Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

HomeCooking MethodAir Fryer

Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (1)

Cheryl MalikPosted: 03/05/21Updated: 12/07/21

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Cooking sausage in the air fryer is our favorite way to get Italian sausage or bratwurst on the table! Hands off and super quick, the air fryer cooks sausage beautifully, with a perfect crisp skin.

Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (2)

What Makes This Recipe So Good

  • This air fryer method is SO easy. No standing over the stovetop while grease splashes everywhere, turning the sausages constantly to make sure they’re browned (not burnt) outside but still perfectly cooked inside. Here the air fryer does all the work, and it’s virtually hands-free! You just need to flip the sausages once, halfway through the cook time.
  • Air fryer sausages come out perfectly cooked, every single time. Stovetop sausages can vary every time you make them if the heat is even slightly off, or if you flip them too many times, or not enough, or any number of little factors. Air fryer sausages are always beautifully crisp outside and outrageously juicy inside.
  • It takes less than 20 minutes to go from fridge to table! Sausages make a great pairing with all sorts of things, too – roasted peppers and onions, potatoes, pasta with a cream sauce… you could even eat the sausages in buns or just on their own!

Key Ingredients

Sausage – Link sausages are literally the only ingredient you need for air fryer sausages! This method will work for any link sausage, so just pick your favorite (or try something new, it’s entirely up to you!). Smaller links, like breakfast sausages, will cook a little faster than thicker sausages like bratwursts. If you’re Whole30, make sure the sausages you use are Whole30-compliant!

Chef’s Tips

  • For larger sausages or smaller air fryers, you may not be able to fit 5 link sausages in the basket at once. That’s okay! You can work in batches if you need to. The key is to make sure they’re laying in one even layer, not touching or overlapping, so the air can circulate completely. Any spot the air can’t reach is a spot the sausage won’t cook completely.
  • Don’t pierce the skin of the sausages before you put them in the air fryer! The skin is there to hold in all the juices, and poking holes in it would just let all those juices run out during cooking.
  • Air fryer smoking? No worries! Sausages are high in fat, and sometimes the dripping fat causes a little smoke. If you run into this, you can try putting a parchment paper made specifically for air fryers in the bottom of the basket, under the sausages. A little water in the bottom of the basket could help, too.
  • Air fryers are phenomenal, but like with any appliance, one can be a little different from another. Keep an eye on your sausages in the air fryer the first time or two you make them, so you know exactly what cook time works best for your air fryer! Remember, with pork sausage, you want an internal temperature of at least 160° Fahrenheit.
Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (3)

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Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (4)

5 from 31 votes

Sausage in the Air Fryer

Prep:5 minutes minutes

Cook:14 minutes minutes

Total:19 minutes minutes

Cooking sausage in the air fryer is our favorite way to get Italian sausage or bratwurst on the table! Hands off and super quick, the air fryer cooks sausage beautifully, with a perfect crisp skin.

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Ingredients

  • 5 sausage links like Italian sausage or bratwurst, about 18 ounces

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

  • Tongs

Instructions

  • Preheat air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit. Place sausages in single layer in basket.

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (5)

  • Return basket to air fryer. Cook 13 minutes for a softer skin or 14 minutes for a nice browned exterior. Using tongs, flip sausages once midway through cooking.

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (6)

Notes

Recipe yields 5 cooked sausages. Nutritional values shown reflect information for 1 serving, or 1 cooked sausage. Macros may vary slightly depending on the specific brand and type of sausages used.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1sausage | Calories: 388kcal | Protein: 16g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Total Carbs: 1g | Net Carbs: 1g | Vitamin C: 2mg | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 819mg | Potassium: 283mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed,notincluding any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (7)

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  1. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (8)Eleanor Lecker says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (9)
    Perfect sausages.

    Reply

  2. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (11)Kathleen says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (12)
    A great way to cook sausage. Juicy & crispy skin.

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (13)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed it, Kathleen!

      Reply

  3. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (14)Beth says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (15)
    Juicyest sausages ever! Cooked evenly slightly crispy on the out side and so juicy on the inside. My new favourite way to cook sausages

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (16)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for sharing, Beth.

      Reply

  4. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (17)Lisa Biggs says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (18)
    Wonderful sausages !

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (19)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad you enjoyed them, Lisa! Thanks for the review!

      Reply

  5. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (20)James Schwartz says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (21)
    What is the temperature and length of time for Brats or Italian Sausages

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (22)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Hi James! We actually have another recipe specifically for brats in the air fryer!

      https://easyhealthyrecipes.com/air-fryer-brats/

      Reply

  6. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (23)Blackavar says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (24)
    You deserve recognition for this great, simple recipe. My leek and feta sausages turned out perfectly. Thank you!

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (25)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So glad they turned out perfectly!

      Reply

  7. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (26)Anita Dunkin says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (27)
    It sounds scrumptious cooking it now

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (28)Jessica | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      Hope you enjoyed it!

      Reply

  8. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (29)Tim says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (30)
    I’ve done this cooking process with country garlic sausage about 4 times now. Doing it again tonight. Airfryer sausage is absolutely amazing. Recomend a little water in your tray if it starts smoking. So GOOD.

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (31)Jessica Jarratt says

      Country garlic sausage sounds delish! Thanks for sharing, Tim!

      Reply

  9. Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (32)StephG2017 says

    Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (33)
    Thank you so much for sharing this amazing, easy recipe!!

    Reply

    • Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (34)Megan | Easy Healthy Recipes Team says

      So happy you enjoyed it, Steph!

      Reply

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Perfectly Cooked Sausage in the Air Fryer - Easy Healthy Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the healthiest way to cook a sausage? ›

Sausages can be cooked in numerous ways. In general, boiling and baking are the healthiest methods, as they don't require much oil. However, pan- and stir-frying are good options as long as you choose a healthy oil. Conversely, deep frying is the least healthy way because of the fat and calories it adds.

What is the best way to cook sausages in an air fryer? ›

Pierce the sausages a few times all over using a sharp knife (this is optional, but will help release more fat). Arrange the sausages in a single layer in an air fryer basket. Set the air fryer to 180C and cook for 10-15 mins, turning every 5 mins, until the sausages are cooked through.

Is air frying sausages healthy? ›

So if you often eat deep-fried foods, switching to an air fryer could be helpful. If you're cooking a food that you wouldn't normally add fat to when you cook it, whether that's ready-made oven chips, bacon, sausages or breaded chicken, being cooked in an air fryer is unlikely to make it healthier.

What is a healthy option for sausage? ›

Pork sausage tends to be the most commonly made, but healthy sausage can include any meat, including beef, venison, or chicken, and can be served in links, patties, or as loose meat.

Which sausage is the healthiest? ›

Extra-lean chicken or kangaroo sausages tend to be the healthiest sausage option. Leaner sausages are also often lower in calories and salt. Follow these guidelines to choose healthier sausages: Less than 5g saturated fat per 100g.

How do you clean an air fryer after cooking sausages? ›

Turn off and unplug the air fryer, and allow it to cool completely. Remove the racks and either use the dishwasher to clean them, or hand wash them in warm soapy water using your dish brush to scrub away grease and food bits. Rinse well and dry. Empty any oil from the drip tray – but don't flush it down the sink.

How long to heat fully cooked sausage in air fryer? ›

Heating Fully-Cooked Sausages In The Air Fryer

Cook them for 4-5 minutes at 400°F, just until lightly browned in places. For a kielbassa ring, or unsliced kielbassa link, I cook it about 7 minutes at 400F, just to get some crispy skin.

Can you put foil in an air fryer? ›

The great news about air fryers is that you can use foil along with parchment paper to cook your food in an air fryer. Just remember that if it's safe and effective to use in a conventional oven, it will work just fine in an air fryer.

Is there anything unhealthy about an air fryer? ›

Air-frying equipment is not known to cause cancer, but the process of air frying does result in the formation of certain compounds, like acrylamide, that are linked to cancer development. Acrylamide is classified as a probable human carcinogen.

Do you poke holes in sausages when air frying? ›

Do NOT poke holes in the sausages, or all the juices will leak out. Air Fry for 5 and half minutes and then flip the sausages over and cook for another 5 and a half minutes until the internal temperature of the sausages is 160°F. Let the sausages rest & cool for about 5 minutes, then slice them up and enjoy!

What are the disadvantages of the air fryer? ›

Potential Weight Gain: Overconsumption of air-fried foods, despite their lower fat content, can still contribute to weight gain due to calorie-dense preparations. Carcinogen Production: Certain cooking oils and high-temperature cooking in air fryers can produce carcinogenic compounds, posing long-term health risks.

How do you keep sausage moist and cooked? ›

Cook gently and only to a max 145-150ºF over a low to moderate heat or with the simmer then brown method. The main benefit from either of the methods we recommend is that you will lose only about half of the moisture when compared to a fast high cook approach and this means immeasurably better results, every time.

Is it better to pan fry or air fry sausages? ›

Air fryer sausages are so easy to make. When you cook sausages in an air fryer they cook evenly and it's a much easier way to get them cooked when you need them. They are a healthy alternative to frying sausages in a frying pan as you don't need as much oil.

How to best cook sausage? ›

Heat a non-stick pan over a medium heat, then add the sausages. A little of the fat from the sausages will start to come out as they warm up; turn the sausages in the hot fat to coat them. Keep cooking for 15-20 mins, moving them around in the pan and turning them over regularly so they all cook evenly.

Is it healthier to grill or oven cook sausages? ›

One of the healthiest ways to cook sausages is in the oven. It's super easy to do, and unlike frying or grilling, baking sausages doesn't require any extra oil.

What is the best cooking method for sausages? ›

There are many ways of preparing sausages, and the healthiest will depend on what method you use. Boiling and baking don't require oil, so generally, are considered the healthiest.

Is it better to boil or bake sausage? ›

To add a bit more flavour, try boiling the sausages in chicken or vegetable stock or even water mixed with wine. Boiling may not be the ideal cooking method for all sausages. Instead, boiling is best for sausages that contain very finely ground meat.

Is boiling sausages healthier? ›

Healthy Sausage Cooking Method

The healthiest cooking methods are boiling and smoking, as these require little or no oil and are less likely to produce harmful compounds.

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