Once you try air fryer sausage, you’ll never cook it another way! Cooking sausages has NEVER been easier.
Air frying is the simplest, most fool-proof way to get brown and crispy sausages with moist, juicy insides.
Say goodbye to the stove, grill, and oven. At least when it comes to cooking sausage. I’m not exaggerating when I say it’s truly the best cooking method.
With minimal effort, you’ll get perfectly cooked air fryer sausage in no time, every single time.
Air Fryer Sausage
Looking for a filling, 20-minute or less breakfast option for hectic mornings? Your air fryer can make that happen.
With it, I guarantee you’ll get crispy, juicy sausages 100% of the time.
It doesn’t matter what type or size of sausage it is. Thick, thin, sweet, savory, or spicy – they’ll all turn out amazing.
And since the air fryer doesn’t require oil, the sausages are low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly!
How Do You Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer?
Air fryer sausage is super simple to make. Follow these easy steps:
1. Preheat. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It shouldn’t take much longer than 3 minutes.
2. Prep the sausages. Pierce the casings in three different places to help the fat escape faster. Then, place a piece of parchment paper in the air fryer basket.
Finally, arrange the sausages in a single layer on the parchment paper. Don’t let them touch, overlap, or crowd one another.
3. Cook. Air fry the sausages for 9 to 12 minutes. There’s no need to flip them over mid-way, as they’ll be nice and brown even if you don’t.
Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Their internal temperature should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Enjoy! Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat. Then, serve and enjoy!
How Long to Cook Sausages in the Air Fryer
On average, it takes about 9 to 12 minutes to air fry sausages. However, the actual time depends on the sausages’ size and your air fryer’s power level.
Pre-cooked sausages that only need a bit of heating through require 4 to 5 minutes. Fully-cooked sausage links, like hot dogs, need 5 to 7 minutes.
For breakfast sausages, around 8 to 10 minutes will do. You also don’t have to pierce the casings beforehand for these thin sausages.
Italian sausages, bratwurst, and kielbasa need between 9 and 12 minutes. Since they’re thicker, poking them will help cook them faster.
(Learn the difference between bratwurst and sausage in my other article.)
Again, all these times may vary slightly depending on how powerful your air fryer is.
Can I Air Fry Frozen Sausages?
You CAN air fry frozen sausages! Simply cook them for 3 to 4 minutes longer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
They’re ready when the internal temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for the Best Sausages
Here are a few more tips for air frying perfect sausages every time:
- Cook sausages of similar size. This recipe works with any type of sausage. You can try as many varieties as you like. Just be sure to cook sausages of the same size together to guarantee even cooking.
- Don’t forget the parchment paper. Sausages have a high fat content and release grease as they cook. Use parchment paper to catch the grease and prevent the drippings from evaporating and turning to smoke.
- Check if your air fryer requires preheating. Mine does, so I allot about 3 minutes for that. Other models have the preheat built into the cooking time. Familiarize yourself with your model to avoid unnecessary preheating.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket. There needs to be enough space for the air to circulate through the basket to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook in batches.
- Let the sausages rest. They’ll need about 5 minutes before you serve. This will allow their juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in extra moist and juicy treats.
- Want extra crispy sausages? Air fry them for an extra 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add extras. Sausages taste great with sliced onions and bell peppers. If there’s space, add them to the basket to cook alongside the sausages.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Sausage
For a hearty meal, pair your sausage with carb-loaded sides. You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese.
For a light dinner, opt for either crunchy coleslaw or a creamy fruit salad.
Looking for more ideas? Check out these 10 irresistible side dishes to serve with sausage!
More Air Fryer Recipes For You to Try
Air Fryer Sausage
3
servings1
minute9
minutes630
kcalOnce you try this air fryer sausage, you’ll never cook it another way! In just 20 minutes, you’ll have juicy, crispy, perfectly cooked sausages!
Ingredients
6 Italian sausages
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.
- Using a knife, poke the sausages in 3 sections to break through the casing.
- Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the sausages for 9 to 12 minutes, or until browned and no longer pink inside.
- Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- First time with this recipe? Monitor them towards the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers vary from one to another, so the length of cooking won’t be the same for all.
- Always use a meat thermometer. Sometimes, even if the sausages look cooked through, they’re not. The internal temperature should be at least 160 degrees. Check with a thermometer to be sure.
