Juicy and succulent air fryer sausages that are perfectly cooked every time.
I'll be showing you how to cook the perfect sausage in a Ninja Foodi air fryer, one of the most popular models on the market, but any air fryer can be used with similar results.
Air frying has become my new favourite way to cook sausages. They end up with lovely golden brown crispy skins and soft tender middles!
Not only is air frying a healthier alternative to traditional frying, but it also saves you time in the kitchen. I'll be sharing the ideal temperature and cooking time for your sausages to ensure they come out just right.
Check out my eBook⭐Easy Air Fryer Recipes⭐ which includes 20 straightforward and easy-to-follow recipes for your air fryer. You'll be a pro at air fryer cooking in no time! Don't miss out, get your copy today!
👩🍳 Love your air fryer? Try my easy air fryer chicken breasts next!
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✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
- Air frying uses hot air to cook food, eliminating the need for excess oil or grease. This means that air-fried sausages are a healthier alternative to traditional fried sausages.
- Cooking sausages in an air fryer is quick and easy.
- Cooking sausages in an air fryer can be a lot less messy than traditional cooking methods. You don't need to worry about oil splatters or dirty pans.
🛒 Ingredient notes
Sausages - Use good-quality thick pork sausages, but you can also air fry other types of sausages including cocktail sausages, chipolatas, chicken sausages, and German bratwursts.
Olive Oil - for lightly greasing the bottom of the air fryer basket to prevent the sausages from sticking. Put the oil on a paper towel and rub it onto the bottom of the basket. You can also use a cooking oil spray instead to save calories.
🥄 Equipment
Which air fryer? I use the Ninja Foodi 5.8 litre Grill and Air Fryer with 4 customisable cooking functions including air fry, roast, bake, and dehydrate!
A meat thermometer is also useful to test if the internal temperature of the meat or poultry you are cooking has reached the required 'safe' temperature.
What is an air fryer?
Air fryers are small(ish) kitchen appliances that operate like a convection oven—except in a smaller, more concentrated space.
The air is circulated at a high temperature and evenly around the food, which makes the food cook more quickly than in a conventional oven and helps give foods a crispy coating without the need for lots of oil and fat.
🔪 How to cook sausages in an air fryer?
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
One: Preheat the air fryer to 180C (350F) and lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil (or use a cooking oil spray).
Two: Prick each sausage twice with a sharp knife.
Three: Air fry at 180C (350F) for 12-14 minutes, turning with tongs halfway through cooking.
💭 Expert tips
- Before cooking sausages in an air fryer, it's a good idea to prick them with a fork or knife. This is because the heat and pressure from the air fryer can cause the sausages to burst or split. Pricking them allows the steam to escape and prevents this from happening.
- It's important not to increase the temperature of the air fryer to cook the sausages faster. This can cause the sausages to burn on the outside and still be raw in the middle.
- It's important to place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. If you overcrowd the basket, the sausages will not cook evenly and may take longer to cook. Depending on the size of your air fryer and how many sausages you are cooking, you may need to cook them in batches.
- Using a meat thermometer is the best way to ensure that your sausages are fully cooked. Check the temperature in the thickest part of the sausage, making sure it reaches 75°C.
- After cooking, it's important to let the sausages rest for a few minutes before serving. This will allow the juices to settle and ensure that the sausages are juicy and tender.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Here are some classic serving suggestions;
- Chips and beans.
- Mash and peas.
- Air fryer sweet potato fries and air fryer corn on the cob.
- Full English breakfast (fry-up).
- Sausage Bap for breakfast.
- Sausage Baguette with caramelised onions.
📖 Cooking Times
Cooking time depends on the thickness of the sausage you are using. Here is a helpful guide on cooking times (cooked at 180C/ 350F):
- Thick pork sausages - 12-14 minutes.
- Chipolatas and other thin sausages - 8-10 minutes.
- Cocktail sausages or pigs in blankets - 8 minutes.
- Frozen Sausages - 14-15 minutes (but test with a meat thermometer to be sure).
All models of air fryer will vary slightly, so it's best to keep checking the sausages every few minutes.
Vegetarian sausages can also be cooked in an air fryer. Air fry for 8-10 minutes at 180C/ 350F until hot in the centre.
🥡 Storage
After cooking air fryer sausages, allow them to cool down to room temperature before storing them. Here are some tips for storing and reheating air fryer sausages:
Store - If you plan on storing the sausages in the fridge, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in cling film or aluminum foil. They can be stored in the fridge for up to four days.
Freeze - If you want to store the sausages for a longer period, you can freeze them. Wrap them tightly in cling film or aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheat - When you're ready to eat the sausages, you can reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 180C, then add the sausages to the basket and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, or in the oven.
It's important to note that reheated sausages may not be as juicy and succulent as freshly cooked sausages. To prevent them from drying out, you can brush them with a little oil before reheating. Also, avoid reheating the sausages more than once.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Frozen sausages purchased in the freezer section of the supermarket have been prepared in a way that allows them to be cooked from frozen. These sausages can safely be cooked in an air fryer from frozen. Fresh sausages that you have frozen at home cannot be cooked from frozen and will need to be defrosted first.
Yes, they can! Reheat at 180C (350F) for 3-4 minutes.
No, you don't need to coat the sausages in oil. Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with oil or a cooking spray to prevent them from sticking.
In general, air fryers are much more energy-efficient than most convection ovens because they cook food much faster.
It depends on the model you are using, but the vast majority of air fryers have a preheat function before you add food.
😋 More air fryer recipes
- Air Fryer Salmon
- Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets
- Air Fryer Scones
- Air Fryer Baked Camembert
- Air Fryer Whole Chicken
- Air Fryer Stuffing Balls
- Air Fryer Roast Potatoes
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
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Recipe
Easy Air Fryer Sausages
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350F).
- Lightly grease the bottom of the air fryer basket with olive oil and a paper towel (or use a cooking oil spray).½ teaspoon Olive Oil
- Prick each sausage twice with a sharp knife.6 Thick Pork Sausages
- Air fry at 180C (350F) for 12-14 minutes, turning with tongs halfway through cooking. See notes for more on cooking times.
Notes
- Thick pork sausages - 12-14 minutes.
- Chipolatas and other thin sausages - 8-10 minutes.
- Cocktail sausages or pigs in blankets - 8 minutes.
- Frozen Sausages - 14-15 minutes (but test with a meat thermometer to be sure).
- Vegetarian Sausages - 8-10 minutes.
Sarah
A great guide to cooking sausages in an air fryer!