So, picture this: it’s a Tuesday night, you’re tired, hungry, and the last thing you want is a complicated meal with tons of cleanup. That was me, like, ALL the time. Then, I started messing around with my air fryer (you know, that gadget I swore I wouldn’t get addicted to? Yeah, right.). I tossed some chicken sausages in there on a whim, not expecting much. Holy smokes, guys. Total game-changer! That first bite – crispy skin, super juicy inside – I was hooked. Now, making chicken sausage in air fryer is practically second nature. I’ve probably made them this way, oh dozens of times, tweaking things here and there until I got it just right. It’s ridiculously easy, lightning fast and honestly, the results are just way better than any other method I’ve tried. If you haven’t tried cooking chicken sausage in air fryer yet, you are seriously missing out!
What You’ll Need for Perfect Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Good news! You really don’t need a laundry list of fancy ingredients for this. Keeping it simple is key!
- Chicken Sausages: Obviously! Grab a pack of your favorite fully cooked chicken sausages. I usually go for 4-6 links depending on how many mouths I’m feeding. Flavor-wise, I’m a HUGE fan of apple & sage or anything with feta and spinach woven in – they just add that extra oomph. But hey, a good ol’ Italian style or roasted garlic works beautifully too. Just look for ones that look plump and tasty! (Side note: if you’re using raw chicken sausage, the game plan is similar, but we’ll need to be more careful with cooking time and temp checks – more on that later!)
- Olive Oil Spray (Optional, but kinda my secret weapon): Seriously, just a quick spritz gives the skins that extra little nudge towards golden, crispy perfection. Avocado oil spray works great too. If your sausages look a bit lean, this little cheat helps loads.
- Your Air Fryer: Doesn’t matter if it’s fancy or basic, basket-style or oven-style. They all rock for making chicken sausage in air fryer.
- (Maybe!) Extra Seasonings: Most chicken sausages come packed with flavor, but sometimes I like to jazz ’em up a bit more. A little crack of black pepper, a tiny pinch of smoked paprika (love that stuff!), or a whisper of garlic powder right before they go in? Never hurts!
Swapping things out? Easy peasy:
- Different Sausage? Totally! If you prefer turkey sausage, go for it. Just remember the pre-cooked vs. raw timing thing.
- No Spray Oil? No biggie. Just toss the sausages very lightly in maybe half a teaspoon of regular olive or avocado oil. You barely need any.
How Long Does It Take? (Spoiler: Like, No Time at All!)
This is honestly the best part. Forget waiting ages for the oven or getting splattered by a frying pan.
- Prep Time: Uh, maybe 2 minutes? Seriously. Open package. Put sausage in basket. Maybe spray with oil. Done.
- Cook Time: This is where the magic happens. Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), and these guys are usually perfectly cooked in 10-12 minutes. Maybe a minute or two longer if you like ’em extra-crispy or if they’re super thick.
- Total Time: You’re looking at fridge to plate in under 15 minutes. Isn’t that awesome? Thinking about how long they take in the oven (like 20-25 mins plus preheating)… yeah, making chicken sausage in air fryer is way, way faster. Easily shaves off almost half the cooking time. Weeknight dinner hero? Absolutely.
Cooking Chicken Sausage in Air Fryer: Step-by-Step
Alright let’s get these sausages sizzling! it’s so easy, you’ll be doing it with your eyes closed (okay, maybe don’t do that) in no time.
Get Your Fryer Ready & Sausages Situated
First up, if your air fryer likes a little warm-up hug, go ahead and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). It usually only takes a couple of minutes. While that’s happening, grab your sausages. Give ’em that quick spritz of oil if you’re using it. Now, lay them down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. My biggest tip here: Don’t pile them on top of each other! Give ’em a little personal space so that hot air can work its magic all around. That’s the secret to getting them crispy, not soggy.
Let the Cooking Begin!
Carefully slide that basket into the air fryer. Set your timer for 10 minutes. Now just hang out for a bit. Soon enough, you’ll start smelling that amazing savory aroma wafting through your kitchen. Ahhh listen closely and you might even hear a gentle sizzle – music to my ears!
The Halfway Flip (Trust Me on This One!)
Okay, around the 5-minute mark, do yourself a favor: pause the air fryer and use some tongs to give those sausages a quick flip. Is it 100% necessary? Maybe not, the air does circulate. But I swear it makes a difference in getting them perfectly, evenly browned and crispy all over. It takes like 10 seconds and is totally worth it for peak chicken sausage in air fryer results!
Are They Done Yet?
When that timer dings after 10 minutes, take a peek. If you used pre-cooked sausages, you want them heated all the way through, looking beautifully golden brown, and feeling a little crispy to the touch. If you like ’em extra snappy, give them another minute or two. Super Important Note if You Used RAW Sausages: You absolutely must check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Poke it into the thickest part of the sausage – it needs to read 165°F (74°C) to be safe. Raw sausages will probably need a bit longer, maybe 12-15 minutes total. Don’t guess – temp check is key!
Let ‘Em Chill (Just for a Minute!)
Once they look and smell amazing (and are safely cooked, if raw!), carefully pull the basket out. Let the sausages hang out for just a minute or two before you slice into them. This tiny bit of patience lets the juices settle back in, keeping them from running out all over your plate. Nobody wants a dry sausage! Now, go enjoy!
Making Your Air Fryer Chicken Sausage a Bit Healthier
Love these sausages but trying to keep things on the lighter side? Totally doable!
- Read Those Labels: When you’re buying, just take a quick glance at the nutrition info. Some chicken sausages are naturally leaner or lower in sodium than others. Many brands have awesome “light” versions now that don’t skimp on flavor.
- Maybe Skip the Oil Spray: Honestly, if the sausages seem like they have enough fat, or if you’re really watching calories, you can often get away without the oil spray. The air fryer still does a great job crisping them.
- Pile on the Plants: My favorite trick! Serve your yummy chicken sausage in air fryer with a giant pile of veggies. You can roast things like peppers, onions, broccoli, or zucchini right in the air fryer (sometimes even alongside the sausage!). Or just whip up a big, colorful salad with a light dressing.
- Flavor, Not Salt: Instead of drowning them in salty sauces, try fresh herbs, a good crack of black pepper maybe some red pepper flakes for kick, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end.
- Fits Your Diet: These are pretty adaptable! Eating low-carb or keto? Serve ’em up with cauliflower rice or zoodles. Need gluten-free? Most chicken sausages are, but just double-check the packaging to be sure. It’s easy to make chicken sausage in air fryer work for you.
Ways to Enjoy Your Delicious Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Okay, this is where you can get creative! These sausages are like the little black dress of quick meals – they go with almost anything.
- Morning Glory: Slice ’em up next to your eggs, wrap ’em in a breakfast burrito with some salsa and avocado, or (don’t knock it ’til you try it!) have them alongside whole-wheat pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrup. Yum!
- Lunchbox Hero: Cook a batch over the weekend! Sliced cold over a salad with some nuts and cranberries, or warmed up in a thermos with some leftover pasta – perfect for packed lunches.
- Pasta Night Rescue: Seriously, just toss sliced chicken sausage in air fryer with whatever pasta you have, a jar of marinara or pesto (my fave!), and maybe some wilted spinach or cherry tomatoes. Dinner = done.
- Better-Than-Takeout Sausage & Peppers: Air fry some sliced bell peppers and onions until tender-crisp. Serve the sausages on a good bun (or a lettuce wrap!) piled high with those veggies. So good.
- Keep it Simple: Sometimes, just the sausage next to some air fryer roasted potatoes or sweet potato fries, or even just some steamed green beans, is all you need. Easy and satisfying.
- Party Time Appetizer: Slice the cooked sausages into coins, stick toothpicks in them, and serve with a couple of fun dipping sauces – honey mustard, spicy mayo, BBQ… people love ’em!
Storing Leftover Chicken Sausage (Assuming You Have Any!)
Got extras? Awesome! They reheat beautifully.
- Fridge: Let them cool down completely first, then pop them into an airtight container. They’re good in the fridge for 3-4 days easy.
- Reheating: Okay, listen up: the best way to bring back that just-cooked crispiness is to toss them back in the air fryer for a few minutes! Set it around 350°F (175°C) for maybe 3-5 minutes. Works like a charm. Microwaving is faster, sure, but they’ll be softer. Your call! Or hey, chop ’em cold and throw them into a salad!
- Freezer: Yep, you can freeze cooked chicken sausage in air fryer. The texture might be a tiny bit different after thawing, but it’s great for planning ahead. Wrap the cooled sausages well (plastic wrap or foil inside a freezer bag works), and they’ll keep for a month or two. Just thaw them in the fridge overnight before you reheat.
Seriously, Why You NEED to Try This!
Okay I know I’ve been gushing, but I’m just passionate about easy, delicious food! Making chicken sausage in air fryer hits all the right notes for me: it’s unbelievably fast, ridiculously easy, tastes amazing, gets perfectly crispy, and you can use them in a million different ways. What’s not to love?!
It has saved me from ordering takeout on lazy nights more times than I can count, and it makes meal prepping feel less like a chore. It’s just… reliable. And delicious. Did I mention delicious?
So please, if you haven’t already, give this a shot! Dust off that air fryer and toss some chicken sausages in this week. I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Now, tell me everything! Have you already mastered chicken sausage in air fryer? What are your secrets? Favorite brands? Genius ways to serve them up? Hit me up in the comments below! I genuinely love hearing your kitchen adventures and ideas. Let’s chat sausage!
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Chicken Sausage in Air Fryer
Super quick & easy chicken sausage in air fryer! Get crispy, juicy links in under 15 mins. Perfect weeknight meal saver. Learn how!
Ingredients
- 4-6 of your favorite fully-cooked chicken sausages (whatever flavor you love! Apple & sage or spinach & feta are yummy choices)
- A little spritz of olive oil or avocado oil spray (totally optional, but helps get 'em extra crispy!)
- Maybe a tiny pinch of black pepper or paprika if you feel fancy (optional!)
Instructions
Get Your Fryer Ready & Sausages Situated
First up, if your air fryer likes a little warm-up hug, go ahead and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). It usually only takes a couple of minutes. While that’s happening, grab your sausages. Give ’em that quick spritz of oil if you’re using it. Now, lay them down in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. My biggest tip here: Don’t pile them on top of each other! Give ’em a little personal space so that hot air can work its magic all around. That’s the secret to getting them crispy, not soggy.
Let the Cooking Begin!
Carefully slide that basket into the air fryer. Set your timer for 10 minutes. Now just hang out for a bit. Soon enough, you’ll start smelling that amazing savory aroma wafting through your kitchen. Ahhh listen closely and you might even hear a gentle sizzle – music to my ears!
The Halfway Flip (Trust Me on This One!)
Okay, around the 5-minute mark, do yourself a favor: pause the air fryer and use some tongs to give those sausages a quick flip. Is it 100% necessary? Maybe not, the air does circulate. But I swear it makes a difference in getting them perfectly, evenly browned and crispy all over. It takes like 10 seconds and is totally worth it for peak chicken sausage in air fryer results!
Are They Done Yet?
When that timer dings after 10 minutes, take a peek. If you used pre-cooked sausages, you want them heated all the way through, looking beautifully golden brown, and feeling a little crispy to the touch. If you like ’em extra snappy, give them another minute or two. Super Important Note if You Used RAW Sausages: You absolutely must check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Poke it into the thickest part of the sausage – it needs to read 165°F (74°C) to be safe. Raw sausages will probably need a bit longer, maybe 12-15 minutes total. Don’t guess – temp check is key!
Let ‘Em Chill (Just for a Minute!)
Once they look and smell amazing (and are safely cooked, if raw!), carefully pull the basket out. Let the sausages hang out for just a minute or two before you slice into them. This tiny bit of patience lets the juices settle back in, keeping them from running out all over your plate. Nobody wants a dry sausage! Now, go enjoy!
Notes
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