Air Fryer Turkey Sausage: How Long To Cook?

Cooking turkey sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make juicy and golden brown sausages. The cooking time depends on the type of sausage and the model of the air fryer. For example, thinner sausages like breakfast sausages will take around 6-10 minutes, while thicker sausages like Italian sausage or brats will take 9-12 minutes. It is recommended to cook the sausages at 350-400°F until they are golden brown and have an internal temperature of 160°F.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it ensure your food cooks evenly, but it also helps to reduce the cooking time. When cooking turkey sausages, you should preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 400°F.

Preheating your air fryer to 350°F is a good option if you are cooking frozen turkey sausages. This slightly lower temperature will ensure that your sausages are cooked through without becoming dry. It's important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages, so be sure to adjust accordingly. For example, thinner breakfast sausages will take around 8-10 minutes to cook, while thicker sausages like Italian sausage will take 9-12 minutes.

If you prefer your sausages with a crispier exterior, you may want to preheat your air fryer to 400°F. This higher temperature will give your sausages a nice, crispy brown crust. It will also reduce the overall cooking time, which means your sausages are less likely to dry out. At this temperature, you can expect your sausages to be cooked in around 8-12 minutes, depending on their thickness.

Regardless of the temperature you choose, it's important to arrange your sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each sausage for the air to circulate. This will ensure even cooking and help achieve the desired level of crispiness.

Remember, every air fryer model is different, so you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to achieve your desired results.

Cook for 6-12 minutes

Cooking turkey sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get them brown and crispy on the outside, and juicy in the middle.

How to Cook Turkey Sausages in an Air Fryer:

First, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your sausages. If your sausages are frozen, make sure to defrost them thoroughly. If your sausages are raw, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape. For an average-sized sausage, poke it about three times with a knife.

Next, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each sausage.

Then, cook the sausages for 6-12 minutes. The thicker the sausages, the longer they will take to cook. Thin breakfast sausages will take about 8-10 minutes, while thicker sausages like Italian sausage will take 9-12 minutes. If you are cooking from frozen, the sausages will take a few minutes longer to cook.

Finally, check that the sausages are cooked by cutting into one and ensuring it is not pink inside. The internal temperature should be 160°F for raw sausages and 165°F for turkey sausages.

Tips for Cooking Turkey Sausages in an Air Fryer:

• If your sausages are frozen, you can cook them straight from frozen. However, they will take longer to cook, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• If you want to avoid smoking, place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of your air fryer to catch any drippings.
• You can cook as many sausages as can fit in a single layer in your air fryer.

Internal temperature should be 160°F

How Long to Put Turkey Sausage in the Air Fryer

When cooking turkey sausages in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that the internal temperature reaches 160°F to guarantee that they are cooked thoroughly and safely. This temperature reading indicates that the sausages are ready to be consumed and will be juicy and tender.

To achieve this desired internal temperature, there are a few key steps to follow. Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 380-400°F. This temperature range is ideal for cooking sausages, as it will help create a crispy exterior while maintaining a juicy interior.

Once your air fryer has preheated, place the turkey sausages in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. This arrangement ensures that hot air circulates evenly around each sausage, promoting uniform cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sausages in batches to avoid overcrowding.

For raw turkey sausages, cook them in the air fryer for approximately 8-12 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages and the specific model of your air fryer. It is always a good idea to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your particular air fryer model.

During the cooking process, you can flip the sausages halfway through to ensure even browning on both sides. Additionally, consider using a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature of the sausages. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of a sausage to get an accurate reading.

Once the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F, they are ready to be removed from the air fryer. Place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess grease. Let the sausages rest for a couple of minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, ensuring a moist and flavourful bite.

It is important to note that if you are cooking precooked sausages, the cooking time will be shorter, typically around 5-7 minutes. You are mainly aiming to heat them through and achieve the desired level of browning.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your turkey sausages are cooked to perfection in your air fryer, with a mouthwatering crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior. Always remember to adjust cooking times based on your specific air fryer model and the thickness of your sausages. Enjoy your delicious and safely cooked turkey sausages!

Rest for 2 minutes

So, you've cooked your turkey sausages in the air fryer at 350-400°F for 6-12 minutes, and now it's time to let them rest. Why is this important? Well, resting your sausages for 2 minutes will allow the juices to distribute throughout the meat, ensuring a moist and juicy bite every time. This step is crucial in preventing your sausages from drying out and ensuring they are tender and succulent.

During the cooking process, the juices and moisture inside the sausages are distributed unevenly. As the sausages rest, the juices settle, and the meat fibres relax, allowing the moisture to be reabsorbed and redistributing the juices throughout the sausage. This process ensures that when you cut into your sausage, the juices stay locked inside, keeping the meat moist and flavourful.

Resting your sausages on a paper towel or parchment paper is also beneficial as it helps to absorb any excess grease. This step ensures that your sausages are not sitting in a pool of grease, which can make them soggy and unappealing.

Additionally, the resting period gives you time to prepare any side dishes or garnishes you wish to serve with your sausages. Whether it's a simple side salad, steamed vegetables, or a more complex dish, those 2 minutes can be efficiently utilised to ensure your meal is well-rounded and complete.

Finally, the resting period allows you to ensure the sausages have reached the desired internal temperature. Turkey sausages should have an internal temperature of 165°F, just slightly higher than traditional pork sausages. This temperature ensures that the meat is cooked thoroughly and is safe to consume.

In conclusion, don't skip the resting period! Those 2 minutes are crucial to ensuring your air-fried turkey sausages are juicy, moist, and tender. It's a small step that makes a big difference in the final result.

Serve

Once your turkey sausages are cooked, you can serve them in a variety of ways. You can keep it simple and put them in a bun with mustard, or go for a classic sausage and peppers dish. You can also serve them with some sautéed peppers, onions and garlic, or slice them up and throw them over some pasta. If you're feeling healthy, serve with a side salad, or some steamed green beans or grilled broccoli.

If you're serving them for breakfast, you can serve them with eggs, or even make a breakfast sandwich.

If you're cooking for a crowd, you can cook as many sausages as you can fit in one layer in your air fryer. This is probably about 8-10 for an oven model, and 5-8 for a basket model.

If you have any leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Frequently asked questions