Tillie Doyle
Chicken sausage links are a great option for a quick, healthy, and protein-packed meal. They can be cooked in an air fryer in as little as 10 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights or a grab-and-go breakfast. The air fryer method produces sausages with a crispy exterior and a juicy, tender interior, and it's also a fuss-free and hands-free cooking process with minimal cleanup required.
How to cook chicken sausage links in an air fryer
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat air fryer | No need to preheat, but you can if you want to |
| Temperature | 375-400°F |
| Cooking time | 8-12 minutes |
| Oil | Spray sausages with oil (e.g. avocado, coconut, olive) |
| Flip sausages | Yes, flip halfway through |
| Overlap sausages | No, place in a single layer with space in between |
| Internal temperature | 160-165°F |
| Serving suggestions | Sauteed bell peppers and onions, creamy dijon sauce, mustard, side salad |
| Storage | Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days |
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Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is not always necessary when cooking chicken sausage links, but it is recommended for even cooking. If you want to preheat your air fryer, set it to 400°F for half of the cooking time, which is around 4–5 minutes.
If you are cooking raw sausages, you can place the sausages in the air fryer during preheating. However, if you are cooking pre-cooked sausages, it is best to wait until the air fryer is preheated before adding the sausages.
When preheating, ensure you do not overlap the chicken sausages in the air fryer. Arrange them in a single layer in the basket or tray, leaving a bit of space between each sausage. This arrangement will promote even cooking and browning.
If you are using a baking tray, line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup. You can also use aluminium foil, but parchment paper is preferred.
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Oil spray
To cook chicken sausage links in an air fryer, you can use an oil spray to get a crispy skin. Avocado oil, coconut oil, and olive oil are all good options for this. You can also use a non-stick spray like avocado oil to prevent sticking.
First, place the chicken sausage links into your air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a bit of space between each sausage. Do not overlap the sausages in the air fryer, as this will help with even cooking. You can preheat the air fryer if you like, but it is not necessary.
Next, spray the sausages with your chosen oil. Then, air fry the sausages at 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway. The total cook time will be approximately 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages and how crispy you like them. If you like them crispier, leave them in the air fryer for a few extra minutes.
Once the sausages are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two before serving.
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Cook for 8-10 minutes
So, you've placed your chicken sausage links into the air fryer basket, being careful to leave a bit of space between each sausage and not stack them on top of each other. You've sprayed them with oil and set the air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Now, you just need to cook them for 8-10 minutes.
The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the sausages and your personal preference for how well-done you like them. If you like your sausages extra crispy, you can leave them in the air fryer for a few extra minutes after they've finished cooking. You can also flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
While the sausages are cooking, you can use the time to prepare any side dishes or sauces you want to serve with them. Chicken sausage links go well with a variety of dishes and can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They can be paired with vegetables and potatoes, and a creamy dijon sauce for a balanced meal.
Once the sausages have cooked for 8-10 minutes, they should be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for 1-2 minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious and healthy meal!
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Flip halfway
When cooking chicken sausage links in an air fryer, it is important to flip them halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that the sausages cook evenly on all sides and helps to achieve the desired level of crispness and browning.
To flip the sausages, open the air fryer after the first half of the cooking time, which is typically around 4 to 5 minutes for pre-cooked sausages and 6 to 7 minutes for raw sausages. Use tongs or a spatula to gently turn each sausage link over. Be careful not to overlap the sausages when placing them back into the air fryer.
Flipping the sausages halfway through the cooking process helps to prevent uneven cooking and ensures that the sausages brown evenly. It also allows you to check on the sausages and ensure they are cooking as desired. The internal temperature of the sausages should reach 165°F when they are fully cooked.
By flipping the sausages halfway, you can also spray them with olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil to promote a crispy skin and enhance the browning process. This step adds to the overall crispness and flavor of the chicken sausage links.
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Serve with sides
Chicken sausages cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of side dishes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here are some ideas for sides to accompany your air-fried chicken sausages:
Vegetables and Potatoes
Serve the sausages with your choice of roasted vegetables and potatoes. You can also add a creamy dijon sauce to this combination for a balanced meal. To make the creamy dijon sauce, combine 2 tablespoons of tahini, 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard, 2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup, the juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon of cold water, and garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste.
Sauteed Bell Peppers and Onions
Sauté bell peppers and onions until they are soft and wilted. This side dish will add a touch of sweetness and flavor to your meal.
Condiments and Sauces
Mustard is a classic condiment that pairs well with chicken sausages. You can also serve them with a side of ketchup, barbecue sauce, or your favorite chutney.
Side Salad
A fresh side salad can complement the richness of the sausages. Opt for a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, or add in some heartier ingredients like roasted vegetables, grains, or beans to make it a more substantial dish.
Breakfast Sides
If you're serving the chicken sausages for breakfast, they go well with eggs, such as scrambled eggs or fried eggs. You can also pair them with hash browns, crispy potatoes, or Paleo muffins, such as blueberry or banana muffins.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes about 8-10 minutes to cook chicken sausage links in an air fryer. The sausages will be crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
Set the air fryer to 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit. The high temperature is important to properly brown the sausages before drying them out.
Place the chicken sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each sausage. Spray the sausages with oil to get a crispy skin.
