Air Fryer Sausage Patties: How Long To Fry?

Air fryers are a convenient and quick way to cook sausage patties, with most recipes taking under 10 minutes. The cooking time varies depending on the type of patty (fresh or frozen) and the desired level of crispiness. For frozen patties, it's recommended to cook them for around 8-10 minutes, and for fresh patties, 6-8 minutes should suffice. The ideal temperature for cooking sausage patties in an air fryer is between 370-400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cooking from frozen

Cooking frozen sausage patties in an air fryer is a quick and convenient way to make a tasty breakfast. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving crispy, juicy sausage patties straight from frozen.

Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to the desired temperature. The ideal temperature seems to be around 370–400 °F (188–204 °C). Preheating is not essential, but it can help the patties develop a golden-brown sear.

Prepare the Sausage Patties

Place the frozen sausage patties in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. It's important to leave space between the patties, as air fryers need good airflow to cook food properly. You can usually cook 6–8 patties at a time, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cook and Flip

Close the basket and cook the patties for 4–5 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also cook them for 8–10 minutes for a crispier texture.

Check the Temperature

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the sausage patties have reached an internal temperature of at least 160 °F (71 °C). This is an important step to ensure the meat is cooked safely.

Serve and Enjoy

Carefully remove the patties from the air fryer using tongs and enjoy your crispy, juicy breakfast!

Storing and Reheating

You can store leftover sausage patties in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. To reheat, simply place them back in the air fryer for 5–7 minutes at 350 °F until heated through and crispy again.

Tips

• No additional oil is needed when cooking frozen sausage patties in an air fryer, as the natural fats in the sausage will crisp up on their own.
• For easy cleanup, consider using air fryer liners, which can be thrown away after use.
• If your air fryer smokes a lot, add a bit of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket before cooking. This will prevent the dripped fat from burning and creating smoke.
• If your sausages are frozen together, air fry them for 2–3 minutes to separate them before continuing with the cooking process.

Reheating

Preheat the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350°F. This is the ideal temperature for reheating, ensuring your patties heat up evenly without drying out or burning.

Prepare the Sausage Patties

Place the cooked sausage patties inside the air fryer basket. Ensure they are in a single layer with some space around each patty. Overcrowding the basket may result in uneven cooking, so it's best to cook them in batches if you have a large quantity.

Reheat Time

Cook the sausage patties for 3-5 minutes in the preheated air fryer. This duration should be sufficient to thoroughly heat them without overcooking.

Serving

Once the patties are heated through, you can serve them immediately. Enjoy your juicy and flavoursome sausage patties as a delicious addition to your meal!

Tips for Optimal Results

• For the best results, ensure your patties are not overcrowded in the air fryer basket.
• Consider the thickness of your patties. Thicker patties may require slightly more time to heat through, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.
• Flip the patties halfway through the reheating process to ensure even cooking on both sides.
• If you're in a hurry, you can also reheat sausage patties in the microwave or on a skillet over medium heat. However, the air fryer method provides the best results for texture and flavour.

Storing leftovers

If you're thinking of storing them for longer, you can freeze them. Wrap each patty individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place them in a bag. They'll stay good for about two months in the freezer.

When you're ready to enjoy your leftovers, you can reheat them in the microwave, oven, skillet, or even back in the air fryer! For best results, let frozen patties thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to get the best crispness

To get the best crispness when cooking your sausage patties in the air fryer, follow these tips:

Temperature and Timing

Preheat your air fryer to 390-400°F (200°C). The ideal temperature for cooking sausage patties is between 390-400°F (198-200°C). At this temperature, the patties will cook through evenly and achieve the desired crispness.

For fresh patties, cook for 8-10 minutes. If your patties are frozen, increase the cooking time to 10-15 minutes. Keep in mind that the first set of timings is for small breakfast sausage patties. If your patties are larger, they may need a few extra minutes.

Spacing

Always place the patties in a single layer with space between them. This is crucial for two reasons. Firstly, it ensures even cooking, as the hot air needs to be able to circulate around each patty. Secondly, spacing them out helps to achieve that coveted crispness all around. If you stack them or overcrowd the air fryer basket, your patties will likely end up soggy instead of crispy.

Flipping

Halfway through the cooking time, flip your patties. This is a crucial step to ensure even browning on both sides. No one likes an unevenly cooked sausage!

Thickness

Consider the thickness of your patties. If they are on the thicker side, they may need an extra minute or two in the air fryer. Keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Resting

Once the patties are cooked, let them rest on a plate for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is juicy and flavourful.

Oil

Although the sausage will release its own grease during cooking, some recipes suggest spraying the air fryer basket with a non-stick cooking spray before adding the patties. This will give your patties a slightly crispier crust.

Other Tips

• For extra flavour, brush your patties with maple syrup or BBQ sauce a couple of minutes before they're done.
• To reduce the amount of oil and grease, let the patties rest on a paper towel after cooking.
• If you're making a large batch, try using air fryer liners for easy cleanup. You can simply throw them away when you're done, avoiding the need to scrub away oil and grime.

How to cook sausage patties without an air fryer

While an air fryer is a great option for cooking sausage patties, you can also cook them on a stovetop or in an oven. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to cook sausage patties without an air fryer.

Stovetop Method:

• Grab your ingredients, including your preferred brand of sausage patties (such as Johnsonville) and a nonstick cooking spray.
• Place a nonstick pan on your stovetop and set it to medium heat.
• Lightly grease the pan with nonstick cooking spray to prevent the patties from sticking and to reduce grease splatter.
• Arrange the sausage patties in a single layer in the pan.
• Cook the patties for 5-7 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are browned and cooked through.
• For food safety, use an instant-read thermometer to check that the center of each patty has reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F (70°C).
• Remove the patties from the pan and serve hot.

Oven Method:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Line a baking sheet or oven-safe dish with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
• Place the sausage patties in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
• Lightly spray or brush the patties with oil to promote browning and crisping.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, flipping the patties halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through.
• As with the stovetop method, use a meat thermometer to ensure the patties have reached an internal temperature of 160°F (70°C) for food safety.
• Remove the patties from the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, keeping them moist and juicy.
• Serve and enjoy!

No matter which cooking method you choose, always ensure your sausage patties are cooked thoroughly before serving.

Frequently asked questions