The air fryer makes juicy, delicious, and crispy smoked sausage quickly, easily, and mess-free. With rapid air circulation and high heat, the air fryer evenly cooks sausage, rendering away fat for a healthier dish without oil or splattering. This is a great way to cook smoked sausage in air fryer for hectic weeknights or game-day snacks.
Smoked sausage cooks best in an air fryer preheated to 400°F (200°C). Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Slice the sausage into 1-inch rounds and place them in a single layer. Shake or turn the sausage slices halfway through cooking for 6–8 minutes. Cook for an extra 1-2 minutes for a crispier exterior.
Reduce the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and cook the frozen sausage for 16–18 minutes, flipping halfway. At this lower temperature, the frozen sausage may thaw and cook without scorching the exterior.
Use an instant-read thermometer to cook the smoked sausage to 165°F (74°C), no matter what temperature it was at the start. This will keep the food safe. Changing the cooking times will depend on how thick and crispy the food is depending on how thick and crispy you want your food, change the cooking times.
Air-fried smoked sausage goes well with eggs and potatoes for breakfast. It can also be used as a starter or main dish for lunch or dinner with barbecue sauce or mustard.
Table of Contents
What is smoked sausage?
Smoked sausage has flavour from seasoning, curing and smoking. The link consists of ground meat with spices, herbs, and other flavours.
Natural or synthetic casings hold the combination. Smoking sausages with wood, herb, or spice smoke is possible. Smoking bangers preserves and flavour them.
Smoked sausage is famous globally for its rich flavour and versatility. Grill, pan-fry, boil, or add to stews, soups, pasta, and casseroles. The sausage’s smokiness increases its taste.
Why use an air fryer for cooking smoked sausage?
Smoked sausage in air fryer are easier and tastier. Let’s examine these benefits, compare them to other cooking methods, and discuss time and energy savings:
Advantages of Using an Air Fryer:
Healthier Cooking:
One of the primary benefits of using an air fryer is that it needs minimal to no oil for cooking. This results in sausages that are under in unhealthy fats and calories compared to traditional frying methods.
Crispy Texture:
Air fryers use rapid air circulation to create a crispy exterior on sausages, akin to the texture achieved through frying. This allows for a satisfying crunch without the need for excessive oil.
Even Cooking:
Consistent hot air circulation in an air fryer ensures that sausages cook on all sides. This eliminates the risk of cooked or burnt spots, which can occur with other cooking methods.
Quick Cooking Time:
Air fryers use hot air to cook food faster than ovens. This is particularly useful for busy individuals looking to prepare meals.
Convenience:
Air fryers are easy to use and need minimal monitoring. Many models also have preset cooking options that simplify the cooking process further.
Comparison with Other Cooking Methods:
Air Fryer vs Oven:
Due to their smaller cooking space and targeted air circulation, air fryers make crispy sausages faster than ovens. Ovens may need preheating.
Air Fryer vs Pan-Frying:
Traditional pan-frying requires more oil and can result in a greasier end product. Air fryers achieve similar crispiness with less fat, making them healthier.
Air Fryer vs Grilling:
Grilling sausages can impart a smoky flavour but often requires outdoor equipment and a longer cooking time. Air fryers provide a convenient indoor alternative with faster cooking times.
Time and Energy-Saving Benefits:
Quick Preheating:
Air fryers heat up compared to traditional ovens, eliminating the need for lengthy preheating. This translates to a shorter cooking process.
Efficient Cooking:
Due to the air fryer’s rapid heating and cooling processes, sausages can be ready quickly.
Energy Efficiency:
Air fryers use less energy than conventional ovens, which are smaller and need less time to reach cooking temperatures.
Less Cleanup:
Since air fryers involve contained cooking, there is less mess to clean up compared to methods like pan-frying.
What temperature to cook smoked sausage in the air fryer?
Air-frying smoked sausage at 360°F to 400°F (182°C to 204°C) is best. Most air fryer recipes making preheating to 400°F (204°C) and cooking smoked sausage for 6–8 minutes, flipping or stirring the basket during this time. Hot temperatures crisp the sausage’s skin and heat its insides.
When cooking frozen sausage, use 360°F (182°C) and cook for 16–18 minutes, switching halfway. Lowering the temperature lets frozen sausage defrost and cook evenly without scorching the exterior.
Use an instant-read thermometer to guarantee the smoked sausage reaches 165°F (74°C) for food safety, no matter the starting temperature. Depending on sausage thickness and crispiness, adjust cooking time by a minute or two.
How Long to Cook Smoked Sausage in Air Fryer
Using an air fryer to cook smoked sausage is simple and tasty. Depending on the thickness and crispiness of the smoked sausage, you should air-fry it for 5 to 10 minutes. For general sausage links or kielbasa, place the smoked sausage in an air fryer and cook it for 8 to 10 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Put the sausage in the air fryer basket and cook for 8 minutes.
- Cook the food for longer to make it crispier outside.
- Lower the temperature to 360°F (182°C) and cook the sausages for 16 to 18 minutes longer.
- Cook for 5 to 6 minutes at 370°F (188°C) for smaller links or cocktail sausages.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to make sure the temperature inside is at least 74°F (165°C).
How to prepare smoked sausage in air fryer
Make ready smoked sausage in air fryer is a quick and flavorful way to love this savoury treat. Here’s how to do it in just a few easy steps:
- Select Your Sausages: Choose high-quality pre-cooked smoked sausages. Look for options with minimal additives and fillers.
- Defrost if Needed: If the sausages are frozen, defrost them in the refrigerator or cold water. This ensures even cooking.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Warm up your air fryer to around 350-375°F (175-190°C) – the perfect temperature for cooking sausages.
- Add Flavor: For an extra kick, look at seasoning or marinating the sausages. Premary seasoning with salt, pepper, and paprika works well. Or marinate with a stir of olive oil, garlic, herbs, or a spicy rub.
- Arrange in the Basket: Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding for even cooking.
- Air Fry: Cook the sausages for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This ensures a crispy texture and even browning.
- Check Doneness: Slice open a sausage to ensure it’s cooked and no longer pink inside.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once done, take out the sausages, and serve them hot with your favourite sides or as a standalone snack.
Air-frying smoked sausages keep them crispy and healthy. You’ll have a satisfying dish ready with minimal prep and cook time.
Tips & Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks for cooking smoked sausages:
- High-quality links made with meat and few additives taste and feel the finest.
- Defrost frozen sausages in the fridge or cold water to ensure consistent frying.
- Whether grilling, frying, baking, or air frying, preheat the cooking equipment for optimal results.
- Keep the cooking surface to allow for even heat distribution and thorough cooking.
- Prick the sausages with a fork before cooking to prevent them from bursting while cooking.
- A light oil application improves browning and flavour when grilling or pan-frying sausages.
- To improve the flavour of sausages before cooking, try marinating them in your preferred herbs, spices, or marinades.
- Turn sausages to ensure even browning and prevent them from sticking.
- Slice open a sausage to check for any pink or raw interior. They should be cooked with no traces of raw meat.
- Allow sausages to rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps redistribute juices and maintains moisture.
- Pair sausages with sides like mustard, sauerkraut, grilled vegetables, or a fresh salad for a well-rounded meal.
- We use different wood chips or smoke flavours to experiment with unique grilling tastes.
- Try grilling, frying, baking, or air-frying your food to see what happens to the texture and flavour.
- Aim for a crispy exterior while maintaining juicy and tender meat inside.
These tips will improve your smoked sausages’ taste, texture, and enjoyment.
