Looking for an easy dinner solution? air fryer chicken sausage is your answer.
After many weeknight dinners, we’ve nailed this easy cooking method; it’s a lifesaver when you’re short on time and super hungry!
Cleanup is minimal. Cooking time is quick. And the results? Always delicious.
We love using pre-cooked brands like Aidells or Al Fresco. They make this recipe even faster. Just pop them in, flip once, and dinner’s done!
Tip! If you have a smaller air fryer, you may need to cook the sausages in batches to avoid overcrowding. Just make sure to leave some space between the sausages for proper air circulation.
Ingredient Notes
🔹Chicken Sausage Selection: We’ve tested tons of different brands, and here’s what we’ve learned along the way. Pre-cooked chicken sausages like Aidells, Al Fresco, or Trader Joe’s varieties work beautifully in the air fryer. Our personal favorites are the apple-gouda and spinach-feta flavors, but feel free to experiment! Just make sure to check if you’re buying pre-cooked or raw sausages, as this will affect your cooking time.
🔹Olive Oil Spray: While it’s totally optional (since most chicken sausages already have enough natural fats), a light spritz of olive oil spray can take your sausages to the next level. We prefer using a high-quality olive oil spray without any additives; our go-to is the one that comes in a pump sprayer. Skip the aerosol cans if possible, as they can leave a sticky residue on your air fryer basket.
🔹Seasoning Options: Even though most chicken sausages come pre-seasoned, we sometimes like to jazz things up! A sprinkle of garlic powder, Italian seasoning, or even a touch of cajun seasoning can add an extra layer of flavor. Just remember that many chicken sausages already contain salt, so taste before adding any additional seasonings.
💡Pro Tip: If you’re watching your sodium intake, look for varieties labeled “low sodium” or “no added salt.” Most mainstream brands now offer these options, and they’re just as flavorful as their regular counterparts.
Storage Note: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Sausage?
Step 1: Prep Your Air Fryer
First things first, let’s get that air fryer preheated to 380°F. This temperature sweet spot gives us that perfect golden exterior without drying out the inside. While it’s heating up (usually takes about 3 minutes), you can prep your sausages.
Step 2: Prepare the Sausages
Take your chicken sausages out of the package and give them a quick pat with a paper towel if there’s any excess moisture. If you’re feeling fancy, this is when you’d add any extra seasonings or that light spritz of olive oil we mentioned earlier.
Step 3: Arrange in Air Fryer
Here’s a key tip we’ve learned: don’t overcrowd! Place the sausages in a single layer in your air fryer basket, leaving a little space between each one. This ensures even cooking and that perfect crispy exterior we’re all after. If you’re cooking for a crowd, it’s better to work in batches than to stack them.
Step 4: Cook to Perfection
Pop them in for 4-5 minutes at 380°F. After that, flip them over (we like using tongs for this) and cook for another 4-5 minutes. If you’re using raw sausages instead of pre-cooked, you’ll want to add about 5-7 minutes to the total cooking time and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Step 5: Check for Doneness
You’re looking for a nice golden-brown color on the outside. If you’re using pre-cooked sausages, they should be heated through. For raw sausages, use a meat thermometer to make sure they’ve reached 165°F internally.
💡 Pro Tips We’ve Learned Along the Way:
🔹If you like your sausages extra crispy, try slicing them lengthwise before cooking.
🔹Different air fryer models might need slight time adjustments; get to know yours!
🔹Let them rest for about 2 minutes after cooking (if you can resist diving right in!).
FAQs
Q1: Can I cook frozen chicken sausages in the air fryer?
Yes! We do this all the time. Just add 2-3 minutes to the cooking time, and you’re good to go. No need to thaw; that’s one of the things we love about air fryer cooking. Just make sure to check the internal temperature if you’re cooking raw frozen sausages.
Q2: How do I know when my chicken sausages are done?
For pre-cooked sausages, look for a golden-brown exterior and make sure they’re heated through. For raw sausages, use a meat thermometer; they should reach 165°F internally. If you cut into one, the meat should be completely cooked with no pink areas.
Q3: My sausages are splitting open while cooking. What am I doing wrong?
Don’t worry; this is actually pretty normal! Sometimes sausages split due to the heat causing the casing to contract. If you want to prevent this, try poking a few small holes in the casing with a fork before cooking. But honestly, we don’t mind the splitting; those crispy edges can be delicious!
Q4: How long do leftovers last?
Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 350°F. We find this works better than the microwave for maintaining texture.
Q5: Can I cook other types of sausages using this method?
Absolutely! The timing works great for most pre-cooked sausages. For raw pork or beef sausages, you’ll need to adjust the cooking time; usually about 12-15 minutes total, turning halfway through.
Q6: Do I need to spray the air fryer basket?
We usually don’t; most chicken sausages have enough natural oils. But if you’re concerned about sticking, a light spritz of olive oil on the basket (not cooking spray) works great.
Q7: What can I serve with these?
The possibilities are endless! We love pairing them with air-fried vegetables, serving them on buns for a healthier “hot dog,” slicing them up for pasta, or adding them to breakfast scrambles. They’re super versatile!
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 package (12-16 oz) pre-cooked chicken sausage links
- Olive oil spray (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
- Place the chicken sausage links in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each link for air circulation. If desired, lightly spray with olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes, then flip the sausages.
- Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the sausages are heated through and have a nice golden-brown exterior.
Notes
Other recipes you might like
Share Your Experience!
👩🍳We’d love to know how your air fryer chicken sausage turns out! Don’t forget to save this recipe for those busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast.
Tell Us About
🔹Which chicken sausage brand did you use?
🔹What sides did you pair it with?
🔹Any tips or tricks you discovered?
Rate This Recipe
⭐️ Leave a star rating to help others find this recipe!
🔹Your feedback helps other cooks and makes our recipes even better! Drop a comment below and let’s chat about your air fryer chicken sausage experience.