Air Fryer Frozen Sausage: How Long It Takes

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to prepare a tasty meal. You can go straight from freezer to fryer with minimal prep, and have juicy, tender sausages on the table in under 15 minutes.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your sausages will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for cooking frozen sausages:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Before you begin preheating, it is important to ensure that your air fryer basket is clean and dry. If there are any food remnants or grease build-ups from previous cooking sessions, give the basket a quick wipe-down with a damp cloth. A clean basket will help prevent any unwanted flavours or smells from transferring to your sausages.

Step 2: Set the Temperature

For cooking frozen sausages, you should preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F (180°C). Different recipes recommend specific temperatures within this range, so you can choose the one that best suits your preferences. If you are using a recipe, follow the recommended temperature for the best results.

Step 3: Allow for Preheating Time

Once you have set the desired temperature, allow your air fryer to preheat for at least 5 minutes. This duration ensures that the air fryer reaches the set temperature and that the cooking environment is consistent and ready for your sausages.

Step 4: Prepare the Sausages

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen sausages. Remove them from their packaging, and if they are stuck together, you can gently separate them. It is not necessary to thaw or defrost the sausages before cooking; they can go straight from the freezer to the air fryer.

Step 5: Place Sausages in the Air Fryer

After the preheating cycle is complete, carefully place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. You can use a spray oil or line the basket with parchment paper beforehand to prevent sticking. Ensure that the sausages have enough space between them for even cooking.

Step 6: Begin the Cooking Process

With the sausages in the air fryer, you can now begin the cooking process. Depending on the thickness of your sausages and your desired level of doneness, the cooking time will vary. For thinner sausages, cook at a higher temperature (around 390°F/200°C) for 12-14 minutes. For thicker sausages, use a lower temperature (around 360°F/180°C) and cook for a similar duration.

Remember to flip your sausages halfway through the cooking process for even browning. Additionally, if your sausages are still frozen together after a few minutes of cooking, use a fork to separate them gently.

By following these steps and allowing your air fryer to preheat properly, you will create the ideal cooking environment for your frozen sausages. This process ensures that your sausages cook evenly, develop a crispy exterior, and remain juicy and tender on the inside. Enjoy your perfectly cooked sausages!

Cook sausages for 5 minutes

Cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you cook juicy and perfectly browned sausages in just under 5 minutes:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Sausages

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 380-400°F for about 5 minutes. This ensures even cooking and helps the sausages cook evenly throughout.
• While the air fryer is preheating, 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 about 30 seconds to loosen them.

Step 2: Cook the Sausages for 5 Minutes

• Once the air fryer is preheated, carefully place the frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. It is okay if they are still in a block; you will separate them later.
• Close the air fryer basket and set the timer for 5 minutes.
• During this initial cooking phase, the sausages will start to thaw and you will be able to separate them easily.

Step 3: Separate and Continue Cooking

• After 5 minutes, open the air fryer and use a fork or tongs to carefully separate the sausages.
• Redistribute the sausages in the basket, ensuring they are not overlapping and there is enough space for air to circulate around each sausage.
• You can also spray the sausages with a bit of olive oil at this point for extra crispness.

Step 4: Flip and Cook for an Additional 3-5 Minutes

• Close the air fryer basket and cook the sausages for an additional 3-5 minutes.
• Flipping the sausages halfway through this cooking phase ensures even browning and helps them cook through.

Step 5: Check Doneness and Serve

• After a total of 8-10 minutes of cooking, your sausages should be perfectly cooked.
• To check, use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the sausages has reached 160-165°F.
• If they have not reached this temperature, return the basket to the air fryer and cook in 1-minute intervals until they are done.
• Once they are cooked to your desired level of doneness, serve the sausages immediately and enjoy!

Separate sausages and return to air fryer

When cooking frozen sausages in an air fryer, it's important to separate them halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the sausages cook evenly and allows more air to circulate around them. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Initial Cook

Place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket and cook them for around 5 minutes. This will thaw the sausages enough so that you can easily separate them.

Step 2: Separate the Sausages

After the initial cook, carefully remove the sausages from the air fryer basket. Use a fork or tongs to separate the sausages gently. Be cautious as the sausages will be hot.

Step 3: Redistribute in the Air Fryer Basket

Once the sausages are separated, place them back into the air fryer basket, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Leave enough space between the sausages to allow for proper air circulation.

Step 4: Return to the Air Fryer

Return the air fryer basket to the air fryer and continue cooking. For thinner sausages, cook for an additional 7-9 minutes. For thicker sausages, cook for 9-12 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

To ensure the sausages are fully cooked, use an instant-read thermometer to check their internal temperature. The sausages are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Tips for Best Results:

• If your sausages are stuck together after the initial cook, air fry them for an additional minute or two before attempting to separate them.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Leave enough space for air to circulate.
• For easier separation, you can use a fork or tongs, or even spray oil on the basket to prevent sticking.

Cook for a further 8-10 minutes

So, you've taken your frozen sausages out of the freezer and you're ready to cook them in the air fryer. Great! Now, you'll want to cook them for a further 8-10 minutes. But first, let's backtrack a little.

To begin, you'll want to set your air fryer to around 380-400°F. Then, place your frozen sausages into the air fryer basket. Don't worry if they're stuck together—you can separate them later. Close the basket and let them cook for 5 minutes.

Now, take the basket out of the air fryer and separate the sausages. You can use a fork to do this. Once they're separated, distribute them evenly across the air fryer basket, making sure they're not overlapping. This will allow the heat to circulate around each sausage.

Close the basket and cook the sausages for another 4 minutes. Then, rotate them and cook for a further 4-6 minutes, or until they're as crispy as you like them. If you're cooking thicker sausages, like bratwurst or Italian sausages, they may need a little longer—up to 12 minutes in total.

If you're cooking raw sausages, it's important to ensure they're cooked thoroughly before eating. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F.

And that's it! Your sausages should now be perfectly browned, juicy, and cooked through. Serve them immediately, or store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Serve immediately or store

When it comes to serving your sausages, it's best to eat them straight away. However, if you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for three to five days.

Some sources suggest that you can freeze leftovers for up to three months, but others advise against freezing them at all. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes at 360°F (180°C) or cut them into bite-sized pieces and pan-sear.

You could also slice and add them to a stir fry, serve them with pasta or rice, or crumble them into spaghetti sauce.

Frequently asked questions