How Long to Cook Sausage in an Air Fryer for Perfectly Crispy Results

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances for making quick, delicious meals with less oil and fat. Their ability to cook food fast using super heated air makes them the perfect tool for cooking sausages until browned and sizzling But how long should you cook sausages in an air fryer? Here’s a complete guide to cooking times so your sausages turn out perfectly crispy every time

Factors That Affect Air Fryer Sausage Cook Times

Several things impact how long sausages take to cook in an air fryer:

• Type of sausage – Fresh, fully cooked or raw sausage links vary in required cook time Pre-cooked and thinner sausages cook faster

• Size and thickness – Smaller or thinner sausages cook faster than large, thick sausages

• Quantity – Cooking sausages in batches provides more airflow for even cooking. Overcrowding lengthens cook time.

• Air fryer wattage – Higher wattage air fryers heat up faster and cook quicker. Lower wattage units require longer cook times.

• Doneness – Cook times vary based on desired doneness from just heated through to crispy browned exterior.

Keep these factors in mind when determining how long to cook sausages in your particular air fryer.

Recommended Air Fryer Sausage Cook Times

Fresh Breakfast Sausage Links or Patties

• 350°F for 7-9 minutes – Turn sausages halfway through cooking.

Fully Cooked Breakfast Sausage Links

• 350°F for 4-6 minutes – No need to flip. Just heat until warm and browned.

Raw Sausage Links or Patties (Bratwurst, Italian, etc)

• 400°F for 8-12 minutes – Flip sausages halfway through cooking. May need to cook up to 14 minutes for thicker sausages.

Pre-cooked Chicken or Turkey Sausage Links

• 370°F for 4-6 minutes – Flip halfway through. Cook just until heated through.

Tips for Cooking Sausages in an Air Fryer

Follow these tips for ensuring your sausages turn out perfectly when cooking in an air fryer:

• Use a digital food thermometer to check internal temp. Fresh sausage should reach 160°F.

• Cut large sausage links in half so they lay flat in air fryer basket.

• Coat sausages lightly in oil to promote browning.

• Cook sausages in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding.

• Shake basket or flip sausages halfway during cooking.

• Let sausages rest 1-2 minutes before serving.

• Adjust cook times based on your air fryer wattage and thickness of sausages.

• For spicier sausage flavor, add seasoning like garlic powder, paprika or cayenne before air frying.

Sample Air Fryer Sausage Recipes

Here are a couple delicious sampler recipes for cooking sausage in an air fryer:

Easy Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh breakfast sausage links
• 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut sausage links in half if large.
2. Add sausage to air fryer basket lightly coated in oil. Sprinkle with desired seasonings.
3. Air fry at 350°F for 7-9 minutes until browned, flipping halfway.
4. Let rest 1 minute before serving.

Air Fryer Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions

Makes 4 servings

Ingredients:

• 1 lb raw Italian sausage links
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 yellow onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Cut sausage links into thirds. Combine in bowl with vegetables and olive oil.
2. Air fry at 400°F for 9-11 minutes until sausage is fully cooked. Shake basket halfway.
3. Serve sausages and veggies over cooked pasta or zucchini noodles.

So there you have it! With the right cook times and a few simple tips, you can easily make quick and tasty sausages in your air fryer. Adjust times as needed to get your preferred level of doneness. Enjoy your crispy, savory air fried sausages!