’s a twist I’ve tried and it works surprisingly well.
- Make mini bites: Perfect for parties, just cut your pastry smaller and roll tiny logs; they’re gone before you know it.
How to Make Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Filling Like a Pro
Start by mixing your spices, salt, and breadcrumbs in a large bowl. Then add your ground beef and about half a cup of water. Here’s my trick: use your hands to blend everything together—it might sound messy, but it gives you the perfect texture, kind of like moist meatloaf. If it feels dry, add a splash more water, but don’t overload it or it’ll leak when baking.
Step 2: Prep Your Puff Pastry and Shape the Rolls
Lay your puff pastry flat on a clean surface and cut it into rectangles—don’t stress about perfect shapes, rustic is charming! Shape your meat mixture into logs that fit nicely on each pastry piece. The key here is not to overfill; trust me, I learned the hard way that too much filling means the puff pastry bursts open.
Step 3: Seal and Score
Lightly dampen one edge of the pastry with water to help it stick. Fold over and press the edges closed, then crimp them with a fork for that classic look and to seal them tight. Next, pop a few small cuts on top of the roll so steam can escape, preventing puff pastry bubbles and soggy centers.
Step 4: Glaze and Bake to Golden Perfection
Brush your rolls with beaten egg white. This step is what makes them shiny and beautifully golden once baked. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 25 minutes or until they are puffed up and gorgeous golden brown. I always keep an eye around the 20-minute mark just in case my oven runs hot.
Pro Tips for Making Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe
- Water Watch: Add water slowly when mixing the filling; the best texture is moist but not sloppy.
- Pressure Points: Make sure to seal the edges well with damp fingers and fork crimping to avoid juice leaks in the oven.
- Scoring is Key: Those tiny slits on top let steam out so your pastry stays crisp and flaky.
- Baking Time: Don’t rush the bake! A full 25 minutes usually gets you the perfect golden roll without undercooked centers.
How to Serve Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe
Garnishes
For garnishes, I’m a simple gal—usually just a little freshly chopped parsley for color and a dollop of tangy brown sauce, like HP Sauce. It completely elevates the flavor, and my family can’t get enough. If you want a fresh contrast, pickles or some sliced sharp cheddar on the side are winners too.
Side Dishes
These sausage rolls are incredibly satisfying on their own, but when I serve them at parties, I often pair them with a crisp green salad or coleslaw to balance the richness. A simple bowl of baked beans or even some roasted veggies works beautifully if you’re after a more substantial meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve these on a wooden board with a lineup of dipping sauces—mustard, chutney, and even a homemade aioli. For kids’ parties, cutting them into bite-sized squares and serving with fun toothpicks makes them super easy to grab and enjoy.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover sausage rolls keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I found that popping them in the oven again (instead of the microwave) helps bring back that crisp pastry—microwaving can make them soggy, so avoid that if you can.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Here’s my method: bake the rolls but take them out about 5-7 minutes before they’re perfectly golden (to avoid overbaking later). Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer bag. They’re perfect for prepping ahead for parties or busy days.
Reheating
When you’re ready to eat, defrost the sausage rolls overnight in the fridge. Take them out to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes, then bake in a 375ºF (190ºC) oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and the pastry has crisped up again. This keeps them tasting freshly baked, trust me.
FAQs
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Can I make Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare and assemble them, then freeze before baking, or bake them partially and freeze. Just reheat in the oven when you’re ready. This makes hosting so much easier.
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What’s the best way to avoid soggy pastry?
Make sure your filling isn’t too wet by adding water gradually and using breadcrumbs to soak up moisture. Also, score the pastry to allow steam to escape. Brushing with egg white helps seal it and keep it crisp.
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Can I use store-bought sausage meat instead of ground beef?
You can, but be mindful that many sausage meats already contain seasoning and moisture. You might need to adjust the added spices and water accordingly to avoid an overly wet or too salty filling.
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What can I serve these with for a full meal?
They’re lovely with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, or hearty baked beans. For a more traditional touch, try serving with mashed potatoes and gravy.
Final Thoughts
This Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe is a go-to in my kitchen because it’s reliable, delicious, and always a hit with friends and family. I hope you enjoy making them as much as I do — there’s just something special about the combination of tender, spiced meat and flaky, buttery pastry that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Give these sausage rolls a try and watch them disappear faster than you can slice them up!
Print
Homemade Scottish Sausage Rolls Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 24 small rolls or 12 large sausage rolls 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Scottish
Description
Delicious homemade Scottish sausage rolls featuring flaky puff pastry wrapped around a savory, spiced ground beef filling. Perfect as a snack or party appetizer, these sausage rolls are easy to make and can be frozen for convenient future meals.
Ingredients
Pastry
- 18 oz puff pastry (store-bought, e.g. Trader Joe’s)
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef (or pork, or a mixture of beef and pork, or turkey)
- 1 cup water or less
- 1 ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
- ¾ tsp coriander (dried, ground)
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1 egg white (slightly beaten)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the sausage rolls.
- Mix Spices and Breadcrumbs: In a large bowl, combine the salt, black pepper, coriander, nutmeg, and plain breadcrumbs evenly.
- Add Meat and Water: Add the ground beef to the bowl with the spices and breadcrumbs, then pour in about ½ cup of water. Using your hands, mix thoroughly until the mixture achieves a meatloaf-like texture. Add more water if needed to hold the mixture together without being too wet.
- Prepare Puff Pastry: Lay the puff pastry flat on a clean surface. Cut into rectangular or desired size pieces depending on whether you want small appetizer sizes or larger servings. Alternatively, form one long strip and cut after assembling.
- Shape Meat Logs: Form the meat mixture into logs sized to fit the pastry pieces and place each log near one edge of the pastry. Avoid overfilling to prevent bursting while baking.
- Seal Rolls: Lightly moisten the edge of the pastry with water using your finger, then fold over the meat log and press the edges shut, crimping with a fork to seal thoroughly.
- Prepare for Baking: Arrange the sausage rolls on a lined baking tray (using silicone baking mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil). Make 3–4 small slits on top of the pastry to allow steam to escape, then brush the tops lightly with the beaten egg white for a glossy finish.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed up and golden brown.
- Serve: Enjoy warm sausage rolls with brown sauce, such as HP Sauce, for an authentic Scottish pairing.
Notes
- You can make your own breadcrumbs by toasting and crumbling bread, then using it fresh or dried.
- For appetizers, make the rolls smaller or cut large rolls into bite-sized pieces before baking.
- Freezing tip: Bake sausage rolls about 5–7 minutes less than usual, cool completely, then freeze. This keeps them fresh for party occasions.
- To reheat frozen sausage rolls, defrost in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature on a baking sheet, then bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–15 minutes until hot and golden.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 small sausage roll (approx. 45g)
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
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