Air-Fried Chicken Sausage: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

tender and juicy on the inside. You can use any flavour of chicken sausage and serve it with a variety of sides, such as vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or salad.

Choosing the right chicken sausage brand

• Nutritional Value: Look for brands that offer sausages with good nutritional profiles. Some brands, like Aidells, Applegate, and Alfresco, provide sausages with minimal processing, no added fillers or antibiotics, and a good balance of protein and calories.
• Variety of Flavors: Opt for brands that offer a wide range of flavors to suit different meal preferences and types. For example, Applegate's chicken apple sausage offers a sweet and savory option, while Alfresco has unique flavors like spinach feta and pineapple bacon.
• Accessibility: Choose a brand that is easily accessible and available at your local grocery stores. This ensures convenience and the ability to incorporate chicken sausages into your regular meal routine.
• Size and Quantity: Consider the size and quantity of sausages offered by the brand. Some brands provide larger sausages or allow you to cook multiple packages at once, which is great for feeding a larger group or meal prepping.
• Personal Taste and Preferences: Everyone's taste buds are different, so be sure to read reviews and, if possible, try different brands to find the one that suits your taste preferences. Some people prefer a sweeter sausage, like the chicken and apple flavor, while others might opt for more unique combinations.
• Quality and Ingredients: Prioritize brands that use high-quality, recognizable ingredients. Check the ingredient list to ensure they align with your dietary preferences and requirements.

By considering these factors, you can choose the right chicken sausage brand for your air fryer, ensuring a tasty, nutritious, and convenient addition to your meals.

Pre-heating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your sausages will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a step-by-step guide to preheating your air fryer for cooking chicken sausages:

Firstly, ensure that your air fryer is switched on and plugged into a power source. Adjust the temperature dial or settings to reach the desired temperature. For cooking chicken sausages, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to around 370°F to 400°F. This temperature range will allow you to achieve a balance between browning the sausages and cooking them thoroughly.

Next, allow your air fryer to heat up for approximately 5 minutes. This duration may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer, so refer to your product manual for specific instructions. During this time, the heating element inside the air fryer will reach the set temperature, ensuring that your sausages will cook evenly.

Once the preheating time has elapsed, carefully open the air fryer basket and place your chicken sausages inside. It is important to ensure that the sausages are in a single layer and not overlapping, as this allows hot air to circulate effectively. Close the air fryer basket and continue cooking for the recommended time, typically around 8-12 minutes for chicken sausages.

By preheating your air fryer, you create a consistent cooking environment, reducing the risk of undercooked or unevenly cooked sausages. This step is especially important if you are cooking chicken, as it helps ensure that the sausages reach a safe internal temperature, eliminating the risk of foodborne illnesses.

Additionally, preheating your air fryer can help improve the texture and appearance of your chicken sausages. The initial high temperature can create a crispy, golden exterior while maintaining a juicy and tender interior. This technique is ideal for achieving that perfect sausage texture and enhancing the overall presentation of your dish.

In summary, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step that ensures even cooking, food safety, and optimal texture and appearance of your chicken sausages. By following the recommended preheating instructions, you can achieve delicious and safely cooked sausages every time.

Placing the sausages in the air fryer

When placing the sausages in the air fryer, follow these steps:

• Preheat your air fryer: While some air fryers may not have a preheat setting, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking. If your air fryer does not have a preheat function, you can run it at the desired temperature (370-400°F) for 2-5 minutes before adding the sausages.
• Arrange the sausages in a single layer: Place the chicken sausages in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer and not stacked on top of each other. This arrangement allows for even cooking and browning.
• Space out the sausages: Leave some space between each sausage to promote even cooking. Overcrowding the basket can lead to uneven results, so give the sausages room to cook properly.
• Spray the sausages with oil: Lightly coat the sausages with olive oil or cooking spray. This step is optional but helps to achieve a crispy skin.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to perfectly cooked chicken sausages in your air fryer. Remember to refer to the specific cooking instructions for your chosen recipe, as cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the sausages and the model of your air fryer.

Cooking time and temperature

The cooking time and temperature for chicken sausages in the air fryer will vary slightly depending on whether the sausages are precooked or raw, and whether they are frozen.

For precooked chicken sausages, the air fryer should be set to between 370°F and 400°F. The sausages should be cooked for 8-10 minutes, flipping them over halfway through the cooking time. The internal temperature should be at least 165°F.

For raw chicken sausages, the air fryer should be set to 375°F and the sausages should be cooked for 12-15 minutes, again flipping them over halfway through. The internal temperature should be 165°F.

If the sausages are frozen, the cooking time will be the same as for raw sausages, but the temperature should be increased to 400°F.

It's important to note that air fryer models can vary, and some units cook hotter than others, so it's a good idea to adjust the time and temperature as needed. Checking the internal temperature of the sausages with a meat thermometer is a good way to ensure they are cooked through.

Serving suggestions

Chicken sausages cooked in an air fryer are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Salad Topper

Slice the chickens sausages and throw them on top of your favourite salad. They go well with a chopped grinder salad or a Mediterranean chopped salad.

Pasta

Pair the sausages with your favourite pasta and sauce. You can also add a side of cheesy garlic bread and roasted broccoli.

Simple Meal

Choose your favourite flavour of chicken sausage and pair it with some simple side dishes for a quick meal on a busy weeknight. Honey garlic green beans and air fryer sweet potato cubes are great options.

Greek Bowl

Depending on the flavour of the chicken sausage, you can add it to a Greek-inspired bowl with roasted veggies, hummus, and tzatziki.

Breakfast

Serve the chicken sausages with cinnamon rolls, jammy eggs, and fresh fruit for a well-rounded breakfast.

Refrigerator Clean-Out

Chop up leftover sausages and throw them in a stir fry with zucchini, bell peppers, cauliflower rice, white rice, marinara, and cheese.

Pizza

Top your pizza with chicken sausages instead of the classic meatballs or pepperoni.

With Veggies and Potatoes

Slice the chicken sausages and serve them with vegetables and potatoes of your choice, along with a creamy dijon sauce. You can also add a side of sweet potatoes, a simple green salad, or roasted veggies.

Frequently asked questions