Can You Air Fry Chicken Sausages?
We love precooked sausage, and it’s usually a good excuse to make sheet pan meals like kielbasa and potatoes. But using an air fryer to cook chicken sausages is mess-free, convenient, and delicious!
Plus, it cooks in the time it takes to preheat my oven. All you have to do is preheat the air fryer, add the chicken sausage, cook, and enjoy – it really is that simple. I keep this around for nights when I haven’t set aside anything for dinner. Air fryer chicken sausage is also one of my go-to’s for weekly meal prep.
The Best Brands of Chicken Sausage
- Aidells: Aidells chicken sausages are minimally processed, with no artificial ingredients. They come in flavors like Italian, Chicken & Apple (that’s what I used for this recipe) and Cajun Style Andouille. I buy this brand the most often because they have it at Costco.
- Applegate Farms: Applegate Farms is another brand of sausages that has a variety of chicken flavors, including apple, cheddar, and a maple breakfast sausage. Their sausage links are made with organic chicken and contain no antibiotics, hormones, and artificial ingredients.
- Al Fresco: Al Fresco offers many chicken sausage flavors, including Sweet Apple, Spinach & Feta, and Buffalo Style. I haven’t personally tried these, but I have heard nothing but good things.
- Trader Joe’s: Trader Joe’s has its own line of chicken sausages, including Sun-Dried Tomato, Sweet Apple, and Spicy Jalapeño.
- Amylu: Amylu is another one of those chicken sausage brands I buy from Costco – I am seeing a trend here. Though I often buy their breakfast sausage links made with chicken, they also have fancy chicken sausage flavors such as cacio e pepe, garlic & asiago, andouille, apple & gouda, and countless others
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 370℉ (188℃). Then, line the sausage into the air fryer basket.
Step 2: Cook the sausages for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Expert Tips
- Most chicken sausage comes precooked, and you can still cook raw chicken sausage using this recipe, but you will need to increase the cooking time; use a food thermometer to make sure your chicken sausage cooks to 165°F (73°C).
- You can cook several packages of chicken sausage at one time, depending on the size of your air fryer. We use an Instant Pot Vortex that fits a dozen chicken sausages.
- Shake the basket halfway to ensure the sausages cook evenly.
- While this recipe is for air fryer chicken sausages, it will work for large precooked sausages – whether you’re using chicken, turkey, pork, or beef.
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Side Dishes for Air Fried Sausages
- Make a one-pan meal by adding peppers, onions, and other vegetables to the air fryer basket with the chicken sausages and serve them over rice or quinoa.
- Complete the meal by preparing air fryer broccoli and cauliflower or air fryer zucchini and squash as tasty sides for the sausages.
- Sausage pairs well with potatoes – try air fryer red potatoes or air fryer home fries for a breakfast take on the meal.
- I also love serving air fryer chicken sausage with sweet potato fries, sauerkraut, coleslaw, pickled onion, corn on the cob, or a fresh green salad like spinach and arugula.
- If you’re serving the sausage as more of an appetizer or snack, dip them in our horseradish cream sauce or mustard dip.
What to do With the Leftovers
- Refrigerate – Store leftover sausage in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze – Let the sausages cool completely. Then, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Air fryer chicken sausage freezes for 4 months.
- Reheat – Warm leftover sausage in the air fryer for 3-4 minutes at 350℉ (176℃).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to cook sausages in an air fryer?
I like to cook them whole, cut them in half, or slice them up with vegetables like peppers, onions, and mushrooms. However you choose to prepare chicken sausages in the air fryer, follow the instructions below.
How long does it take to cook chicken sausages?
The cooking time for chicken sausages can vary depending on the size, thickness, and cooking method you’re using. The cooking times below are for whole chicken sausage.
• Air Fryer: Cook for 8-10 minutes at 370℉ (188℃).
• Stovetop: Warm a skillet over medium heat and cook the sausages for 8-10 minutes.
• Oven: Bake the chicken sausage at 375℉ (193℃) for 18-25 minutes.
• Grill: Cook the sausages over medium-low heat on the grill for 8-10 minutes.
Is chicken sausage healthy?
Chicken sausage can be a healthier part of a well balanced diet – especially because chicken sausage is often low in fat and calories.
It’s a good source of lean protein too! And since you’re making chicken sausage in the air fryer, there is no need for extra oil.
Can I use frozen chicken sausage?
You sure can! Preheat the air fryer to 370℉ (188℃) and add the chicken sausages to the basket. Cook for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through; use a food thermometer to make sure your chicken sausage cooks to 165°F (73°C).
More Sausage Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
- 6-12 chicken sausages (I used Aidell's Chicken and Apple)
- Preheat the air fryer to 370℉ (188℃). Then, line the sausage into the air fryer basket.
- Cook the sausages for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway.
- Most chicken sausage comes precooked, and you can still cook raw chicken sausage using this recipe, but you will need to increase the cooking time; use a food thermometer to make sure your chicken sausage cooks to 165°F (73°C).
- You can cook several packages of chicken sausage at one time, depending on the size of your air fryer. We use an Instant Pot Vortex that fits a dozen chicken sausages.
- Shake the basket halfway to ensure the sausages cook evenly.
- While this recipe is for air fryer chicken sausages, it will work for large precooked sausages – whether you’re using chicken, turkey, pork, or beef.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.