Imagine waking up to the irresistible aroma of golden, crispy sausage links, prepared with minimal effort and maximum flavor. That’s exactly what you get when you master the art of making air fryer sausage links. This method has become my go-to, consistently delivering perfectly cooked sausages – beautifully browned and crispy on the outside, yet wonderfully tender and juicy within. It truly simplifies breakfast, taking all the guesswork out of achieving that ideal texture and taste.

“Breakfast is better when the air fryer does the work for you.”

-Becky

Beyond the incredible texture, the speed at which the air fryer cooks sausage links is a true game-changer. In mere minutes, you can have hot, perfectly cooked, crispy sausage links ready to grace your plate, without the need to stand guard over a greasy skillet. This hands-off approach frees up your precious morning time, allowing you to focus on other tasks or simply enjoy a more relaxed start to your day. Whether you’re working with fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked sausage links, the air fryer consistently delivers, promising less cleanup and significantly more flavor.

If you’re a fan of convenient and delicious air fryer breakfast recipes, you’ll love exploring other options like Air Fryer Bacon, Air Fryer French Toast Sticks, or Air Fryer Hash Browns. For a protein boost, consider these simple Air Fryer Egg Bites, or even Air Fryer Poached Eggs. The air fryer truly revolutionizes breakfast preparation, making healthy and hearty meals accessible to everyone.

Why the Air Fryer is Your Best Tool for Sausage Links

The air fryer isn’t just a kitchen gadget; it’s a culinary superhero when it comes to cooking sausage links. Its circulating hot air creates an environment akin to deep-frying, but with a fraction of the oil. This means you get that coveted golden-brown, irresistibly crispy exterior that typically requires a messy pan or grill. Unlike traditional frying methods, the air fryer cooks evenly on all sides, eliminating cold spots and ensuring every link is cooked to perfection. Plus, the enclosed cooking space means less splatter and a much easier cleanup, a huge win for busy mornings.

Beyond the perfect crisp, the air fryer’s efficiency is unmatched. It preheats quickly and cooks rapidly, turning raw or frozen links into a delicious meal in under 15 minutes. This speed is invaluable when you’re short on time but refuse to compromise on a satisfying breakfast. The intense heat also helps to render the fat beautifully, keeping the inside of the sausage moist and juicy, preventing it from drying out. It’s truly the ultimate method for perfectly cooked sausage links every single time.

Ingredients You Will Need

Making delicious air fryer sausage links requires surprisingly few ingredients, focusing on the quality of your sausage. Simplicity is key to this quick and easy recipe.

• Sausage links – The star of our show! You can use various types of breakfast sausage links, including pork, chicken, or turkey. The beauty of the air fryer is its versatility: it handles fresh, frozen, or even pre-cooked links with equal ease. Ensure you choose links that fit comfortably in your air fryer basket without overcrowding.
• Optional: Your Favorite Seasonings – While most breakfast sausages are well-seasoned, a sprinkle of black pepper, a dash of garlic powder, or a hint of smoked paprika can elevate the flavor even further if you’re using plain links.

A full list of ingredients with precise measurements is included in the recipe card below.

How to Cook Sausage Links in the Air Fryer

Cooking sausage links in the air fryer is incredibly straightforward, making it perfect for quick breakfasts or even last-minute dinner additions. Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked, crispy, and juicy sausages every time.

1. Preheat Your Air Fryer: Begin by preheating your air fryer to 370 degrees F (188 degrees C) for 3–5 minutes. This crucial step ensures that your sausages start cooking immediately on a hot surface, leading to a more even crisp and preventing them from sticking. While preheating, unpackage your sausage links and gently separate them.
2. Arrange in a Single Layer: Carefully place the sausage links in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s vital that they do not overlap or touch each other. Proper air circulation is the key to achieving that desirable all-around crispy texture. If you have too many links, cook them in batches.

3. Air Fry to Perfection: Air fry for 12–15 minutes. About halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-7 minute mark), gently flip the sausages using tongs. This ensures they brown evenly on all sides, resulting in a consistent crispiness. Continue cooking until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C), which can be verified with a meat thermometer.
4. Rest and Serve: Once cooked, carefully remove the sausage links from the air fryer basket and let them rest on a plate for 1–2 minutes. This brief resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring each bite is as tender and succulent as possible. Serve immediately and enjoy your perfectly cooked air fryer sausage links!

Expert Tips for Air Frying Sausage

Achieving consistently perfect air fryer sausage links is easy with a few insider tricks. These tips will help you get the crispiest results, prevent common issues, and make your cooking experience even smoother.

• No oil needed: Sausages naturally release a good amount of fat as they cook, which helps them crisp up beautifully. This means you typically don’t need to spray the air fryer basket with oil, making for an even healthier and less messy cooking process.
• Prevent bursting: For thicker sausage links or those with a very tight casing, lightly piercing the casing with a fork a few times before air frying can prevent them from bursting open due to internal pressure. This allows steam to escape while still retaining the juiciness.
• Cooking frozen sausages: Don’t have time to thaw? No problem! Air fryers are excellent for cooking frozen sausage links. Simply add an additional 2–3 minutes to the total cook time. Make sure to shake the basket or flip the sausages halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly and prevent any potential sticking to the basket.
• Avoid smoke: Greasy foods can sometimes cause smoke in the air fryer. To minimize this, always clean your air fryer basket thoroughly after cooking greasy batches. As an extra precaution, especially with very fatty sausages, you can place a slice of bread or a splash of water (about ¼ cup) in the drip tray beneath the basket. This helps absorb or dilute the excess grease, preventing it from burning and causing smoke.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: This is arguably the most important tip! For optimal crispiness and even cooking, always arrange your sausage links in a single layer, ensuring there’s space between each one. Overcrowding blocks air circulation, leading to steamed (rather than crispy) sausages. If necessary, cook in multiple batches.
• Check Internal Temperature: While cooking times are a good guide, the safest way to ensure your sausages are fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Sausage links should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) to be safe for consumption.

Creative Serving Ideas for Air Fryer Sausage Links

Air fryer sausage links are incredibly versatile and can elevate any meal, not just breakfast! Here are some creative and classic ways to enjoy your perfectly cooked, crispy sausages:

• The Classic Breakfast Plate: For a timeless breakfast, serve your sausage links alongside these fluffy Air Fryer Scrambled Eggs, light Air Fryer Pancakes, or crispy Air Fryer Waffles. Don’t forget a side of fresh fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup for a complete and satisfying meal.
• Hearty Weekend Brunch: Take your weekend brunch to the next level by pairing your sausages with crispy Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes, savory Air Fryer Hash Browns, or even a flavorful frittata. Add some toasted artisan bread and a strong cup of coffee for a truly indulgent spread.
• Quick & Flavorful Dinners: Sausage links aren’t just for mornings! Cook them alongside vibrant Air Fryer Bell Peppers and Onions for a quick and wholesome sausage and peppers dinner. You can serve this over rice, quinoa, or in a crusty roll.
• Sausage Sandwiches or Hot Dogs: Place a cooked sausage link in a hot dog bun, top with your favorite condiments like mustard, ketchup, or relish for a quick and satisfying lunch or snack.
• Breakfast Burritos or Tacos: Dice the cooked sausage links and add them to breakfast burritos with scrambled eggs, cheese, and salsa, or use them as a protein component in breakfast tacos.
• Side for Soups and Salads: Chop the crispy sausage and add it to a hearty lentil soup or a fresh green salad for an extra layer of flavor and protein.

Air Fryer Sausage Links FAQs

Got questions about cooking sausage links in your air fryer? We’ve got answers! Here are some of the most common inquiries to help you achieve perfect results every time.

4.64 from 11 votes

Servings: 4

Air Fryer Sausage Links

By Becky

Easy Air Fryer Sausage Links are crispy and ready to eat in minutes.

Prep: 3 minutes mins

Cook: 12 minutes mins

Total: 15 minutes mins

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Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Meat Thermometer (Optional, but recommended)
• Tongs

Ingredients 

• ▢
  1
  pound
  sausage links (fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked breakfast links)

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions 

• Step 1: Preheat. Preheat your air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit (188 degrees C). This usually takes about 3-5 minutes, allowing your air fryer to reach the ideal cooking temperature for immediate crisping.
• Step 2: Prepare Sausages. Remove the sausage links from their packaging. If they are stuck together, gently break them apart to ensure each link can cook individually.
• Step 3: Arrange in Basket. Place the sausage links in the preheated air fryer basket. Ensure they are arranged in a single layer, with a little space between each link. This is crucial for optimal air circulation, which helps them cook evenly and get crispy on all sides. Avoid stacking or overlapping at all costs.
• Step 4: Air Fry and Flip. Air fry at 370 degrees F for a total of 12-15 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time (around the 6-7 minute mark), use tongs to flip each sausage link. This helps achieve uniform browning and crispiness. Adjust cooking time based on the thickness of your sausage links and your desired level of crispness. If cooking from frozen, add an additional 2-3 minutes. For larger batches, you may need to add a few extra minutes.
• Step 5: Check Doneness & Rest. Once cooked, the sausages should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F (71 degrees C). Remove them from the air fryer and let them rest on a plate for 1-2 minutes before serving. This short rest period helps retain their juiciness. Enjoy!

Notes

• No oil needed: Sausages naturally release fat, so there’s no need to spray the basket. This makes for a healthier and less messy cooking experience.
• Prevent bursting: For thicker sausages, lightly pierce the casing with a fork before air frying to allow steam to escape and avoid splitting.
• Frozen sausages: Add 2–3 extra minutes of cook time to your recipe. Remember to shake the basket or flip them halfway through to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
• Avoid smoke: To prevent smoke from accumulating, always ensure your air fryer basket is clean. For greasier batches, placing a piece of bread or a splash of water (about ¼ cup) in the drip tray can help absorb or dilute excess grease.
• Don’t Overcrowd: Always cook in a single layer to allow hot air to circulate freely around each link, ensuring maximum crispness and even cooking. Cook in batches if necessary.
• Preheat is Key: Don’t skip preheating! It ensures your sausages start cooking on a hot surface, preventing sticking and promoting a better sear.

Nutrition

Serving: 3.5links,
Calories: 345kcal,
Protein: 17g,
Fat: 30g,
Saturated Fat: 10g,
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g,
Monounsaturated Fat: 13g,
Trans Fat: 0.2g,
Cholesterol: 82mg,
Sodium: 721mg,
Potassium: 281mg,
Vitamin A: 85IU,
Vitamin C: 1mg,
Calcium: 10mg,
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Perfect Sausage Links

There’s no doubt that cooking sausage links in the air fryer is a culinary revelation. It offers a convenient, quick, and incredibly effective way to achieve perfectly crispy exteriors and juicy interiors, transforming your breakfast routine or even your dinner options. Gone are the days of greasy pans and unevenly cooked sausages. With the air fryer, you get consistent, delicious results every single time, whether you’re starting with fresh or frozen links.

Embrace the simplicity and superior taste that air frying brings to your kitchen. We hope this comprehensive guide inspires you to make air fryer sausage links a staple in your meal planning. Enjoy your perfectly cooked, flavorful sausages and experience the ease of air fryer cooking!