Transform your meal prep with the ultimate guide to cooking delicious, perfectly crisp, and incredibly juicy sausages in your air fryer. Say goodbye to greasy stovetops and unevenly cooked links; the air fryer offers a hands-off, super-quick method that yields consistently excellent results every single time. Whether you’re craving savory Italian sausage, classic bratwurst, or a quick breakfast link, this technique simplifies the process, making it a favorite for busy weeknights and relaxed weekend brunches alike. Get ready to discover a hassle-free way to achieve restaurant-quality sausages right in your own kitchen.
Why the Air Fryer is Your New Best Friend for Sausages
If you haven’t tried cooking sausages in an air fryer yet, prepare to be amazed. This method is a game-changer for several compelling reasons:
Effortless & Hands-Free Cooking
Gone are the days of constant flipping, monitoring, and shielding yourself from splattering grease over a hot stovetop. The air fryer takes the hard work out of cooking sausages. Simply arrange your links in the basket, set the timer, and let the appliance do its magic. You’ll only need to flip them once halfway through, freeing you up to prepare side dishes or simply relax.
Consistently Perfect Results
Achieving that ideal balance of crispy skin and a tender, juicy interior can be tricky with traditional cooking methods. Slight variations in pan temperature or cooking time can lead to burnt exteriors and undercooked centers, or dry, chewy sausages. The air fryer, however, provides consistent, circulating heat that cooks sausages evenly. The result? A beautifully browned, crisp casing that locks in all the succulent juices, creating a truly irresistible bite every single time.
Lightning-Fast Meals
In less than 20 minutes, you can have perfectly cooked sausages ready to be devoured. This makes the air fryer an invaluable tool for quick lunches, hurried weeknight dinners, or when unexpected guests drop by. From fridge to fork, the speed and efficiency are unmatched, allowing you to enjoy delicious, homemade meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
Healthier Cooking Option
The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook food, mimicking the effects of deep frying with significantly less oil. As sausages naturally render fat during cooking, the air fryer’s basket design allows excess grease to drip away, resulting in a less fatty, yet equally flavorful, final product compared to pan-frying.
Key Ingredient: Choosing Your Sausages
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. Link sausages are virtually the only ingredient you need! This versatile air frying method works wonderfully with a wide variety of sausage types, allowing you to customize your meal to your preference. Here’s what to consider:
Pork Sausages: Classic choices like Italian sausage (sweet, mild, or hot) and bratwurst are incredibly popular for air frying. Their fat content helps them crisp up beautifully and stay juicy.
Chicken or Turkey Sausages: For a leaner option, chicken or turkey sausages are excellent. Be mindful that they might cook slightly faster and have less rendered fat, so keep an eye on them to prevent drying out.
Breakfast Sausages: Smaller breakfast links are perfect for a speedy morning meal and will cook more quickly than their larger counterparts.
Specialty Sausages: Don’t hesitate to experiment with gourmet or artisanal sausages. From apple chicken sausage to chorizo links, the air fryer can handle them all.
Dietary Considerations: If you’re following a specific diet, such as Whole30, always ensure your chosen sausages are compliant. Read labels carefully to check for added sugars, preservatives, or non-compliant ingredients.
Regardless of your choice, aim for raw, uncooked link sausages for the best results. Pre-cooked sausages can also be reheated and crisped in the air fryer, but the cooking times will differ.
Expert Tips for Flawless Air Fryer Sausages
To ensure your air fryer sausages turn out perfectly every time, keep these essential tips in mind:
Do Not Overcrowd the Basket
One of the most crucial tips for air frying success is to ensure proper air circulation. Sausages should always be laid in a single, even layer, without touching or overlapping. If your air fryer basket is smaller or you’re cooking a larger batch, work in batches if necessary. Any spot where air can’t circulate freely will result in an uncooked or unevenly cooked portion. Adequate space allows the hot air to envelop each sausage, promoting that desirable crisp exterior.
Resist Piercing the Sausage Skins
It might be tempting to prick the sausage skins to release fat, but resist the urge! The natural casing acts as a protective barrier, holding in all the delicious juices and moisture. Piercing the skin allows these valuable juices to escape during cooking, leading to a drier, less flavorful sausage. Trust the air fryer to cook them perfectly without intervention.
Preheating Your Air Fryer is Key
Just like an oven, preheating your air fryer is vital for achieving optimal results. A preheated air fryer ensures that the sausages start cooking immediately at the correct temperature, leading to a better sear and more even cooking. Most air fryers only take a few minutes to preheat, making it an easy step to incorporate into your routine.
Managing Potential Smoke
Sausages are naturally high in fat, and sometimes, dripping fat can cause a bit of smoke, especially with fattier varieties. If you encounter this, there are a couple of simple solutions:
- Place a piece of air-fryer-specific parchment paper at the bottom of the basket, directly under the sausages, to catch the drips.
- Add a small amount of water (about 1-2 tablespoons) to the very bottom drawer of your air fryer (beneath the basket) to help dissipate smoke caused by fat hitting the hot surface. Ensure the water is in the drawer, not directly in the cooking basket.
Monitor and Adjust Cooking Times
While general guidelines are provided, air fryers can vary significantly in their heating elements and fan power. The first time you make sausages in your specific air fryer, keep a close eye on them. This will help you determine the exact cook time that works best for your appliance, ensuring consistently perfect results in the future.
Always Check for Doneness
Food safety is paramount. For pork sausages, always ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 160° Fahrenheit (71° Celsius). For chicken or turkey sausages, the safe internal temperature is 165° Fahrenheit (74° Celsius). Use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the sausage to confirm doneness.
Don’t Forget to Flip
Even though the air fryer circulates heat, a single flip halfway through the cooking process helps ensure all sides of the sausage achieve that beautiful, even browning and crispness. Use tongs for easy and safe handling.
Delicious Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Sausages
Once your air fryer sausages are perfectly cooked, the possibilities for serving them are endless. They are incredibly versatile and pair well with a multitude of dishes:
Classic Buns: Serve them in a toasted bun with your favorite toppings like caramelized onions, peppers, sauerkraut, mustard, or relish for a quick and satisfying meal.
Hearty Breakfast: Pair breakfast links with scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes (also great in the air fryer!), and a side of toast for a complete morning feast.
Pasta Perfection: Slice cooked Italian sausages and toss them with your favorite pasta and a rich marinara or creamy Alfredo sauce. Add some sautéed vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
Sheet Pan Dinner: For an easy weeknight meal, air fry your sausages alongside chopped bell peppers, onions, and potatoes. A complete meal cooked in one appliance!
Salad Topper: Slice the sausages and add them to a fresh green salad for a protein-packed and flavorful lunch.
Comforting Sides: Enjoy them with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or a simple green bean casserole.
Appetizer Skewers: Cut into bite-sized pieces and skewer with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella balls for a party-friendly appetizer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Frying Sausages
Here are answers to some common questions you might have about making sausages in your air fryer:
Can I cook frozen sausages in the air fryer?
Yes, absolutely! The air fryer is excellent for cooking frozen sausages. You’ll simply need to increase the cooking time by about 5-8 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausages. Follow the same principles of not overcrowding the basket and flipping halfway through. Always check the internal temperature to ensure they are fully cooked.
Do I need to add oil to the air fryer?
For most raw link sausages, you do not need to add any oil. Sausages contain enough natural fat that renders out during cooking, which helps to crisp the skin. If you are cooking very lean chicken or turkey sausages, a very light spray of oil (non-aerosol recommended) can help with browning, but it’s often not necessary.
My sausages are smoking; what should I do?
As mentioned in our tips, smoking is usually due to fat dripping onto the hot heating element. Try adding a piece of air fryer parchment paper to the bottom of the basket or a tablespoon or two of water to the bottom drawer of your air fryer to catch drips and prevent smoke.
How do I store leftover cooked sausages?
Allow cooked sausages to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can easily reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes until warmed through and re-crisped.
Can I cook different types of sausages together?
It’s best to cook sausages of similar size and fat content together to ensure even cooking. If you’re cooking different types, be aware that cooking times might vary. It’s always safest to check the internal temperature of each type.
Sausage in the Air Fryer
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 14 minutes
Total Time: 19 minutes
Cooking sausage in the air fryer is our favorite way to get Italian sausage or bratwurst on the table! Hands off and super quick, the air fryer cooks sausage beautifully, with a perfect crisp skin.
Print Recipe
Yields: 5 servings
Ingredients
- 5 sausage links (e.g., Italian sausage or bratwurst, approximately 18 ounces total)
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
- Instant-read meat thermometer (optional, but highly recommended)
Instructions
Preheat your air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit (188° Celsius). Once preheated, arrange the sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Ensure they are not touching or overlapping to allow for optimal air circulation.
Raw sausages perfectly spaced for air frying. Return the basket to the air fryer. Cook for 13 minutes for a softer skin or 14 minutes for a beautifully browned and crisp exterior. Midway through the cooking time (around 6-7 minutes), carefully use tongs to flip the sausages to ensure even browning on all sides.
The final product: perfectly cooked sausages, ready to enjoy. For pork sausages, ensure an internal temperature of at least 160°F (71°C) with an instant-read thermometer. For chicken or turkey sausages, ensure 165°F (74°C).
Notes
This recipe yields approximately 5 cooked sausages. Nutritional values provided below reflect information for 1 serving, or 1 cooked sausage. Please note that macros may vary slightly depending on the specific brand and type of sausages used. For best accuracy, calculate based on your ingredients.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 sausage | Calories: 388kcal | Protein: 16g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Total Carbs: 1g | Net Carbs: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 283mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. The result will be the weight of one serving.
More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love
If you’re now convinced of the air fryer’s magic, here are more fantastic recipes to try:
- Air Fryer Popcorn
- Frozen Egg Rolls in the Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Frozen French Fries
- Air Fryer Cauliflower with Lemon-Garlic Aioli
- How to Reheat Pizza in an Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Fish Sticks
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo Sauce
- Frozen Biscuits in Air Fryer
- Sliced Potatoes in the Air Fryer (with an Irresistible Creamy Herb Sauce)
Embrace the air fryer for its convenience, speed, and ability to deliver consistently perfect results. Whether you’re making Italian sausages for a hearty dinner or bratwurst for a game-day feast, this method ensures juicy interiors and wonderfully crisp exteriors every time. Happy air frying!