Cody Casey
Chicken sausage is a versatile dish that can be served with rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or in a bun with your favourite toppings. It is a great option for meal prep and can be cooked in an air fryer in a matter of minutes. The air fryer's ability to cook food with minimal oil makes it a healthier option without compromising on taste or texture. The chicken sausages come out crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
How to cook a chicken sausage in the air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook time | 8-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 375-400°F |
| Oil | Olive oil or avocado oil |
| Spices | Garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs |
| Sausage type | Any flavor, raw or precooked |
| Serving suggestions | Rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, salad, buns, dijon sauce |
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What You'll Learn
Chicken sausage and vegetable prep
Choose Your Chicken Sausage:
Start by selecting your preferred chicken sausage. You can opt for any flavor you like, such as Italian, spicy, apple maple, or sun-dried tomato. You can also choose from a variety of brands, but a popular option is Bilinski's, which offers a mild Italian sausage with simple, delicious ingredients.
Prepare the Vegetables:
For this recipe, you can use a variety of vegetables. Peppers and onions are a classic combination, but you can also add zucchini, green beans, mushrooms, or potatoes. If you're serving the sausages with a side salad, prepare your salad ingredients as well. Chop, slice, or dice your chosen vegetables to your preferred size.
Preheat the Air Fryer:
Before you begin cooking, preheat your air fryer. This step ensures a hot cooking environment and helps achieve that crispy exterior and juicy interior. Preheat your air fryer to 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat setting, simply run the machine at the desired temperature for 2-5 minutes.
Prick and Spray the Sausages:
Take your chosen chicken sausages and prick them a few times with a fork. This step is important as it allows any excess moisture to escape during cooking, preventing the sausages from bursting. Then, lightly spray or brush the sausages with olive oil or your preferred cooking oil. The oil helps the sausages develop a crispy texture and also prevents them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Assemble and Air Fry:
Now, it's time to cook! Place the chicken sausages and vegetables in the air fryer basket. Arrange them in a single layer, ensuring there is space between each sausage for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the basket. Air fry at 390 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 minutes, stirring or shaking the basket halfway through. If you prefer softer vegetables, add an additional 2 minutes to the cooking time.
Serve and Enjoy:
Once the sausages and vegetables are cooked to your liking, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket. You can serve the sausages on a plate or in a bun, alongside your favorite accompaniments. Don't forget to sprinkle some fresh dill on top for added flavor!
Your chicken sausage and vegetable prep is now complete, and you can enjoy a tasty, healthy meal with minimal cleanup!
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Air fryer temperature and duration
The temperature and duration for cooking chicken sausages in an air fryer vary depending on the model of the air fryer, the thickness of the sausages, and whether the sausages are frozen, raw, or precooked.
If you are using precooked chicken sausages, it is recommended to cook them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes. Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking. The sausages are ready to be served when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
For raw chicken sausages, it is suggested to cook them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes. As with precooked sausages, flip the sausages once during the cooking process to ensure even browning. The sausages are safe to consume when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are using frozen chicken sausages, follow the same instructions as for raw sausages, cooking them at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 12 to 15 minutes and flipping them halfway. Ensure that the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.
Some sources suggest preheating the air fryer to 390 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking the sausages for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping them once during the cooking process. This results in a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
If you prefer your sausages with a crispy skin, consider setting the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cooking the sausages for a total of 8 to 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Spray the sausages with olive oil before placing them in the air fryer and again after flipping them to enhance the crispness.
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Oil and seasoning
Before adding the oil, you can prick the sausages with a fork several times to let the moisture escape during cooking and prevent them from bursting. This step is especially important if you are cooking raw chicken sausages, as it helps release excess moisture.
When it comes to seasoning, the options are endless. You can use garlic powder, paprika, dried herbs, or any other seasonings you like. You can also add sliced jalapeno peppers or red pepper flakes to give your sausages a spicy kick. If you're looking for a more well-rounded meal, you can serve the sausages with vegetables and potatoes, and even a creamy dijon sauce. To make the sauce, simply combine tahini, extra virgin olive oil, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, lemon juice, water, and seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Internal temperature
Achieving the correct internal temperature is crucial when cooking chicken sausage in an air fryer to ensure the meat is cooked thoroughly and is safe to eat. The internal temperature of the sausages should reach 165°F (74°C). This temperature reading should be maintained both during cooking and before serving, especially if reheating leftovers.
To ensure the sausages are cooked properly, you can use a meat thermometer to check their internal temperature. It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the sausages, the specific air fryer model, and whether the sausages are raw or frozen. For example, while most instructions advise cooking the sausages for 8-10 minutes, some sources suggest a cooking time of 12-15 minutes for raw sausages and 10-12 minutes for frozen sausages.
To ensure even cooking, it is recommended to place the sausages in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, leaving space between them. Additionally, brushing or spraying the sausages with oil before cooking will help achieve a crispy texture and prevent sticking.
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Storage and reheating
Storing leftover chicken sausages is a simple process. Once the sausages have cooled to room temperature, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. They will keep in the fridge for up to two to four days. If you don't plan on eating the sausages within this time frame, you can freeze them for later consumption. Frozen sausages can be stored in a freezer-safe container for up to one month to three months.
When you're ready to enjoy your chicken sausages again, simply reheat them until they are warmed through. You can use a microwave or an air fryer set to 350–360°F (176.6–182.2°C). It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 165°F (74°C) before consuming them. This can be checked with a meat thermometer.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes approximately 8-10 minutes to cook chicken sausage in the air fryer. However, the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the sausages, the specific air fryer model, and whether the sausages are raw or frozen.
Preheat your air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your air fryer does not have a preheat setting, you can run it at 375 degrees for 2-5 minutes.
Place the chicken sausages in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring that they are not stacked on top of each other and that there is space between them for even cooking. Spray the sausages with olive oil or avocado oil to help achieve a crispy texture and prevent sticking.
