Air Fryer Sausage Links
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Cooking sausage links in the air fryer is the quickest and easiest way to prep them. They turn out golden, juicy, and perfectly cooked every time- with almost no cleanup. My method works with both fresh and frozen sausage links.
Air Fryer Sausage Links are a dinnertime hack
While my family and I typically gravitate toward sausages on the grill or skillet, cooking them in the air fryer has been a total game changer. They turn out just as crisp and juicy as the grill- without the oil splatter, excess grease, or cleanup. There’s no babysitting or flipping required, and they’re ready in just eight minutes.
I’ve tested all kinds of sausage links: raw, pre-cooked, smoked, fully cooked, and even frozen- and the good news is, they all work beautifully. The only exception is Italian sausage, which I recommend making my air fryer Italian sausage recipe, since you can cook it with peppers and onions at the same time.
Key Ingredients
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
- Sausage links. I typically use full-sized pork sausages or chicken sausages. Of course, beef or other protein sausages work just fine. I recommend sticking to a brand you enjoy the flavor of.
- Optional sides. I like to whip up some sauteed onions, and let’s not forget some fluffy buns, ketchup, and mustard.
How to air fry sausage links
Step 1- Prepare the sausages. Slightly poke the sausages in 2 places through their casing.
Step 2- Air fry. Add the sausage links to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside.
Step 3- Remove. Use tongs to remove them and serve immediately.
Sausage link cooking times in air fryer
I tested every kind of sausage in the air fryer, and they all work beautifully. The only thing that changes is the cooking time. I recommend double-checking doneness with a meat thermometer. Fully cooked sausage should have an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Raw sausages: The cooking time is between 8 and 10 minutes. Personally, I found 8 minutes was the sweet spot for a 5-ounce pork or chicken sausage.
- Pre-cooked sausage: Since you’re just crisping them up, 5 minutes is usually perfect.
- Smoked sausage: Similar to pre-cooked sausage- aim for 5 minutes.
- Breakfast sausage links: These are smaller (usually 3 ounces each), so 6 minutes is ideal.
- Frozen sausage links: Increase the air frying time by 5 minutes. If standard size, you’ll be looking at 13 to 15 minutes total.
Recipe tips and variations
- Don’t skip the poke. Poking the sausage links beforehand prevents them from bursting during the air frying process. This is especially important for fattier sausages.
- Puffy sausages = normal. The circulating hot air will often puff up the sausages. Don’t fret – this is completely normal and expected, and it will deflate once removed from the air fryer.
- Use vegan and/or vegetarian sausage. I tried this with three different brands, and they all cooked up like traditional sausages. Just make sure they all have a casing.
Storage instructions
To store: Place leftover sausages in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to five days.
To freeze: Fully cooked sausage links can be frozen for up to two months. Keep them stored in a ziplock bag.
If you tried this Air Fryer Frozen Salmon recipe, please leave a star rating and comment. It helps others thinking of making this.
Air Fryer Sausage Links
Video
Ingredients
- 6 sausages
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly pierce the sausages with a fork in 2 places, through their casing.
- Add a single layer of sausage links to the air fryer basket.
- Air fry the sausage links for 8 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Remove the sausage links from the airt fryer and serve immediately.
Notes
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes.
- Frozen sausage links: Increase the air frying time by 5 minutes.
- Smoked or pre-cooked links: Air fry for 5 minutes.
I dont like sausages but I could make them for parents. Never heard it can be cooked in air fryer.’
This sounds what I’m looking for, I’ll try tomorrow morning. Less mess on my stove top.