If you haven’t cooked sausage in an air fryer yet, you’re in for a treat. This technique gives you perfectly browned, crisp-skinned sausage with juicy, tender insides—without any splatter or babysitting. Whether you want a quick weeknight dinner, a hearty breakfast, or a fuss-free lunch, air fryer sausage fits the bill. Let’s dig into everything you need to know to nail it every time.
Why Air Fry Sausage?
Air frying sausage is fast, convenient, and highly effective. Forget preheating your oven, hovering over a skillet, or cleaning a greasy stovetop. The air fryer circulates heat around the links, crisping the casings while rendering the fat quickly and evenly.
A few benefits of air fryer sausage:
- No added oil required
- Hands-off cooking with minimal cleanup
- Works with fresh, smoked, pre-cooked, or frozen sausage
- Flexible portions—cook one link or a whole basket
When you want reliable, golden-brown sausage with minimal effort, the air fryer comes through.
How To Cook Sausage in an Air Fryer
No need for elaborate prep or tricky techniques. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you going:
Ingredients
- Sausages (any kind: Italian, bratwurst, chicken, turkey, breakfast links, kielbasa, chorizo, plant-based)
- Optional: parchment paper, sliced onions or peppers
Method
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Set your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). Most models take about 2-3 minutes to warm up. While not every machine requires preheating, it helps jumpstart crisp browning.
2. Prep the Sausage
If your sausages are thick (like bratwurst or Italian), use a fork to prick each link a few times. Piercing the casing lets the fat escape, reducing splatter and promoting a crisp, even finish. Arrange the sausages in a single layer in the basket, spacing them so the hot air circulates freely.
For easy cleanup, place a piece of parchment paper in the basket to catch grease. Avoid wax paper—it isn’t heat-safe.
3. Cook
Air fry the sausages at 400°F, checking the chart below for approximate cooking times by sausage type and thickness.
| Sausage Type | Thickness | Cook Time (min) | Pierce Casings? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thick (Brats, Italian) | 1 inch+ | 9-12 | Yes |
| Smoked Sausage/Kielbasa | 1 inch | 9-12 | Yes, if raw |
| Pre-cooked Sausages | Any | 4-7 | Not needed |
| Thin Breakfast Links | <0.5 inch | 7-9 | Not needed |
| Hot Dogs | Any | 5-7 | Not needed |
| Frozen Sausage | Any | +3-4 min extra | As above |
Check for doneness at the shortest suggested time. Thick sausages release juices and darken fast; thinner ones need less time.
4. Check for Doneness
The best tool for this is a digital meat thermometer. Insert it into the center of a sausage. Fresh pork, chicken, or turkey sausages are ready at 160°F. For fully cooked or smoked links, just heat through until steaming and browned.
5. Rest
Let the sausages sit for 3-5 minutes before serving. This redistributes the juices, so you get the juiciest bite.
Cooking Frozen Sausage
Air fryer sausage doesn’t skip a beat if you start from frozen. No need to thaw—just add 3-4 extra minutes to the usual time. Space the links evenly and pierce thick sausages after a couple of minutes, when they’ve softened enough. Monitor the internal temp to be sure.
Tips For Perfect Air Fryer Sausage
A few simple tweaks can boost your sausage game:
- Don’t crowd the basket: Give each link breathing room. Overcrowding leads to soggy skins and uneven cooking.
- Use similar-sized sausages together: Cooking different sizes at once can result in uneven doneness. Batch them if needed.
- Parchment for easy cleanup: Air fryer baskets catch a lot of fat drips; parchment paper keeps it tidy.
- Cook veggies together: Sliced onions, peppers, or even cherry tomatoes make great “sausage companions.” Toss them in the basket with the links during the last 5-7 minutes.
- For extra crispiness: Air fry 1-2 minutes longer, but keep an eye out; sausage skins brown quickly.
- Rest before slicing: Just a few minutes lets the juices redistribute, helping prevent dryness.
Choosing Sausage Types
The air fryer handles all kinds, so you can pick whatever suits your taste:
- Pork Sausage: Classic, flavorful, and juicy
- Chicken or Turkey Sausage: Leaner, but still moist thanks to the high-heat air fryer
- Beef Sausage: Hearty, with a rich flavor that caramelizes beautifully
- Vegetarian/Vegan Sausage: Plant-based links cook just as well, usually in less time
- Smoked or Pre-cooked Sausage: Needs only warming and a little crisping
Each variety benefits from its own ideal time and treatment. If you’re unsure, check the label for cooking guidelines.
Serving Suggestions
When the sausages are golden and sizzling, the possibilities for serving are endless. Here are some favorite pairings and ways to enjoy them:
Classic or Comfort Sides
- Mashed potatoes with simple brown gravy
- Mac and cheese for a kid-friendly plate
- Roasted vegetables like carrots, broccoli, or green beans
Lighter Options
- Crunchy coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing
- Simple tomato salad with basil and olive oil
- Steamed greens like spinach or kale
Breakfast Plates
- Eggs any style: over-easy, scrambled, or poached
- Buttered toast or English muffins
- Roasted potatoes
On-the-Go Meals
- Sausage sandwiches: slice the links and pile into buns with onions, kraut, or peppers
- Flatbread wraps with spicy mustard and shredded cabbage
Feel free to improvise based on what you have in your fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stack sausages in the air fryer?
It’s best not to stack them. Sausages need circulating air to brown evenly. Cook in batches if you’re preparing a large quantity.
Do I have to pierce every sausage?
Only thicker raw sausages need it. Pre-cooked, smoked, or thin breakfast sausages don’t require piercing. Plant-based links usually skip this step.
Should I add oil?
No oil is needed. Sausages contain enough fat to crisp on their own.
Is it safe to use parchment paper in the air fryer?
Yes, as long as it’s trimmed to fit the basket and doesn’t touch the heating coil. Parchment is heat-resistant and ideal for catching grease.
Troubleshooting
- Sausage is splitting open: Next time, poke the casing a bit more or reduce the heat by 15-20 degrees.
- Grease smoke: Too much fat or crowded sausages can smoke. Use parchment paper or clean the basket between batches.
- Dry sausage: Overcooking causes dryness. Use a thermometer and pull at 160°F.
Air frying sausage combines unbeatable convenience with texture and flavor you’d expect from a grill or skillet. There’s barely any prep, and the cleanup is a breeze. Experiment with different sausage types and sides to find your favorite combos. Once you experience how effortless and delicious this method is, it may become your new go-to way to cook sausage—breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Air Fryer Sausage
Once you try this air fryer sausage, you’ll never cook it another way. In just 20 minutes, you’ll have juicy, crispy, perfectly cooked sausages.
Ingredients
- 6 Italian sausages
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3 minutes.
- Using a knife, poke the sausages in 3 sections to break through the casing.
- Place the sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry the sausages for 9 to 12 minutes, or until browned and no longer pink inside.
- Let the sausages rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!