An air fryer is great for cooking items that usually need a lot of oil, like sausages. But how do you get that perfect charred exterior with a juicy interior when using this appliance, especially considering that you don’t know what’s happening inside during the cooking process? In this post, we’ll guide you through the process and share some helpful tips along the way.
Is It Healthier to Air Fry Sausages?
Yes, and that’s because air frying uses less oil compared to traditional frying methods. This means you’re cutting down on unnecessary fats and calories. Also, since air fryers usually have a type of drain at the bottom for liquids to collect, any extra fat present will drip away with the heat and settle at the bottom.
What Type of Sausages Can You Air Fry?
You can air fry almost any type of sausage, including breakfast links, Italian sausages, bratwursts, hot dogs, smoked sausages, and more. The type of sausage meat doesn’t matter as well—pork, beef, chicken, or turkey, all work well. Just remember to adjust the cooking time based on the size and thickness of the sausages.
How Long to Cook Sausages in the Air Fryer?
It can vary depending on the type and thickness of the sausages. Generally, a standard pork sausage takes about 12-15 minutes. For thinner sausages like breakfast links, they might take around 8-10 minutes. If you’re cooking thicker sausages like bratwursts, you might need to cook them for 15-18 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for pork and beef sausages, or 165°F (74°C) for turkey and chicken sausages.
How to Cook Sausage in an Air Fryer
- Start by preheating your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- While it’s preheating, take your Italian sausage or whatever sausage you’ve chosen out of the refrigerator. If they are linked, separate them so they cook evenly. Pat them dry with a paper towel if they are wet. If you’re planning to cook frozen sausages, you can use those as well but make sure to add 5-7 minutes to the cooking time.
- Poke holes in the sausages in 3 places using a fork. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Make sure they are not touching each other. If you want extra crispy sausages, you can brush them with oil at this stage. However, this is optional since sausages usually have enough fat to cook well on their own.
- Set the timer for 12-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C) for standard pork sausages. If you’re cooking thinner breakfast sausages, set the timer for 8-10 minutes. For thicker sausages like bratwursts, set it for 15-18 minutes.
- Cook the sausages for half the set time, then pause the air fryer and turn the sausages over.
- When the cooking time is up, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For pork and beef sausages, it should be 160°F (71°C). For chicken and turkey sausages, it should be 165°F (74°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, cut one sausage in half using a sharp knife and make sure the center is no longer pink.
- Once they are done, remove the cooked sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for a couple of minutes.
- Serve the sausages hot with your favorite sides or in a bun.
Summary
To wrap things up, cooking sausages in an air fryer is quick, easy, and healthier than traditional frying methods. You can air fry almost any type of sausage, and with the right temperature and timing, you’ll get delicious results every time. Just follow the steps we’ve discussed, and you’ll have perfectly cooked air fryer sausages that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
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