Air Fryer Breakfast: Sausage And Bacon Perfection

Bacon and sausage are breakfast staples, but cooking them can be a messy affair. Fortunately, air fryers have emerged as a game-changer, offering a convenient, efficient, and less messy way to cook these foods. Air fryers are versatile appliances that come in various shapes and sizes, allowing you to cook bacon to a crispy perfection without the need for oil. This introduction sets the stage for exploring the topic of cooking bacon and sausage in an air fryer, including recipes, cooking times, and the advantages of using an air fryer over traditional cooking methods.

Cooking bacon and sausage in an air fryer

Cooking bacon and sausage separately in an air fryer

You can cook bacon and sausage separately in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Cooking Bacon in an Air Fryer

Cooking bacon in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here are the steps:

• Place the bacon strips in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cut the strips in half if needed to fit more. Overlapping is okay, as the bacon will shrink as it cooks.
• Set the temperature and cooking time according to your desired doneness and the thickness of the bacon. For softer bacon, air fry at 350˚F for 7-9 minutes. For crispy bacon, cook for 8-12 minutes.
• If desired, flip the bacon halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking. However, this is not necessary, as the air circulation in the air fryer will cook the bacon evenly without flipping.
• Once the bacon is cooked to your liking, transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess grease.
• Enjoy your crispy bacon!

Cooking Sausage in an Air Fryer

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is also a convenient option. Here are the steps:

Preparing the Sausages:

• Determine the type and thickness of sausages you want to use. The size will impact the cooking time.
• If your sausages are frozen, you can defrost them or cook them straight from frozen.
• For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or fork to poke holes in the casings to allow the fat to escape easily during cooking.

Cooking the Sausages:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
• Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook the sausages for 8-12 minutes, depending on their thickness. Thinner breakfast sausages will take about 8-10 minutes, while larger sausages may take up to 15 minutes.
• Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
• Check the sausages for doneness by cutting into one to ensure it is no longer pink inside.
• Serve and enjoy your juicy, crispy sausages!

Storing and Reheating:

Cooked bacon and sausages can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To store, let them cool completely and then place them in an airtight container.

To reheat, you can use the microwave in 10-second intervals or the air fryer at 350°F/180°C for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.

Cooking bacon and sausage simultaneously in an air fryer

Yes, you can cook bacon and sausage in an air fryer at the same time. This is a great way to make a fry-up or an English breakfast, without the mess of cooking on a stovetop.

The cooking time will depend on the type of sausages you are using. If you are cooking breakfast sausages, these will take around 8-10 minutes, the same amount of time as bacon. So, you can cook them together. However, if you are cooking larger sausages, these will take 12-15 minutes, so you will need to add the bacon to the air fryer later, or the bacon will be overcooked.

If you are cooking streaky bacon and thick sausages together, the bacon will be ready first. It is recommended that you cook the sausages first and then add the bacon later.

To cook bacon and sausages in an air fryer, place the sausages and bacon in the air fryer basket, ensuring there is plenty of space for air to circulate. It is fine if the bacon overlaps, as it will shrink as it cooks, but do not overcrowd the basket. Set the temperature to 400°F / 200°C and cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking.

You can also cook bacon wrapped sausages in an air fryer. To do this, wrap the sausages in bacon and cook for around 8-10 minutes, until brown and cooked through.

Air fryer temperatures and cooking times

Yes, you can cook bacon and sausages in an air fryer. The temperature and cooking time will depend on the type of sausages and bacon you are cooking, as well as the size, make, and model of your air fryer.

If you are cooking streaky bacon, also known as regular cut bacon, you should set your air fryer to 400°F / 200°C. For English back bacon, some sources recommend cooking at 400°F / 200°C, while others suggest a lower temperature of 200°C to achieve a crisp.

The cooking time for streaky bacon is typically 8 to 10 minutes. It is recommended to flip the bacon halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

For sausages, the cooking time will depend on their size. Thin sausages will take less time to cook than thicker ones. Breakfast sausages will cook in about 8 to 10 minutes, while larger sausages will take 12 to 15 minutes. If you are cooking streaky bacon and thick sausages together, it is recommended to start the sausages first, as the bacon will be ready sooner.

When cooking bacon and sausages together, it is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the specific air fryer model. It is advisable to start with a shorter cooking time, check for doneness, and then add more time as needed.

Air fryer bacon-wrapped sausages

Ingredients

• Bacon
• Sausages
• Toothpicks
• Brown sugar
• Chilli powder
• Pepper
• Mustard

Instructions

• Set the air fryer to preheat by selecting the 'Air Fry' setting, setting the temperature to 360°F, and setting the timer for 3 minutes.
• While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the bacon-wrapped sausages. Wrap each sausage with 2 slices of bacon and secure each end of the bacon with half a toothpick.
• Once the air fryer is preheated, place the bacon-wrapped sausages on a crisper plate or in an air fryer basket.
• Set the air fryer to 'Air Fry' again, adjusting the temperature to 360°F and the timer to 22 minutes.
• After the first 10 minutes of cooking, remove the basket or plate and flip the sausages. Then, place them back in and continue cooking for another 10 minutes.
• After the total 20 minutes of cooking time, check the sausages for doneness. If needed, cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Once the sausages are cooked to your liking, serve them with your choice of sides or condiments.

Tips

• It is important to note that air fryer temperatures may vary depending on the size, make, and model. When making this recipe for the first time, start with less time, check for doneness, and then add more time as needed.
• If you are cooking the bacon and sausages separately, place them in the air fryer set to 400°F / 200°C and cook for 8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• You can also experiment with different types of bacon and sausages, such as back bacon, streaky bacon, breakfast sausages, or Cumberland sausages.
• For an extra kick of flavour, try seasoning the bacon-wrapped sausages with brown sugar, chilli powder, pepper, and mustard before placing them in the air fryer.

Storing and reheating cooked bacon and sausage

Storing cooked bacon and sausage

To store cooked bacon and sausage, let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you want to store them for longer, you can freeze them. Place the cooled meat in dedicated freezer bags and seal them properly. When properly sealed, frozen cooked bacon and sausage will stay fresh for about a month.

Reheating cooked bacon and sausage

There are several ways to reheat cooked bacon and sausage, including using a microwave, oven, stovetop, or air fryer.

Microwave: Place the bacon or sausage in a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a paper towel to prevent fat from splattering. Heat in 10-second intervals until warmed through.

Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and place the bacon or sausage on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until heated.

Stovetop: Turn on a burner to medium-high heat and heat up a frying pan. Once the pan is hot, place a single layer of bacon or sausage on it and cook for a few minutes until crispy and warmed through.

Air fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook the bacon or sausage for 2 to 4 minutes or until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions