Air frying is the easiest, most fool-proof way to get sausages that are brown and crispy on the outside and moist and juicy on the inside. Say goodbye to the stove, grill, or the oven. When it comes to cooking sausages, at least. I am not exaggerating when I say it really is the best cooking method. With the air fryer, you’ll get perfectly-cooked sausages in no time, every single time. It’ll only take you 20 minutes from start to finish! It’s the perfect breakfast option for extra hectic mornings. Ready? Let’s get air frying!
Air Fryer Sausage
With the air fryer, you are guaranteed crispy and juicy sausages 100% of the time. It doesn’t matter what type or size of sausage it is. Thick or thin, sweet, savory, or spicy – they’ll all turn out amazing. Here’s more: the air fryer doesn’t require oil, so these sausages are low-carb, gluten-free, and keto-friendly! It can’t get any better than this.
How Do You Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer?
Start by preheating your air fryer, if yours requires it. Mine takes about 3 minutes to preheat. After that, it’s ready to go! Since you’ll work with thick Italian sausages, you’ll want to pierce the casings to help the fat escape faster. Three pokes with a knife will do. Once the air fryer is set, place a piece of parchment paper at the bottom of the basket. This will absorb all the grease that will drip off the sausages. Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the basket. Be sure the sausages don’t touch or overlap. Otherwise, they won’t cook evenly. Air fry the sausages for 9 to 12 minutes. There’s no need to flip them over mid-way, as they’ll be nice and brown even if you don’t. To test for doneness, stick a meat thermometer into the center of the sausages. Their internal temperature should at least be 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat, resulting in moist and juicy sausages.
How Long to Cook Sausages in the Air Fryer
The length of cooking depends on the size of the sausages and how powerful your air fryer is. But on average, it takes about 9 to 12 minutes to air fry sausages. For breakfast sausages, around 8 to 10 minutes will do. You also don’t have to pierce the casings beforehand for these thin sausages. Italian sausages need somewhere between 9 to 12 minutes. Since they’re thicker, poking them will help cook them faster. The same is true for other thick sausages, such as bratwurst and kielbasa. For pre-cooked sausages that only need a bit of heating through, 4 to 5 minutes is enough. For fully-cooked sausages links, such as wieners and chicken sausages, just give them 5 to 7 minutes to give them color. There’s no need to flip the sausages over. They cook rather quickly compared to other processed goods, so they’ll be nice and brown even if you don’t shake the basket halfway through.
Can I Air Fry Frozen Sausages?
For sure! Simply cook them for 3 to 4 minutes longer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness. They’re ready when the internal temperature reads 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tips for the Best Sausages
This recipe works with any type of sausage. You can stick to one kind, or try as many as you like! Just be sure to cook sausages of the same size to guarantee even cooking.Sausages have a high fat content, which means they’ll release grease as they cook. You’ll need something to catch this grease, otherwise, the drippings will evaporate and turn into smoke.
Placing a sheet of air fryer-safe parchment paper at the bottom of the basket will keep this from happening. Do not use aluminum foil, as it’s prone to smoking. I’ve read that others like to put a tablespoon of water or a piece of stale bread at the bottom of the basket to absorb excess grease. I’ve never tried it, but if it works for you, let me know in the comments section down below.
Check if your air fryer requires preheating. Mine does, so I allot about 3 minutes for it to preheat. Other models, on the other hand, have the preheat built into the cooking time. Do not overcrowd the basket. There needs to be enough space for the air to circulate through the basket to ensure even cooking.
My air fryer can hold 6 sausages without touching. If yours can’t, just cook them in 2 batches. It will only take a few extra minutes.
If it’s your first time cooking sausages in the air fryer, monitor them towards the last few minutes of cooking. Air fryers vary from one to another, which means the length of cooking won’t exactly be the same for all.Sometimes, even if the sausages look cooked through, they’re not. The most accurate way to test for doneness is by using a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 160 degrees, otherwise, it’s not yet safe for eating. Want extra crispy sausages? Just air fry them for an extra 1 to 2 minutes.Sausages taste great with sliced onions and bell peppers. If there’s still space, add them to the basket, and they’ll cook in the same amount of time as the sausages.Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes before you serve. This will allow the juices in the sausages to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in extra moist and juicy treats.
What to Serve with Air Fryer Sausage
For a hearty meal, pair your sausage with carb-loaded sides. You can’t go wrong with mashed potatoes and mac and cheese. For a light dinner, opt for either crunchy coleslaw or a creamy fruit salad. Looking for more ideas? Check out these 10 irresistible side dishes to serve with sausage!
More Air Fryer Recipes For You to Try
Air Fryer DumplingsAir Fryer BiscuitsAir Fryer RibsAir Fryer Desserts
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