Air Fryer Turkey Sausage: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Turkey sausages are a healthier alternative to traditional pork sausages, and cooking them in an air fryer makes them even healthier. Air fryers are a quick, easy, and mess-free way to cook turkey sausages, and they can cook a lot at once. The air fryer drains excess fat from the sausages, making them crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. This introduction will cover the benefits of cooking turkey sausages in an air fryer, provide an overview of the cooking process, and offer tips for preparing a tasty and healthy meal.

Turkey sausage and potatoes

Air fryers are a quick, easy, and healthy way to cook turkey sausages. They are also great for cooking sausages in large batches with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

• Turkey sausages
• Potatoes
• Avocado oil
• Creole seasoning (or Cajun or any other spice of choice)
• Bell peppers (any colour)
• Asparagus
• Onions

Steps

• Wash the vegetables and cut them as desired. Be sure to trim the asparagus to remove the fibrous part, and then cut it into two or three pieces.
• Cut the sausage links as desired.
• Season the potatoes and vegetables to your preference.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C.
• Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket or drawer with a little oil.
• Add the sausages and vegetables to the air fryer in a single layer.
• Spray the sausages and vegetables with oil, ensuring they are well coated.
• Set the air fryer to 350 degrees F/176 degrees C and cook for 12 minutes, checking and turning or shaking the basket halfway through. Thicker sausages may need a couple of minutes longer.
• If you are using raw sausages, they will need more time to cook, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
• Flip the air fryer basket halfway through and finish cooking.
• If desired, add 2-5 minutes to the cooking time to allow the sausages and vegetables to become more tanned.
• Remove the sausages and vegetables from the air fryer and serve.

Tips

• If you are using frozen sausages, you can cook them straight from frozen, but you may need to add a couple of minutes to the cooking time.
• If you are using fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings to allow the fat to escape.
• This recipe is very versatile, and you can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your taste.

Oil spray

To cook turkey sausages in an air fryer with oil spray, you'll first want to preheat your air fryer. While preheating is not always necessary, it can help speed up the cooking process.

Next, spray the bottom of your air fryer basket or drawer with a little oil. It is recommended to use an oil with a higher smoke point, such as canola or avocado oil. You can also use propellant-free oil spray.

Once the air fryer is preheated, add your thawed uncooked sausages to the basket in a single layer. Make sure the sausages are not stacked, but it's okay if they touch.

Now, spray the sausages with 3-4 pumps of oil, ensuring they are all coated. This step is critical if you want your sausages to brown and have crispy skin.

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius and cook the sausages for about 12 minutes. Check and turn or shake the basket halfway through cooking. The sausages are ready when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius.

If you are using thicker sausages, they may need a couple of minutes longer. You can also add a few extra minutes if you want your sausages to be more tanned.

Once the sausages are done, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel or parchment paper to rest for about two minutes before serving. This will help absorb any excess grease.

Temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking turkey sausages in an air fryer depend on the type of sausage and your desired level of doneness. Here are some general guidelines:

Temperature

Set your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius. This temperature ensures that your sausages cook through while achieving a nice crispy exterior.

Timing

The cooking time will depend on the thickness and number of sausages you are cooking. Thicker sausages, such as Italian sausage links, will take longer, around 12 minutes. For thinner breakfast sausages, 8 to 10 minutes should be sufficient. If you are cooking a large batch of sausages, they may need a couple of minutes longer. It is important to ensure that the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius to ensure they are cooked through.

Preheating

Preheating your air fryer is recommended. A few minutes of preheating can help ensure more even cooking and browning of the sausages. However, if you forget to preheat, your sausages will still cook through; they may just require a few extra minutes of cooking time.

Checking for Doneness

To check if your sausages are done, you can cut into one to ensure it is not pink inside. Alternatively, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, which should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Adjustments

If you prefer your sausages to be more deeply browned, you can add an additional 2 to 5 minutes to the cooking time. For frozen sausages, you can cook them directly from frozen, but they may require a slightly longer cooking time, around 14 minutes in total.

Frozen vs fresh

Turkey sausages are a great option for a quick and easy meal, and using an air fryer makes the process even simpler. Whether you're working with frozen or fresh sausages, the air fryer can deliver juicy, golden-brown sausages with minimal effort.

When it comes to cooking fresh turkey sausages in an air fryer, the process is straightforward. Preheat your air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Place your fresh sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. A light spray of cooking oil, such as avocado or canola oil, will help achieve a crispier texture and prevent the sausages from drying out. Set the timer for 6 to 15 minutes, depending on the number of sausages and your desired level of doneness. No need to flip or turn the sausages—the air fryer will brown them evenly on all sides.

For frozen turkey sausages, the process is similar but requires a little more time and attention. Start by preheating your air fryer to a lower temperature, around 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the frozen sausages in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap. Lightly spray the sausages with cooking oil, which will help them crisp up and prevent shrinkage during cooking. Cook the sausages for 10 minutes at this lower temperature, then shake or turn them for even cooking. Increase the temperature to 380 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for an additional 10 minutes, checking occasionally to ensure even browning.

The key difference between cooking frozen and fresh turkey sausages in an air fryer lies in the cooking time and temperature. Frozen sausages require a lower initial temperature and a longer overall cooking time. It's important to cook frozen sausages thoroughly, especially if they are fully cooked before freezing. Fresh sausages, on the other hand, can be cooked at a higher temperature for a shorter duration, making them a quicker option.

Whether you're using frozen or fresh turkey sausages, the air fryer is a convenient and hands-off cooking method. You can experiment with different types of sausages, seasonings, and serving options to find your favorite combinations. Enjoy your juicy, golden-brown turkey sausages straight from the air fryer!

Serving suggestions

Turkey sausages cooked in an air fryer are a great breakfast option and go well with eggs. You can also serve them with Mexican sheet pan eggs and old-fashioned fruit salad, or with a simple side salad.

If you're looking for a heartier meal, smoked turkey sausages and potatoes cooked in the air fryer are a tasty and kid-friendly option. You can also add vegetables such as asparagus, bell peppers, and onions to this dish. Season the vegetables to your preference, and consider using Creole seasoning or another spice blend like Cajun.

For a quick and easy breakfast, you can cook turkey sausage patties in the air fryer and serve them with boiled eggs. Maple-flavored turkey sausages or patties with a bit of maple syrup are also a delicious option.

If you want to make a larger batch, you can cook and freeze the sausages, and then reheat them in the air fryer or microwave for a quick meal.

Frequently asked questions