Enjoy easy Air Fryer Sausage for any occasion. Your air fryer is the best way to cook Bratwurst, Italian sausage or any other variety.
If you like this recipe, check out my Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket next!
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Get ready for an easy dinner on a busy weeknight with my air fryer sausage recipe. Air fryer sausage links ready in just 10-12 minutes are perfect when you don’t feel like cooking. Or you can have a picnic style meal or host a tailgate at home thanks to this easy recipe. And you don’t have to turn on the grill for just a few sausages. I’m currently in a stage of life where I really don’t grill anymore. Instead, I have become an air fryer fanatic in recent years. When I’m dining solo especially, it’s so simple to perfectly cook some protein and veggies in my air fryer basket.
More easy air fryer recipes
Why this quick and easy air fryer sausage recipe works
Air fryers are a one stop shop for cooking sausages – both raw and pre-cooked. The only ingredient needed for easy air fryer sausages is sausage! Without any added butter, oil or cooking spray, the air fryer makes any type of sausage juicy on the inside and perfectly golden brown on the outside. It eliminates the mess of splattered grease with pan or oven cooking. My basket style air fryer contains the mess instead and drains away the excess grease from the sausages. An added bonus is I can just toss the basket components in my dishwasher when I am finished for a simple clean-up. This is such an easy air fryer recipe with so many possibilities…
What types of sausage can you cook in the air fryer?
Literally all different types of sausages! Chicken sausages, turkey sausage, pork sausage, raw sausages, pre-cooked sausage, Italian sausage links. Pictured are a few types and brands of sausages that I have tried in my air fryer. Both raw (hot Italian sausage and beer brats) and smoked sausage (precooked with cheddar cheese and Polish). All link sausages cook beautifully in your air fryer!
How long do raw sausages take in the air fryer?
Air fryers vary a bit, but cooking time for raw sausages is 375 degrees F for 12 – 14 minutes. The most important thing is to make sure the internal temperature of each sausage reaches a minimum of 160 degrees F before eating. Uncooked sausage that contains ground chicken or turkey should be cooked to 165 degrees F. I always check the internal temperature with my instant-read meat thermometer.
For raw sausages, do NOT poke any holes in them before cooking. You want to ensure the juices stay sealed inside the sausage so they stay tender. Also, to prevent smoking, place a slice of stale bread in the bottom of your air fryer basket.
step-by-step photos
Air fryer method for cooked sausage
Directions are about the same as for uncooked sausages. Cook time for them at 375 degrees F for 10 – 12 minutes. Cook them a minute or two longer if you like a crispy skin on your smoked sausage. Again, check the temperature of your sausages before consuming to make sure they reach a minimum of 160 degrees F.
For smoked sausage (pre cooked) DO poke several holes in each with a fork or sharp knife, so the sausages do not explode in your air fryer basket. As illustrated in the photo.
Serving suggestions for an easy meal
- As pictured, with hot dog buns, sautéed bell peppers and onions and your favorite type of mustard.
- As a picnic with potato salad, baked beans, chips and watermelon
- With potato wedges or french fries, corn on the cob or my personal favorite potato dish, my Mom’s party potatoes
- For watching the big game serve with Cowboy Baked Beans and my Buffalo Chicken Nachos
Tips for Success
- This recipe works for any brand and type of sausage. However, it’s best to not mix and match raw and pre-cooked sausages. Cook all raw together or all pre-cooked together.
- Some air fryers, including mine, will smoke if too much grease builds up in the bottom of the basket. To prevent smoking, place a slice of stale bread in the bottom of your air fryer basket. Or add a little water in the bottom of the air fryer basket.
- Make sure the sausages are in a single layer and are not touching so that they cook evenly.
- Because air fryers vary, make sure to observe closely in the last few minutes so as not to overcook your sausages.
- Be sure to print off my free recipe card for reference!
Storage Directions
Store any leftover sausage in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Or in the freezer for up to one month.
Kitchen Tools
- I own a Philips XXL Air Fryer and test all of my recipes in it.
- Use metal tongs to remove cooked sausages from the air fryer basket.
- Use an instant read digital thermometer to test the internal temperature of your air fryer sausages
Air Fryer Sausage
Enjoy easy Air Fryer Sausage for any occasion. Your air fryer is the best way to cook Bratwurst, Italian sausage or any other variety.
- Air Fryer
- 5 raw sausages (The nutritional information is based upon Johnsonville Beer Brats (raw). Nutrition will vary if you air fry different types of sausages.)
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Place the sausage in a single layer (not touching) in the air fryer basket.
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Cook the sausage at 375 degrees F for 12 – 14 minutes.
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Flip the sausages halfway through cooking time to ensure even browning.
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Check the internal temperature of the sausages. Once they reach a minimum of 160 degrees F, the sausages are safe to eat.
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If air frying smoked sausages (pre-cooked) be sure to poke each one several times with fork so the sausages don't explode.
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However, do NOT poke holes in raw sausages before cooking.
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GreenFood Harvest says
This was a very informative recipe article. Quality ingredients often make recipes easier to prepare and more enjoyable to eat. For anyone interested in ingredient sourcing and food products, you can learn more about natural food and agricultural products here. Thanks for the helpful content.
Gianne says
It cooked the sausages perfectly – crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Plus, it was so quick and easy to make. I’ll never go back to pan-frying again.
foodtasticmom says
Glad you think the air fryer is best way to cook the sausages. Thank you!
Justine marie says
Texture is the best, way better than in a pan for sure.
foodtasticmom says
I’m happy you liked it!
Donalyn says
This is wonderful way to make sausage – easy and we all enjoyed them so much. Thanks for this great recipe!
foodtasticmom says
You’re welcome!