Air-Fryer Sausage Links: A Quick, Tasty Breakfast Treat

Cooking sausage links in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and convenient way to prepare a tasty breakfast. It's also healthier than traditional frying methods, as it requires less oil and produces less grease. The air fryer's circulating hot air ensures even cooking and a desirable level of crispiness, making it a great hands-free option for busy mornings.

Preheat the air fryer to 380-400°F

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the cooking process. By preheating your air fryer to 380-400°F, you create the ideal temperature for achieving that desirable crispy skin on your sausage links. This step ensures that your sausages cook evenly, resulting in a consistent texture and appealing appearance.

The preheating time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it's always a good idea to refer to your appliance's instructions. However, as a general guideline, you should aim for a preheating time of around 2 minutes at this temperature range.

Once your air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can proceed to the next step of arranging the sausage links in the air fryer basket. Remember to place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't touch each other. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate freely, cooking the sausages evenly and preventing them from sticking together.

After preheating and arranging the sausages, you'll move on to the cooking process, which involves cooking the sausages for a specified duration and flipping them halfway through for even browning. The exact cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausage links and your air fryer model.

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to enjoying delicious, evenly cooked sausage links with a crispy exterior and juicy interior—all thanks to the magic of your air fryer and the important step of preheating it to the right temperature.

Cook for 8-12 minutes

Cooking sausage links in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your sausage links, but generally, you'll want to cook them for 8-12 minutes at a temperature of 375-400°F. If you're using frozen sausage links, you may need to adjust the temperature and cooking time slightly. For uncooked frozen links, cook them at 350°F for 5 minutes, then increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for an additional 7-8 minutes. For precooked frozen links, cook them at 350°F for 10 minutes.

When cooking sausage links in an air fryer, it's important to ensure that they are in a single layer and not overlapping. This allows the hot air to circulate freely and cook the sausages evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sausages in batches. It's also a good idea to shake the basket or flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

To check if your sausages are cooked, look for a brown exterior and use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 160°F. The sausages should be juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.

Flip halfway through

Flipping your sausage links halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure your sausages brown evenly on all sides and don't stick to the basket. This is especially important if you're cooking thicker sausages, as they may need more time in the air fryer to reach the desired level of doneness.

When flipping your sausages, you can either use tongs or simply give the air fryer basket a quick shake to turn them over. This will help you achieve that perfect, crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

For fresh, refrigerated sausage links, it is recommended to cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, flip them, and then cook for an additional 5 minutes. This two-step cooking process ensures that the sausages are cooked through properly.

If you're cooking uncooked frozen links, you'll need to cook them at two different temperatures. Start by cooking them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, then flip them and increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes. This gradual increase in temperature ensures that the sausages are thoroughly cooked without drying out.

For precooked frozen links, the process is similar to that of fresh links. Cook them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

No matter which type of sausage links you're cooking, flipping them halfway through ensures even cooking and browning. This simple step will help you achieve the perfect air-fried sausage links every time!

Cook from frozen

If you're cooking from frozen, you can cook your sausages directly from frozen—no need to defrost them first. If your sausages are frozen together, air fry them for 2-3 minutes, then separate them and continue cooking.

For uncooked frozen sausages, cook at two different temperatures. Start by cooking at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes, then flip them and cook for 7-8 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. The sausages should be cooked until they reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

For precooked frozen sausages, cook at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

If you're cooking frozen breakfast sausages, cook at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

No oil or cooking spray needed

How to Make Sausage Links in an Air Fryer: No Oil or Cooking Spray Needed!

Air fryers are a great way to cook sausage links, and the best part is that you don't need any oil or cooking spray! The air fryer's circulating hot air will cook the sausages evenly, giving them a delicious crispy exterior while remaining juicy on the inside. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfect sausage links:

Step 1: Prepare the Sausages

Start with fresh or thawed sausage links. You can use any variety of sausage you like, such as pork, beef, chicken, or even vegetarian options. If you're using raw sausages, remove them from their packaging and pat them dry with a paper towel. This step helps ensure that the sausages don't release too much moisture during cooking, which can lead to sogginess.

Step 2: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). This temperature is ideal for cooking sausage links, as it will give them a nice browning and crispiness without drying them out. Most air fryers will take just a few minutes to preheat.

Step 3: Place Sausages in the Air Fryer

Carefully place the sausages in the air fryer basket or rack. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overcrowded. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the sausages in batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Cook the Sausages

Air fry the sausages for 10 to 12 minutes at 400°F. For thicker sausages or those that are frozen, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. There's no need to flip the sausages halfway through, as the air fryer cooks food on all sides evenly.

Step 5: Check Doneness and Serve

To ensure the sausages are cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Sausages are considered safe to eat when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Once they're done to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy, perfectly cooked sausage links!

Tips for Success:

• For extra flavor, try seasoning the sausages with your favorite dry rub or marinade before placing them in the air fryer.
• If you're cooking frozen sausages, increase the cooking time by a few minutes and ensure they reach the recommended internal temperature.
• Always refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions and guidelines regarding temperature and cooking times.

Frequently asked questions