Emilie Meyer
Cooking sausage links in an air fryer is an easy, convenient, and quick way to prepare a tasty breakfast with minimal mess and oil splutter. The air fryer solves the problem of grease popping around, the smell of sausages lingering in the house, and the need to constantly babysit the sausages to prevent burning. The air fryer also frees up space on your stovetop, allowing you to cook other breakfast items simultaneously. In this article, we will explore the different methods for cooking sausage links in an air fryer, including fresh, frozen, and precooked options, and provide tips for achieving the perfect juicy and crispy sausage.
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What You'll Learn
Cooking frozen sausage links
The cooking time and temperature will depend on the type of sausage and your air fryer model. For uncooked frozen sausages, it is recommended to cook them at two different temperatures. First, cook them at 350°F (180°C) for 5 minutes. Then, flip them and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes at 400°F (200°C). For pre-cooked frozen sausages, you can cook them at 350°F (180°C) for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
It is important to ensure that your sausages are cooked thoroughly. The internal temperature of the sausages should reach at least 160°F (74°C) before serving. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature. If your sausages are thicker, you may need to adjust the temperature and cook them for a longer time to ensure they are cooked through.
Some air fryers may produce smoke when cooking fatty foods like sausages. To avoid this, you can add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking.
Frozen sausage links cooked in an air fryer will be juicy, tender, and perfectly browned. They can be served with your favourite sauces and sides, such as fries, mashed potatoes, ketchup, or barbecue sauce.
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Preheating the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in ensuring your sausages cook evenly and get a crispy exterior. The ideal temperature for cooking sausages is around 380–400°F (200°C or 175–180°C). Depending on your air fryer model, you can preheat it by simply setting the temperature to the desired level and letting it heat up for about 2–5 minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, set the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and let it run for 5 minutes without any food inside.
Once preheated, it's important to arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, cooking the sausages evenly and preventing them from sticking together. You can lightly grease the basket beforehand, but this is optional as sausages typically have enough fat to prevent sticking.
The cooking time for sausages in an air fryer can vary depending on the type of sausage and your preferred level of doneness. On average, fresh, refrigerated sausages will take around 8–10 minutes at 400°F (200°C), while pre-cooked frozen sausages will take about 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C). For uncooked frozen sausages, it's best to cook at two different temperatures: start at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, then increase to 400°F (200°C) and cook for another 7–8 minutes.
To ensure your sausages are cooked through, it's important to check their internal temperature, which should be at least 160°F (71°C). Using a meat thermometer is the most accurate way to determine doneness. By preheating your air fryer and following these simple steps, you'll be able to enjoy perfectly cooked, juicy, and crispy sausages with minimal effort and cleanup.
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Arranging the sausages in the air fryer
When arranging sausages in the air fryer, it is important to ensure they are in a single layer, with some space between each sausage. This allows the hot air to circulate freely, cooking the sausages evenly and preventing them from sticking together. It is also crucial to avoid overcrowding the basket, so the sausages have enough room to cook properly. Depending on the number of sausages you are cooking, you may need to work in batches or roast them in the oven.
Before placing the sausages in the air fryer, it is recommended to preheat the appliance to ensure even cooking. The ideal temperature for preheating is around 350°F to 380°F, and the timer can be set for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, you can simply set the temperature and timer as instructed, and let it run without any food inside.
When placing the sausages in the basket, ensure they are not touching. This will help achieve that desirable crispy skin on all sides. You can also lightly grease the basket beforehand, but this is completely optional as sausages typically have enough fat to prevent sticking. If you are using leaner sausages, such as chicken sausages, a quick spritz of cooking spray may be beneficial.
For best results, it is recommended to flip or shake the basket halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the sausages brown evenly and don't stick to the basket. You can simply open the basket, give it a few shakes, or use tongs to turn each sausage. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model and the size of the sausages.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for sausage links in an air fryer depend on the type of sausage and whether they are fresh, frozen, or precooked.
For fresh, refrigerated sausage links, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 2 minutes. Place the links in a single layer in the air fryer basket, preferably not touching, and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the links or shake the basket, then cook for another 5 minutes at the same temperature.
For uncooked frozen links, preheat the air fryer to 350°F for 5 minutes. Place the frozen links in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes. Flip the links, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 7-8 minutes.
Precooked frozen links can be cooked in the same way as fresh, refrigerated links. Cook them for a total of 10 minutes at 350°F, flipping or shaking the basket halfway through.
It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the sausages, the model of the air fryer, and the number of sausages being cooked. To ensure the sausages are cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F.
Some sources suggest cooking fresh or refrigerated sausage links at 380°F for 9-11 minutes, shaking or flipping the links halfway through. For frozen links, it is recommended to start at a lower temperature of around 360°F for 3-5 minutes, and then increase to 380°F for 8-10 minutes.
When cooking larger sausages, such as Italian sausage or bratwurst, it is advisable to increase the cooking time by a minute or two and cook at a higher temperature of 400°F. Poke a few holes in the casings to prevent them from bursting.
With the convenience of an air fryer, you can enjoy juicy, golden-brown sausage links with a crispy exterior in under 15 minutes, making it a quick and easy breakfast option.
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Serving suggestions
Air fryer sausage links are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some mouth-watering serving suggestions:
Breakfast Options
Air fryer sausage links are a breakfast favourite and can be served alongside other breakfast staples. Create a hearty breakfast platter by pairing the sausages with eggs, pancakes, or French toast. For a savoury option, serve them with hash browns or crispy potatoes. You can also add a sweet touch by drizzling maple syrup over the sausages. If you're looking for a lighter breakfast option, pair the sausages with fresh fruit.
Brunch Ideas
Take your brunch game up a notch by serving the sausage links with a veggie breakfast casserole, paleo blueberry muffins, or almond flour banana muffins. For a more indulgent option, try them with paleo pumpkin muffins or buttermilk pancakes.
Lunch and Dinner Combinations
Air fryer sausage links can be a delicious addition to your lunch or dinner spread. Slice them up and add them to a pasta dish, such as smoked sausage fra diavolo, chicken sausage pasta, or a skillet meal like maple sausage gnocchi. You can also incorporate them into a stew, like the traditional Dublin Coddle, which combines sausage links with potatoes and onions in a flavourful one-pot meal.
Sides and Enhancements
Enhance the flavour of your sausage links by tossing in some onions, bell peppers, or garlic while cooking. Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese halfway through the cooking process for a melted treat. For a classic combination, serve the sausages with peppers and onions on fluffy buns, accompanied by ketchup and mustard.
Snack Options
The air fryer sausage links are also perfect as a quick protein-packed snack. Enjoy them on their own or with some peppers on the side. You can also wrap them in crescent roll dough to make supersized pigs in a blanket.
Cooking Tips
When cooking sausage links in the air fryer, remember to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and that desirable crispy skin. Arrange the sausages in a single layer, leaving some space between each link to allow for even cooking and prevent sticking. Don't forget to give the basket a shake or flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process for that perfect browning.
With these serving suggestions, you can enjoy your air fryer sausage links in a variety of delicious ways!
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Frequently asked questions
Start with a lower temperature (around 360 degrees F) for the first 3-5 minutes or so until the sausages have thawed a bit. Then increase the temperature to 380 degrees F and cook for another 8-10 minutes or until the sausages are cooked through.
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Place the links in a single layer, ideally not touching, in the air fryer basket. Cook them for 5 minutes at 400 degrees F, then flip or shake the basket and cook for another 5 minutes.
The sausages should reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F to ensure they are cooked through and safe to eat.
