Tillie Doyle
Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick, mess-free, and healthy alternative to frying sausages in a pan. The air fryer can cook food evenly and without the need for additional oil, making it a convenient option for busy mid-week dinners. The cooking time and temperature will depend on the thickness and type of sausage, as well as the size of your air fryer and the number of sausages being cooked. Thick sausages, such as Bratwurst or Italian sausages, will take longer to cook than thinner sausages. To ensure your sausages are cooked through, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part of the sausage has reached 75°C.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 180°C-200°C (350°F-400°F) |
| Cooking time | 8-15 minutes |
| Arrangement | Single layer with space around each sausage |
| Oil | Not required but can be used for crispiness |
| Pricking | Recommended to release fat and pressure |
| Turning | Halfway through |
| Batches | May be needed for large quantities |
| Thermometer | Recommended for checking doneness |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for thick sausages in an air fryer will depend on the type of sausage, the size of the air fryer, and the number of sausages being cooked. It is important to ensure that the sausages are cooked through and not pink in the centre.
For thick pork sausages, it is recommended to cook them at 180°C or 350°F for 12-14 minutes. However, some sources suggest cooking at a higher temperature of 200°C or 400°F for 12-15 minutes. This higher temperature will ensure a crispy brown crust on the outside, and the sausages will not dry out as they will not be in the air fryer for as long.
For thicker sausages like Bratwurst or Italian sausages, it will take 9-12 minutes at 400°F. It is also possible to cook these sausages from frozen, which may add a few minutes to the cooking time.
When cooking sausages in an air fryer, it is important to ensure that they are not overcrowded in the basket, as this will affect the cooking time and may result in uneven cooking. It is recommended to place the sausages in a single layer and give them enough room to cook properly.
To check if the sausages are fully cooked, it is recommended to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the thickest part of the sausage has reached 75°C.
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How to prepare sausages
Preparing sausages in an air fryer is a simple, mess-free, and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare sausages using an air fryer:
Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket
Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil and a paper towel, or use a cooking oil spray. This step is optional but helps to ensure the sausages don't stick to the basket.
Step 2: Prepare the Sausages
If your sausages are frozen, you can either defrost them or cook them straight from frozen. For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to prick holes in the casings. This step is also optional but helps to release more fat and prevent the sausages from bursting.
Step 3: Arrange the Sausages in the Air Fryer Basket
Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little room between each sausage to ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of sausages, you may need to cook them in batches.
Step 4: Set the Temperature and Cooking Time
Set the air fryer to the desired temperature, typically between 180°C and 200°C (350°F to 400°F). The cooking time will depend on the thickness and type of sausages, ranging from 8 to 15 minutes. For thicker sausages, expect a longer cooking time.
Step 5: Cook the Sausages
Turn on the air fryer and cook the sausages until they are well-browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. You can turn the sausages halfway through the cooking time for more even results.
Step 6: Check Doneness
Use a meat thermometer to check if the sausages are fully cooked. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the sausage, ensuring it reaches a temperature of 75°C. Alternatively, cut into one of the sausages to ensure it is no longer pink inside.
Step 7: Rest and Serve
Allow the sausages to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will enable the juices to settle, ensuring the sausages are juicy and tender. Serve the sausages as a side dish, in buns, or however you prefer.
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Arranging sausages in the air fryer
When arranging sausages in the air fryer, it is important to place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. If you stack or overcrowd the sausages, they will not cook evenly and may take longer to cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of sausages you are cooking, you may need to cook them in batches.
Make sure the sausages are not tightly packed and have a little room between each one so that heat can circulate all around them. This will ensure they cook properly and your cooking time will not be longer than necessary.
You can use tinfoil in the air fryer, which is a great way to ensure your sausages don't stick to the bottom. It also helps to separate foods if you are cooking multiple things at once. However, if you use tinfoil, the fat from the sausages won't drain away, which may make them a little less crispy.
You can also lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil and a paper towel, or use a cooking oil spray, to prevent sticking.
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Using frozen sausages
If you're using frozen sausages, you don't need to defrost them first—they can go straight into the air fryer. However, if you have frozen fresh sausages yourself, it is recommended to defrost them overnight in the fridge before cooking. Frozen sausages purchased from the supermarket have been specially prepared to be safe to cook from frozen.
To cook frozen sausages in an air fryer, first, remove them from their packaging. If they're stuck together, run a little cool water over the package for a few minutes or microwave for 30 seconds. Place the sausages in the air fryer basket. If you're cooking thick sausages, set the temperature to 360°F (180°C) and cook for 12-15 minutes. For thinner sausages, increase the temperature to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 12-14 minutes. You can also cook them at 400°F for 5 minutes, then separate them and cook for an additional 8-10 minutes.
Halfway through the cooking time, remove the basket and turn the sausages. If they're stuck together, they'll need to be separated at this point. Return the basket to the air fryer and continue cooking.
When the time is up, check that the sausages are cooked through. They should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, cut into one of the sausages to check that it's no longer pink inside.
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Storing leftover sausages
To store leftover sausages, wrap them tightly in cling film or aluminium foil, or place them in an airtight container. Make sure to store them in the fridge, ideally between 1-4°C, and consume them before the use-by date on the packaging.
Leftover sausages can be transformed into a variety of dishes, such as casseroles, one-pot meals, and pastries for a picnic. For example, you can make a sausage and mushroom ragu served with couscous, mash, or pasta, or try a spicy sausage and bean one-pot. If you're looking for a quick midweek dinner option, a sausage, roasted vegetable, and puy lentil one-pot is a great choice, delivering three of your five-a-day. For a picnic, consider using the leftover sausages in pastries, on skewers, or in rolls. Cheesy sausage and bean pies are also a fantastic, freezable option for a picnic snack.
If you're looking for a more elevated dish, try a one-pot sausage casserole with garlic breadcrumbs or a sausage and hazelnut ragu with celeriac mash. For a spicy option, the sausage and prawn jambalaya, inspired by Cajun and Creole cooking, is sure to deliver a kick of flavour.
With these creative recipes, you can ensure that your leftover sausages are used efficiently and enjoyed in a variety of tasty ways.
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Frequently asked questions
Thick sausages should be cooked at 180°C/350°F for 12-14 minutes. You can also cook them at 200°C/400°F for 9-12 minutes.
Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little room between each. You can lightly grease the basket with olive oil or use a cooking oil spray. Prick each sausage a few times with a sharp knife to prevent them from bursting and to release more fat.
Thick sausages should be cooked until they are well-browned on the outside and have a minimum internal temperature of 75°C. You can check this by cutting into one of the sausages or using a meat thermometer.
Cooked sausages can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
