Air Fryer Sausage: Cooking Raw Sausages Safely And Efficiently

Cooking raw sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal without heating up the whole house or creating a lot of mess. You can cook any type of raw sausage in an air fryer, including Italian sausages, chicken sausages, turkey sausages, and pork sausages. The air fryer will give your sausages a crispy exterior and a juicy interior without the need for added butter or oil.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for raw sausages in an air fryer depend on the type of sausage, the air fryer model, and personal preferences for texture and doneness.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking sausages in an air fryer is between 360°F and 400°F. While you can cook at a lower temperature for a longer time or a higher temperature for a shorter time, higher temperatures may cause the sausages to shrivel, and longer cooking times defeat the purpose of using an air fryer.

Cooking Time

The cooking time varies depending on the thickness of the sausages, the number of sausages in the air fryer, and the model of the air fryer. In general, sausages cooked at 360°F will take around 10-12 minutes, while sausages cooked at 400°F will take around 8-10 minutes. Thicker sausages, like bratwurst or Italian sausages, may take up to 14 minutes to cook, while smaller breakfast sausages will require less time, around 8-10 minutes. Frozen sausages will also take longer to cook, typically requiring a few extra minutes.

Checking for Doneness

To ensure that sausages are fully cooked, it is important to check that the internal temperature of the sausages reaches a minimum of 160°F for raw pork and beef, and 165°F for raw turkey and chicken. This can be done using an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the sausage. Additionally, it is recommended to cut into a sausage and make sure it is not pink inside before serving.

Frozen vs fresh sausages

Cooking raw sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to prepare a meal without heating up the entire house or dirtying multiple pots and pans. The air fryer acts like a mini oven, cooking the sausages evenly without the need to flip them. The result is a sausage that is crispy and brown on the outside and juicy on the inside.

When it comes to choosing between frozen and fresh sausages for your air fryer, there are a few things to consider. Frozen sausages are convenient if you don't have time to defrost them before cooking. Thicker frozen sausages, like Bratwurst or Italian sausages, can be cooked straight from frozen, even if they are frozen in a clump. However, it is recommended to defrost breakfast sausages before cooking, although cooking them straight from frozen is also an option.

On the other hand, fresh sausages require a bit more preparation. Before cooking fresh sausages in the air fryer, it is recommended to poke holes in the casings with a paring knife or fork. This allows the fat to escape, preventing splatter and making it easier to clean up. The number of holes poked depends on the type of sausage; for an average Italian sausage, three holes are typically made.

The cooking time and temperature for frozen and fresh sausages in the air fryer are similar. Most recipes recommend preheating the air fryer to 360°F to 400°F. At this temperature, sausages will take around 8 to 12 minutes to cook, depending on their thickness. Thinner sausages, like breakfast sausages, will take less time, around 8 to 10 minutes, while thicker sausages may take a bit longer. It is important to ensure that the sausages are cooked thoroughly before serving, with no pink remaining inside.

Raw vs pre-cooked sausages

You can cook raw sausages in an air fryer. In fact, cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to cook them without having to heat up the whole house or dirty a bunch of pots and pans. The sausages turn out crispy and brown on the outside and juicy on the inside. It is also a hands-free way of cooking sausages as you don't need to watch them, flip them, or do anything else. They cook and brown evenly all by themselves.

To cook raw sausages in an air fryer, you can preheat the air fryer to 360°F. Set the air fryer to cook for 10-12 minutes. Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer, spacing them about an inch apart so that heat can circulate around them. Do not poke holes in the sausages as the juices will leak out. Halfway through the cooking time, flip the sausages over and cook for another 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature of the sausages is 160°F.

Pre-cooked sausages are also available in the market. These are sausages that are marked as "fully cooked" but may come with cooking instructions such as "boil for 5-10 minutes". These are essentially reheating directions as most people do not eat cold sausage. Pre-cooked sausages have improved in quality over the years in terms of size, flavor, and appearance. However, many people still prefer raw sausages for their superior flavor. When cooking raw sausages on a pizza, it is recommended to pinch them flat into dime-sized pieces so that they cook better, faster, and more thoroughly.

Chicken, turkey, or pork sausages

To cook chicken sausages in an air fryer, first, spray the tops of the sausages with some olive oil. This will help get a crispy skin. Next, set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry the sausages for 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, open the air fryer and flip the sausages once to ensure an even crispness. Spray with olive oil again and cook for another 4 minutes. The total cook time will be approximately 8-10 minutes depending on the thickness of the sausages.

Turkey sausages can be cooked in an air fryer in a similar way to chicken sausages. Air fry the sausages for 6 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit until they are golden brown.

To cook pork sausages, place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown on the outside and juicy in the center. For uncooked sausages, the internal temperature should be 160°F when fully cooked.

You can also make easy air fryer sausage patties by forming sausage meat without a casing into patties and cooking them in the air fryer. These generally take about 5 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit to cook.

Sausage types: Italian, Bratwurst, etc

You can cook raw sausages in an air fryer, and it's a great way to prepare a variety of sausage types, including Italian, bratwurst, breakfast sausages, and patties. The air fryer method is versatile, quick, and easy, resulting in juicy sausages with a crispy, golden-brown exterior.

Italian Sausage

For cooking Italian sausages, you can use either a basket-style or toaster oven-style air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360–400°F (180–200°C). If you're using an aluminium basket, spritz it with cooking spray. Place the sausages in the basket or on the rack, ensuring they are in a single layer. For 1.5-inch-thick sausages, cook for 10–14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature should reach 160°F (70°C) when they are fully cooked. You can cook them for longer if you prefer them browner. Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Bratwurst

Bratwurst is a thicker sausage variety, so it falls into the same cooking time category as Italian sausages. You can cook them straight from frozen, but they will take a few minutes longer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 9–12 minutes. You can also use the broil function, which will take about 20–25 minutes for a consistent deep brown colour.

Breakfast Sausages

Breakfast sausages are thinner, so they will take less time to cook. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8–10 minutes. You can also cook them straight from frozen. For fresh or thawed sausages, poke holes in the casings with a fork or paring knife.

Sausage Patties

Sausage patties can be cooked in the air fryer as well. Place them in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for 12 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

Frequently asked questions