This Frozen Sausage in Air Fryer recipe is a go-to option that guarantees a delicious and hassle-free experience. Whether you're looking for a quick breakfast, a tasty appetizer, or a protein-packed dinner, this recipe got you covered.
Are you looking for a convenient and delicious way to enjoy sausages without the mess and excess oil? Look no further! With the rise in popularity of air fryers, you can now effortlessly cook frozen sausages to perfection with a crispy exterior and juicy interior. In this recipe, we'll guide you through the simple steps to create a mouthwatering dish that will satisfy your cravings in no time. Get ready to experience a quick, flavorful, and healthier twist on your favorite sausages using the magic of the air fryer.
Looking for more air fryer recipes ? try this Air Fryer Frozen Cauliflower, Air Fryer Peach Cobbler, or this CHILI CHEESE NUGGETS IN AIR FRYER.
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why you'll love this recipe
There are several reasons why you'll love this air fryer frozen sausage recipe:
- Convenience: This recipe is incredibly convenient, especially if you have frozen sausages on hand. You can skip the thawing process and go straight from the freezer to the air fryer, saving you time and effort.
- Quick Cooking Time: Using an air fryer significantly reduces the cooking time compared to traditional cooking methods. Within just 12-15 minutes, your sausages will be perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy.
- Healthier Option: Air frying sausages requires little to no oil, making it a healthier alternative to deep frying or pan-frying. The hot circulating air in the air fryer cooks the sausages to a crispy perfection while reducing the amount of added fat in the process.
- Crispy Exterior, Juicy Interior: The air fryer's rapid hot air circulation creates a deliciously crispy exterior on the sausages, giving them a satisfying texture. Meanwhile, the inside remains juicy and tender, ensuring a delightful bite with every mouthful.
- Versatility: This recipe works well with various types of sausages, allowing you to choose your favorite flavors. Whether you prefer classic pork sausages, flavorful Italian sausages, or healthier chicken or plant-based options, the air fryer will cook them to perfection.
- Customizable Seasonings: You have the freedom to customize the seasonings according to your taste preferences. From simple salt and pepper to a blend of aromatic herbs and spices, you can create a flavor profile that suits your palate.
- Endless Serving Options: Air fryer frozen sausages can be enjoyed in countless ways. Serve them as a protein-packed breakfast with eggs and toast, use them as a flavorful addition to sandwiches or wraps, or incorporate them into main dishes alongside roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes. The possibilities are endless.
- Easy Cleanup: Cooking sausages in the air fryer means minimal mess and easy cleanup. The non-stick surface of the air fryer basket makes it simple to remove any residue, and most baskets are dishwasher-safe for added convenience.
Ingredients
Here is a detailed list of the ingredients you will need for the air fryer frozen sausage recipe:
- Frozen sausages: Choose your preferred variety of frozen sausages. You can opt for classic sausages, spicy Italian sausages, savory bratwurst, or even chicken or plant-based sausages for a healthier alternative. The quantity of sausages will depend on your serving size.
- Cooking spray or oil (optional): This ingredient is used to lightly grease the air fryer basket and prevent the sausages from sticking. You can use a cooking spray specifically designed for high-heat cooking or a small amount of oil like olive oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil.
- Desired seasonings: Customize the flavor of your sausages with a variety of seasonings. Some popular options include:
- Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the sausages.
- Pepper: Adds a subtle kick of heat and complements the flavors.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a delicious garlic flavor throughout the sausages.
- Paprika: Provides a smoky and slightly sweet undertone.
- Onion powder: Adds a savory, oniony taste.
Feel free to experiment with additional herbs and spices like rosemary, thyme, chili powder, or cayenne pepper to suit your personal preference.
- Optional toppings and condiments: After cooking the sausages, you can serve them with various toppings and condiments based on your preference. Some popular choices include ketchup, mustard (yellow, Dijon, or spicy), hot sauce, relish, or barbecue sauce. These additions will further enhance the flavor and bring your sausages to the next level.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Here are the detailed instructions and steps to prepare air fryer frozen sausages:
- Preparing the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to approximately 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. This step ensures that the sausages cook evenly and achieve the desired texture. If your air fryer doesn't have a preheat function, you can proceed without preheating, but the cooking time may need slight adjustment.
- Arrange the Sausages: Take the frozen sausages out of the packaging and arrange them in a single layer on the air fryer basket. It's important not to overcrowd the basket, so leave some space between each sausage to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- Seasoning: If desired, sprinkle your preferred seasonings over the sausages. This step adds flavor to the sausages. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper or experiment with various spices like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder to suit your taste. Feel free to get creative and try different combinations of herbs and spices.
- Cooking Time and Temperature: Set the air fryer to a cooking temperature of 350°F (175°C) and cook the sausages for approximately 12-15 minutes. It's important to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness and type of sausages you're using, so it's recommended to check the manufacturer's instructions for guidance. If your air fryer doesn't have a temperature setting, simply follow the cooking time suggested.
- Shake and Flip: Around the halfway mark of the cooking time (after 6-7 minutes), carefully remove the air fryer basket and shake it or flip the sausages. This step ensures that all sides of the sausages are evenly cooked and promotes a crispy exterior.
- Check for Doneness: Once the cooking time is complete, check the sausages for doneness. Cut into one sausage to ensure it's cooked thoroughly, with no pink meat remaining in the center. If needed, you can return the sausages to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Serving and Enjoying: Remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist and flavorful bite. Serve your air fryer frozen sausages hot and garnish with your favorite toppings and condiments like ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce.
Substitutions
there are several substitutions you can consider for this air fryer frozen sausage recipe. Here are a few options:
- Sausage Varieties: Instead of using traditional sausage, you can experiment with different varieties to suit your dietary preferences or taste preferences. Some options include:
- Chicken sausages: These are a leaner and healthier alternative to pork sausages. They come in various flavors like Italian, apple maple, or spinach and feta.
- Turkey sausages: Another lean and lower-fat option, turkey sausages offer a milder flavor. They work well in recipes where you want a lighter taste.
- Vegetarian or plant-based sausages: If you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you can substitute frozen plant-based sausages made from ingredients like soy, tofu, or seitan. These sausages often mimic the texture and taste of meat-based sausages.
- Seasonings: While the recipe provides basic seasoning suggestions, you can always customize them to suit your preferences. Here are some ideas:
- Herb variations: Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, or sage to add a unique flavor profile to your sausages.
- Spice blends: Try using pre-made spice blends like Cajun seasoning, Italian seasoning, or curry powder to give your sausages a flavorful twist.
- Cooking Spray or Oil: If you prefer not to use cooking spray or oil to grease the air fryer basket, you can omit it entirely. Air fryers typically have a non-stick coating, and the sausages should still cook well without additional greasing.
- Toppings and Condiments: The suggested toppings and condiments are just recommendations. Feel free to choose your preferred options or explore different flavors. Some alternatives include:
- Barbecue sauce: Add a tangy and smoky flavor to your sausages by brushing them with barbecue sauce before or after cooking.
- Sriracha or other hot sauces: If you enjoy spicy flavors, drizzle your sausages with sriracha sauce or other hot sauces to give them a kick.
- Pickle relish: For a tangy and crunchy element, add some pickle relish on top of your sausages.
Storing and reheating
Here are some detailed tips on storing and reheating air fryer frozen sausages:
Storing:
- Refrigeration: If you have leftover cooked sausages, allow them to cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container or sealable plastic bag. Store the sausages in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure they are properly sealed to maintain their freshness.
- Freezing: If you want to store the sausages for a longer period, you can freeze them. Follow these steps for freezing:
- Allow the cooked sausages to cool completely.
- Wrap each sausage individually with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. This step helps prevent freezer burn and keeps the sausages separate.
- Place the wrapped sausages in a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label the bag or container with the date for reference.
- Store the sausages in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating:
- Thawing: If you have frozen cooked sausages and want to reheat them, it's best to thaw them first. Here are a couple of methods for thawing:
- Refrigerator thawing: Remove the sausages from the freezer and place them in the refrigerator overnight. This slow thawing method ensures even thawing and minimizes the risk of bacteria growth.
- Cold water thawing: If you need to thaw the sausages more quickly, place them in a sealed plastic bag and submerge them in cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes until the sausages are thawed.
- Reheating Options: Once the sausages are thawed, you can choose from a few reheating methods:
- Air Fryer: Reheat the sausages in the air fryer at a temperature of around 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through. This method will help maintain their crispy exterior.
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sausages on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Heat them in the oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed to your desired temperature.
- Stovetop: Place the sausages in a skillet over medium heat. Cook them for about 5-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through. This method allows for more even reheating and can help retain moisture.
- Checking for Doneness: Regardless of the reheating method you choose, it's essential to check the sausages for doneness. Cut into one sausage to ensure it's heated through and there are no cold spots in the center.
- Serving: Once reheated, serve the sausages as desired. You can enjoy them on their own or use them in sandwiches, wraps, or other dishes.
FAQs
No, you do not need to defrost sausages before air frying them. One of the great advantages of using an air fryer is that you can cook sausages directly from frozen, eliminating the need for defrosting. The hot air circulation in the air fryer allows the sausages to cook thoroughly and evenly, resulting in a crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Cooking sausages from frozen in the air fryer is a convenient and time-saving method. It also helps to retain moisture in the sausages, preventing them from drying out during the cooking process. Simply arrange the frozen sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket and follow the recommended cooking time and temperature for best results.
However, it's important to note that the cooking time may be slightly longer compared to cooking thawed sausages. It's recommended to check the manufacturer's instructions or adjust the cooking time based on the thickness and type of sausages you're using.
No, it is generally not necessary to pierce the skin of sausages before air frying them. Unlike some other cooking methods, such as pan-frying or grilling, the air fryer cooks sausages using hot air circulation, which allows them to cook evenly without the need for piercing.
Piercing the skin of sausages can sometimes lead to the juices and flavors escaping, resulting in drier sausages. By keeping the skin intact, the sausages retain their moisture and flavors, resulting in a juicy and delicious end result.
However, if you prefer a specific cooking technique that requires pierced sausages, such as pricking them with a fork to release excess fat, you can certainly do so. Just keep in mind that it may impact the final texture and juiciness of the sausages.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Frozen Sausage in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 4 frozen sausages (any variety of your choice)
- Cooking spray or oil (optional, for greasing the air fryer basket)
- salt and pepper to taste
- condiments (ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, etc.)
Instructions
- Before you start cooking, preheat your air fryer to around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes. This step ensures that the sausages cook evenly and achieve the desired texture.
- While the air fryer is preheating, take the frozen sausages out of the packaging and arrange them in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Leave some space between each sausage to allow for proper air circulation and even cooking.
- If desired, sprinkle your preferred seasonings over the sausages. You can keep it simple with just salt and pepper or experiment with various spices to suit your taste. Feel free to get creative and add additional herbs or spices like garlic powder, paprika, or onion powder.
- Set the air fryer to a cooking temperature of 350°F (175°C) and cook the sausages for approximately 12-15 minutes. It's essential to note that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the thickness and type of sausages you're using, so it's recommended to check the manufacturer's instructions for guidance.
- Around the halfway mark of the cooking time, carefully remove the basket from the air fryer and shake it or flip the sausages. This step ensures that all sides are evenly cooked and promotes a crispy exterior.
- Once the cooking time is complete, check the sausages for doneness. Cut into one sausage to ensure it's cooked thoroughly, with no pink meat remaining in the center. If needed, you can return the sausages to the air fryer for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for a minute before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in a moist and flavorful bite. Serve your air fryer frozen sausages hot and garnish with your favorite toppings and condiments like ketchup, mustard, or hot sauce.
Dina and Bruce
Made these for breakfast! Thank you for the step by step instructions! Cooked to perfection!
Kim
Who knew cooking frozen sausage could be so easy and delicious? This air fryer method is a game-changer for busy weeknight dinners.
Casey
The sausages turn out flavorful, evenly cooked, and with a great crispy texture. This is going to be my go-to method from now on!
Chenee
I am forever forgetting to thaw meats, so this is a great tip for me. Thank you!
Beth
Perfection! I don't have to defrost it AND it gets that great crispy exterior.
Tavo
Your post on preparing frozen sausage in an air fryer was an absolute game-changer! It's clearly written with useful details and practical steps, making it easy for even a novice like me to follow. I was particularly impressed by how you managed to unlock such intense flavors and a perfect texture using a simple air fryer. This technique, combined with your helpful tips, really elevated my cooking game. Thanks for sharing!
Colleen
I have always defrosted the sausages before cooking them in the air fryer. Now I know there's no need. They turned out perfectly.
Kushigalu
Great tips on cooking sausage in the air fryer. Thanks for sharing.
Cathleen
This is perfect!! I am always looking for new things to make in the air fryer, and I happen to have some frozen sausages in the freezer. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Anjali
This turned out so perfect in the air fryer! Crispy and delicious!