Air Fryer Sausage
Jul 28, 2020, Updated Oct 16, 2023
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Air fryer sausage cooks quick and is an easy recipe that requires little clean-up. Use your favorite brat or Italian sausage for a delicious meal.
Sausage is very versatile and can be served with vegetables, pasta, in a bun and more. It can also be cooked with vegetables and shrimp like in the air fryer shrimp and sausage meal.
Air frying has quickly become one of my favorite cooking methods. We love using it for easy dinners like air fryer grilled cheese, and rotisserie chicken. Everything cooks up fast and always tastes fantastic.
These machines are also very user friendly, even my kids love cooking with air fryers.
Why this recipe works
- Sausage in the air fryer is an easy meal and main dish that goes well with many side dishes. Crisp on the outside and tender and juice on the inside.
- Cooks up fast and browns evenly. It’s basically a hands-free way to cook sausage and it turns out perfect every time. I love that you don’t have to stand at the stove to watch and flip them.
- Great for people following Keto and low-carb lifestyles.
- Great to use for meal prep for the week.
Ingredients
All you need is a package of uncooked sausage. No need for extra oil or seasonings.
- Sausage: We used Italian sausage but this method works for different types of sausage like polish sausage, chicken sausage, turkey sausage, brats, and breakfast sausage.
What air fryer to use?
If you don’t have an air fryer yet, there are several wonderful models available.
We have been using a Cosori 5.8 quart and have really enjoyed how it works. Check out my full Cosori air fryer review to see if it might work well for you.
How to cook sausage in air fryer
Scroll to the bottom for full, printable recipe, ingredients and video.
- Cook: Place sausages in the air fryer basket, being sure not to stack them. Make sure they are in a single layer and not touching. Cook at 380 degrees F for 10-12 minutes. I like to check them around the 10 minute mark and then add a few extra minutes of cook time if needed. (I like to flip my sausages over half way through cooking to achieve nice, even browning.)
How long to cook sausage in the air fryer
The cook time may vary depending on the type of sausage being cooked. Sausage links will typically take about 10-12 minutes of cook time. Thicker sausages could take 12-15 minutes.
Raw sausage patties will take about 8-10 minutes of cook time.
Tips
- Some sausages contain a high amount of fat which might cause your machine to smoke when it drips. I like to add 1-2 tablespoon of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket to help prevent smoke.
- Perforated parchment paper can also help with this and makes clean-up even easier because it soaks up a lot of the grease.
- Make sure to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausage reaches at least 160 degrees F. The thickness of the sausage can effect the total cook time.
- You can also pre-slice the sausage into rounds and cook for approximately 5-6 minutes.
- Each air fryer model cooks a little different so check on the sausages around the 9-10 minute mark and add time as needed to achieve the right internal temperature.
How to store leftovers
Store any leftover sausage in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes.
Serving suggestions
Sausages pair well with a variety of dishes. For something easy, I like to use sliced bell peppers and onions and cook them alongside the sausages in the air fryer. Here are a few other suggestions:
FAQs
Cooking sausage in the air fryer is easy, fast and has minimal cleanup.
Sausage will cook in approximately 10 minutes using the air fryer method.
You can cook all types of sausage like sweet Italian sausage, sausage patties, link sausage, even frozen sausage patties.
Yes, you can heat up fully- cooked sausage in the air fryer.
Using a Cosori air fryer, we cooked the sausage at 380 degrees F. The cook time is about 10-12 minutes total depending on the size of the sausages. Mine were done right at the 10 minutes mark.
More easy air fryer recipes
- Air fryer hamburgers – These hamburgers cook up quick and juicy.
- Air fryer chicken thighs – Seasoned chicken thighs made in the air fryer.
- Air fryer chicken legs – Easy, chicken legs with crispy skin.
- Air fryer whole chicken – Cook a whole chicken in the air fryer.
- Air fryer pork loin – Seasoned pork loin cooked to perfection.
- Air fryer chicken breast – This easy air fryer chicken breast is a staple on our weekly menu.
- Air fryer grilled cheese – A delicious sandwich that can be made in minutes.
Sausages in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 5 sausages Italian sausage, Brats or breakfast sausage
Instructions
- Place sausages in air fryer basket.
- Cook at 380 degrees F for approximately 10 minutes. (Flip sausages over half way through cooking time.)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can you cut the sausage length wise and add mozzarella cheese stick to them for the last 5 minutes?
Yes that would be great!
I wish I had read your post first! One post said 20 minutes at 360. I checked them at 14 minutes and they were definitely over cooked! Ten minutes is the way to go. Check the temperature and then cook longer if necessary!
I have found that each air fryer seems to cook a little differently. I’m sorry they were over cooked.
Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe, Heather! It’s definitely the easiest and fastest way to cook sausage! I love it!
This recipe looks so easy and delicious!
I love my air fryer, but have never thought to use it to make sausage! Great idea and I can’t wait to try it!