Evenly browned and cooked to perfection – these hand-mixed air fryer sausage patties feature ground turkey, aromatics, and warm spices. And because they cook in the air fryer, you don’t have to worry about the mess and splatter of stovetop cooking.
Are Sausage Patties Good in the Air Fryer?
I am so convinced the air fryer does it all! As a busy mom, I love how easy it is to make air fryer sausage patties! I prepare them from scratch for this recipe, but even the frozen sausage patties come out perfectly each time. Whether you make homemade sausage patties or cook the frozen ones, sit back and let the air fryer do the hard work.
Try more easy air fryer recipes, like air fryer turkey burgers, air fryer chicken sausage, air fryer skirt steak, and air fryer chicken burgers.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Turkey: Select ground turkey thighs that are 80-90% lean, so you have more fat to flavor and keep the patties together. I use ground turkey for this breakfast sausage recipe, but ground beef, chicken, Italian sausage, or pork works.
- Garlic: I suggest using two garlic cloves, but measure with your heart.
- Spices: Season the air fryer sausage patties with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil flavors and prevents the patties from drying out. You can also use avocado oil or mayonnaise.
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: Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and use a food scale to portion 2-3 ounces of ground turkey per patty.
Step 3: Form the meat into balls and set the on a baking sheet; repeat with the remaining turkey.
Step 4: Use another baking sheet to press down the turkey to create patties.
Step 5: Make an impression in the center of each patty using your thumb.
Step 6: Cook them 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
Expert Tips
- Refrigerate the ground turkey mixture before forming and cooking the sausage patties.
- I use the two baking sheets because I love how perfect the patties come out, but feel free to form the sausage patties by hand.
- Press your thumb into each patty to prevent them from shrinking as they cook.
- Turkey is lean and prone to drying out, so avoid overcooking the patties. The safe cooking temperature for turkey is 165°F (73°C). Since air fryer models vary, use a food thermometer for a more accurate reading and cooking time.
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 the Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freeze: Let the sausage patties cool, then wrap them with plastic to prevent freezer burn before transferring them to an airtight container or bag. Uncooked sausage patties will freeze for 2-3 months, whereas you should eat cooked air fryer sausage patties 1-2 months of freezing them.
- Thaw: Defrost the frozen sausage patties in the refrigerator overnight.
- Reheat: Warm the leftovers in the microwave or preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and cook them for 3-5 minutes.
- Repurpose: Break up the leftover sausage patties for 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: I 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 pre-cooked, so they require less cooking time. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (205°C) and cook the patties for about 5 minutes. However, I suggest monitoring the sausage patties and cooking them in increments the first time you make them, as air fryers tend to cook at different rates and temperatures.
More Air Fry Recipes:
Air Fryer Sausage Patties
- 1 pound ground turkey, 85% lean, dark meat
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, coarse ground
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Combine the ingredients for the turkey burgers in a mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (176°C) and use a food scale to portion 2-3 ounces of ground turkey per patty.
- Form the mixture into balls and set them on a baking sheet; repeat with the remaining turkey. Use another baking sheet to press down the turkey to create patties.
- Make an impression in the center of each patty using your thumb. Cook them 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
- Refrigerate the ground turkey mixture before forming and cooking the sausage patties.
- I use the two baking sheets because I love how perfect the patties come out, but feel free to form the sausage patties by hand.
- Press your thumb into each patty to prevent them from shrinking as they cook.
- Turkey is lean and prone to drying out, so avoid overcooking the patties. The safe cooking temperature for turkey is 165°F (73°C). Since air fryer models vary, use a food thermometer for a more accurate reading and cooking time.
- The nutritional information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional advice.
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!