Air Fryer Sausage: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-off method that results in evenly cooked, juicy, and golden-brown sausages. This technique works for any type of sausage, including Italian sausage, bratwurst, breakfast sausage, and more. The air fryer eliminates the need for constant monitoring and flipping, as the sausages cook to perfection without the hassle of grease splattering all over your stovetop.

Preheat your air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is the first step to achieving that mouth-watering, crispy, brown exterior and juicy interior for your sausages. While some recipes don't require preheating, doing so ensures your sausages cook evenly and efficiently. Here's a comprehensive guide to preheating your air fryer for the best results:

Temperature and Timing

Arranging the Sausages

While your air fryer is preheating, prepare your sausages by poking holes in the casings or leaving them whole, depending on your preference. Then, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure they don't overlap to allow for even cooking. If you have thicker sausages, such as bratwursts or Italian sausages, place them in a single layer with enough space around each sausage. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, you might need to cook them in batches.

Oil and Seasoning

Before placing the sausages in the air fryer, consider spraying the basket with a light coating of cooking oil, such as avocado oil or olive oil. This step is optional but can help prevent sticking and promote even browning. Additionally, you can season your sausages with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, or Italian seasoning to enhance their flavour.

Cooking Process

Once your air fryer has preheated to the desired temperature, it's time to place the sausages inside and let the cooking begin! Depending on the thickness of your sausages and your desired level of doneness, the cooking time will vary. For thinner sausages, such as breakfast sausages, aim for 8-10 minutes. Thicker options like bratwursts or Italian sausages may take 9-12 minutes. Remember to flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

Prepare the sausages

Step 1: Choose your sausages

First, choose your favourite sausages. Any type of sausage will work—from Italian to bratwurst to breakfast sausages—and they can be frozen or fresh. If your sausages are frozen, you can either defrost them or cook them straight from frozen. Just be aware that cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages.

Step 2: Prepare the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 360°F and 400°F. If you're worried about your air fryer smoking, try placing a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the basket to catch any drippings. You can also spray the basket with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Prepare the sausages for cooking

Arrange your sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping or touching. If you have a lot of sausages, you may need to cook them in batches. For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily.

Step 4: Cook the sausages

Cook the sausages for 8-12 minutes, or until they are well-browned on the outside and have an internal temperature of 160°F. If you are using fully cooked sausages, you don't need to worry about the internal temperature—just cook them until they reach your desired colour. Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time for an even cook.

Cook the sausages

To cook sausages in an air fryer, start by poking holes in the sausages with a paring knife or a fork. This allows the fat to escape from the casing. If you are using frozen sausages, you can either defrost them or cook them straight from frozen.

Next, arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook until they are well-browned on the outside and cooked through on the inside. Depending on the thickness of the sausages, this should take around 8-12 minutes. You can also cook sausages at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you are using fully cooked sausages, you do not need to poke holes in the casings. Simply place them in the air fryer basket and cook until they are heated through and browned. This should take around 5-7 minutes at 400°F.

For extra crispy sausages, you can cook them at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Add toppings

Once you've cooked your sausages in the air fryer, it's time to add toppings and serve them up. Here are some ideas for serving your air fryer sausages with a variety of toppings and sides:

Sandwiches and Buns

A popular way to serve sausages is in a bun or sandwich. You can serve your air fryer sausages in gluten-free hot dog buns or hoagie rolls, topped with bell peppers and onions. You could also add mustard and sauerkraut (homemade red cabbage kraut is recommended).

With Vegetables

You can serve your air fryer sausages with roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. For a more summery option, you could serve them with sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic, with a side of rice.

With Pasta

Sausages go well with pasta. You could serve them with marinara or pesto sauce and your favourite type of pasta. Alternatively, you could cut up the sausages and simmer them in the pasta sauce.

Keto Options

If you're looking for keto options, you can serve your air fryer sausages with keto sides like cauliflower mash and roasted vegetables.

Breakfast Options

If you're cooking breakfast sausages, you could serve them with eggs, such as in an omelette or with air fryer French toast sticks.

Seasoning

You can season your sausages to suit the dish you're serving them with. Suggested seasonings include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.

Other Sides

Other sides that go well with air fryer sausages include frozen broccoli, okra, mushrooms, and eggplant fries.

Serve

Once your sausages are cooked, you can serve them in a variety of ways. Here are some ideas:

• In a bun with mustard and kraut (but not ketchup!)
• With sautéed peppers, onions, and garlic, served with rice
• Sliced and served over pasta
• With pesto spaghetti squash, red lentil pasta, or cauliflower gnocchi
• Alongside easy air-fried frozen broccoli, okra, or mushrooms
• In a sausage and peppers sandwich
• Over rice with peppers and onions
• In an omelet
• Simmered in pasta sauce
• Simply cut up with a fork and knife
• With roasted peppers and onions, potatoes, or pasta with a cream sauce
• In buns or on their own

Frequently asked questions