Sausage Links in the Air Fryer
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Sausage Links in Air Fryer come out crisp and juicy with little effort, making morning meals so much less hectic. Plus, you’re free to work on everything else since they only need a flip halfway through! Learn how to cook sausage links in the air fryer in 10 minutes or less!
Sausage Links in Air Fryer
Making sausage links in the air fryer makes breakfast so much easier! You’ll have enough time (and attention!) to get the rest of the meal ready while they cook.
Plus, they come out perfectly plump and juicy with a crispy exterior — just how I like them!
I love using my air fryer for food prep and shortcuts. Sure, you can make a full meal in there, but the basket is only so big!
Knowing I can knock out burger patties, hot dogs, or even a whole chicken in a low-effort way frees up my hands and my stovetop for everything else.
I usually make these for breakfast, meaning I can fry up some eggs and toast some sourdough while they cook.
And, on those nights when I’m craving sausage for dinner too, the oven is free for roasted veggies and I can make some pasta on the stovetop!
No matter what time of day you decide to make them, this air fryer sausage links recipe will make your lives so much easier!!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Sausages – This recipe for how to cook sausage links in the air fryer is specifically for breakfast links.
While I’m partial to pork, you can use chicken or turkey sausage for a lighter option or plant-based sausages for a vegetarian or vegan feast!
If you plan on cooking larger sausages like brats or kielbasa, it’s better to increase the temperature to 400°F and increase the time by just a minute or two.
You’ll also want to poke a few holes in the casings so they don’t burst. - Optional Seasonings – Season breakfast sausage links with your favorite herbs and spices before air frying them.
How to Cook Sausage Links in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer.
How you do this will depend on your model — some have a preheat button, while others do not.
If that’s the case, set the temperature to 350°F and the timer to 5 minutes, then let it run without any food inside.
You’ll get more even cooking results and a crispier exterior by having the basket tray nice and hot before placing sausage links in the air fryer.
- Avoid overcrowding.
Don’t just toss your sausages into the basket! Arrange them neatly in a single layer with some space between each link.
This way, the hot air can circulate all the way around for maximum crispiness!
If you plan to cook a lot of air fryer sausage links, split them into smaller batches for best results. Serve them as they’re ready or keep them on a platter tented with foil so they stay warm.
- Shake basket or flip halfway through.
Open the basket after about 5 minutes of cooking and give it a few shakes to turn the sausages. I like to flip each air fryer sausage link with a pair of tongs just to be sure.
This allows both sides to come into contact with the hot metal tray so it’s seared all around!
- Check for doneness.
Sausages are done when they are crispy all over and firm to the touch. To be safe, you can check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer — it should read at least 160°F.
Prep Ahead
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
Kitchen Tools You Will Need
- Air Fryer – Different brands and sizes may require different cooking times, so be familiar with your model and make adjustments as needed.
- Tongs – I love this set of 3, and I use every pair of them. They are so handy and grip amazingly well!
- Digital Meat Thermometer – This is the easiest way to know when meats and proteins are cooked through and safe to eat.
Serving Suggestions
Obviously, breakfast sausage goes with all your morning favorites — eggs, pancakes, waffles, toast, breakfast potatoes, cinnamon rolls… the list never ends!
You can even prepare the whole meal in the air fryer. Perfect poached eggs and hash browns anyone?
But what about Italian sausage? I’m glad you asked! Cook and slice the links, then toss them into pasta dishes, soups, or low carb meals.
I especially love them with gnocchi in red pepper sauce.
Storage and Reheating Air Fryer Sausage Links
Once cool, transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Reheat air fryer sausage link leftovers back in the air fryer, just for a few minutes until warmed through, or in a skillet on the stovetop.
Air Fryer Sausage Link FAQ
Nope! Sausages release just enough grease as they cook to prevent them from sticking, and flipping them halfway helps with that too.
You can brush the links lightly in oil if you’d like, but I find they crisp up just fine without it.
Yes, with a few adjustments! Air fry frozen precooked sausages at 400°F for 5-6 minutes, or until they reach an internal temp of 160°F.
Frozen raw sausages will take longer to cook, about 13-15 minutes, but still use the higher temperature so they don’t dry out. If they’re stuck together in a block, cook for 5 minutes to start, then separate before you continue cooking.
And either way, you’ll still want to preheat the air fryer first!
Toss some onions, bell peppers, or garlic in with the links to enhance their flavor, and add some veggies to your meal.
You can also sprinkle air fryer sausage links with shredded cheese! Do so about halfway through cooking — enough time to melt the cheese without it dripping into the bottom of the basket.
And if you’re cooking for just 1 or 2 people, why not split the basket between links and bacon?
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Air Fryer Sausage Links Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounce package sausage links (about 17 links), room temperature
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
- Turn on your air fryer and preheat it to 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes. This will help ensure even cooking.
- Step 2: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
- Place the uncooked sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure there’s some space between each link for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Step 3: Air Fry the Sausage Links
- Cook the sausage links in the preheated air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 8-10 minutes. You will want to shake the basket or the tray about ½ way through cook time.
- Keep an eye on them because cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the sausages and air fryer models. The sausage links are ready when they turn golden brown, have crispy skin, and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature if needed.
- Step 4: Serve and Enjoy
- Once cooked, carefully remove the air fryer breakfast sausage links from the air fryer basket using tongs and transfer them to a serving plate. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious air-fried juicy sausages as a standalone snack, with a hearty breakfast, or as part of your favorite meal!
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published June 2024
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Wow, just wow! Quick, easy, and delicious. My family loved it.
Hi Elena!
We’re so glad that you enjoyed the recipe.
TSRI Team Member,
Devlyn