Air Fryer Chicken Apple Sausage: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Chicken apple sausage is a tasty, versatile, and healthy meal option that can be cooked in an air fryer in just 10 minutes. It's a great choice for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or lunch, and can be served in a variety of ways, including with pasta, rice, or vegetables. The air fryer gives the sausages a nice crispy exterior, and they can be paired with a variety of side dishes, such as sweet potatoes, green beans, or cauliflower rice. In this article, we will explore the benefits of cooking chicken apple sausage in an air fryer and provide step-by-step instructions on how to prepare this delicious meal.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken apple sausages in the air fryer vary depending on the brand and the model of the air fryer. However, there are general guidelines that you can follow for cooking chicken apple sausages in your air fryer.

Firstly, it is important to note that the air fryer should not be overcrowded. The sausages should be placed in a single layer with space between each link to ensure even cooking and a crispy skin. You can spray the sausages with olive oil or avocado oil to achieve a crispier texture, but this is optional.

The temperature for cooking chicken apple sausages in the air fryer typically ranges from 350 degrees Fahrenheit to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It is important not to cook at temperatures much higher than 380 degrees Fahrenheit, as this may cause the sausages to burst.

The cooking time depends on the thickness of the sausages and whether they are fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked. Fresh sausages will take longer to cook, while pre-cooked sausages will only need to be heated through. Frozen sausages may need a slightly longer cooking time than fresh sausages. On average, chicken apple sausages will take around 8 to 12 minutes to cook in the air fryer, with a flip halfway through to ensure even cooking.

It is recommended to check the sausages after 4 minutes to ensure they are cooking evenly. The total cooking time will be approximately 8 to 10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages. Once the sausages are cooked, they should be allowed to cool for 1 to 2 minutes before serving.

How to get a crispy skin

To get a crispy skin on your chicken apple sausages, there are a few steps you can follow. Firstly, ensure you are using fully cooked chicken sausages, as raw sausages will not give you the same crispy texture. You can purchase pre-cooked chicken sausages from most grocery stores, or use your air fryer to cook raw sausages beforehand.

Once you have your pre-cooked sausages, place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is enough space between each link for the hot air to circulate. This will help to ensure an even crispness across the sausages. You can spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush it with extra virgin olive oil before placing the sausages inside.

Next, spray the tops of the sausages with olive oil. This will help to achieve a crispy skin. Set the air fryer to 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the sausages for 4 minutes. After this time, open the air fryer and flip the sausages to ensure even crispness on both sides. Spray the sausages with olive oil again and cook for another 4-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages. The sausages are ready when they are golden brown and crispy, with an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, remove the sausages from the air fryer and allow them to cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. This will result in juicy, crispy-skinned chicken apple sausages!

Chicken apple sausage serving suggestions

Chicken apple sausage is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Side Dishes

Chicken apple sausage can be served as a main dish with side dishes. Some side dish suggestions include roasted potatoes, peppers, and onions, or a salad with mixed vegetables, such as broccoli, sliced carrots, sliced mushrooms, and red peppers. For a lighter option, serve it with a side of Italian-style green beans or sautéed spinach.

Main Course

Chicken apple sausage can be added to a main course, such as a pasta dish. Try serving it with creamy pasta and spinach sautéed with garlic and a splash of balsamic vinegar, or baked ziti—a combination of ziti, pasta sauce, ricotta, sausage, and shredded cheese. You can also add chicken apple sausage to a pot of orzo and tender broccolini for a one-pot meal.

Breakfast

Chicken apple sausage is a great breakfast option. It can be served with pancakes, or as a breakfast hash with plantains, or a simple hash with eggs and other breakfast foods.

Appetizers and Snacks

Chicken apple sausage can be cut into coins or slices and served as an appetizer or snack with some German potato salad, or on a bed of garlic bread.

Other Suggestions

Chicken apple sausage can be used in place of a traditional sausage in many dishes. Try it with baked beans and other picnic foods, or in a hot dog bun with grilled onions. It can also be used in sheet pan dinners, soups, or kabobs.

Chicken sausage with vegetables

Ingredients

You can use any kind of chicken sausage for this recipe, such as feta, apple, mushroom, Parmesan, spicy, or mild Italian sausages. For vegetables, you can use bell peppers, onion, zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, green beans, or any quick-cooking veggies. You will also need olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices of your choice.

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (or 370°F if you are cooking frozen sausages). Chop the veggies and add them to a large bowl. Drizzle them with olive oil and toss to coat. In a separate bowl, mix your spices with salt and pepper, and add this blend to the veggies. Toss them well. Slice the sausage into rounds and add them to the bowl with the veggies. Toss everything together. Place the sausages and veggies in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between each sausage link for the hot air to circulate. Spray the tops of the sausages with olive oil to help achieve a crispy skin. Air fry for 10 minutes, stirring halfway through. If you like your veggies softer, add another 2 minutes. Your chicken sausage with vegetables is now ready to be served!

Tips

• You can cook the sausages and vegetables together, or separately if you prefer.
• Cooking times may vary depending on the type of sausage and your preferred level of doneness.
• You can use pre-cooked sausages, in which case you will only need to heat them through.
• You can also add a drizzle of romesco sauce or homemade pesto sauce on top for extra flavor.
• For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeno peppers or red pepper flakes.
• For a low-carb option, serve with cauliflower rice.

Enjoy your chicken sausage with vegetables, a tasty and healthy meal made easy with the air fryer!

Storing and reheating chicken sausages

Storing leftover chicken sausages is a simple process. Once the sausages have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container. You can store the sausages alone or, if meal prepping, portion out the desired amount in a single container. Seal the container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. Unopened packages of chicken sausages can be stored for a few months.

Reheating chicken sausages is straightforward, but it must be done correctly to avoid food poisoning due to bacterial growth. The sausages should be cooked through before reheating, and they should be stored and defrosted properly. Reheat the sausages only once to prevent them from becoming tough and dry.

There are several methods to reheat chicken sausages, including using a skillet, frying pan, oven, or microwave. When reheating in a skillet or frying pan, cook the sausages over low heat and add butter and/or olive oil. In the oven, preheat to 325–350°F (165°C) and place the sausages on a baking sheet or tray lined with greaseproof paper or aluminium foil. Heat for about 10–20 minutes, ensuring the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165°F (70°C).

For microwave reheating, use a microwave-safe dish and cover the sausages with a paper towel. Heat at a medium setting for one minute, then check the temperature and repeat as needed until the sausages are piping hot throughout, reaching 165°F (70°C). Slicing the sausages before reheating can speed up the process and ensure even heating.

Frequently asked questions