If you're looking for an effortless breakfast, lunch or dinner, sausages in air fryer are the answer! They cook evenly and become so flavoursome and juicy. Best of all, you don't need to add any oil. Just toss them in the air fryer basket, and you're ready to go.
We all love Italian sausage, but not the extra fat. Thankfully, air frying is by far the healthiest way to cook sausage as it drains away its fat and requires no extra oil. Win-win!
Gone are the days of oil splattered all over the kitchen floor. The air fryer basket catches all the excess oil and makes clean-up a breeze.
This quick and easy air fryer method will give you juicy sausages in under 15 minutes. Whether you're looking for a delicious supper or a quick breakfast, they'll become your go-to recipe.
CAN I COOK SAUSAGES IN THE AIR FRYER?
ABSOLUTELY! In fact, please do so.
I know what you're probably thinking. Most of us are used to throwing an Italian sausage on the grill or stewing it in sauce.
However, I'm here to tell you that not only does it cook perfectly in the air fryer, but also requires no effort. The instant heat locks in the sausage juices, leaving it crispy on the outside with a moist interior.
HOW LONG TO COOK AIR FRYER SAUSAGE?
The cooking time for a dry sausage depends on its size and thickness.
Standard sausages in air fryer should take about 10 minutes at 180°C/350°F. Don't forget to turn them halfway through.For thicker sausages in the air fryer, add a few extra minutes.
Smaller ones like chipolatas should take roughly 7 minutes at the same temperature.
WHY COOK SAUSAGES IN THE AIR FRYER?
Here's why I love to cook sausages in the air fryer and why you'll love it too:
Super easy to make. This is a hands-off recipe. Simply place your breakfast sausages in the air fryer and let it work its magic. You're free to walk away and tend to other chores in between.Cut on cooking time. No need to wait 25+ minutes for your sausage links to bake in a mini oven. Air fryers are faster, and you're done within 10-15 minutes. Cooking sausage never looked easier!No oil splatter to dread. Mess-free is my culinary decree 🙌 I love a recipe that leaves minimum to no mess behind. Cooking sausages in air fryer requires no oil, making cleaning a piece of cake compared to using a pan or stovetop.Minimal smells. Say goodbye to lingering kitchen odours; the air fryer ensures minimal smells, granting you a smoke-free, smell-free home.Lower fats. Indulge with your favourite sausage delight guilt-free. Air-frying your sausage means fats will go to the bottom of the air fryer basket. On the other hand, when you grill sausages, fats stay on them.Even cooking. Forget the patchy browning you get from BBQ sausages. Your air fryer is ideal for cooking sausage evenly on both sides.Undeniably delicious. Golden crispy on the outside with a juicy, succulent interior, who can deny this recipe? This is a pure symphony of flavours dancing in your palate. Delight in every bite!The whole family will enjoy it. Air fryer sausage links are not just a recipe. They're a family affair. This dish makes breakfast and supper a delicious feast even for the picky eaters in your house. I also use this recipe for holiday family gatherings and parties, and always get the best compliments!
New to air-frying recipes? Be sure to get your free printable Air Fryer Cooking Chart filled with cooking times & temperatures for all your favourite foods, plus tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your air fryer.
WHAT TYPES OF SAUSAGES ARE THERE?
Big, small, fresh, or frozen, you can pretty much cook any kind of sausage you want in the air fryer. And they always turn out SO good with crispy skin.
From traditional raw British sausages like Lincolnshire and Cumberland to large German bratwurst, there's something for every taste. I also love the sweet or spicy Italian sausage cooked in the air to perfection.
Additionally, you can play with shapes and sizes. For example, you can go for small varieties like chipolatas or cocktail sausages or opt for larger and thicker bratwursts in the air fryer. Or you can experiment with a longer sausage coil, sausage patties, or sausage links.
Finally, you can choose between uncooked or fully cooked sausages. Heck, you can even air fry completely frozen sausages! The possibilities are endless.
WHAT SAUSAGE VARIATIONS ARE THERE?
Here are some sausage variations to consider:
Chicken sausages: lighter in taste with less fat than their pork counterparts. They're as easy to cook as standard sausages.Wild boar sausages: if you're looking for a luxurious option, these sausages make for a top-class dinner. Opt for the best quality ones from your local butcher (avoid the supermarket ones if you can).
INGREDIENTS
All you need to make this delicious recipe is one ingredient - sausages! You can use any kind of sausages you like.
My favourite are beef sausages, but feel free to experiment with lamb, chicken, pork, or kielbasa. Even veggie sausages will work.
You can either choose thin or thick ones. Just keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages.
INSTRUCTIONS
Poke holes into each sausage with a knife. Add parchment paper to your air fryer and place sausages in a single layer. It's okay if the sausages are touching.
Cook at 180°C/350°F for 8-12 minutes. Flip them halfway until browned and cooked through. Serve immediately. Bon appetite!
How to Tell When Sausages Are Cooked?
The best way to tell when your sausages are cooked is to use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature. The safe minimum cooking temperature for sausages is 71C / 160F.
Tips for Making this Recipe
Prick before you cook. Using a knife to prick an Italian sausage before you air-fry it helps the steam escape. As a result, the air fryer sausage stays in one piece, and you avoid bursting or splitting it.Keep an eye out. Total cooking time will vary depending on your air fryer model as well as how thick your sausages are. When you first try this recipe, keep a close eye on your sausages rather than set and forget.Don't overcrowd them. You'll want to cook your sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, but it's fine if they touch. I can fit 6 thin sausages in my 3.2L/3.3Q air fryer. For larger amounts, you may need to air fry sausages in batches, depending on the size of your model.Use parchment paper. To avoid any drippings when air frying Italian sausage, place parchment paper at the bottom of the air fryer. This will also speed up your cleaning.Let them rest. Once you air fry sausages, make sure to let them sit for a few minutes before serving. This ensures their juices are settled, and remain tender and juicy.
HOW TO SERVE AN AIR FRYER SAUSAGE?
Enjoy your sausage as part of a traditional British breakfast with bacon and scrambled eggs . Don't skip the English ketchup, mustard, or onion marmalade!
I also love eating my Italian sausage with sautéed onions, peppers, and garlic, served with some rice. Alternatively, I might throw it over pasta and call it a day.
If you're down to make your entire meal with the air fryer, I suggest serving your Italian sausage with air fryer broccoli or air fryer mushrooms . Mushed potatoes and sandwiches with onions also make excellent serving options.
HOW TO STORE AND REHEAT AIR FRYER ITALIAN SAUSAGE?
Storage: If you're not planning to use all your sausages at once, you can store them in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months.Leftovers: If you have any leftovers, you can wrap them in aluminium foil and place them in your refrigerator for up to 4 days.Reheating: When you're ready to eat them, reheat them in the air fryer at 180°C/350°F for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can use your microwave. Keep in mind that your sausages won't be as juicy and succulent as when freshly cooked. I suggest brushing them with some oil to prevent them from drying. Avoid reheating them more than once.
FAQs
SHOULD I WRAP THE AIR FRYER ITALIAN SAUSAGE IN FOIL?
HOW MANY ITALIAN SAUSAGES DO I NEED PER PERSON?
HOW TO CLEAN AIR FRYERS AFTER COOKING ITALIAN SAUSAGES?
HOW LONG TO COOK SLICED SAUSAGES IN AIR FRYER?
HOW TO KEEP AIR FRYER SAUSAGE LINKS FROM BURNING IN THE AIR FRYER?
HOW LONG TO COOK A FROZEN SAUSAGE IN THE AIR FRYER?
CAN I COOK VEGAN SAUSAGES IN AN AIR FRYER?
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