Air Fryer Sausage: Frozen To Crispy In Minutes

Yes, you can cook frozen sausages in an air fryer! It's a quick and easy way to cook frozen sausages, which will turn out perfectly browned, with a tender and juicy centre. You don't need to worry about thawing them first – simply place them in your air fryer and they'll be ready to eat in less than 20 minutes.

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer is quicker than using a frying pan or oven

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare a tasty meal. It is faster than using a frying pan or oven, and the results are delicious: juicy sausages with a crispy, browned exterior. Here's why:

Speed and Convenience

Air fryers are a great option when you're short on time or forget to defrost your sausages. You can cook frozen sausages in an air fryer in under 20 minutes, and there's minimal prep required. Simply place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket and you're good to go—no need to preheat the air fryer or defrost the sausages beforehand. This makes air frying a much quicker option than using a frying pan or oven, which typically require more preparation and cooking time.

Even Cooking

Air fryers circulate hot air around the sausages, ensuring even cooking and browning. This is often not the case with frying pans or ovens, where you might end up with unevenly cooked sausages, or sausages that are browned on the outside but still frozen on the inside. With an air fryer, you get consistent results every time.

Less Mess

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer also means less mess and cleanup. There's no need to add oil, so you avoid the splatter and grease that comes with pan-frying sausages. Air fryers contain the sausages and direct the heat directly onto them, so you don't have to worry about making a mess on your stovetop or in your oven.

Tips for Success

For best results, separate the sausages after a few minutes of cooking if they're stuck together. This helps ensure even cooking. You can also flip the sausages halfway through for more even browning. Check that the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure they're cooked thoroughly.

You can cook frozen sausages from raw or cooked

Yes, you can cook frozen sausages from raw or cooked in an air fryer. The process is simple and can be done in 15 minutes or less.

If you are cooking raw sausages, you will need to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃) before serving. This will ensure that the sausages are cooked thoroughly and are safe to eat.

• Preheat your air fryer to 350℉/180℃ for at least 5 minutes.
• Place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. You don't need to worry if the sausages are frozen together. You can use spray oil or line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Cook the sausages for 3 minutes to defrost.
• After 2-3 minutes, use a fork to separate the sausages.
• Distribute the sausages evenly across the air fryer, allowing enough space for heat and oil to circulate around each sausage.
• Cook for 4 minutes, then rotate and cook for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness and are evenly browned.

It is important not to pierce the skin of the sausages before cooking, as this can cause moisture and fat to escape, resulting in dry sausages. Additionally, if your sausage casings are bursting, try lowering the heat to prevent them from splitting.

You don't need to defrost sausages before putting them in the air fryer

Why You Don't Need to Defrost Sausages

Firstly, defrosting sausages is unnecessary because the air fryer defrosts and cooks the sausages at the same time. This saves time and effort, as you don't have to remember to take the sausages out of the freezer ahead of time. It's also convenient if you're short on time or forgetful, as you can cook the sausages straight from frozen.

Secondly, cooking sausages from frozen can produce excellent results. The high heat of the air fryer crisps the skin, and the sausages turn out juicy and tender.

How to Cook Frozen Sausages in an Air Fryer

• Preheat your air fryer: Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F for at least 5 minutes.
• Place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket: It's okay if the sausages are frozen together. You can use spray oil or line the basket with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Cook the sausages for 3 minutes: This will defrost the sausages and make them easier to separate.
• Separate the sausages: Use a fork to separate the sausages gently.
• Redistribute the sausages: Place the sausages back in the air fryer basket, ensuring enough space around each sausage for even cooking.
• Continue cooking: Cook the sausages for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. For thinner sausages, the total cooking time is around 12-14 minutes, while thicker sausages may take up to 16 minutes.
• Check the internal temperature: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausages have reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F before serving.

Tips for Best Results

• Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process.
• Adjust the temperature and cooking time based on the thickness of your sausages to ensure they are cooked through but not burnt.
• If your air fryer smokes, add a little water to the bottom of the basket to prevent the smoke from burning fat.
• Do not pierce the sausage skin before cooking, as this can cause moisture loss and drier sausages.

You can cook any type of sausage in an air fryer

The air fryer is a great way to cook sausages because it is hands-free, quick, and the sausages turn brown and crispy on the outside, and juicy in the middle. The high heat of the air fryer really crisps the skin, and you don't have to worry about watching or flipping them.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F for at least 5 minutes. If your sausages are frozen, you do not need to worry about defrosting them first.

Place the Sausages in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the frozen or thawed sausages into the air fryer basket. It is fine if they are stuck together in a block, as they will defrost and can be separated during cooking. Do not pierce the skin of the sausages, as this will cause them to dry out.

Cook the Sausages

For thin sausages, cook at 390°F for 12-14 minutes. For thicker sausages, cook at 360°F for 12-14 minutes. Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time.

Check the Doneness of the Sausages

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the sausages has reached at least 165°F. This is the safe temperature for consuming pork and chicken.

Serve the Sausages

Sausages are best eaten fresh, but leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.

There you have it! A simple and quick way to cook any type of sausage in an air fryer. Enjoy your perfectly cooked sausages!

The sausages will be ready in 12-15 minutes

So, you've got your frozen sausages and your air fryer—now it's time to get cooking! The good news is that you don't need to thaw your sausages before cooking them in an air fryer. In fact, it's better to cook them straight from frozen. This will take a little longer than cooking thawed sausages, but it's still a quick and easy way to cook them.

Once you've taken your sausages out of the freezer, you can get started. There's no need to preheat your air fryer; simply place the sausages in the basket and set the temperature. The exact temperature and cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages. For thinner sausages, a temperature of 390°F (200°C) and a cooking time of 12–14 minutes should be about right. For thicker sausages, try 360°F (180°C) for 12–15 minutes. If your sausages are stuck together when you first put them in the air fryer, that's no problem. Just leave them for 2–3 minutes and then you should be able to separate them easily with a fork.

Halfway through the cooking time, flip your sausages. This will ensure that they cook evenly on both sides. If your air fryer tends to produce a lot of smoke, you can add a little water to the bottom of the basket to prevent this.

After 12–15 minutes, your sausages should be ready. Check that they're cooked through; the internal temperature should be at least 165°F (74°C). Then, serve them up with your favourite sauces and sides!

Frequently asked questions