Cooking smoked sausage in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that can be done in under 10 minutes. It's a versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, snack, or main course. The recipe is simple: preheat your air fryer to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit, cut the sausage into slices or leave them as links, and then air fry for 5 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. You can serve the sausages with a variety of dips and sides, such as BBQ sauce, mustard, or ketchup, and they go well with potatoes and onions.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Time | 5-10 minutes |
Temperature | 350-400°F |
Preparation | Slice into 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch pieces |
What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F
Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. It ensures even crisping and maximises cooking results. While some air fryers have a preheat setting, others preheat automatically, and some need to be manually preheated.
To preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F, start by consulting your air fryer's manual to see if preheating is recommended for your model. If so, follow the instructions provided. If not, you can still preheat your air fryer manually. First, ensure that all removable parts, like the basket, are clean, dry, and inserted correctly. Then, select the air fry setting and set the temperature to 350-400°F. Allow the air fryer to preheat for 3-5 minutes. Once the preheat timer has elapsed, you can add your food and cook according to your recipe.
Preheating your air fryer can speed up cooking time, improve the crispiness of your food, and ensure even cooking. It is especially useful when cooking thinly cut meats, reheating precooked or frozen foods, and baking. However, if you are cooking thick cuts of meat or want to retain moisture in your food, you may choose not to preheat your air fryer.
Additionally, when cooking smoked sausage in an air fryer, preheating ensures that your sausage comes out juicy with crispy skin. Preheating at 350-400°F is a safe temperature range that will not damage your air fryer and will help you achieve the desired cooking results.
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Cut the sausage into 1-inch slices
Cooking smoked sausage in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. It is a great option for a quick and easy meal and can be served as an appetizer, breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
To cut the sausage into 1-inch slices, use a sharp knife to slice the sausage evenly. You can also cut small slits across the sausage to relieve some pressure and prevent bursting. Aim for four pieces from each sausage.
After cutting the sausage, place the slices in the air fryer basket in a single layer. This ensures even cooking. Depending on the desired level of char, you may need to cook the sausage for 1-2 minutes longer.
Once the sausage is in the air fryer, you can cook it for 5-6 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. If you prefer your sausage well done, you can cook it for an additional 5 minutes.
Now, your air fryer smoked sausage is ready to be served! You can enjoy it as bites or slice it and serve it with your favorite sides.
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Place in the air fryer for 5-10 mins
Place the sliced smoked sausage into the air fryer basket. You can cut the sausage into 1-inch pieces or 1/2-inch pieces, depending on your preference. Ensure the basket is well-spaced for even cooking.
Turn on the air fryer and set the temperature to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The higher the temperature, the crispier the sausage will be.
Place the basket into the air fryer and cook for 5-10 minutes. If you are cooking at a lower temperature, you may need to cook for the full 10 minutes. If you are cooking at a higher temperature, 5-6 minutes should be enough.
Shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking and browning. If you want more char on your sausage, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
Once the sausage is browned and cooked through, remove the basket from the air fryer and serve immediately. You can serve the sausage as a main dish with sides or as an appetizer with dips.
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Flip the sausages halfway through
Flipping your sausages during the cooking process is an important step in ensuring they cook evenly on both sides.
After placing your sliced sausages into the air fryer basket, you will want to cook them for around 5 minutes before flipping them. This will give them a chance to start cooking through and develop a slight crispiness.
Once the sausages have been flipped, they will need another 5 minutes or so to finish cooking. This timing can vary depending on your desired level of doneness and the thickness of your sausage slices. If you prefer your sausages to have more char, you can cook them for an additional 1-2 minutes after flipping.
The flipping process helps to ensure that both sides of the sausages come into direct contact with the heat source, promoting even cooking and browning. It also allows any excess grease or moisture to be released, preventing the sausages from stewing in their own juices and becoming soggy.
By following this simple step of flipping your sausages halfway through the cooking process, you will achieve perfectly cooked, juicy, and slightly crispy smoked sausages every time.
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Serve with sides or in a bun
There are many ways to serve smoked sausage from the air fryer. For a quick snack or appetizer, you can serve the sausages in a bun with barbecue sauce, mustard, or ketchup for dipping. You can also slice the sausage into bite-sized pieces and serve with toothpicks and your choice of dips.
If you're serving the sausage as a main dish, you can add it to a variety of recipes, such as:
- Sausage and green bean potato casserole
- Pigs in a blanket
- Nachos
- Baked beans
- Rice
- Pasta
- Sheet pan dinner
- Stew
You can also serve the sausage with a side of sautéed peppers and onions, and potatoes.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes around 10 minutes to cook smoked sausage in an air fryer.
The air fryer should be preheated to between 350 and 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is not necessary to cut the sausage before cooking, but if you do, cut it into 1/2- to 1 1/2-inch pieces.
You can add a small amount of cooking oil to the air fryer basket to prevent sticking.
Smoked sausage can be served with a variety of sides, such as potatoes, onions, peppers, or BBQ sauce, mustard, or ranch for dipping.