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 air fryer?
Continue reading after the recipe card below for more information about cooking sausages in the air fryer, serving suggestions, what type of sausages can be air fried and how long sausages take in the air fryer.
📖 Step by Step Recipe
Air Fryer Sausages
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 Sausages
- Few squirts Spray Oil
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C/350°F for 5 minutes.
- Prick each of the 6 Sausages a few times with a sharp knife or fork
- Spray the base of the air fryer with a Few squirts 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
This post was originally posted on 21/02/2021. It has been updated with more advice on ingredients and how to make Air fryer Sausages Recipe. We moved the recipe card up in the post on 02/07/2024 to make it more user-friendly.
Why use an air fryer?
We love to use the air fryer for several reasons: it is quick and easy to turn on and heats up quickly.
It cooks quicker and more evenly than an oven or grill. It emits less heat and smells into the house.
Cooks healthier than other cooking methods with the 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 basket.
The air fryer shown here is the Pro Breeze from Amazon, which works perfectly fine, but we have since upgraded to the Ninja Dual Air Fryer which I highly recommend with two air fryer baskets you can cook more!.
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 chicken sausages, 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 in air fryer UK is 180°C or US temperature 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!
While waiting for the air fryer to warm, pierce the sausages. You can use a fork or a sharp knife to prick them.
This prevents the skin from splitting during cooking and helps drain some of the fat.
Cooking Time
The time varies depending on the type and thickness of the 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 of circulating the air around the air fryer basket 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 as fit in a single layer in your air fryer basket at a time. Do not pile the sausages on top of each other, as they will not cook evenly.
Use this chart for how long to cook sausages in air fryer uk.
Different Types of Sausages in Air Fryer UK / US
| 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 Richmond Thin sausages 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, frozen sausages purchased already frozen from the supermarket have been specially prepared to be safe to cook from frozen. So they can be safely 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 basket.
Can I reheat cooked sausages in the air fryer?
Yes, cooked sausages can be reheated in the air fryer basket. 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, served with air fryer bacon, 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. It's 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.
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 air fry sausages?
Check out this list by Premio of different types of sausages from all around the world.
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Mark says
Very helpful and easy to read!
Kay says
Thanks, Mark 🙂
Great to hear you find the air fryer sausage blog helpful and easy to read 🙂
Enjoy!!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
It looks incredibly delicious. I wish this were in front of me.
Kay says
Thanks, Maggie
Hope you enjoy our Air fryer sausages recipe, it just makes cooking them so much easier 🙂
Jessica Formicola says
I love sausages, but I've never thought to make them in the air fryer! This will make making breakfast so much easier in the mornings!
Kay says
Thanks, Jessica
It makes making breakfast so much easier 🙂
Enjoy!!
Brianna says
Cooking sausage in the air fryer was so easy!
Kay says
Thanks for the rating and comment, Brianna 🙂
You are right it makes cooking sausages so much easier in an air fryer!!
Enjoy 😉
Brynn says
Your little sausage cooking time chart is so handy! I don't know why I haven't thought about using my beloved air fryer for sausages...so delicious.
Kay says
Thanks, Brynn
Glad the cooking time for the air fryer sausages come in handy 🙂
Really is such an easy way to cook your sausages
Enjoy!!
Megan Stevens says
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.
Kay says
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!!
Rebbecca Mallett says
Thats so beautiful
Kay says
Thanks, Rebecca
Glad you liked the recipe 🙂
Sharon says
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.
Kay says
Hi Sharon
This is such an easy recipe but a great way to cook your sausages 🙂
Enjoy!!
Paul Perkins says
If they cook as well as potatoes then that will do for me. Marvellous.
Nart at Cooking with Nart says
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!
Kay says
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!!
Natalie says
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.
Kay says
Thank you so much Natalie for the comment, cooking sausages in the air fryer is so much easier and a great healthier option 🙂
Enjoy!!
Amanda Marie says
Wish I had seen this before I had bought the Johnsonville sausage cooker. Interesting way to cook sausage.
Kay says
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!!
Lilly says
You’re right! Making these sausages in the air fryer is much easier than grilling them! And so delish too!
Kay says
Thank you so much for the comment, glad you liked the air fryer sausages recipe, it makes cooking them so much easier 🙂
Andréa Janssen says
. 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.
Ramona says
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?
Veenas says
What a Lovely Food. I'll Definitely Try. Thank You.
Holly says
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!
Kay says
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!!