Air-Fryer Sausages: Quick, Easy, And Delicious?

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and mess-free way to prepare a tasty meal. The air fryer's small size and quick cooking time make it a cost-effective option for busy families. It also produces even colouring and crispiness without drying out the sausages.

Should you prick sausages before air frying?

Air fryers are a quick and easy way to cook sausages, and you can use any type of sausage, including frozen ones. However, there is some debate about whether you should prick sausages before air frying. Some sources say that you should prick the sausages before cooking to prevent them from bursting, while others claim that pricking will cause the fat and juices to escape, drying out the sausages.

Those who recommend pricking the sausages suggest using a sharp knife, fork, or toothpick to make a few holes in each sausage. This is especially important if you are worried about your sausages "exploding" or bursting during cooking. Pricking the sausages allows the fat to escape easily and prevents the casings from splitting.

On the other hand, those who advise against pricking sausages argue that it will cause the sausages to dry out because the fat and juices will drain out. They suggest cooking the sausages at a lower temperature and turning them frequently to prevent the casings from splitting.

Ultimately, the decision to prick or not to prick your sausages before air frying is a matter of personal preference. If you are concerned about the mess or the potential for bursting, then pricking the sausages may be a good idea. However, if you want to retain as much moisture and flavour as possible, then skipping the pricking step might be the better option.

In terms of specific instructions for air frying sausages, the cooking time and temperature will depend on the type and size of the sausages. For example, thinner sausages like breakfast sausages or chipolatas will take less time to cook than thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausages. As a general guideline, fresh or thawed sausages should be cooked at a temperature of around 180-200°C (350-400°F) for 8-15 minutes, depending on their thickness. It's also important to turn the sausages halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Do you need to add oil?

Whether or not you need to add oil when cooking sausages in an air fryer depends on the type of sausages you are cooking, and the specific recipe you are following.

Some recipes for air-fried sausages do not require the addition of oil. This is because sausages are fatty enough, and the fat will drain through the air fryer, resulting in crispier sausages. However, some recipes do call for the addition of oil. For example, one recipe recommends brushing the air fryer basket with oil or using a spray bottle with oil. Another recipe recommends spraying the bottom of the air fryer basket with avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray.

It is important to note that if you do use oil, you should only use oil in the air fryer basket or tray. Do not use oil mixed with anything else as it can damage the non-stick coating.

How long do you cook them for?

How long you cook your sausages for will depend on the type of sausages you are cooking, the temperature you are cooking at, and the instructions provided by the sausage manufacturer.

If you are cooking standard thick sausages, you should cook them for 15 minutes at 200°C. If you are cooking chipolatas or another thinner sausage, you should cook them for 10 minutes at 180°C. If you are cooking veggie sausages, you should cook them for 10 minutes at 180°C, checking on them after 7 minutes. If you are cooking frozen sausages, you should cook them for 20 minutes at 200°C.

You should turn your sausages halfway through the cooking time for a more even cook. You can do this by shaking the pan or using a pair of silicon tongs.

The best way to check if a sausage is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be between 70-75°C. You can also check if there is any pinkness on the inside of the sausage. If there is, it likely needs to be cooked for longer.

Can you cook sausages from frozen?

Yes, you can cook sausages from frozen in an air fryer. It is a simple process that can be done in 15 minutes or less. The air fryer can be used like a mini oven in which you can cook just about anything.

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F/180°C for at least 5 minutes.
• Place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. You don't need to worry about the sausages being frozen together. To keep them from sticking, you could use a spray oil on the basket or line the basket with parchment paper.
• Pop the sausages in the air fryer and cook for 3 minutes to defrost.
• After 2-3 minutes, the sausages will defrost, and you can separate them using a fork.
• Once the sausages are separated, distribute them evenly across the air fryer so there is enough room for the heat and oil to circulate around each sausage.
• Cook them for 4 minutes, then rotate and cook for a further 4-6 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness and they brown evenly.

Tips

• You don't need to defrost the sausage before cooking it if you are using the air fryer method described above. Air fryer frozen sausages will defrost on their own during cooking.
• Avoid overcrowding in the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Separate sausages that are stuck together after 3 minutes of air frying.
• Preheat the air fryer and flip the sausages halfway through.
• Check the internal temperature of the sausages with an instant thermometer. Raw sausage in the air fryer should be cooked until the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
• If your sausage casings are bursting in the air fryer, turn the heat down. Cooking sausage at a lower temperature for a longer time will prevent the casings from bursting.

What type of sausages can you cook in an air fryer?

You can cook any type of sausage in an air fryer. This includes thin breakfast sausages, thick sausages, bratwurst, Italian sausages, British sausages like Lincolnshire sausages, and even veggie sausages. You can also cook sliced or whole fully-cooked sausages, such as kielbasa, wieners, and chicken sausages.

The cooking time will depend on the type of sausage you are cooking. For example, thinner sausages like breakfast sausages will take about 8-10 minutes, while thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausages will take 9-12 minutes. For chipolatas, you should cook them for 10 minutes at 180°C (350°F). You can also cook sausages from frozen, which will take a few minutes longer—around 20 minutes at 200°C (400°F).

Frequently asked questions