Grilling Sausages: Air Fryer Vs. Traditional Grill

Grilling sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-off method to achieve juicy, golden brown sausages with a crisp exterior. The high heat of the air fryer crisps the skin of the sausages, resulting in a delicious grilled taste without the need for a barbecue, grill, or grill pan.

How long to cook sausages in an air fryer

So, you want to know how long to cook sausages in an air fryer? Well, it depends on a few factors, such as the type of sausage, the desired doneness, and whether you're using a grill pan or basket.

For thinner sausages, like breakfast sausages, you can expect a cooking time of around 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F (204°C) for crisp sausages that are fully cooked inside. If you're using a grill pan, you can get away with cooking them for 13 minutes at 390°F (198°C) for soft skin or 15 minutes for a nice browned exterior.

For thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausage, it will take a little longer—around 9 to 12 minutes at 400°F (204°C). Again, if you're using a grill pan, you can cook them for 13 minutes at 390°F (198°C) for softer skin or extend the time to 15 minutes for a nicely browned exterior.

It's important to note that you should always arrange your sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket or grill pan to ensure even cooking. Additionally, some recipes recommend poking holes in the sausages to release fat, while others advise against it to prevent drying out the sausages.

Remember to flip your sausages halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning, and always make sure they are cooked through before serving. You can check this by cutting into one of the sausages to ensure it's not pink inside, or use a meat thermometer to check that they've reached an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

How to serve air-fried sausages

There are many ways to serve air-fried sausages. Here are some ideas:

In a Bun

If it's summer, you might be inclined to throw your air-fried sausage in a bun with some mustard and kraut (homemade red cabbage kraut, perhaps?).

With Rice and Peppers

You could also serve your air-fried sausages with some sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic. This meal is great served with rice and is also excellent for meal prepping.

With Pasta

Slice your air-fried sausages and throw them over some pasta. Pesto spaghetti squash, red lentil pasta, or air fryer cauliflower gnocchi are great bases for this.

With Vegetables

Make your entire meal in the air fryer and serve your sausages with some easy air-fried frozen broccoli, air fryer okra, or air-fried mushrooms.

Other Ideas

You could also serve your air-fried sausages with roasted peppers and onions, potatoes, or pasta with a cream sauce. You could even eat them in buns or just on their own!

Air fryer temperature for sausages

You can cook sausages in an air fryer at a temperature of between 375°F and 400°F.

The higher temperature of 400°F will give your sausages a crispy brown crust on the outside and ensure they don't dry out. At this temperature, they will take 8-12 minutes to cook, depending on their thickness.

If you prefer to cook your sausages at a slightly lower temperature, you can cook them at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them once.

If you are cooking Italian sausage or bratwurst, you can cook them at 370°F for a softer skin. For a nice browned exterior, you will need to cook them for 14 minutes.

It is recommended that you arrange your sausages in a single layer in the air fryer and flip them once during cooking.

Can you cook frozen sausages in an air fryer?

Yes, you can cook frozen sausages in an air fryer!

Cooking sausages from frozen in an air fryer is a simple process that can be done in 15 minutes or less. You don't even need to preheat the air fryer. Just place the sausages in a cold basket and set to cook for 12-14 minutes at 390°F (200°C) (thin sausages) or 360°F (180°C) (thicker sausages).

If your sausages are stuck together, air fry them together for 2-3 minutes, then separate them and continue cooking.

If you are cooking raw sausage in the air fryer, you will want to make sure that the internal temperature is at 165℉ (74℃) before you eat it. So please use an instant thermometer to make sure. Add a few minutes to the cooking time if the thermometer does not read 165℉ (74℃).

If you are cooking previously cooked frozen sausage, you will need 15 minutes or less.

If your air fryer is prone to producing a lot of smoke, or if you start to see smoke coming out of the air fryer, just add some water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. When all that fat drips off the sausages, it can burn in the bottom of the air fryer, creating all that smoke.

You don't need to pierce the skin of the sausages before cooking. By piercing the casing, you actually let a lot of the moisture and fat out of the sausage, leaving you with a dry piece of meat.

How to store cooked sausages

Yes, you can grill sausages in an air fryer. Here are some tips on how to store cooked sausages:

• According to the USDA, cooked sausages can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three to four days or in the freezer for up to two to three months.
• It's important to store them properly to ensure they stay fresh and safe to eat.
• Make sure the sausages are completely cool before storing them.
• Place the sausages in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap.
• If you're storing multiple sausages, it's best to wrap them individually so you can take out only what you need without compromising the rest.
• Label the container or wrapping with the date, so you know when they need to be consumed or discarded.
• Cooked sausages should be stored in the coldest part of the refrigerator, usually the bottom shelf, to maintain their quality for as long as possible.
• If you're storing sausages in the freezer, place them on a tray or plate so they freeze individually. Once frozen, you can transfer them to a freezer bag or container to save space.
• To thaw frozen sausages, simply move them from the freezer to the refrigerator until they're fully thawed. You can also thaw them in the microwave or by running them under cold water, but this may affect their texture.
• Cooked sausages should be consumed within three to four days of refrigeration or within two to three months of freezing.
• Always check the sausages for any signs of spoilage before consuming. If they have an odd smell, texture, or discolouration, it's best to discard them.

Frequently asked questions