Air-Fried Pork Sausage: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can cook pork sausages in an air fryer! In fact, you can cook any type of sausage in an air fryer, including chicken, turkey, and lamb. The air fryer method is easy, quick, and requires no additional cookware. It's also a healthier option, as it reduces the amount of fat in your food. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages, but generally, it should take around 10-15 minutes for your sausages to turn golden brown and juicy.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for pork sausages in an air fryer depend on the type of sausages being cooked and the desired level of crispiness.

For thinner sausages, such as breakfast sausages or sausage patties, it is recommended to cook them at 400°F for 8-10 minutes. This will result in a crispy brown crust on the outside, while keeping the inside juicy. For extra crispy sausages, some sources suggest cooking them at the same temperature but for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

For thicker sausages, such as Bratwurst or Italian sausages, it is recommended to cook them at 400°F for 12-15 minutes. Again, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking. It is important to adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the sausages. Thinner sausages may require less time, while thicker sausages may need a few extra minutes.

Some sources suggest cooking sausages at a lower temperature of 180°C for 10-15 minutes, turning them every 5 minutes, to ensure even cooking. The sausages are considered fully cooked when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

It is worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of the air fryer and the number of sausages being cooked. It is important to ensure that the sausages are not packed too tightly in the air fryer to allow for proper heat circulation and even cooking.

How to prepare sausages for the air fryer

Preparing sausages for the air fryer is a simple process. First, ensure your sausages are either fresh or thawed. If they are frozen, you can defrost them, or cook them straight from frozen. For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily from the casing. For an average Italian sausage, poke it three times with a knife.

Next, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not packed too tightly together. This is to ensure the heat can circulate properly and cook the sausages evenly. If you are cooking sausage patties, you will need to flip them halfway through cooking. For other types of sausages, you can simply turn or shake the pan to move them around.

Set the air fryer to the required temperature, which will depend on the type of sausage and the thickness. For normal sausages, a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes is recommended. For thinner sausages, a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes will suffice. For thicker sausages, such as Bratwurst or Italian sausages, cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 9-12 minutes. For fully cooked sausages, such as kielbasa, slice them and cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 4-5 minutes, or leave them unsliced and cook for 7 minutes.

How to cook the sausages

Cooking pork sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. You can cook any type of pork sausage in the air fryer, from Italian sausages to breakfast sausages and Bratwurst. The air fryer can be used like a mini oven, so you can cook just about anything.

To start, you should defrost your sausages if they are frozen. For fresh or thawed sausages, use a fork or a paring knife to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily from the casing. If you are cooking sausage patties, you can skip this step.

Next, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not packed too tightly together, so that they cook properly and the heat can get all around them. You can line the air fryer with parchment paper if you want to catch any grease, but this is not necessary.

Now, you can turn on the air fryer. Set the temperature to between 180°C and 200°C, or 350°F to 400°F. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages, but it should take between 8 and 15 minutes. Thinner sausages will take less time, so keep an eye on them after 7 minutes. Turn the sausages halfway through the cooking time, so that they cook evenly.

Finally, check that the sausages are fully cooked before serving. Cut into one and make sure it is not pink inside. The internal temperature of the sausages should be 70°C or 160°F minimum.

How to serve the sausages

Once your sausages are cooked, you can serve them in a variety of ways. You can enjoy them as they are, or serve them in a bun, over pasta, or in a classic sausage and pepper dish. You can also eat them cold, or reheat them in the air fryer if you have leftovers. If you're making a sausage sandwich, you could cook bacon in the air fryer too, for a crispy texture with less fat.

If you want to get creative, you could try an Italian sausage recipe. You can use any Italian sausage links you prefer, and they can be pork, chicken, or turkey sausage varieties of mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage. You can also use gluten-free sausages if you need to.

If you're cooking for a crowd, you should be able to fit enough sausages in your air fryer to feed a family of four. You can also cook sausages straight from frozen, although you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Reheating and storing sausages

To reheat sausages in an air fryer, set the temperature to 300°F (148°C) and place the sausages in the basket. You can also use a microwave, oven, toaster oven, or a skillet on the stovetop. Reheat until warmed through.

When storing cooked sausages, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, use an airtight freezer-safe container or a Ziploc bag and freeze for up to 3 months.

It is important to note that the cooking time for sausages in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of sausage, its size, and whether it is pre-cooked, raw, or frozen. For raw pork sausage links, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. For thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausages, you can cook them straight from frozen, but they will take longer to cook, around 8-12 minutes. For breakfast sausages, it is recommended to defrost them first, and they will take about 8-10 minutes to cook.

To ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes. Use a fork or paring knife to poke holes in the sausages to allow fat to escape, but this is optional as some believe it causes the juices to escape. Brush the sausages with olive oil and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Frequently asked questions