How to cook sausages in the air fryer

Air fryer sausages are so easy to make. When you cook sausages in an air fryer they cook evenly and it’s a much easier way to get them cooked when you need them. They are a healthy alternative to frying sausages in a frying pan as you don’t need as much oil.

Cooking sausages in the air fryer saves time, washing up and of course, using the oven which can be so expensive to run. I’ve cooked 12 sausages in the air fryer easily and more than that I would do more batches. If I had a lot to cook I might still use the oven but I do love my air fryer.

By using an air fryer to cook your sausages, you’ll achieve perfectly crispy, gorgeously brown and succulent sausages every time.

Top Questions

How long to cook sausages in an air fryer?
How long to cook sliced sausage in air fryer?
Can you put foil in an air fryer?
How do you keep sausages from bursting in an air fryer?
How to cook sausages in the air fryer?
Is air frying sausages healthy?

Why you’ll love this air fryer sausages recipe

Not only is it quick and easy to make, but the possibilities for flavour combinations are endless with air fryer sausages.

Whether you prefer spicy, classic or even fruity sausages, you can experiment with different sausages that suit your taste buds.

As the air fryer can cook food evenly and without a lot of oil, you can feel good about indulging in this delicious dish. Cooking sausages in the air fryer is a healthy alternative to frying.

air fryer sausages on a spotty plate

Ingredients

For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

Fresh Sausages

Choose the best sausages for your taste and budget.

Before we get into the steps of cooking sausages in the air fryer, it’s important to choose the right sausages.

I look for sausages that are made with quality meat and minimal fillers. I avoid sausages that are too high in fat content, as this may lead to splattering in the air fryer. Sausages that are evenly sized will cook more evenly together too.

You can also experiment with different flavours and seasonings to add variety to your meals. Once you’ve selected the perfect sausages, it’s time to move on to prepare them for cooking.

Frozen Sausages

Air frying frozen sausages is just as easy! There is no need to thaw frozen sausages before cooking them in the air fryer.

Vegan Sausages

This recipe is easy to follow with vegan sausages too. I use Richmond vegan sausages when we have vegan guests. They are frozen and cook from frozen so if we don’t use them all they can be used at a later date.

How to cook sausages in the air fryer – step by step

For the full recipe and instructions scroll to the bottom of the page for the recipe card.

sausages in the air fryer ready to be cooked
sausages in the air fryer before photo

Add the sausages to the air fryer basket and make sure they’re not touching each other. This will allow the hot air to circulate evenly around them, ensuring they cook through evenly.

Next, use a fork or toothpick to poke several holes in each sausage. This will prevent them from bursting and releasing all their juices in the air fryer. Be careful not to poke too deep, or the juices will escape, and the sausages will end up dry. (Some people are against this but I think I’d rather help them cook and not make a mess. It’s up to you.)

After poking, brush the sausages lightly with some oil. This will help them brown evenly. You can use any oil you like, I used vegetable oil but olive oil or sunflower oil work well too.

sausages in the air fryer cooked

Air Fryer Sausages Top Tips

The best tip I can give is to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. While it can be tempting to add as many sausages as possible, doing so will prevent the air from circulating properly. This may result in unevenly cooked sausages.

If you do have a lot of sausages to cook I would recommend cooking your sausages in batches to ensure that each one has plenty of space to cook evenly.

If you have larger or thicker sausages please be aware they will take a bit longer to cook.

Serving Suggestions

Air fryer sausages are so good, they can be served with almost anything.

Try serving up your sausages with air fryer chips, creamy mashed potatoes and gravy or, my personal favourite. A classic sausage sandwich.

Let your sausages cool a little and sandwich them between two pieces of buttered bread. I also like to add a dollop of ketchup too but you could add mustard, Branston pickle or your own favourite sauces.

But if you’re looking to make a full meal with roasted veggies in the air fryer, try air fryer sprouts and carrots.

air fryer sausages with rosemary and ketchup

Equipment

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I use the Cosori Air Fryer 4.7L air fryer. I would recommend it to so much. It’s easy to use and really easy to clean too. It has clear-to-use buttons and it is easy to remove the basket too.

Substitutions and variations

Frozen Sausages in the air fryer

Add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and use frozen sausages. I always have a bag of frozen sausages in the freezer so it’s a great recipe to have on hand if I need to quickly whip up a sausage sandwich.

You can also buy sausages that are close to their use-by date (usually on offer) at the supermarket and freeze them for up to 3 months. You can still cook these from frozen in the air fryer or let them defrost first.

Chicken Sausages in the air fryer

Lighter in taste than their pork counterparts, chicken sausages are delicious and just as easy to cook in the air fryer as normal sausages. They usually have slightly different cooking times so be sure to read the instructions.

Wild boar sausages in the air fryer

Decadent and luxurious. Wild boar sausages are delicious, they make for a top-class dinner. I usually buy wild boar sausages from my local butcher but you can sometimes you can find them in the supermarket.

Storing air fryer sausages / Making ahead of time options

Air fryer sausages are most definitely best enjoyed fresh.

If you are making sausages to enjoy cold then cook when it’s the best time for you. Sausages are best enjoyed within 1-2 days after cooking.

close up of golden brown air fryer sausages

FAQS

How long to cook sausages in an air fryer?

It takes about 15 minutes to cook sausages in an air fryer, this will largely depend on the size and type of sausages you are cooking. Normal pork sausages will be cooked through and crispy on the outside in about 12-15 minutes.

How long to cook sliced sausage in air fryer?

Sliced sausage will cook quicker than whole sausage. They will likely take about 8-10 minutes to cook but this will vary depending on how thick-cut your sliced sausages are.

Can you put foil in an air fryer?

Yes, you can put tin (aluminium) foil in an air fryer – it’s a great way to ensure your food doesn’t stick to the bottom. It also helps you to separate foods if you are cooking multiple things at once.

How do you keep sausages from bursting in an air fryer?

You keep sausages from bursting in an air fryer by pricking them with a fork or sharp knife first. This helps to release the pressure as they cook and expand. If you don’t prick your sausages they may burst and stick to the bottom or sides of your air fryer.

How to cook sausages in the air fryer?

You cook sausages in the air fryer easily. You need to wipe them down with a little bit of oil and prick them with a sharp knife or fork to stop them from bursting and set your air fryer to 180 degrees and cook your sausages for about 15 minutes until they are crispy and golden.

Is air frying sausages healthy?

Yes, air frying sausages are more healthy than frying them in a pan as it uses much less oil. Sausages are not the healthiest of foods in the first place but can be enjoyed as part of a varied diet.

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Recipe

Air Fryer Sausages

Sisley White
Air fryer sausages are so easy to make. When you cook sausages in an air fryer they cook evenly and it's a much easier way to get them cooked when you need them. They are a healthy alternative to frying sausages in a frying pan as you don't need as much oil.
5 from 9 votes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, British, International
Servings 6 sausages
Calories 269 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 6 Sausages (I used pork but you could use vegan, chicken and any interesting flavours you like)
  • 0.5 tbsp oil (I used vegetable oil but you can use olive oil too)

Instructions
 

  • Add the sausages to the air fryer basket.
  • Pour the oil into a small bowl or plate and using a pastry brush, brush the sausages with the oil.
  • Poke a hole in each sausage to prevent them from bursting (optional).
  • Space out the sausages so there is space between them.
  • Air fry at 180ºC / 356ºF for 12-15 minutes.
  • Turn them over half way through to make sure they are cooked evenly.

Video

Notes

  • You can use this recipe for meat and meat-free sausages.
  • You can cook the sausages from frozen but they will need a little longer.
  • Make sure you have a single layer of sausages that have space around them so the air can circulate.

Nutrition

Calories: 269kcalProtein: 13gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 61mgSodium: 541mgPotassium: 211mgVitamin A: 64IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 1mg

Please note that the nutrition information provided above is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

Keyword air fryer, air fryer recipes, air fryer sausages, sausages
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12 thoughts on “How to cook sausages in the air fryer”

  1. 5 stars
    I love how easy this recipe is, looks like the perfect way to get a quick breakfast together. Excited to try it out this weekend!

    Reply
  2. 5 stars
    I used this recipe to make sausages this morning for breakfast and I loved how quick and convenient it was! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!

    Reply
  3. 5 stars
    I haven’t made sausages in my air fryer yet, but I totally want to try this now! They look perfect. 🙂

    Reply
  4. 5 stars
    This is such a good idea! I have never tried cooking sausages in the air fryer and I really should because whenever I make sausages they cook unevenly or one section ends up more burned than others. Is there anything an air fryer can’t do?

    Reply

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