Making air fryer breakfast sausages take only a few minutes, and if you prefer it without browning, it can be ready in just 6-8 minutes. This cooking time applies to both sausage links and patties.
It’s one of those quick breakfast choices that can be easily prepared in the air fryer, alongside bacon, turkey bacon, hot dogs, and SPAM.
Who could have imagined that an air fryer would make such a fantastic breakfast companion?
My favorite breakfast sausage is the maple-flavored one by Johnsonville. The delightful sweetness perfectly balances this protein-packed breakfast option’s savory flavors and intense aroma.
And you know what’s even better? Pair it with crispy home fries, air fryer scrambled eggs, or maybe sunny-side-up. And don’t forget your cup of coffee or your favorite morning drink.
Table of Contents
Air Fryer Breakfast Sausages
The only ingredient you’ll need here is….(you guessed it) breakfast sausages! You can use chicken or pork, fresh or frozen, patties or links. The sausage choice is entirely yours!
If you wish to make a breakfast sandwich, go for the sausage patties. All you need are English muffins and sunny-side-up eggs. You can even add a slice of cheese for extra flavor.
On the other hand, if you want to prepare a hearty breakfast meal, sausage links would be an amazing option. Hash browns and scrambled eggs would be the perfect accompaniments.
Recipe Video
How to Cook Breakfast Sausage in the Air Fryer?
Making breakfast sausage in the air fryer is incredibly fast and easy. When you can have sausage cooked in less than 10 minutes with no mess, why would you cook it any other way?
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Get the breakfast sausage ready.
If your sausages are linked together by the casing, carefully separate them. Remove all sausages from the packaging. If they are frozen, thaw them overnight for the best result.
Step 3: Air fry breakfast sausage links or patties for 6-8 minutes.
When the air fryer is preheated, add the fresh sausages in a single layer and cook until golden, about 6-8 minutes, flipping once! If you’re using frozen sausage, the cooking time will be longer, about 7-8 minutes, but still flip halfway!
✦ Flavor Booster: Cook for an additional 2-4 more minutes for a tastier golden brown finish.
✦ I used a 6-quart air fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy your air fried breakfast sausages!
When the sausage is browned and crisp, transfer to a clean plate and serve!!
There are so many delicious ways to serve breakfast sausage.
One of my favorite unique ways to enjoy breakfast sausage is on a bun with sauteed onions! Who says that breakfast sausage needs to be eaten with eggs?
Breakfast sausages have so much good flavor on their own, they can be the star of the show, rather than just the supporting actor!
Another great way to enjoy breakfast sausage is in a breakfast quesadilla. Scramble up some eggs and slice up your air-fried breakfast sausage. Pile your ingredients into a large tortilla and air fry or griddle until golden brown.
No matter how you choose to eat them, enjoy your air fryer breakfast sausages!
Frozen breakfast sausage patties or links will take approximately 7-9 minutes to cook in the air fryer. After preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C), add your frozen sausage links or patties and air fry them for 7-9 minutes until they turn golden brown. Allow them to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
Recommended Cooking Time & Temperature
As a general rule, always preheat your air fryer for a faster and more accurate cooking time. If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat mode, simply run it without food for 4-5 minutes.
| Type | Temperature | Cooking Time | Notes |
| Breakfast Sausage Patties | 400°F (204°C) | 6-8 minutes | Flip halfway; For a deeper golden brown finish, extend the cooking time to 2-4 minutes. |
| Breakfast Sausage Links | 400°F (204°C) | 6-8 minutes | Flip halfway; For a deeper golden brown finish, extend the cooking time to 2-4 minutes. |
| Breakfast Sausage Patties (Frozen) | 400°F (204°C) | 7-9 minutes | Flip halfway; For a deeper golden brown finish, extend the cooking time to 2-4 minutes. |
| Breakfast Sausage Links (Frozen) | 400°F (204°C) | 7-9 minutes | Flip halfway; For a deeper golden brown finish, extend the cooking time to 2-4 minutes. |
Using an internal thermometer is the most accurate way to determine if your breakfast sausages are properly cooked. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) or higher.
Cooking time may also be affected by the number of servings you are making and the specific air fryer you have. Compact air fryers tend to be hotter because of the proximity of the heating element to the air fryer basket.
Therefore, if you have a 4-quart air fryer at home or smaller, reduce the temperature by 20°F or 12°C.
Freezing & Storage
Freezing: We do not recommend refreezing sausage that was already frozen. To freeze fresh sausages that have been cooked, allow the sausages to cool completely before adding to an airtight container between layers of parchment or wax paper. Freeze for up to 4 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Fridge: Once the sausages have cooled, add to a zip-top bag or airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, add the sausages to an air fryer preheated to 400ºF and air fry until heated-through and crisp on the outside, about 2-3 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can air fry breakfast sausage. Air frying is a convenient and quick way to cook breakfast sausages, whether they are patties or links.
In general, air frying breakfast sausages will take 6-8 minutes at the maximum temperature 400°F (204°C). However, the cooking time can vary depending on the number of serving, your specific air fryer and your desired level of browning.
The safe internal temperature of breakfast sausage is 160°F (71°C) or higher.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 6 breakfast sausage patties
- 14 breakfast sausage links optional
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- Get the breakfast sausages ready. Take it out of the packaging. If frozen, thaw them overnight.
- Air fry breakfast sausage patties/links for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) or higher. If desired cook them for an additional 2-4 minutes for a deeper golden brown finish.
- Allow your air fryer breakfast sausage links or patties to rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve and enjoy with scrambled eggs or you can also make your own homemade sausage Mcmuffin.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For smaller air fryers (4-quart and below), reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400°F or 204°C and then let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus to test the air fried breakfast sausage. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
Nutrition
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