Air fryers have quickly become a must-have kitchen appliance, and it’s not hard to see why. From their versatility to the ease with which they deliver perfectly crispy, evenly cooked meals, they’ve revolutionized home cooking. Whether you’re whipping up garlic bread, doughnuts, or even a cheesy quiche, the air fryer consistently turns out delicious results with minimal effort. Today, we’re exploring one of the best-kept secrets for air fryer users: cooking sausages.

If you haven’t tried cooking sausages in an air fryer yet, you’re in for a treat. It’s fast, easy, and delivers juicy, flavorful sausages with a perfect crispy exterior. Let’s dive into why air fryers are ideal for sausages and how to make them with minimal fuss.

Why Are Air Fryers So Great for Cooking?

Before we talk sausages, let’s take a moment to appreciate what makes air fryers such a kitchen essential. They’re essentially a more compact, energy-efficient version of a convection oven. By circulating hot air at high speed, air fryers ensure that food cooks evenly while developing a crispy texture similar to frying, without the need for excess oil.

Key Benefits of Using an Air Fryer:

1. Fast Cooking Time: Air fryers heat up almost instantly, and because they’re small, they cook food much faster than traditional ovens. This means less waiting around and quicker meals.
2. Crispy Results: Whether you’re cooking fries, wings, or vegetables, the air fryer creates that coveted crispy exterior without needing to drench your food in oil.
3. Healthier Cooking: With the ability to use little to no oil, air fryers allow for healthier versions of your favorite fried foods.
4. Easy to Use and Clean: The simple controls and non-stick baskets make using and cleaning the air fryer hassle-free.

Why Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer?

We’re always on the lookout for new things to cook in our air fryer, and sausages are one of the best discoveries. Traditionally, cooking sausages can be a bit of a hassle—whether it’s waiting for the oven to heat up, managing splatters on the stovetop, or dealing with uneven browning on a BBQ. The air fryer takes care of all those issues and produces sausages that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.

Here are the main reasons why sausages in the air fryer are a total gamechanger:

Even Cooking

One of the most frustrating things about cooking sausages on a BBQ or in a pan is how uneven the browning can be. The air fryer’s hot, circulating air ensures that the sausages brown evenly on all sides, without the need for constant turning or checking.

Quick Cooking Time

Sausages typically take over 25 minutes to bake in an oven, and that’s without considering the time it takes for the oven to preheat. With an air fryer, sausages can be ready in as little as 10 minutes, with no preheating required. The speed at which the air fryer cooks makes it ideal for quick weeknight dinners or when you’re in a rush.

No Mess or Smoke

Cooking sausages on the stove often leads to splattering oil, filling your kitchen with smoke or unpleasant smells. Air fryers eliminate this problem by containing the sausages within the basket, reducing splatter. Additionally, the sausages don’t burst or leak fat like they might in a pan, which means less mess to clean up after cooking.

Moist and Delicious

Despite the air fryer’s intense heat, sausages cooked this way remain moist and juicy inside. The high heat helps to seal in the moisture, so you’re left with delicious sausages that aren’t dried out. Plus, because you’re not using much oil, there’s no greasy aftertaste or excess fat lingering in the air fryer basket.

How to Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’re convinced of the benefits, let’s get into the details of how to cook sausages perfectly in your air fryer. The process is simple, but there are a few tips and tricks that can help you get the best results.

What You’ll Need:

• Sausages: We used small pork chipolatas, but you can use any type of sausage you prefer. Just adjust the cooking time depending on the size.
• Oil Spray (optional): A light mist of oil can help achieve an even golden brown, but it’s not strictly necessary.

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat the Air Fryer: While most air fryers don’t require preheating, some models perform better when preheated. If yours does, set it to 200°C (390°F) and let it warm up for 3 minutes.
2. Prepare the Sausages: Lightly spray the sausages with a bit of oil. This step is optional but can enhance the browning and prevent sticking. If you’re cooking a large batch, you can pile the sausages in the basket – the air fryer’s design allows for efficient cooking even with some stacking, as long as they don’t touch the heating element.
3. Cook the Sausages: Place the sausages in the basket in a single layer if possible, and set the air fryer to 200°C. Cook for about 10 minutes for smaller sausages like chipolatas, or up to 15 minutes for larger varieties.
4. Shake Halfway: At the 5-minute mark, open the air fryer and give the basket a shake. This helps ensure that the sausages cook evenly and brown nicely on all sides.
5. Check for Doneness: After 10 minutes (or 15 for larger sausages), check to see if the sausages are fully cooked. They should be golden brown on the outside and have an internal temperature of at least 75°C (165°F). If they need more time, cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Once the sausages are done, carefully remove them from the air fryer basket and serve them hot. They’re perfect alongside eggs for breakfast, served with mashed potatoes for a classic dinner, or sliced into pasta for a quick weeknight meal.

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Sausages

1. Oil Spray for Browning: While the air fryer can cook sausages without oil, a light spray of oil helps them brown more evenly. It also prevents any sticking, especially if your air fryer basket isn’t non-stick.
2. Cook in Batches if Necessary: If you’re cooking a large batch of sausages, don’t be afraid to pile them in, but avoid overcrowding to the point that they touch the heating element. If needed, cook in batches and wipe out the basket between batches to avoid smoke from leftover oil.
3. Check for Doneness with a Meat Thermometer: If you’re unsure whether your sausages are fully cooked, use a meat thermometer to check. The internal temperature should reach 75°C (165°F).
4. Experiment with Different Sausages: From chicken sausages to Italian, bratwurst, or even plant-based options, the air fryer is versatile and can handle a variety of sausage types.

Conclusion

Cooking sausages in an air fryer is an easy, quick, and mess-free method that delivers perfectly juicy, evenly cooked sausages every time. With its ability to cook multiple sausages at once and significantly reduce the cooking time compared to traditional methods, it’s no wonder more people are turning to their air fryers for this simple but delicious dish. Whether you’re preparing breakfast, lunch, or dinner, air fryer sausages are sure to become a favorite in your household. Happy cooking!