Air Fryer Sausages
Air fryer sausages brown evenly, with snappy skins, and need no extra fat because they cook in their own. There is no grill pan to keep an eye on and no spitting hob to wipe down afterwards. Any thick pork sausages will do, and the same method works for chicken, beef and vegetarian ones with a small change to the timing.
- Total
- 22 min
- Prep
- 2 min
- Cook
- 18 min
- Serves
- 2
- Per serving
- 420kcal
Ingredients and swaps for air fryer sausages
Sausages with a high meat content, around 90% or more, brown better and shrink less than budget ones, which contain more rusk and water. Pale, plump sausages from the butcher or a good supermarket range look their best in the basket, and the fat they release gives the skins their colour.
The timing depends on the size. Thick butcher-style pork sausages need the full 15 minutes, while slim chipolatas take 8–10 minutes at 180°C. Chicken and beef sausages follow the pork timings. Vegetarian sausages are usually ready in 10–12 minutes at 180°C, but check the pack, as they vary between brands.
Six thick sausages fit in one layer in a basket of about 5 litres. In a smaller basket, cook three at a time and add 15 minutes to the time. Without an air fryer, bake the sausages on a tray at 200°C (180°C fan), gas 6, for 25–30 minutes, turning them halfway.
Air fryer sausages method
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180°C for . Separate the sausages if they are linked, but you do not need to oil them.
- Load the basket Lay the sausages in a single layer with a little space between each one so the hot air can reach all sides.
- Cook and turn Cook at 180°C for , turning the sausages with tongs after . They should be deep golden brown all over.
- Check they are cooked Cut the thickest sausage open. It must be steaming hot all the way through, with no pink meat and clear juices, or 75°C in the middle. If not, give them another .
- Rest Lift the sausages onto a plate with the tongs and leave for before serving.
What to serve with air fryer sausages
Sausages and mash with onion gravy is the classic, and peas or buttered cabbage go well alongside. For breakfast, serve them with eggs and baked beans, or tuck them into a soft bread roll with fried onions and mustard. To wrap them up for a party, see air fryer bacon-wrapped sausages.
Common problems and fixes for Air Fryer Sausages
- The skins split open.
- Some splitting is normal, but a very hot setting makes it worse. Stay at 180°C rather than turning the dial up to speed things along.
- The outside is dark but the middle is still pink.
- The sausages are very thick or very fatty. Drop the temperature to 170°C and cook for 18 minutes, turning twice, then check again.
- The air fryer smokes.
- Fat has pooled in the drawer. When you turn the sausages, carefully pour away any fat that has collected.
Frequently asked questions about Air Fryer Sausages
How long do sausages take in the air fryer?
Thick pork sausages need 15 minutes at 180°C, turned halfway. Thinner chipolatas take 8–10 minutes at the same temperature.
Do you need to add oil?
No. Sausages contain plenty of fat of their own, which melts out as they cook and keeps the skins from sticking.
Can you cook sausages from frozen?
Yes. Cook them at 180°C for 18–20 minutes, turning twice, and check that they are steaming hot throughout with no pink meat. They brown more evenly if you defrost them in the fridge first.
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