Air fryer sausages are so quick and easy, this recipe tells you the temperature and time for cooking fresh or frozen sausages perfectly.
How to cook sausages in an air fryer?
Check out the slideshow video below for easy steps, showing how to cook sausages in the air fryer.
Continue reading for more information about different sausages that can be air fried and for how long sausages take in the air fryer.
Or jump straight to the recipe card
Jump to RecipeWhy use an air fryer?
We love to use the air fryer for a number of reasons, it is quick and easy to turn on and heats up quickly.
It cooks quicker and more evenly than an oven or grill. Emits less heat and smells into the house. Cooks a lot healthier than other cooking methods with minimal amount of oil needed.
You don't need to worry about fat splattering everywhere like it does when frying, grilling or oven cooking, which is not only dangerous but oh so messy!
And finally I must mention how easy it is to clean after!
We use a couple of squirts of spray oil, to prevent the sausages from sticking to the base of the air fryer.
Our air fryer is the Pro Breeze from Amazon which works perfectly but we are saving up for the 9 in 1 multi cooker by Ninja! We love kitchen gadgets!
What type of sausages to cook?
This air fryer cooking method can be used for all types of sausages. From traditional Great British bangers like the Cumberland or Lincolnshire, spicy or sweet Italian sausages to large German bratwursts.
Or smaller varieties like the skinny but flavoursome chipolatas, thin pork breakfast sausages, or even cocktail sausages!
You can also use the air fryer to warm up previously cooked sausages or Frankfurt hotdogs.
What temperature for air fryer?
The right temperature for cooking sausages is 180°C/350°F, always preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes before using.
Do not try putting them in at a higher heat thinking they will cook faster. They will either burn on the outside or not be cooked inside!
Whilst waiting for the air fryer to warm, pierce the sausages, you can use a fork to prick them or a sharp knife.
This prevents the skin from splitting during cooking and also helps to drain some of the fat out.
How long to cook sausages in the air fryer?
The time varies depending on the type and thickness of sausage you are cooking.
In this case we are cooking thick Cumberland sausages which take about 12 minutes.
We find it best to turn halfway through cooking but that is optional, the air fryer does a good job to circulate the air to cook them evenly.
But it is nice to check in quickly and give them a little shake at least.
You can cook as many at a time that will fit in a single layer in your air fryer. Do not pile the sausages on top of each other, as they will not cook evenly.
Cooking time for different types of sausages
| Type of sausage | Time to cook in air fryer (preheated to 180°C/350°F) |
|---|---|
| Cocktail Sausages Pigs in blankets | 8 minutes |
| Thin pork sausages (like Richmond) Small breakfast sausages Chipolatas | 10 minutes |
| British sausages (Cumberland & Lincolnshire) Thick pork sausage Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) Chicken Sausages Beef Sausages Turkey Sausages | 12 minutes |
| Larger sausages German Bratwurst | 15 minutes |
Can frozen sausages be cooked in the air fryer?
Yes, sausages that are purchased already frozen from the supermarket have been specially prepared to be safe to cook from frozen. So they can safely be cooked in an air fryer.
They may need a couple more minutes than fresh sausages, check them at the time suggested above and cook for longer if necessary?
However, if you have frozen the fresh sausages yourself. It is recommended to defrost ahead of time in the fridge (overnight) before cooking them in the air fryer.
Can I reheat cooked sausages in the air fryer?
Yes cooked sausages can be reheated in the air fryer, they only take 4 minutes to reheat from chilled.
What to serve with?
Sausages, are great for breakfast, as part of a full English fry up, or in a breakfast bap with ketchup.
Or try them cut up as seen here served with cocktail sticks with our delicious sticky beer and honey glaze.
Have bangers and mash for dinner using our mashed potatoes and onion gravy recipes.
Also great for lunch in a sausage sandwich.
Our teenage kids all enjoy their air fryer sausages with our Cheese and Mashed Potato Pie and peas. Guaranteed clean plates all around.
Air Fryer Sausages
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Sausages
- 3 squirts Spray Oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C/350°F for 5 minutes
- Prick each sausage a few times with a sharp knife
- Spray the base of the air fryer with a couple of squirts of spray oil to prevent sausages from sticking.
- Use a pair of tongs to carefully place sausages in (do not allow them to touch for even cooking) Put the timer on for 12 minutes (adjust the time for smaller, bigger, or frozen sausages see the notes section below)
- Halfway through cooking turn over using tongs.
- After 12° minutes check, cook for longer if needed.
- Serve with your chosen meal
Video
Notes
How long to cook different types of sausages in air fryer?
We used fresh British Cumberland sausages for this post. The same temperature and time listed above will also work for most thick pork sausages, such as Lincolnshire sausages and Italian sausages, as well as chicken or beef sausages. To cook thin pork sausages, breakfast, or chipolatas, lower time to 10 minutes on 180°C/350°F. If cooking larger sausages such as Bratwurst they will need 15 minutes to cook through.Can I cook frozen sausages in the air fryer?
Yes, sausages that are purchased already frozen from the supermarket have been specially prepared to be safe to cook from frozen. So they can safely be cooked in an air fryer. They may need a couple more minutes than fresh sausages. However, if you have frozen, fresh sausages yourself. It is recommended to defrost ahead of time in the fridge (overnight) before cooking them in the air fryer.Nutrition
We love to hear from you, let us know if we have missed your favourite type of sausage off the list, and what you like to serve with your sausages?
Check out this list by Premio of different types of sausages from all around the world.
One of our favorite easy dinners is sausages with sides, and this prep just makes them easier and more delicious!! I wouldn't have known to try sausages in the air fryer without your recipe! So good.
Thanks, Megan for the great comment, so glad you like the air fryer sausage recipe 🙂
It makes cooking them so much simpler and they taste brilliant!!
Thats so beautiful
Thanks, Rebecca
Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
This has convinced me - I have GOT to get an air fryer. Your step-by-step photos make it look pretty easy. I have an Instant Pot so maybe I'll look into getting the air fryer lid for it. These look GREAT and I like the idea of less oil.
Hi Sharon
This is such an easy recipe but a great way to cook your sausages 🙂
Enjoy!!
If they cook as well as potatoes then that will do for me. Marvellous.
This is such a great way to cook sausages. I do it all the time. I agree with this method, we don't need to worry about fat splattering everywhere or the whole house smelling like sausages for hours!
Hi Nart, your so right with this comment, so much less mess and no lingering smells throughout the kitchen when you cook your sausages in an air fryer 🙂
Enjoy!!
What a great idea to make sausages in the air fryer. I bet they are delicious. This preparation is actually so much healthier that's for sure. I'm going to give this a try.
Thank you so much Natalie for the comment, cooking sausages in the air fryer is so much easier and a great healthier option 🙂
Enjoy!!
Wish I had seen this before I had bought the Johnsonville sausage cooker. Interesting way to cook sausage.
Hi Amanda
Thanks for the comment 🙂
This is a great way to cook sausages, if you do try this let us know what you think?
Enjoy!!
You’re right! Making these sausages in the air fryer is much easier than grilling them! And so delish too!
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you liked the air fryer sausages recipe, it makes cooking them so much easier 🙂
. I've got an air fryer recently and this recipe is on my list to prepare soon. I've saved it immediately because it looks so delicious.
What a great idea to make sausages in the air fryer. I am yet to get an air fryer. What is the difference between conventionally oven cooked sausages and these, would you say there is any difference in taste?
What a Lovely Food. I'll Definitely Try. Thank You.
This helped me a lot, thanks for the cooking temps and times required. I often cook frozen chicken nuggets in the air fryer and now have added sausages to that list of favorite air fryer foods!
Hi Holly
So glad the blog helped you with cooking times and temps for cooking air fryer sausages 🙂
Thanks for the comment and rating it is really appreciated
Enjoy!!