Browned and cooked to perfection, these hand-mixed air fryer sausage patties are made with ground turkey, warm spices, and tasty mix-ins. And cooking them in the air fryer means no messy splatter from the stovetop!
Are Sausage Patties Good in the Air Fryer?
I’m convinced the air fryer can do it all! As a busy mom, I love how effortless it is to make air fryer sausage patties. I make them from scratch for this recipe, but even frozen patties turn out perfectly every time. Whether you’re cooking homemade or frozen sausage patties, you can sit back and let the air fryer do the work.
Looking for more easy air fryer recipes? Try air fryer turkey burgers, air fryer chicken sausage, air fryer skirt steak, or air fryer chicken burgers.
Key Ingredients
- Turkey: For the best flavor and moisture, use ground turkey thighs that are 80-90% lean. While I prefer turkey for breakfast sausage, you can also use ground beef, chicken, Italian sausage, or pork.
- Garlic: I recommend adding two fresh garlic cloves.
- Olive Oil: Extra-virgin olive oil flavors the meat and keeps the patties from drying out, or swap it for mayonnaise or avocado oil.
- Spices: Season the air fryer sausage patties with kosher salt, coarse black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper.
How to Make Air Fryer Sausage Patties
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine the ingredients for the turkey burgers in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Use a food scale to divide the ground turkey mixture into 3-ounce servings. Then, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C).
Step 3: Form the portions into smooth balls and transfer them to a baking sheet. Set a piece of parchment paper on top and use another baking sheet to press down to form the patties.
Step 4: Use your thumb to make an impression in the center of each patty.
Step 5: Cook the sausage patties for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway.
Expert Tips
- Chill the mixture. Transfer the sausage mixture to the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors combine and make shaping the patties easier.
- Form the patties. I like using two baking sheets to form the patties—they come out perfectly formed with less effort than shaping them by hand.
- Make an indent. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to prevent shrinking while cooking.
- How do I know when the sausage is done cooking? Since turkey is lean and prone to drying out, avoid overcooking. The safe internal temperature for turkey is 165°F (74°C). Since air fryer models vary, use a food thermometer for a more accurate reading and cooking time.
If you enjoy air fryer sausage patties, try more breakfast recipes!
Serving Suggestions
- Oat Milk Pancakes, French Toast, Waffles, Toast, Air Fryer English Muffins, Crepes, Breakfast Sandwich
- Poached, Scrambled, Hard, and Soft Boiled Eggs
- Oatmeal, Overnight Oats, Cream of Wheat
- Hash Browns, Home Fries
What To Do With Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days
- Freeze: Let the turkey sausage patties cool and wrap them in plastic to prevent freezer burn before transferring them to an airtight container or bag. Uncooked sausage patties and cooked air fryer sausage patties freeze for 4-6 months.
- Thaw: Defrost frozen sausage patties in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Warm the leftovers in the microwave or air fryer. Preheat it to 350°F (176°C) and cook the sausage for 3-5 minutes.
- Repurpose: Break up the leftover turkey sausage patties and use it as a filling for breakfast casseroles, skillets, omelets, or breakfast burritos.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook sausage patties in an air fryer?
Homemade Sausage Patties: Cook fresh or homemade sausage patties for 15 minutes in the air fryer at 350°F (176°C).
Frozen Sausage Patties: Frozen patties require only 5 minutes at 400°F (205°C).
How long to put frozen sausage patties in air fryer?
Frozen sausage patties are precooked, so they don’t need much time to heat up. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (204°C) and cook them for 5 minutes.
However, since air fryer models vary, I recommend cooking in increments and checking the patties the first time you make them to prevent overcooking. The best way to know when the sausage patties finish cooking is to check them with a food thermometer.
More Air Fry Recipes:
Air Fryer Sausage Patties
- 1 pound ground turkey, 85% lean
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Combine the ingredients for the turkey burgers in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Use a food scale to divide the ground turkey mixture into 3-ounce servings. Then, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C).
- Form the portions into smooth balls and transfer them to a baking sheet. Set a piece of parchment paper on top and use another baking sheet to press down to form the patties.
- Use your thumb to make an impression in the center of each patty.
- Cook the sausage patties for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway.
- Chill the mixture. Transfer the sausage mixture to the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors combine and make shaping the patties easier.
- Form the patties. I like using two baking sheets to form the patties—they come out perfectly formed with less effort than shaping them by hand.
- Make an indent. Press your thumb into the center of each patty to prevent shrinking while cooking.
- How do I know when the sausage is done cooking? Since turkey is lean and prone to drying out, avoid overcooking. The safe internal temperature for turkey is 165°F (74°C). Since air fryer models vary, use a food thermometer for a more accurate reading and cooking time.
Emily Rodriguez
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
These patties were super easy to make, and they come out beautifully browned and juicy. A new breakfast staple in my house!
Tressa Jamil
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
These are a staple for me too! I love making a bunch of these to eat throughout the week - perfect for meal prep.
Maya Stevens
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
These air fryer sausage patties are a game-changer! Perfectly cooked and no mess.
Tressa Jamil
Wednesday 20th of September 2023
You've got to love an easy go-to breakfast recipe! It's great to hear that they worked out for you!
Rick
Wednesday 28th of December 2022
I LOVED these juicy and so great for a healthy high protein breakfast meal. I really don't like frozen store bought patties and these are godsend.
Tressa Jamil
Thursday 29th of December 2022
I couldn't agree more!