Can You Put Sausages in an Air Fryer The Ultimate Guide

Yes, you can absolutely cook sausages in an air fryer—it’s one of the easiest, healthiest, and most effective ways to achieve juicy, evenly cooked results with minimal oil. Simply preheat, place sausages in a single layer, and cook at 360–400°F (180–200°C) for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway, for a quick, mess-free meal perfect for breakfast, grilling alternatives, or weeknight dinners.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, you can air fry sausages: Achieve crispy results with minimal oil.
• Preheat for best results: Ensures even cooking and perfect texture.
• Use a single layer: Prevents steaming and promotes crispiness.
• Cook at 375°F (190°C): Ideal temp for juicy, fully cooked sausages.
• Shake the basket halfway: Guarantees even browning on all sides.
• Check internal temperature: Ensure sausages reach 160°F (71°C) for safety.

Why Air Frying Sausages Might Be Your New Go-To Cooking Hack

Let’s be real—sausages are one of those universal comfort foods. Whether you’re biting into a juicy breakfast link, a smoky bratwurst at a backyard BBQ, or a spicy Italian sausage on a weeknight dinner, they’re quick, satisfying, and full of flavor. But here’s the thing: traditional cooking methods like grilling, frying, or baking can be messy, time-consuming, or leave you with a kitchen full of smoke and grease. Enter the air fryer, the kitchen gadget that’s been quietly revolutionizing how we cook everything from fries to chicken wings. But can you put sausages in an air fryer? The short answer: absolutely. And the long answer? It’s even better than you might think.

I remember the first time I tossed a few frozen sausages into my air fryer. I was skeptical. Would they dry out? Would they stick? Would they even cook evenly? But 12 minutes later, I pulled out perfectly browned, juicy sausages with crispy casings and zero grease splatter. It was like magic. Since then, I’ve experimented with dozens of sausage types, brands, and cooking times, and I’ve learned that the air fryer isn’t just a convenient option—it’s often the best way to cook sausages. In this guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know, from the science behind air frying sausages to pro tips, common mistakes, and even a handy cooking time chart. Let’s dive in.

How the Air Fryer Works (And Why It’s Perfect for Sausages)

The Science Behind Air Frying

At its core, an air fryer is a mini convection oven. It uses a powerful fan to circulate hot air around the food at high speed, creating a crispy exterior while cooking the inside evenly. Unlike deep frying, which submerges food in oil, or pan-frying, which requires constant attention, the air fryer relies on rapid air circulation to achieve that golden-brown crunch we all crave. For sausages, this means you get the crispiness of frying with a fraction of the oil—and none of the mess.

Think of it like this: when you pan-fry sausages, the outside browns, but the inside can stay undercooked unless you flip them constantly. With an air fryer, the hot air hits the sausage from all angles, so it cooks more evenly. Plus, the fat drips down into the basket, so you’re left with leaner, less greasy results. It’s a win-win.

Why Sausages Love the Air Fryer

Sausages are ideal for air frying because they’re dense, moist, and benefit from high heat. The casing (whether natural or synthetic) crisps up beautifully, while the inside stays juicy. Here’s what makes the air fryer a match made in sausage heaven:

• Even browning: No more flipping! The air circulation ensures every side gets crispy.
• Less oil: Most sausages release their own fat as they cook, so you don’t need to add extra oil (though a light spray can help with browning).
• Faster than the oven: Air fryers preheat almost instantly and cook sausages in half the time of a conventional oven.
• Minimal cleanup: No splattered grease or sticky pans. Just wipe the basket and you’re done.

Pro tip: If you’re cooking sausages with high fat content (like pork brats), line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to catch drips and make cleanup even easier.

Step-by-Step: How to Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer

Prep Your Sausages

First things first: don’t skip prep. Even though air fryers are forgiving, a little prep goes a long way. Here’s what to do:

• Thaw if frozen: If your sausages are frozen, thaw them in the fridge overnight or use the air fryer’s “defrost” setting (if it has one). Cooking from frozen works too, but it’ll take longer.
• Pat them dry: Use paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the casing crisp up better.
• Optional oil spray: For extra crispiness, lightly spritz the sausages with oil (avocado, olive, or cooking spray). But remember—many sausages release their own fat, so this is optional.

One time, I forgot to pat my sausages dry and ended up with rubbery casings. Lesson learned!

Arrange and Cook

Now for the fun part. Here’s how to load and cook your sausages:

• Space them out: Place sausages in a single layer with about 1 inch between each. Overcrowding leads to steaming instead of crisping.
• Preheat (optional): Some air fryers benefit from a 2-3 minute preheat at 375°F (190°C). If yours doesn’t have a preheat setting, just add a minute to the cook time.
• Set the temperature and time: Most sausages cook well at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes. But we’ll get into exact times for different types later.
• Flip halfway (optional): For ultra-even browning, flip or shake the basket at the halfway point. But it’s not always necessary—your call.

Example: For fresh breakfast sausages, I set my air fryer to 375°F, cook for 12 minutes, and flip at 6 minutes. They come out perfect every time.

Check for Doneness

Here’s the golden rule: always check the internal temperature. Use a meat thermometer to ensure sausages reach 160°F (71°C) for pork or 165°F (74°C) for poultry. But if you don’t have a thermometer, here are visual cues:

• Juices run clear: Pierce a sausage with a fork. If the juices are clear (not pink or cloudy), it’s done.
• Casing is crispy: It should be golden-brown and slightly blistered.
• No pink inside: Cut one open to check. The inside should be uniformly cooked, with no raw spots.

Warning: Overcooking is a real risk. If sausages look dark brown or black, they’re likely dry inside. Adjust time next time!

Best Sausage Types for Air Frying (With Cooking Times)

Not all sausages cook the same way, but the good news is—most work great in an air fryer. Here’s a breakdown of popular types and their ideal settings:

Sausage Type	Temperature	Cooking Time	Notes
Fresh pork sausages (breakfast links)	375°F (190°C)	10-12 minutes	Flip halfway for even browning.
Frozen breakfast sausages	375°F (190°C)	14-16 minutes	Pat dry after thawing. No need to pre-thaw.
Bratwurst or Italian sausages (fresh)	375°F (190°C)	12-15 minutes	Prick with a fork to prevent bursting.
Chicken or turkey sausages	375°F (190°C)	10-12 minutes	Check internal temp—they dry out faster.
Smoked sausages (kielbasa, andouille)	350°F (175°C)	8-10 minutes	Lower temp to avoid burning the casing.
Plant-based sausages	375°F (190°C)	10-12 minutes	Spritz with oil to prevent sticking.

Pro Tips for Specific Sausages

• Bratwurst/Italian: Prick the casings with a fork to prevent them from bursting. The air fryer’s high heat can cause pressure buildup!
• Smoked sausages: These are already cooked, so you’re just reheating and crisping. Lower the temp to avoid charring.
• Plant-based: They tend to stick more. Lightly oil the basket or use parchment paper.
• Jumbo sausages: Cut them in half or slice diagonally to fit the basket and cook evenly.

Fun fact: I once tried air frying a giant chorizo log (about 1.5 inches thick). I sliced it into medallions first, and they cooked in 14 minutes—perfect for tacos!

Common Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

Overcrowding the Basket

It’s tempting to load up the air fryer to save time, but this is a recipe for steamed, rubbery sausages. The hot air needs space to circulate. Stick to a single layer with gaps between sausages. If you’re cooking for a crowd, cook in batches.

Real talk: I tried cooking 10 sausages at once once. The ones in the middle were pale and undercooked. Lesson learned.

Skipping the Temperature Check

Time and temp charts are helpful, but every air fryer and sausage is different. A thermometer is your best friend. I’ve had sausages that looked done but were still raw inside—especially thicker ones like brats. Always verify with a thermometer or cut one open.

Using Too Much Oil

A light spray is fine, but dumping oil into the basket is unnecessary. Most sausages release enough fat on their own. Excess oil can drip onto the heating element and cause smoke. If you see smoke, turn off the air fryer, wipe the basket, and restart.

Not Preheating (For Some Models)

While many air fryers don’t require preheating, some (like older models) benefit from a 2-3 minute warm-up. If your sausages aren’t browning well, try preheating next time.

Beyond the Basics: Creative Ways to Use Air-Fried Sausages

Breakfast Bowls and Sandwiches

Air-fried sausages are a breakfast game-changer. Crumble them into a breakfast bowl with hash browns, eggs, and avocado, or slice them for a sausage and egg sandwich. Pro move: Toast the bread in the air fryer too!

My favorite: A breakfast burrito with scrambled eggs, air-fried sausage, and cheese. The sausage stays crispy inside the tortilla—no sogginess!

Sheet Pan Dinners (Air Fryer Edition)

Pair sausages with veggies for a one-pan meal. Toss chopped bell peppers, onions, and potatoes in oil, then cook in the air fryer basket for 10 minutes. Push veggies aside, add sausages, and cook 10-12 more minutes. Dinner in 25 minutes!

Appetizers and Snacks

Slice air-fried sausages into bite-sized pieces and serve with mustard or BBQ sauce for a crowd-pleasing snack. Or wrap them in puff pastry for mini sausage rolls—air fry for 8-10 minutes until golden.

Soup and Stew Upgrades

Brown sausages in the air fryer first, then add them to soups or stews. They’ll stay juicy and flavorful. Try it with lentil soup or a hearty chili.

Final Thoughts: Should You Air Fry Your Sausages?

After countless experiments (and a few kitchen disasters), I can confidently say: yes, you can—and should—put sausages in an air fryer. It’s faster, cleaner, and often tastier than other methods. Whether you’re cooking fresh brats, frozen breakfast links, or plant-based sausages, the air fryer delivers crispy exteriors, juicy interiors, and minimal fuss.

The key is to respect the process: prep your sausages, space them out, check the temperature, and adjust as needed. And don’t be afraid to get creative! From breakfast burritos to sheet pan suppers, air-fried sausages can be the star of any meal.

So next time you’re craving sausages, skip the grill and the frying pan. Fire up your air fryer, grab your favorite links, and enjoy the easiest, tastiest sausages of your life. Trust me—you’ll never go back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put sausages in an air fryer?

Yes, you can absolutely cook sausages in an air fryer! It’s a quick, mess-free method that delivers crispy, evenly browned results without needing to flip them constantly.

How long do you cook sausages in an air fryer?

Most sausages take 10–14 minutes at 375°F (190°C) in an air fryer. Times may vary depending on thickness—always check internal temperature for doneness (160°F for pork, 165°F for poultry).

Do you need to preheat the air fryer for sausages?

Preheating (3–5 minutes at 375°F) ensures even cooking and better browning, but it’s optional. If skipping preheat, add 1–2 minutes to your total cook time.

Can you cook frozen sausages in an air fryer?

Yes! Air fry frozen sausages at 375°F for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway. No thawing needed—just add a few extra minutes to the cook time.

What’s the best way to prevent sausages from sticking in an air fryer?

Lightly spray or brush sausages with oil and avoid overcrowding the basket. Use parchment paper liners (with holes for airflow) for easy cleanup and non-stick results.

Can you cook different types of sausages in an air fryer together?

Yes, but adjust cook times. Mix thin (e.g., breakfast links) and thick sausages? Cook in batches or add 2–3 minutes for thicker ones after thinner ones are done.