The Easier, Healthier Way to Cook Sausage Patties

As a busy mom of three rambunctious boys, I’m always looking for quick and easy ways to put a filling, tasty meal on the table. Like most families, we really enjoy breakfast foods, especially on weekend mornings when we have a little extra time. Sausage patties are a regular feature in our household, but I used to dread cooking them on the stovetop. Sure, frying them in a skillet resulted in deliciously crispy edges, but it also made a splattering mess all over my cooktop! Not to mention having to stand over the pan constantly flipping each patty was time-consuming and prevented me from working on the rest of breakfast.

After one too many grease-spattered mornings I decided there had to be a better way to cook sausage patties that didn’t involve so much hands-on effort. That’s when I discovered the magic of baking sausage patties in the oven instead of frying them in a skillet. This easy cooking method produces juicy, flavorful patties with beautifully browned edges and frees me up to focus on other kitchen tasks. I’m never going back to fried sausage again!

Why Baking Sausage Patties is Better

I used to think that crispy sausage patties could only be achieved in a frying pan on the stovetop But it turns out baking them in the oven has some major advantages

• Less mess: No more dealing with grease splatters all over the stove and countertops. Baking contains the fat and juices neatly in the oven.

• More even cooking: The hot air circulates evenly around the patties, cooking them through without burning the outside. No need to constantly flip and rotate.

• Hands-off: Once the patties go in the oven, you can focus on making eggs, pancakes, etc. without having to stand over a skillet.

• Bakes a batch: The oven has room to cook a dozen or more patties at once. Much easier for feeding a crowd!

• Better flavor: The patties develop a beautifully caramelized crust all over in the dry oven heat.

• Healthier: Baking instead of frying reduces the amount of fat absorbed in each patty.

Clearly, baking sausage patties is the way to go! The oven does all the work for you with even better results.

Step-by-Step Guide to Baking Sausage Patties

Baking sausage patties at home is so easy, anyone can do it! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare the Baking Sheet

Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or foil. The rimmed pan will catch any fats and juices that drip out during cooking. The lining prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Alternatively, you can spray the baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray before adding the patties.

2. Shape the Sausage Meat

If using links or sausage meat, divide and shape into patties. Make them whatever size you prefer. I like to shape mine into 3-inch rounds that are 1⁄2 inch thick, but small slider-size patties work too.

Tip: Press a dimple into the center of each raw patty before baking. This prevents them from puffing up and keeps the edges flat.

3. Arrange on the Sheet

Place the sausage patties on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart so they aren’t touching. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each one.

4. Bake

Bake the patties in a 400°F preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They’re ready when cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

For extra crispy edges, broil them for the last 1-2 minutes of baking time. Keep an eye on them when broiling to avoid burning.

Cooking Frozen Sausage Patties in the Oven

You can use this same oven-baking method to cook frozen sausage patties without thawing them first. The cooking process is the same, but frozen patties take a little longer in the oven:

• Place the frozen patties in a single layer on a baking sheet prepared with parchment paper or non-stick spray.

• Bake at 400°F for approximately 23-25 minutes, flipping over halfway through.

• Check the internal temperature to confirm they reached 160°F.

• Broil for 1 minute at the end for crispy edges if desired.

The frozen patties won’t get as brown and crispy on the outside since any surface moisture will steam instead of evaporating. But they still come out fully cooked on the inside!

More Tips for Perfect Oven-Baked Sausage Patties

• Use leaner turkey or chicken sausage instead of pork sausage to reduce the fat content. They may cook a little more quickly than pork.

• Add spices and seasonings to plain sausage meat before shaping into patties. Try sage, thyme, garlic powder, or fennel seed.

• Cook homemade sausage patties for 2-3 minutes longer than storebought since they tend to be thicker.

• Store cooked leftover patties in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, or freeze them for longer storage. Reheat frozen patties in the microwave or oven.

• Patties can stick if the oven temperature is too low. Raise it 25 degrees higher for a crispier crust.

• Brush patties lightly with oil or melted butter before baking for enhanced browning.

• Any type of oven-safe pan will work, like cast iron skillets or metal baking pans.

More Quick & Easy Sausage Recipes

Now that you know how to perfectly bake sausage patties, here are a few of my favorite recipes that feature everyone’s favorite breakfast meat:

Sausage Gravy and Biscuits – Made with my baked sausage patties instead of fried, this southern classic is still comfort food perfection. The rich, creamy gravy takes it over the top.

Breakfast Pizzas – I top refrigerated biscuit dough with baked sausage patties, scrambled eggs, cheese and veggies for a fun brunch twist.

Loaded Breakfast Potatoes – Crispy cubed potatoes, sausage, peppers, onions, cheese and eggs baked together in one skillet.

Sausage Balls – For parties, I shape the cooked sausage into bite-size balls, skewer them, and glaze with barbecue sauce. Always a crowd pleaser!