Air-Fryer Sausage: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get evenly cooked, juicy sausages with a crisp and brown exterior. It's also a hands-free method, meaning you don't have to watch, flip, or do anything to the sausages while they cook. Depending on the thickness of the sausages, cooking time can range from 8 to 15 minutes at temperatures between 180C and 400F.

Air-frying sausages: temperature and timing

Air fryers are a great way to cook sausages, giving them a crispy brown crust on the outside and keeping them juicy in the middle. The high heat of the air fryer seals in the juices, meaning there's no excess oil in the air fryer basket.

Temperature

To cook sausages in an air fryer, set the temperature to around 400°F (204°C). Some recipes suggest cooking at 180°C, but the higher temperature will ensure your sausages get nice and crispy.

Timing

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages. Thinner sausages, like breakfast sausages, will take around 8-10 minutes. For thicker sausages, such as Brats or Italian sausages, allow 9-12 minutes. You can also cook sausages from frozen, which will take a little longer—around 12-15 minutes.

To ensure your sausages are cooked through, check that they've reached 75°C in the middle with a meat thermometer. You can also cut into one to make sure it's not pink inside.

Tips

• Poke holes in your sausages with a sharp knife or fork to allow the fat to escape. This is optional, but it will help release more fat and prevent the sausages from bursting.
• Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Give the basket a shake halfway through cooking.
• Spray the sausages lightly with oil before cooking to help them brown evenly and prevent sticking.

How to prepare sausages for the air fryer

Defrosting

If your sausages are frozen, you can either defrost them or cook them straight from frozen.

Poking Holes

Use a sharp knife, fork, or toothpick to poke holes in the sausages. This is an optional step but will help release more fat. It is also said to prevent the sausages from bursting. However, some people advise against it, saying it causes the juices and flavour to escape.

Greasing the Air Fryer

Lightly grease the inside of the air fryer basket with non-stick spray or line the bottom of the basket with foil to capture the grease.

Arranging the Sausages

Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Cooking

Set the air fryer to between 180°C and 400°F and cook for 8-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages. Turn the sausages every 5 minutes and give the basket a shake halfway through cooking. If you have a meat thermometer, check that they have reached 75°C in the middle.

Air-frying frozen sausages

Air fryers are a great way to cook frozen sausages. They are quick, easy, and hands-free, and can cook the sausages to perfection in less than 15 minutes.

How to Air Fry Frozen Sausages:

First, remove the sausages from their packaging. If they are stuck together, run the package under cool water for a few minutes or microwave it for 30 seconds. Set your air fryer to between 350-400°F and place the sausages into the air fryer basket. If they are frozen in a clump, you can cook them together for 2-3 minutes, and then separate them. For thinner sausages, cook for 12-14 minutes at 390°F (200°C), and for thicker sausages, cook for 12-14 minutes at 360°F (180°C). For a crispier sausage, you can cook them for an additional 4-6 minutes. Make sure to flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process.

Tips for Best Results:

• If your sausages are stuck together, separate them after 2-3 minutes in the air fryer.
• Do not defrost before cooking.
• Preheat the air fryer.
• Flip your sausages halfway through.
• If your air fryer smokes, add some water to the bottom of the air fryer basket.
• Use a meat thermometer to check that the sausages are cooked. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

What to Serve with Air-Fried Sausages:

Air-fried sausages go well with many side dishes, including fries, mashed potatoes, and roasted Mediterranean vegetables. You can also serve them with ketchup or barbecue sauce, or in a classic Swedish "flatbread roll" with thin flatbread, sausages, mashed potatoes, salad, and ketchup.

Storing Leftovers:

Leftover sausages are best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, cut the sausages into bite-sized pieces and pan-sear or put them in the air fryer for a few minutes at 360°F (180°C).

Air-frying different types of sausages

Air fryers are a great way to cook sausages, and you can use them to cook any type of sausage, from thin breakfast sausages to thicker Italian or Bratwurst sausages. You can even cook frozen sausages in an air fryer!

Cooking Frozen Sausages in an Air Fryer

If you're cooking frozen sausages, you can either defrost them first or cook them straight from frozen. For thicker sausages like Bratwurst or Italian sausages, you can cook them straight from frozen, even if they're frozen in a clump. For breakfast sausages, it's best to defrost them first, but you can also cook them from frozen if you prefer.

Cooking Fresh or Thawed Sausages in an Air Fryer

When cooking fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily and prevents the sausages from bursting. For an average-sized sausage, poke it about three times with a knife.

Next, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to between 180°C and 400°F, depending on your air fryer model. Cook the sausages for 8-12 minutes, depending on their thickness. If you're cooking thicker sausages like Italian or Bratwurst sausages, they will take closer to 12 minutes. Cut into one of the sausages to check that it's no longer pink inside before serving.

Tips for Cooking Sausages in an Air Fryer

• Spray the sausages lightly with oil before cooking to help them brown evenly and prevent sticking.
• Give the sausages a shake halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking.
• Don't be afraid to pile the sausages into the air fryer basket. You can cook up to 40 sausages at once, depending on the size of your air fryer. Just make sure they don't touch the heating element.
• If you're cooking two batches of sausages, wipe out the basket and bowl underneath with paper towels between cooks to prevent any oil from smoking.

Advantages of air-frying sausages

Air fryers have become a popular kitchen appliance due to their convenience and ability to cook food quickly and efficiently. One of the many foods that can be cooked in an air fryer is sausages. Here are some advantages of air-frying sausages:

Quick and Hands-Free Cooking

Air-frying sausages is a quick and convenient method that requires minimal preparation and cooking time. It eliminates the need for traditional frying or baking methods, which often take longer. With an air fryer, you can cook sausages in as little as 8 to 15 minutes, depending on their thickness. This makes it a great option when you're short on time or want a hassle-free cooking experience.

Even Cooking and Browning

Air fryers circulate hot air around the sausages, ensuring even cooking and browning. This results in sausages with a consistent texture and colour, eliminating the issue of patchy browning that can occur on a BBQ or in a pan. No flipping or constant monitoring is required, as the air fryer does the work for you.

Reduced Oil and Fat Content

Air-frying sausages can be a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. Air fryers require little to no additional oil, as the sausages cook in their own fat. By poking holes in the sausages before air-frying, you can release excess fat, resulting in a healthier and less greasy dish. This also helps prevent oil splatter, making the cooking process cleaner and safer.

Minimal Smoke and Unwanted Smells

Compared to pan-frying, air-frying sausages produce minimal smoke and unwanted smells in the kitchen. The enclosed design of air fryers helps contain the cooking process, preventing spitting and bursting that can create a mess and unpleasant odours. This makes air-frying a more pleasant and odour-free experience.

Juicy and Delicious Results

Air-fried sausages are known for their juicy and delicious flavour. The instant heat of the air fryer seals in the juices, resulting in moist and tender sausages. The high heat also creates a crisp and brown exterior, providing a satisfying texture contrast. Whether you prefer thin breakfast sausages or thicker varieties like Brats or Italian sausages, air-frying ensures a tasty and evenly cooked result.

Frequently asked questions