Crispy Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
These air fryer breakfast sausages are among the easiest ways to get crispy sausage in a fraction of the time it takes to make them on the stove and there is less mess.
They can be served with your choice of eggs, hash browns, and toast, or pancakes or air fryer French toast. You can also make sausage patties or breakfast sausage links. Make them as crisp as you like.
What You Need
- Breakfast sausage: Use any store-bought or homemade breakfast sausage, fresh or frozen.
- No-stick Cooking Spray: Optional, but it makes them extra crispy.
What Type of Sausage Works Best
Almost any breakfast sausage works well in the air fryer. Pork sausage is the most common, but turkey sausage also cooks nicely.
Seasoned homemade sausage can also be used if you like making your own blends.
How to Make Them
Set the temperature to 375°F. Preheat the air fryer for about 5 minutes.
Place sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray them with no-stick spray.
Air fry for about 8 minutes from frozen. Once the tops start to brown, turn the sausages and continue air-frying for another 8 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
If you’d like them crispier, continue air-frying until your desired crispiness is reached.
To make multiple batches, heat your oven to 250°F, place the cooked sausage on a rimmed baking sheet, and keep them warm in the oven.
If you cook several batches, drain any excess grease between rounds. This helps the sausage brown better and prevents smoke.
Turning the sausage halfway through cooking ensures even browning on all sides.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them in foil. Store in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days. Leftovers can be frozen, but they’re better cooked fresh or frozen prior to cooking.
Reheating Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
Leftover sausage reheats well in the air fryer. Heat at 350°F for about 3–4 minutes until warmed through.
This keeps the outside crisp instead of soft, like it can become in the microwave.
Do You Need to Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating helps the sausage start cooking immediately. This gives the outside better browning and helps prevent the sausage from sticking to the basket.
Most air fryers only need about 5 minutes of preheating. If your model heats quickly, you can shorten the time slightly.
If you skip preheating, add an extra minute or two to the cooking time.
How to Use Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
- Use them in Breakfast Bagel Sandwiches.
- Serve them with pancakes or waffles.
- Use them in Breakfast Burritos.
- Make Air Fryer Hash Browns and serve with your favorite eggs.
- Use them for Cornbread Sausage Stuffing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, just cook for 5 minutes on the first side. Flip them and continue air frying for another 5-6 minutes.
Yes. Depending on the width of your patties, they should take roughly the same time as the links. 8 minutes for frozen patties and about 6 minutes for thawed patties; then flip and continue air-frying for the same amount of time.
Breakfast sausage should reach an internal temperature of 165°F. An instant-read thermometer makes this easy to check.
The outside should be browned and slightly crisp. If you prefer a darker crust, cook the sausage for another minute or two. Air fryers vary slightly, so a quick temperature check ensures the sausage is cooked through.
This is the best method we’ve found for making crispy, juicy breakfast sausage without having to clean the grease off the stovetop. Try this easy air fryer recipe today.
Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
Ingredients
- 8 breakfast sausage links
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 375°F.
- Arrange the sausage in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry 6 minutes.
- Flip. Continue to air fry 6 minutes until the internal temperature is 165°F or your desired crispness is reached.
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The outside should be browned and slightly crisp. If you prefer a darker crust, cook the sausage for another minute or two. Air fryers vary slightly, so a quick temperature check ensures the sausage is cooked through.
