How to Cook Sausage in an Air Fryer for Delicious Results

Air fryers have become an increasingly popular kitchen appliance for their ability to make foods crispy and delicious using little to no oil. One thing many home cooks love making in the air fryer is sausage! Cooking sausage in an air fryer yields impressive results – juicy, plump, perfectly browned sausages ready in just minutes.

With just a few simple tricks and tips, you can easily make restaurant-quality sausage at home in your air fryer. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about cooking sausage in an air fryer.

Benefits of Cooking Sausage in an Air Fryer

There are several advantages to using an air fryer rather than conventional cooking methods when making sausage:

• Super Fast – Sausages cook up lightning fast in the air fryer, ready in just 10-15 minutes depending on thickness. Much faster than grilling or baking.

• Perfect Texture – The circulating hot air crisps up and browns the sausage casing while keeping the interior juicy. You get that nice “snap” when you bite into it.

• Minimal Fat – Air frying uses significantly less oil compared to pan frying. The sausages still get crispy from the hot air rather than being submerged in grease.

• Hands-Off – Simply load the sausages into the air fryer basket and let it work its magic. No need to stand over a hot stove flipping and rotating.

• Versatile – Cook any type of sausage from breakfast links to bratwurst to Italian sausage The air fryer handles them all!

How to Choose Sausage for Air Frying

Nearly any type of raw or pre-cooked sausage will turn out great in the air fryer. Consider the following when selecting sausages:

• Pork, chicken, turkey, beef – All work well! Choose your favorite.

• Flavor – Sweet or spicy Italian, bratwurst, breakfast, chorizo, whatever you enjoy.

• Size – Opt for links about 1-2 inches thick for ideal air frying.

• Skin – Natural casings are best to get that signature “snap” but skinless also air fry nicely.

• Raw or pre-cooked – Either work in the air fryer! Raw sausages will take a bit longer.

Air Fryer Sausage Cooking Times

Cooking times can vary slightly depending on the size, thickness, and whether they are raw or pre-cooked but in general you can expect:

• Raw sausage – 380°F for 12-15 minutes, flip halfway

• Pre-cooked sausage – 380°F for 8-10 minutes, no flip needed

Be sure to use an instant read thermometer to confirm sausages have reached food safe minimum internal temperatures:

• Beef, pork, lamb – 160°F

• Chicken, turkey – 165°F

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cooking sausage in an air fryer is simple. Just follow these easy steps for perfect results every time:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 380°F which takes around 3 minutes.

2. Coat the sausage lightly with oil or spray. This helps promote even browning.

3. Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding.

4. Cook for halfway through the estimated cook time. Raw sausages should be flipped at the halfway point.

5. Flip and continue cooking sausages until done. Check internal temp with a meat thermometer.

6. Rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Handy Air Fryer Sausage Tips and Tricks

Take your air fried sausages to the next level with these helpful tips:

• Lightly coat the sausages with oil for an evenly browned exterior.

• Don’t overcrowd the basket. Arrange in a single layer so air circulates evenly.

• Flip raw sausages halfway during cooking for even doneness.

• Insert a meat thermometer to confirm safe internal temperature is reached.

• Let rest for 5 minutes before serving for juicier sausages.

• Line the basket with parchment paper for easier cleanup.

• Pierce any larger sausages first to prevent “exploding” while cooking.

• Preheat the air fryer before adding sausages so it’s fully heated.

• Brush on your favorite glaze during the last 2 minutes of cooking.

Fun Air Fryer Sausage Recipe Ideas

The possibilities are endless when it comes to serving up tasty air fried sausages. Here are some fun recipe ideas to try:

• Breakfast sausage + eggs + cheese breakfast sandwich

• Italian sausage + peppers + onions sheet pan meal

• Brats + pretzel buns + favorite toppings for brat sandwiches

• Sausage patties + biscuit + gravy breakfast

• Kielbasa + roasted veggies + rice bowl

• Sausage + zucchini + tomato pasta bake

• Chorizo + potatoes + peppers + onions tacos

• Maple sausage + waffles + fruit breakfast

So simple and delicious! Air frying makes whipping up these tasty sausage dishes a breeze.

Best Practices for Air Frying Sausage

Follow these best practices when cooking sausage in your air fryer for flawless results:

• Don’t overcrowd – Arrange sausages in a single layer with space between each one.

• Preheat properly – Give the air fryer 3-5 minutes to fully preheat before adding food.

• Flip halfway – Raw sausage needs to be flipped midway during cooking.

• Use thermometer – Double check internal temps for safety and doneness.

• Let rest – Allow sausages to rest 5 minutes before eating for juiciness.

• Line with parchment – Stops sticking and makes cleanup easier.

• Brush with oil – Lightly coating sausages promotes browning.

• Adjust cook times – Increase or decrease time based on thickness.

Sticking to these simple guidelines ensures tender, juicy air fried sausage every time!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Sausage in an Air Fryer

What is the best temperature to cook sausage in an air fryer?

380°F is ideal for air frying most types of sausage. This high heat helps brown and crisp the exterior casing.

How long does it take to cook raw sausage in an air fryer?

Expect raw sausage links to take 12-15 minutes in an air fryer set at 380°F. Flip them halfway during cooking.

Do you have to flip sausage when cooking in an air fryer?

Raw sausage should be flipped about halfway during cooking. Pre-cooked sausage does not need to be flipped.

Does piercing sausage help it cook better in the air fryer?

For larger sausages, piercing can help prevent “exploding” while cooking. But skip this step for average sized links.

What to do if my sausage exploded in the air fryer?

Don’t worry – it happens! Next time try piercing larger sausages first. Clean the air fryer well after any mess.

How can I keep sausage from sticking in my air fryer basket?

Lightly coating sausages in oil helps prevent sticking. Lining the basket with parchment paper also helps.

The Easiest Air Fryer Sausage Recipe

Now that you know how to cook sausage to perfection in the air fryer, here is a super simple recipe to try:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb raw Italian sausage links
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Seasoning of choice (e.g. Italian seasoning)

Instructions:

1. Toss sausage links with olive oil and preferred seasonings
2. Arrange in a single layer in air fryer basket
3. Cook at 380°F for 7 minutes
4. Flip and cook 7 minutes more until browned and 160°F internally
5. Let rest 5 minutes before serving

So easy yet so delicious! The air fryer does all the work for you.

More Delicious Air Fried Sausage Recipes to Try

Once you get the basics down, try out these more advanced and fun recipes:

• Air Fryer Maple Breakfast Sausage – The sweet maple pairs perfectly with savory sausage.

• Air Fryer Sausage Balls – An appetizer twist on classic sausage balls.

• [Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers Sheet Pan