Air Fryer Frozen Sausage Links: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Cooking frozen sausage links in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious breakfast. The air fryer will make everything much easier in the kitchen and will have your sausages ready to eat in less than 20 minutes.

To cook frozen sausage links in an air fryer, first, preheat your air fryer to 370°F (185°C) and break apart any links that are stuck together. Then, place the frozen sausage links in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook for 12 minutes, flipping them after 6 minutes. If you like your sausages extra crispy, cook them for a few more minutes.

There is no need to defrost the sausages before air frying, and you don't even need to preheat the air fryer. Simply place the sausages in a cold basket and set to cook for 12-14 minutes at 390°F (200°C) for thin sausages or 360°F (180°C) for thicker sausages.

Preheat the air fryer to 370-400°F (185-200°C)

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Not only does it help to ensure your sausages are cooked evenly, but it can also affect the taste and texture of your final product. Here's a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer to the optimal temperature range of 370-400°F (185-200°C) for cooking frozen sausage links:

Step 1: Understand the Benefits of Preheating

Before you begin, it's important to understand why preheating is necessary. The ideal temperature range for cooking frozen sausage links in an air fryer is 370-400°F (185-200°C). Preheating your air fryer to this temperature range ensures that your sausages cook evenly, inside and out. It also helps create a crispy exterior while keeping the juices locked inside, resulting in juicy, tender sausages.

Step 2: Know Your Air Fryer

Different air fryer models may have slight variations in terms of preheating functions and temperature settings. Some air fryers have a specific "preheat" function, while others may require you to manually set the temperature and wait for it to reach the desired level. Consult your air fryer's user manual to understand its specific preheating requirements.

Step 3: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Before preheating, it's a good idea to prepare your air fryer basket. Line it with parchment paper or a reusable air fryer liner. This will make cleanup easier and help prevent the sausages from sticking to the basket. If using parchment paper, remember to poke holes in it to allow for proper airflow during cooking.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Now, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set the temperature to 370-400°F (185-200°C). If your air fryer has a preheat function, select that option and wait for the indicator light to signal that the desired temperature has been reached. If not, manually set the temperature and wait for a few minutes until the air fryer reaches the set temperature.

Step 5: Monitor the Temperature

Keep an eye on the temperature gauge to ensure that your air fryer reaches and maintains the desired temperature. Depending on the model, some air fryers may automatically stop heating once the set temperature is reached, while others may continue heating, resulting in temperature fluctuations. Adjust the temperature as needed to maintain a consistent temperature within the optimal range.

Step 6: Prepare the Sausages

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your frozen sausage links. Remove them from their packaging and separate any links that are stuck together. You can also season the sausages with salt and pepper, or any other desired spices, at this stage.

Step 7: Maintain Temperature and Begin Cooking

Once your air fryer has reached the desired temperature, place the frozen sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping to ensure even cooking. Close the air fryer and maintain the temperature at 370-400°F (185-200°C) throughout the cooking process. Refer to your specific air fryer sausage recipe for cooking times, which can vary based on the thickness and type of sausages.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in achieving the best results for cooking frozen sausage links. By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, evenly cooked sausages with a perfect balance of crispiness and juiciness!

Cook for 10-12 minutes

Now that your air fryer is preheated and your frozen sausage links are in the basket, it's time to let the machine work its magic. Set the timer for 10-12 minutes.

The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages and the model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on them. You want your sausages to be cooked through, with an internal temperature of at least 160°F (74°C). If you don't have a meat thermometer, just make sure there's no pink left inside.

If you're using a basket-style air fryer, you'll want to shake the basket or flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time. This will help them cook evenly and ensure they get nice and crispy on all sides.

If your sausages are stuck together, don't worry. Just air fry them for 2-3 minutes, then open the basket and separate them before finishing the cooking process.

While you're waiting, you can start preparing the rest of your breakfast. Air fryer sausage links go well with hash browns, eggs, pancakes, and sweet breakfast options like strawberry buttermilk crepes or cinnamon rolls.

Once the sausages are done, serve them immediately. Enjoy your juicy, crispy, and hands-free breakfast!

Flip halfway through

Flipping your sausage links halfway through the cooking process is an important step in ensuring they cook evenly. By flipping them, you allow all sides of the sausages to be exposed to the hot air in the air fryer, resulting in a uniform cooking process.

When cooking frozen sausage links, it is recommended to cook them at a lower temperature initially, around 350°F (180°C), for about 5 minutes. Then, when you flip them halfway through, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes. This two-step process ensures that the sausages are cooked thoroughly without burning the exterior.

For pre-cooked frozen links, the process is slightly different. You cook them at a lower temperature of 350°F (180°C) for the entire cooking time. Flip them halfway through and cook for a total of 10 minutes.

If your sausage links are not frozen, you can cook them at 370°F (185°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This will give you evenly browned and juicy sausages.

Remember, the exact cooking times and temperatures may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer and the thickness of your sausages. Always use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the sausages reaches at least 160°F (74°C) before serving.

Check the internal temperature

Checking the internal temperature of your sausages is crucial to ensure they are cooked thoroughly and safely. The recommended internal temperature for cooked sausages is 160°F (71°C) to 165°F (74°C).

To check the internal temperature of your sausages, you can use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the centre of the sausage. Make sure it is not touching any part of the air fryer basket or tray to get an accurate reading. If you do not have a meat thermometer, you can cut into the sausage to check that it is no longer pink inside.

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of your sausages. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of your sausages to ensure they are cooked properly.

Additionally, if you are cooking a large batch of sausages, you may need to check the internal temperature of multiple sausages, as the cooking time and temperature can vary within the same batch.

Serve with a full breakfast or sweet treats

Frozen sausage links are a great option to have on hand for a quick and easy breakfast. They can be cooked straight from frozen in your air fryer with minimal prep and in under 20 minutes.

For a full breakfast, serve your air fryer frozen sausage links with a classic combination like scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and a side of buttered toast or hash browns. You could also make an omelet with bell peppers and onions, or go for biscuits and gravy—make an easy breakfast by crumbling your sausages into some sausage gravy and serving with flaky biscuits.

If you prefer a sweeter breakfast, try serving your sausages with strawberry buttermilk crepes or cinnamon rolls. You could also make French toast sticks, heart-shaped biscuit donuts, or this easy Air Fryer Apple Crisp.

For a simple breakfast, serve your sausages with a refreshing glass of orange juice, or for something more substantial, add a savory side like grits.

Frequently asked questions