Air Fryer Sausage Links: A Quick, Easy Breakfast Treat

Sausages are a breakfast staple, but cooking them can be a pain. They pop grease, make the house smell, and require constant attention to avoid burning. Luckily, air fryers solve all these problems. You can cook juicy, golden-brown sausages in an air fryer in just 8 to 12 minutes, with minimal effort and mess. Whether you're making breakfast, tossing some protein into a salad, or preparing a classic sausage and peppers dish, air-fried sausages are a quick, tasty option.

Cooking temperature and time

The cooking temperature and time for sausage links in an air fryer will depend on the type of sausage and whether they are fresh, frozen, or precooked.

Fresh Sausage Links

Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 375°F to 400°F for 8 to 12 minutes. If your sausages are on the thinner side, they will take around 8 to 10 minutes to cook. Thicker sausages will need a little longer, around 9 to 12 minutes. You can flip the sausages halfway through cooking or just give the basket a shake.

Frozen Sausage Links

If your sausages are frozen, you will need to cook them at two different temperatures. First, cook them at 350°F for 5 minutes, then flip them and cook for a further 7 to 8 minutes at 400°F. Check that the internal temperature of the sausages is at least 160°F before serving.

Precooked Frozen Sausage Links

Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Sausage types

Sausages are usually made from ground meat with a skin around them. Typically, a sausage is formed in a casing traditionally made from intestine, but sometimes synthetic. Some sausages are cooked during processing and the casing may be removed after.

Andouille

This French sausage is immensely popular and has several different forms. The original type of sausage was, and remains, highly coarse-grained and extremely pungent. It’s most commonly made from pork intestines or chitterlings, although veal can sometimes be used as well. The version of this sausage that’s most well-known outside France is the variety imported to North America by French immigrants, who first settled in Canada and eventually found their way to Louisiana.

Bratwurst

This sausage originated in Germany, where its name comes from an Old High German phrase that combines the words “brat,” meaning finely chopped meat, and “wurst,” meaning sausage. It was invented hundreds of years ago as a way to use up the parts of pork that didn’t seem to have many other uses. It became popular and led to the creation of many similar types of sausages in Germany.

Chorizo

Spanish chorizo came about after the Spanish began exploring the Americas. While pork, the base ingredient of chorizo, was commonly used in Spain and curing meat was a common practice, one ingredient was missing: paprika, the vital ingredient in chorizo. A combination of chili peppers found only in the Americas make paprika. Mexican chorizo, on the other hand, is spicier, seasoned with chili peppers, garlic, and vinegar.

Italian Sausage

The more common Italian sausage that Americans know and love is a pork sausage with a fennel and anise mixture as a base seasoning. The mix is put into casings and delivered with a unique blend of sweet basil to turn the flavor into a sweeter taste.

Kielbasa

Perhaps the most famous of Polish sausages, Kielbasa is known for its robust flavor and versatility. The name translates to “sausage” in Polish, and there are many varieties, but the most commonly known is a garlic-heavy smoked sausage made from pork or a combination of pork and beef. Kielbasa is typically flavored with garlic, marjoram, and sometimes mustard seeds.

Boerewors

Boerewors is a traditional South African sausage known for its distinctive spiral shape. The name comes from the Afrikaans words for “farmer” (boer) and “sausage” (wors). While it’s most commonly crafted from beef and pork, it’s sometimes made from lamb. Common seasonings include coriander, cloves, nutmeg, and vinegar.

Salami

Salami is usually considered a deli meat, but it’s actually a type of cured sausage with origins in Italy. It’s made from fermented and air-dried meat, usually pork, before being heavily seasoned with garlic, salt, pepper, and wine. It has a tangy flavor due to the fermentation process and can be either soft or firm, depending on how long it’s aged.

Avoiding smoke and grease

When cooking sausage links in an air fryer, there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid smoke and excessive grease. Here are some tips to help you achieve the best results:

First, choose the right type of sausage. Fresh sausage links, such as those made from pork, beef, or chicken, are ideal for air frying. Avoid pre-cooked or smoked sausages, as they may dry out or become tough in the air fryer.

Second, prepare the sausages properly. Poke a few small holes in each sausage link with a toothpick or the tip of a sharp knife. This helps to release some of the grease and prevents the sausages from bursting. Also, ensure that the sausages are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket. Leave a little space around each sausage to allow hot air to circulate properly.

Third, use a small amount of oil or cooking spray. A light coating of oil on the sausages can help with browning and crisping, but be careful not to overuse it, as too much oil can cause smoking and grease buildup.

Fourth, cook at the right temperature and time. Set your air fryer to a temperature between 375°F and 400°F. The exact temperature may vary depending on your air fryer model and the type of sausage you are using, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions or recipe recommendations. Cook the sausages for about 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

Finally, consider using a grease-catching accessory. Some air fryers come with a grease-catching tray or drip pan. If your air fryer does not have one, you can place a small piece of bread or a heat-resistant grease absorber under the air fryer basket to catch any dripping grease.

By following these tips, you can cook sausage links in your air fryer with minimal smoke and grease. Remember to always monitor your food while cooking and adjust the time and temperature as needed until you find the perfect settings for your particular air fryer.

Serving suggestions

Sausages cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to make the most of your air-fried sausages:

Sandwiches and Rolls

A classic way to enjoy sausages is in a sandwich or roll. For a simple yet satisfying option, try a sausage and peppers sandwich. Load up your favourite bread with the air-fried sausages, add some sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic, and you're good to go. You could also top it with some mustard and homemade red cabbage kraut for an extra bite. Alternatively, go for an Italian-style sausage, pepper, and onion sandwich, or try a breakfast sandwich with sausage patties, eggs, and cheese.

With Rice, Pasta, or Omelette

For a heartier meal, serve your air-fried sausages over a bed of rice or pasta. Try them with peppers and onions, or simmer them in a rich pasta sauce. If you're feeling adventurous, slice up the sausages and throw them into an omelette with some peppers and cheese for a flavour-packed breakfast or brunch.

As Part of a Sheet Pan Meal

If you're looking to make a complete meal in the oven, consider a sheet pan dinner. While the air fryer is great for cooking sausages, it can be more efficient to cook the entire meal in the oven if you're making a sheet pan meal. This way, you can cook the sausages alongside vegetables or other proteins without the need for multiple appliances.

With Sides

Sometimes, less is more. Serve your air-fried sausages with some simple sides, such as hash browns, eggs, and pancakes for a classic breakfast spread. You could also pair them with air-fried frozen broccoli, okra, or mushrooms for a healthier option. Don't forget to add some condiments like mustard or ketchup on the side!

Appetizers and Snacks

Cut up the air-fried sausages into bite-sized pieces and serve them as appetizers or snacks. They can be a great addition to a charcuterie board or a simple snack on their own. You could also try making air fryer sausage bites or mini sausages for a fun and easy party food.

With these serving suggestions, you can elevate your air-fried sausages and impress your family and friends. Enjoy experimenting with different flavours and combinations!

Air fryer types

Air fryers are countertop convection ovens that use a fan to circulate hot air to cook food faster than a standard toaster or traditional oven. They come in two main configurations: basket-style and toaster oven-style.

Basket-Style Air Fryers

Basket-style air fryers have a handled basket that can be pulled in and out like a countertop deep fryer. This allows you to shake the basket to ensure even cooking, but you can't see inside the machine to check on the progress of your food without removing the basket and dropping the temperature. Some basket-style machines have separate baskets to cook different foods at different temperatures, as well as various inserts designed to work with different types of food.

Toaster Oven-Style Air Fryers

Toaster oven-style air fryers look like toaster ovens and have a front-opening door and slide-in trays. The door is usually transparent so you can monitor your food without opening it, and many of these models have additional functions like toasting, broiling, dehydrating, or proofing bread dough.

Other Types of Air Fryers

In addition to the two main types of air fryers, there are also rotisserie air fryers, which allow you to rotate your food automatically, and paddle air fryers, which have a paddle that rotates through the food, stirring it constantly. These are generally more expensive than the classic basket air fryer, but they offer more versatility in the types of food you can cook.

Frequently asked questions