Frying Sausage In An Air Fryer: Time And Temperature Guide

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-off method to achieve perfectly juicy, golden brown, and crispy sausages. The cooking time depends on the type of sausages and the model of the air fryer. For example, thinner sausages like breakfast sausages will take about 8-10 minutes, while thicker sausages like Italian sausage or bratwurst will take 9-12 minutes. The ideal temperature for cooking sausages in an air fryer is between 360-400°F.

Air fryer temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking sausages in an air fryer is 400°F. This temperature ensures that the sausages develop a nice, crispy brown crust on the outside without drying out.

For thin sausages, such as breakfast sausages, set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 8-10 minutes. For thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausage, cook at the same temperature for 9-12 minutes.

If you're cooking sausage patties, preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and cook for 5 minutes, then flip the patties and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

For fresh sausage links, you can cook them at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the sausages and the model of your air fryer. It's important to ensure that the sausages are cooked thoroughly and are no longer pink inside before serving.

How long to cook them

The cooking time for sausages in an air fryer depends on the type of sausage you are cooking. Thinner sausages, like breakfast sausages, will take 8-10 minutes to cook in the air fryer. For thicker sausages like Italian sausage or bratwurst, it will take 9-12 minutes.

The cooking time will also depend on the temperature you set your air fryer to. Most recipes recommend cooking sausages at 400°F, but some suggest 360°F or 375°F. If you want your sausages to be extra crispy, you can cook them at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you are cooking sausages from raw, they should reach an internal temperature of 160°F. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check this. If you are cooking fully cooked sausages, the internal temperature is less important, and you are just looking for your desired colour.

You can cook as many sausages as you can fit in a single layer in your air fryer. For oven-style air fryers, this is probably about 8-10 sausages. For basket-style air fryers, you may only be able to fit 5-8 sausages.

If you are cooking sausages with peppers and onions, you will need to cook the vegetables first. Toss your vegetables in olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F for about 3 minutes, then cook the vegetables for about 12-15 minutes, depending on how soft you like them.

When cooking sausages from frozen, you do not need to defrost them first. You can cook them straight from frozen, but you may need to add a minute or two to the cooking time.

Why cook sausages in an air fryer?

There are several reasons why cooking sausages in an air fryer is a great idea.

First, it's a hands-free cooking method. Unlike cooking sausages on a stove, you don't need to watch them or flip them. They cook and brown evenly all by themselves, so you can focus on other things.

Second, it's quick and easy. Air-frying sausages takes about 8-12 minutes, depending on their thickness, and you don't have to defrost frozen sausages before cooking them. Just pop them in the air fryer and you're good to go.

Third, the results are delicious. Air-fried sausages have a crisp and brown exterior, with a juicy interior. The high heat of the air fryer crisps the skin, and you don't have to worry about grease splattering all over your stovetop.

Finally, an air fryer is versatile. You can cook any kind of sausage in it, from thin breakfast sausages to thicker Italian or bratwurst sausages. You can also cook other meats, like ground beef or salmon, in the same way. So, if you're looking for a convenient, tasty, and mess-free way to cook sausages, the air fryer is a great option.

How to cook sausages in an air fryer

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-off method to achieve perfectly juicy, golden brown, and crispy sausages. It is also a great way to avoid grease splatter all over your stovetop!

Steps to follow:

Prepare the sausages:

• If your sausages are frozen, defrost them first. You can also cook frozen sausages directly in the air fryer, but they may need a little more time.
• For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily and prevents the casings from bursting. However, some people prefer not to poke holes to retain the juices.
• If desired, you can season your sausages with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or Italian seasoning.

Arrange the sausages in the air fryer:

• Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket or on the trays, ensuring they don't overlap. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly and cook the sausages properly.
• You can cook as many sausages as your air fryer can fit in a single layer. For oven-style air fryers, this is usually around 8-10 sausages, while basket-style air fryers may fit 5-8 sausages.

Set the air fryer temperature and cooking time:

• Preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. Most recipes recommend cooking sausages at temperatures between 350°F to 400°F. A higher temperature will result in crispier sausages.
• The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages and the number of sausages in the air fryer. Thinner sausages, such as breakfast sausages, will take around 8-10 minutes, while thicker sausages like bratwurst or Italian sausages may take 9-12 minutes.
• If you are cooking fully cooked sausages, you only need to heat them through, so they may take around 5-7 minutes.

Cook the sausages:

• Place the sausages in the preheated air fryer and cook until they are well-browned and no longer pink inside.
• For thicker sausages, you may need to flip them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages. The sausages should reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F for juicy, fully cooked sausages.

Serve the sausages:

• Air fryer sausages can be served in various ways. You can enjoy them as is, in a bun, over pasta, or with sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic.
• They also go well with sides such as roasted vegetables, keto-friendly options like cauliflower mash, or in sandwiches with bell peppers and onions.
• You can also slice the sausages and add them to an omelet or simmer them in pasta sauce.
• Leftover sausages can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Types of sausages you can air fry

There are many types of sausages that can be cooked in an air fryer, including:

• Thin breakfast sausages
• Thick breakfast sausages
• Italian sausages
• Bratwurst
• Kielbasa
• Wieners
• Chicken sausages
• Toulouse sausage
• Honey garlic sausages
• Sausage patties
• Pork, turkey, chicken, or lamb sausages
• Sausage links
• Sausage coils
• Sausage rings

In general, you can cook any kind of sausage in the air fryer, whether it is thin or thick, sliced or whole, cooked or uncooked, or frozen or thawed. The high heat of the air fryer will crisp the skin, resulting in a juicy and perfectly cooked sausage.

Frequently asked questions