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Easy Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage Links (Fresh or Frozen)

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Enjoy perfectly crisp and juicy link sausage in the Air Fryer. The best part, easier clean-up and no greasy mess! Sausage links are excellent for a quick and easy breakfast. Use pork, turkey or chicken sausages!

My family has slept better ever since I started air frying our sausage in the morning! Why you ask? Great question; as I was running around, sausages in a frying pan, packing lunches, switching laundry, letting the dog out, answering email — my sausage would inevitably burn or at least get so smokey that it tripped our fire alarm, waking everyone up!

Craving more easy air fryer breakfast recipes? Check out my delicious French Toast Sticks Recipe or these adorable Heart Shaped Biscuit Donuts, and this easy Air Fryer Apple Crisp Recipe! Check out all of my air fryer recipes.

Easy Air Fryer sausage links on plate.

Why You Will Love this Recipe

  • Quick and Easy- Breakfast is ready in just 8-10 minutes and made almost entirely hands-free!
  • Family Friendly- Who doesn’t like juicy sausages? Treat your loved ones to a savory and delicious breakfast, including sausage links and another favorite, like eggs over easy, cinnamon toast, or sweet oatmeal!
  • Cooks Evenly- The Air Fryer Method uses hot airflow to cook foods from all angles, producing perfectly browned sausages with a juicy meaty inside.

You’ll love the ease and convenience of this simple recipe. Serve them with an omelet, grits, scrambled eggs, buttered toast, and a refreshing glass of orange juice.

Air Fryer Sausage links.

Tips for Two

Make all the sausages in the package and store some for later. Or air fry only what you’ll eat. Then, properly store the remaining raw sausages in a sealed container or plastic zip-top bag.

Ingredients, directions and nutritional information in the printable recipe card at the end of the post.

Labeled ingredient for sausage links in air fryer.
  • Sausage | Use your favorite brand of original or maple raw sausage links. I love Jones Dairy Farm Sausage and all natural Jimmy Dean sausage. Fresh or Frozen – see notes!
  • But you may also choose another popular pick, like Smithfield’s and Johnsonville’s. See the FAQ section for the instructions to make frozen sausage patties or links in the air fryer.

Begin this easy air fryer recipe by removing the sausage links from their packaging.

Next, place the breakfast sausage in the air fryer basket. Be sure the links are not touching and are in a single layer. This will help the air fryer properly flow the hot air around each piece, cooking them evenly and thoroughly. Depending on the size of your air fryer basket, you may need to fry the sausage links in batches.

Set the air fryer temperature to 375 degrees F and cook the sausage for about 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket to roll the links or flip them with tongs or another utensil. Remove from air fryer and on a paper towel lined plate, ta-da – homemade breakfast sausage!

Pro Tip

  • For best results; remove your sausages from the fridge about 20-30 minutes before cooking. Cold meat will not sear or crisp as well as room temperature meat. This is a good practice for all of your meats.

How to keep sausages warm without drying them out

If you are making large quantities of sausage for a crowd, preheat your oven to 200 degrees, line a baking sheet with aluminum foil (this makes clean up a breeze) and layer the cooked sausages, placing in the oven. The temperature is low enough to keep warm, but not continue cooking, which is what will dry the sausages out.

Fresh Tips

  • For the best results, flip the sausage links halfway through the cooking process.
  • Thicker sausages and types of sausage (e.g. pork vs. chicken sausage) may take longer to cook in the air fryer.
  • If you like your breakfast sausage a little crisper, add just a 2-3 minutes to the cook time.
  • If your sausage is really lean you may want to add a little spray oil or rub a little butter on the cooking surface.
Sausage links on a plate with fried eggs and parsley.

Ways to Serve Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage

  • Breakfast Sausage Omelet – Add bell peppers, onions, and freshly air fried breakfast sausage to a flavorful omelet.
  • The Classic Breakfast Meal – Scramble eggs, enjoy with sausage or crispy bacon, and a side of buttered toast or hash browns —YUM!
  • Biscuits and Gravy – Make an easy breakfast of a classic combination – crumble your delicious air fryer sausage and sprinkle it into some sausage gravy. Make flaky biscuits from canned dough, and enjoy!
  • These Harvest Grain Pancakes are perfect!
  • Pancake Breakfast Charcuterie Board – Check out this darling charcuterie breakfast board, a great way to use these sausages!
Pancake breakfast charcuterie board with air fryer sausages, bacon, waffles, fresh fruit and toppings.
Cooked sausage links in air fryer basket.

Variations

  • Handmade Pork Sausage – Using ground pork, shape into fresh sausages (patties or link shapes) about ¼ inch thick and air fry away!
  • Italian Sausage – Pop over to my air fryer Italian sausage and peppers to see how to cook sausage bites!. Adding a little extra time if needed, internal temperature should be 160 degrees when done.
  • Maple Syrup – My favorite way to enjoy these fresh patties is with a little real maple syrup, the sweet, savory combo is dreamy! Or try blueberry syrup, takes me back to my childhood.
  • Dip into your favorite sauce, try ketchup, sriracha or hot honey.
  • Turkey Sausage vs Pork Sausages – Turkey or chicken sausage tends to cook up a little quicker than pork, when using with turkey sausages, start with the lower time.

Storage Tips

Freezer: Once cooked, the cooled sausages can be stored in a freezer baggie or airtight container in the freezer for about two months. Storing the cooked sausages in the freezer is a great idea for meal prep on busy mornings.

Refrigerator: In the fridge, leftover links will keep well for about five days in an airtight container. Microwave them or place them back in the air fryer to heat them up for a quick and easy breakfast.

To reheat precooked link sausage in air fryer, either store bought or homemade, preheat air fryer to 375 degrees and place pre-cooked air fryer sausages links in air fryer basket without crowding. Air fry 3-5 minutes until sizzling and heated through.

Sausage links made in air fryer on plate with ketchup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make a frozen sausage patty in air fryer?

You sure can! Place frozen, uncooked breakfast sausage patties or links in the air fryer basket without thawing. Then, set the temperature to 400 degrees F and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. If you like them a little crisper, cook the breakfast patties or links for a few extra minutes. When testing, mine needed about 12 minutes total, start out with less time the first time, as every air fryer cooks a little differently.

Can I cook frozen raw sausage links in the air fryer?

Yes, similar to sausage patties, you can cook frozen, raw link sausages in the air fryer as well, similar to frozen sausage patties. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 8-12 minutes, shaking to roll sausages half-way between.

Can you use regular parchment paper for the air fryer?

Parchment paper for the air fryer has precut sections to fit the basket and small holes for airflow. While you can technically use regular parchment paper in the air fryer, it may change how it cooks the food inside because the airflow is obstructed.

I recommend poking some holes if using regular parchment paper or using silicone air fryer liners, which are washable.

Should I preheat my air fryer when cooking sausages?

In my experience, when I want to sear in the juices and flavor into sausage, it’s the same principal used when cooking in a pan. You want the pan hot when the meat hits the pan, so it creates a crust, thereby sealing (searing) in the juices. So for me, I prefer to preheat my air fryer. However; preheating is not required, but you may need to cook a few minutes longer.

Breakfast sausage links on plate with a side of ketchup.

What’s the best way to cook breakfast sausage?

The answer to this common question greatly depends on your preference. However, if you’re looking for the easiest and most consistent method for cooking breakfast sausage links or patties, I must say it’s the air fryer.

Cooking sausage on the stovetop in a pan produces crisp outsides with tender meaty inside, no doubt. With the downside of babysitting the pan, turning the sausages as they cook and running that risk of setting off your smoke alarm, like I frequently do!

Breakfast sausage may also be prepared in the oven, but the texture isn’t as satisfying as when fried in the air fryer or stovetop.

Therefore, the air fryer proves to be the easiest way to cook breakfast sausage, using little to no grease, and produces crisp outsides with a tender bite.

More great breakfast recipes

Every air fryer heats a little differently, so start out with the lower cooking time and add more time as needed.

Easy air fryer sausage links on a plate, for pinning.

I hope you loved these link sausage in air fryer recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on InstagramFacebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

Easy Air Fryer sausage links on plate.

Easy Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage Patties (Fresh or Frozen)

Author: Kathleen Pope
5 from 6 votes
Enjoy perfectly crisp and juicy breakfast link sausage in the Air Fryer. The best part, easier clean-up, no greasy mess! Sausage links or patties are excellent for a quick and easy breakfast. Use pork, turkey or chicken sausages!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Air Fryer, Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings
Calories 172 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 12 ounces sausage links , raw, unfrozen sausage links or patties *see notes for how to make from frozen.

Instructions
 

Air Fry Sausage Links

  • Remove the sausage links from the packaging, preheat air fryer to 375 degrees F. (190 C).
  • Transfer the sausage links to the air fryer basket. Make sure that they are not touching, depending on your air fryer you may need to do this in batches.
  • Cook at 375 degrees F for 10 minutes. Shaking the basket or flipping them halfway through. Remove to paper towel lined plate and serve. See notes for keeping warm.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

Air Fryer Sausage Patties
Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C) and prep sausage patties if bought in bulk. Use guide on sausage roll to slice patties evenly.
Arrange sausage patties in a single layer in the air fryer basket, if available use air fryer parchment paper with holes for less mess. Air fry 5 minutes then flip the patties and cook about 3 minutes more. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of a patty should read at least 160 degrees F (70 C).
Frozen Sausage Links, uncooked
Similar to sausage patties, you can cook frozen, raw link sausages in the air fryer as well, similar to frozen sausage patties. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees and cook for 8-12 minutes, shaking to roll sausages half-way between.
Reheating PreCooked Sausages (Links or Patties)
To reheat precooked sausages, either store bought or homemade, preheat air fryer to 375 degrees and place pre-cooked air fryer sausages or patties in air fryer basket without crowding. Air fry 3-5 minutes until sizzling and heated through.
Storage Tips
Freezer: Once cooked, the cooled sausages can be stored in the freezer for about two months.
Refrigerator: In the fridge, leftover patties and links will keep well for about five days in an airtight container. Microwave them or place them back in the air fryer to heat them up for a quick and easy breakfast.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 sausages Calories: 172 kcal Protein: 9 g Fat: 15 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g Trans Fat: 0.1 g Cholesterol: 41 mg Sodium: 361 mg Potassium: 141 mg Vitamin A: 43 IU Vitamin C: 0.4 mg Calcium: 5 mg Iron: 1 mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Kathleen Pope, The Fresh Cooky.

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.

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10 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Breakfast is a tough one to navigate to keep everything warm and on the table at the same time. This helped me so much getting the sausage on with everything else. It was also super delicious! Thank you so much for the great idea.