How to Cook Perfect Air Fryer Sausages (Without the Mess)
Cooking sausages used to mean standing over a spitting frying pan. You would dodge hot oil spots and scrub a greasy cooker afterwards. Then the air fryer came along and changed how we make our favourite meals.
Using an air fryer gives you sausages that are wonderfully crisp on the outside and juicy on the inside. You use far less oil, and you do not need to stand by the cooker watching it constantly. The hot air circulates around the meat, cooking it evenly every single time.
But cooking fatty foods in this popular gadget can sometimes lead to a smoke-filled kitchen. Grease drips down into the hot basket, causing thick smoke and a nasty burning smell. You might also find yourself faced with a stubborn, sticky mess to clean up later.
This guide will show you exactly how to cook sausages in the air fryer perfectly. We will look at cooking times for different types of sausages, clever tricks to stop the smoke, and simple ways to keep your machine sparkling clean.
Why the Air Fryer is Brilliant for Sausages
Cooking sausages in the air fryer is a game-changer for busy weeknights. When you fry sausages in a pan, they sit in their own fat. When you bake them in an oven, they can take a long time to brown properly. The air fryer solves both of these problems.
First, the intense heat circulating in the small space cooks the food quickly. You get a nice brown colour all over without having to turn them constantly.
Second, the excess fat drips away from the meat and into the bottom drawer. This makes your meal lighter and lower in calories compared to pan-frying.
Finally, it is just so convenient. You put the food in, set the timer, and let the air fryer do the hard work while you get on with making the mash or preparing the gravy.
How Long Do Different Sausages in the Air Fryer Take?
Not all sausages are the same size, so cooking times will vary depending on what you have bought. Always make sure you check the food is piping hot before eating. The Food Standards Agency advises that the middle of the food should reach a temperature of 70°C for 2 minutes to ensure it is fully cooked.
Here is a handy guide to different types of sausages in the air fryer with UK cooking times.
Standard Thick Pork Sausages (Bangers)
Thick butcher sausages or standard supermarket bangers are the most popular choice for a classic British dinner.
For fresh thick sausages, preheat your machine to 180°C. Place them in the basket in a single layer. Cook them for 10 to 15 minutes. Turn them over halfway through the cooking time to make sure they brown evenly on all sides.
Thin Sausages (Chipolatas)
Chipolatas are thinner and cook much faster. They are perfect for a quick breakfast or a speedy children’s tea.
Set the temperature to 180°C. Place your fresh chipolatas in the basket and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Give the basket a little shake halfway through. Keep a close eye on them towards the end so the skins do not burn.
Cocktail Sausages
If you are preparing party food, cocktail sausages are a brilliant choice. They crisp up beautifully and take hardly any time at all.
Cook these little bites at 190°C for around 8 to 10 minutes. Shake the drawer every few minutes to get them evenly crispy.
Vegetarian and Vegan Sausages
Meat-free options like Richmond or Quorn sausages are good in the air fryer. Because they do not contain animal fat, they cook differently.
For most vegetarian sausages, set the heat to 180°C and cook for 10 to 12 minutes. Brush them lightly with a tiny bit of oil before cooking if you want an extra crispy skin.
Frozen Sausages
You can cook sausages straight from the freezer. This is brilliant for days when you forget to take food out to defrost.
Set the temperature to 180°C. Place the frozen sausages in the basket and cook for 15 to 18 minutes for thick ones, or 12 to 14 minutes for thinner ones. Gently separate them with a wooden spoon halfway through if they are stuck together.
Top Tips to Avoid Mess and Stop Smoke
Fatty meats like pork can cause smoke when the hot grease hits the bottom of the drawer. Here are some clever tricks and tips when cooking sausages in the air fryer to avoid mess.
The Genius Bread Hack
One of the most popular tricks right now is the bread hack. Take a slice or two of plain white bread. Place the bread right at the bottom of the air fryer drawer, underneath the crisping plate or basket. The bread acts like a sponge. It catches all the dripping grease before it hits the hot metal base. This completely stops the smoke and makes cleaning up a breeze. You just throw the greasy bread in the bin after the sausages in the air fryer have finished cooking.
Add a Little Water
If you do not want to use bread, water works too. Pour two tablespoons of cold water into the bottom drawer underneath the basket. When the hot fat drips down, it hits the water instead of the hot metal. This stops the grease from smoking.
Use Parchment Paper Liners
You can buy special perforated parchment paper liners made just for air fryers. They fit into the basket and catch the sticky bits of food. Make sure you only put the paper in when there is food on top of it to weigh it down. Otherwise, the fan will blow the paper up into the heating element and cause a fire.
Easy Ways to Clean Up Sausage Grease
Even with the best tips, you will still need to wash your air fryer drawer after cooking sausages in the air fryer. Do not leave the grease to go cold and hard.
Wait until the drawer has cooled down enough to touch safely, but is still slightly warm. Use a piece of kitchen roll to wipe away the worst of the liquid fat and throw it in the bin. Never pour hot fat down your kitchen sink, as it will block your pipes.
Next, fill the drawer with hot water and a good squirt of washing-up liquid. Let it soak for ten minutes. Use a non-scratch sponge to wipe away the rest of the grease. Rinse it well with clean warm water and dry it with a soft cloth.
Tasty Serving Ideas and Recipes for Your Sausages in the Air Fryer
Now you have perfectly cooked sausages in the air fryer, you need something delicious to serve them with. You can serve them with mashed potatoes and onion gravy. You can slice them up and stir them into a pasta dish or even make a cooked breakfast!
If you want some inspiration, try adding your cooked sausages to my Healthy Sausage Traybake. It is packed with vegetables and is very easy to make.
If your family loves comfort food, they will go mad for this Sausage Pasta Bake Recipe. It is a brilliant way to use up leftover sausages.
You can also throw them into this Unofficial Slimming World Sausage Casserole for a warming winter meal. And if you want a tasty vegetable side dish, check out my guide on how to cook crispy air fryer cauliflower.
Frequently Asked Questions for sausages in the air fryer
Do I need to prick sausages before cooking them?
You do not usually need to prick sausages when cooking them this way. Pricking them lets all the lovely juices escape, leaving you with dry meat. The air fryer cooks them gently enough that the skins rarely burst.
Can I put kitchen foil in my air fryer?
Yes, you can use kitchen foil, but you must be careful. Make sure the foil does not cover all the holes in the basket, or the hot air will not circulate properly. Always weigh the foil down with food so it does not fly up into the heating element.
How do I check if the sausages are cooked safely?
The safest way is to use a digital meat thermometer. The NHS and Food Standards Agency recommend an internal temperature for cooked sausages in the UK of at least 70°C for two minutes. If you do not have a thermometer, cut the thickest sausage in half. The meat should be piping hot all the way through, with no pink meat and clear running juices.
Why did my vegetarian sausages in the air fryer dry out?
Vegetarian and vegan sausages lack the fat content of meat. To stop them drying out, lightly spray them with a little cooking oil before putting them in the basket.
Ready for Your Sausage Feast?
Cooking sausages in the air fryer is simple. You save time, you use less energy than heating up a massive oven, and you get brilliantly crispy results.
Try testing out the bread trick the next time you cook a batch of thick pork bangers. You will be amazed at how much easier the cleanup process becomes.
