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

Yes, you can cook turkey sausages in an air fryer. In fact, you can cook any kind of sausage in an air fryer, including chicken, lamb, or pork. The benefit of cooking sausages in an air fryer is that it is hands-free, quick, and the sausages turn brown and crispy on the outside, and juicy in the middle. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the sausages, but generally, it takes around 10-12 minutes for the sausages to cook fully.

Turkey sausage cooking time and temperature

For uncooked turkey sausages, the air fryer should be set to 375°F to 400°F for 8-12 minutes. This will give the sausages a nice, crispy brown crust on the outside and ensure they are cooked through with no pink on the inside.

If you are cooking frozen turkey sausages, you can cook them straight from frozen. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 10-12 minutes.

If you are reheating cooked turkey sausages, set the air fryer to 360°F to 400°F for 4-7 minutes. You are just looking for the desired colour, rather than needing to reach a specific internal temperature.

How to serve turkey sausage

Turkey sausage is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:

• Breakfast Sausage: Form the ground turkey mixture into patties and serve them as a savoury breakfast option. You can also use these patties to make homemade sausage McMuffins.
• Breakfast Sandwiches: Cook the turkey sausage into patties and serve them on breakfast sandwiches with your favourite toppings and condiments.
• Crumble: Cook the turkey sausage mixture into crumbles and use it in breakfast burritos, omelettes, egg bakes, or breakfast bowls.
• Appetizers: Make mini turkey sausage frittatas, sausage and pepper egg bites, or breakfast wonton cups as tasty finger foods for your next party.
• Soups: Add turkey sausage to soups like rustic Italian tortellini soup, red beans and sausage soup, or chunky sausage lentil soup for a hearty and flavourful meal.
• Pasta: Combine turkey sausage with pasta for a satisfying meal. Try recipes like sausage pasta with vegetables, sausage spinach pasta bake, or sausage orecchiette pasta.
• Stuffing: Use turkey sausage as a base for stuffing, such as in the stuffing and sausage strata recipe.
• Casseroles: Create casseroles like the ultimate tater tot breakfast casserole, sausage and egg grits, or pizza quinoa casserole, which combine turkey sausage with other ingredients for a hearty one-dish meal.
• Skewers: Thread chunks of cooked turkey sausage onto skewers, alternating with vegetables or other proteins, for a fun and easy meal.
• Salads: Add turkey sausage to salads like the Mediterranean tortellini salad for a boost of protein.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless! Turkey sausage is a versatile dish that can be adapted to suit your taste preferences and culinary needs.

How to cook frozen turkey sausage

Yes, you can cook frozen turkey sausages in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket or drawer with a little oil (propellant-free). This step is important, especially if you want your sausages to brown and have crispy skin.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Turkey Sausages

Place the frozen turkey sausages on top of the grill in a single layer. Make sure they don't stack, but it's okay if they touch.

Step 3: Spray Oil on the Sausages

Spray 3-4 pumps of oil on the sausages, ensuring they are all covered. This step is critical if you want them to brown and have crispy skin. If you are using a dual air fryer, spray the same amount of oil in the second drawer.

Step 4: Set the Air Fryer Temperature and Timer

Set the air fryer to cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 degrees Celsius). Set the timer for about 12 minutes and check on the sausages halfway through. If they are thicker sausages, they may need a couple of minutes longer. The sausages are ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) on a meat thermometer.

Step 5: Remove and Serve

Remove the sausages onto a plate lined with paper towels. You can pat them with another paper towel to remove excess oil, but this step is optional.

Tips:

• It is best to use silicone tongs to remove the sausages as metal tongs can damage the inside of the air fryer.
• The internal temperature is the best way to check for doneness.
• If you are cooking from frozen, place the grill base in the basket or drawer. Spray the bottom of the air fryer with oil and add the frozen sausages. Spray the top of the sausages with 2-3 sprays of non-propellant oil. Cook for 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, then shake or turn the sausages. If you have a drawer-type air fryer, you can drain the water that accumulates under the grill. Finally, cook for an additional 10 minutes (20 minutes in total).

Whether to pierce the sausage casing

Whether or not you should pierce the sausage casing depends on a few factors, including the type of sausage, the cooking method, and personal preference.

When cooking sausages in an air fryer, some recipes recommend poking holes in the casing to allow the fat to escape, while others advise against it to prevent the sausages from drying out. For example, one source suggests using a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in fresh or thawed sausages before placing them in the air fryer. This is done to let the fat drain out easily. On the other hand, another source warns against pricking the sausages, as it can cause the juices to run out, resulting in dry and tasteless sausages.

Similarly, when frying sausages, some recommend pricking the casing to prevent it from bursting, while others suggest avoiding it to retain the juices and flavour. For instance, one source mentions that pricking the sausages before frying can help release the fat inside without causing the casing to burst. In contrast, another source advises against pricking the sausages and instead recommends simmering them in water first and then browning them in a pan to prevent the casing from rupturing.

Ultimately, the decision to pierce the sausage casing or not comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to release some of the fat and juices to make the sausages less greasy, while others enjoy the flavour and moisture that the intact casing provides. Additionally, the quality of the sausage casing can play a role, as cheaper casings tend to be thinner and more prone to bursting.

What to cook with turkey sausage

Turkey sausage is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. Here are some ideas for what to cook with turkey sausage:

Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage Links

This is a quick and easy option for a busy morning. Simply preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees F and cook the sausage links for about 6 minutes. You can also try poking holes in the sausages with a sharp knife to let the fat escape, and then cook them at 400 degrees F for 8-12 minutes.

Turkey Sausage and Pepper Skillet

This is a healthy and flavorful dish that can be served over steamed rice. Start by cooking the sausages in a skillet until they begin to brown, then add in the peppers, onions, and spices. Cook until the sausages are no longer pink in the center.

Sheet Pan Turkey Sausage and Vegetables

This is a simple one-pan recipe where you line a baking sheet with foil, add sliced sausage and diced veggies, drizzle with olive oil, and season with herbs, salt, and pepper. Bake until the vegetables are tender, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

Sausage Pasta with Vegetables

A sneaky way to get your kids to eat more veggies! This recipe calls for turkey sausage, pasta, and a variety of vegetables, such as onions, peppers, and zucchini.

Red Beans and Sausage

A unique and delicious meal with a zesty blend of spices. This recipe combines turkey sausage, beans, and spices to create a flavorful dish.

With these ideas, you can create tasty and varied meals using turkey sausage as a base ingredient.

Frequently asked questions