Defrosting Sausages: Air Fryer Convenience?

Yes, you can defrost sausages in an air fryer. In fact, it's a quick and easy way to cook frozen sausages without having to wait for them to defrost first. Simply place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, separate them and continue cooking for another 10-15 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Defrosting frozen sausages in an air fryer

You can defrost frozen sausages in an air fryer in a few simple steps.

First, remove the sausages from their packaging. If they are stuck together, you can run the packaging under cool water for a few minutes or microwave it for 30 seconds. Then, place the sausages into the air fryer basket. If you are worried about the sausages sticking to the basket, you can use a spray oil or line the basket with parchment paper.

Next, preheat the air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F (or 180°C) for at least 5 minutes. If your air fryer is prone to producing a lot of smoke, you can add some water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent this.

After preheating, place the sausages into the air fryer and cook for 2-5 minutes. They should now be defrosted enough to separate. Use a fork to do this, and then redistribute the sausages evenly in the basket.

Finally, return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the sausages reach your desired level of crispiness.

And that's it! Your sausages should now be fully defrosted and cooked, with a crispy exterior and juicy centre.

Cooking times and temperatures

The cooking time and temperature for your sausages will depend on the type of sausages you are cooking. Thicker sausages will take longer to cook and should be cooked at a lower temperature. Thin sausages will cook more quickly and at a higher temperature.

If you are cooking thin sausages, set your air fryer to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 12-14 minutes. If your sausages are thicker, set the temperature to 360°F (180°C) and cook for 12-14 minutes.

If you are cooking raw sausages, you will need to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving. You can use a meat thermometer to check this.

Some recipes suggest preheating your air fryer for 5 minutes before adding your sausages.

If your sausages are stuck together, you can put them in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes to defrost them before separating them and continuing to cook.

No need to pierce sausage skin

It is not necessary to pierce the sausage skin when defrosting sausages in an air fryer. In fact, it is best if you don't.

Piercing the skin of a sausage will often cause the juices to escape, and the sausage will dry out. The skin of the sausage is designed to hold in the juices and keep the meat moist and flavourful. By keeping the skin intact, you ensure the sausage stays juicy and cooks more evenly.

When defrosting sausages in an air fryer, it's important to remember that the appliance is essentially a small, powerful convection oven. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, cooking it evenly on all sides. This means that the sausages will defrost relatively quickly and evenly without the need for any additional preparation or piercing.

Simply place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket and set the temperature to a moderate heat. You do not want the air fryer to be too hot, as this may cause the outside of the sausages to cook too quickly and dry out before the centre has defrosted. Check the sausages regularly and turn them to ensure even defrosting. Once they are defrosted, you can then increase the temperature to cook them through.

By following this method, you can ensure your sausages remain juicy and intact, and you avoid the mess and potential food safety issues that can arise from piercing the sausage skin.

Sausage types and sizes

Sausages are usually made from ground meat with a skin or casing around them. The casing is traditionally made from intestine but can also be synthetic.

There are many different types of sausages, including:

• Frankfurter or Wiener
• Chipolata
• Hot Dog
• Italian Sausage
• Breakfast Sausage
• Bratwurst
• Chorizo
• Merguez
• Vegetarian Sausage
• Andouille
• Boudin
• Frankfurter Würstchen
• Summer Sausage
• And many more!

Sausages come in a variety of sizes, with some being longer or shorter, skinnier or fatter, even within the same pack. For example, the Footlong Krakauer and XXL Bratwurst are both 26cm long, while the Beef Hot Dog is 18cm long. The width of a sausage can vary too, with casing sizes ranging from 18mm to 60-65mm.

When cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer, the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted depending on the thickness of the sausages. Thinner sausages will cook quicker at a higher temperature, while thicker sausages may take longer and require a lower temperature.

Reheating and storing sausages

Sausages are best enjoyed straight after cooking. However, if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three to five days.

To reheat the sausages in the air fryer, set the temperature to 360°F (180°C) and heat them whole for a few minutes. For better results, cut the sausages into bite-sized pieces before reheating.

You can also reheat and crisp up leftover sausages in a pan. Fry them with some potatoes or vegetables for a more filling meal.

It is not recommended to freeze leftover sausages.

Frequently asked questions