Cody Casey
Cooking sausage links in an air fryer is a quick, convenient, and mess-free way to prepare a staple breakfast item. The air fryer's hot air circulation ensures the sausages are cooked evenly, with a juicy interior and a crispy exterior, without the need for excess oil. This method also allows you to cook other breakfast items simultaneously, such as eggs, hash browns, and pancakes, without taking up space on your stovetop.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of cooking | Easy to cook, with minimal cleanup |
| Time | Ready in 8-15 minutes |
| Temperature | 350-400°F |
| Cook time | 5-11 minutes, plus 3-5 minutes at a lower temperature for frozen sausages |
| Flip | Halfway through |
| Internal temperature | Minimum 160°F for pork and beef, 165°F for turkey and chicken |
| Types of sausages | Pork, chicken, turkey, plant-based, gluten-free, low-carb, vegetarian, vegan |
| Size | Smaller sausages require less time |
| Pre-cooked | Ready in 10 minutes at 350°F |
| Frozen | Cook at a lower temperature first, then increase to 380-400°F |
| Oil | Not required |
| Basket | Should be greased or sprayed, sausages should be placed in a single layer with space between them |
| Batches | Recommended for larger quantities |
| Serving suggestions | Eggs, hash browns, pancakes, maple syrup, muffins, potatoes, veggie scramble, gnocchi, pasta, bakery roll with sautéed peppers and onions, crescent roll dough |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking times and temperatures for fresh, frozen, and precooked sausages
Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick and easy process that results in sausages that are brown and crispy on the outside, and juicy on the inside. The cooking times and temperatures for fresh, frozen, and precooked sausages are outlined below.
Fresh Sausages
For fresh sausages, it is recommended to use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings before cooking. However, some people disagree with this method, as it can cause the sausage to dry out. Fresh sausages should be cooked in the air fryer at a temperature of 400°F for 10-12 minutes. The sausages will be cooked when they are golden brown on the outside and have an internal temperature of 160°F.
Frozen Sausages
Frozen sausages can be cooked straight from frozen in the air fryer. First, remove the sausages from their packaging and place them in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer temperature to 400°F and cook the sausages for five minutes. After five minutes, remove the basket and separate the sausages, redistributing them in the basket. Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Precooked Sausages
Precooked sausages can also be cooked in the air fryer. Place the sausages in the air fryer basket and cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, or until they are browned and heated through. The internal temperature is not as important for precooked sausages, and you are mainly looking for the desired colour.
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How to cook larger sausages
Cooking larger sausages in an air fryer is a convenient and mess-free way to prepare a meal. The air fryer can be used like a mini oven, and you can cook just about anything in it.
To cook larger sausages, like Italian sausages, it is best to avoid cooking at very high temperatures for too long, as this will cause the outsides to brown too much before the insides are cooked. For larger sausages, it is best to cook at a lower temperature for a longer time. You can cook them at 380°F for 13-15 minutes.
If your sausages are frozen, you can cook them straight from frozen. However, you will need to add a few minutes to the cooking time. For uncooked frozen sausages, cook at 350°F for 5 minutes, then turn them and cook for 7-8 minutes at 400°F. For precooked frozen sausages, cook at 350°F for 10 minutes, turning halfway through.
When cooking sausages in the air fryer, it is best to arrange them in a single layer with a bit of space between each sausage. You can use a meat thermometer to check that they have reached the correct internal temperature. For raw pork and beef, this should be at least 160°F, and for raw turkey and chicken, it should be 165°F.
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How to reheat leftover sausages
If you have leftover sausages, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. This method works for both fresh, refrigerated sausages and frozen sausages.
To reheat fresh, refrigerated sausages, preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Reheat for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through.
For frozen sausages, you can reheat them in the air fryer at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Alternatively, you can reheat frozen sausages at 350°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
If you are reheating a large batch of sausages, it is best to work in smaller batches to ensure even heating. You can also reheat sausages in the microwave for a few seconds or in a skillet on the stovetop.
When reheating sausages in the air fryer, it is important to ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F to ensure they are safe to eat. You can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages.
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What to serve with sausage links
Sausage links are a versatile food that can be served in a variety of ways and paired with numerous side dishes. Here are some ideas for what to serve with sausage links:
Breakfast Options
Sausage links are a popular breakfast choice and can be served alongside traditional breakfast items such as eggs, toast, and hash browns. You can also incorporate them into a breakfast sandwich or wrap them in crescent roll dough for pigs in a blanket. Sausage links can also be sliced and added to a breakfast scramble with eggs and potatoes, or served with pancakes and maple syrup.
Side Dishes
If you're looking for side dishes to accompany sausage links, consider French fries, crispy green beans, roasted vegetables, corn on the cob, or potato salad. For something lighter, a side of radish chips or a dip like hummus can be a nice option. Sweet mashed potatoes can also add a touch of sweetness to balance the savouriness of the sausage. For a traditional German side, sauerkraut (fermented cabbage) offers a tangy contrast to the rich flavour of the sausage.
Buns and Rolls
Pretzel rolls, with their soft interiors and crispy, salty exteriors, make an excellent choice to serve alongside sausage links or as a bun for a sausage sandwich.
Heartier Meals
Sausage links can be incorporated into casseroles, stews, soups, and pasta dishes. They can also be sliced and added to pizzas or served in a traditional British toad-in-the-hole, which consists of sausages cooked in an egg-and-flour batter.
Specific Sausage Types
Depending on the type of sausage link, there are some specific serving suggestions. For example, Italian sausage can be removed from its casing, browned on a stovetop, and mixed with marinara sauce to be served over pasta. Spicy sausage can be paired with a creamy mustard sauce and fragrant basil for a quick pasta supper. Smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, can be used in a quick cassoulet or added to a Polish "hunter's stew." Baked merguez sausage can be served atop a spiced lentil and butternut squash mixture for a dish that's ready in just 45 minutes.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to serving sausage links, so feel free to experiment and find your favourite combinations!
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How to season sausage links
To season sausage links, you can use your favourite herbs and spices. Season the sausage links before air frying them. You can use any type of sausage links, such as pork, chicken, turkey, or plant-based sausages.
The first step to cooking sausage links in the air fryer is to preheat the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 380 degrees F or 400 degrees F, depending on your recipe of choice. This step is crucial for ensuring your sausages cook evenly and get that desirable crispy skin.
Next, arrange the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. This allows the hot air to circulate freely around each sausage, cooking them evenly and preventing them from sticking together. You can lightly grease the air fryer basket beforehand, but this is completely optional. Sausages typically have enough fat to prevent them from sticking to the basket.
Cook the sausages for 8 to 11 minutes, or until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or use tongs to turn the sausages. This ensures they brown evenly on all sides and don't stick to the basket.
Finally, check that the sausages have reached an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees F to ensure they are cooked through and safe to eat. You can use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a bit of space between each sausage. Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F. Air fry for 8-12 minutes, flipping the sausages halfway through. The sausages are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
No, you don't need to add oil or cooking spray. Sausages contain enough fat to prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
Yes, you can cook frozen sausage links in the air fryer. Start with a lower temperature (around 350-360°F) for 5 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for another 7-8 minutes.
A high temperature of 400°F is best for browning the sausages without overcooking them.
Air fryer sausage links go well with eggs, hash browns, pancakes, or a fresh bakery roll with sautéed peppers and onions.
