Cooking sausage links in the air fryer is the quickest, easiest way to make them. They turn out golden on the outside, juicy on the inside, and cook in 8 minutes, with almost no cleanup. My method works with both fresh and frozen links.
Why air fryer sausage links are my go-to weeknight dinner
On busy weeknights, sausages are one of my most reliable dinners. While we used to cook them on the grill or stovetop, I stopped using the skillet about five years ago after realizing how much easier and cleaner they are in the air fryer.
Since then, I’ve made them this way countless times for quick family meals. After testing raw, smoked, fully cooked, and even frozen sausage links, I’ve found 400°F to be the sweet spot. In about 8 minutes, they are fully cooked with crisp casing and juicy centers, without flipping, oil splatter, or extra cleanup.
The only exception is Italian sausage, which benefits from cooking alongside peppers and onions to prevent bursting. That’s why I recommend my dedicated air fryer Italian sausage recipe for that.
Key Ingredients
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
- Sausage links. I typically use full-sized pork sausages or chicken sausages. Of course, beef or other protein sausages work just fine. I recommend sticking to a brand whose flavor you enjoy.
- Optional sides. I like to whip up some sauteed onions, and let’s not forget some fluffy buns, ketchup, and mustard.
How to air fry sausage links
Step 1- Prepare the sausages. Slightly poke the sausages in 2 places through their casing.
Step 2- Air fry. Add the sausage links to the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 8 minutes or until they are crispy and golden brown on the outside.
Step 3- Remove. Use tongs to remove them and serve immediately.
Sausage link cooking times in air fryer
After testing multiple types of sausage links in the air fryer, I found the method works consistently. The only difference is cooking time. I recommend double-checking doneness with a meat thermometer. Fully cooked sausage should have an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
- Raw sausages: Cook for 8-10 minutes. Personally, I found 8 minutes was the sweet spot for a 5-ounce pork or chicken sausage.
- Pre-cooked sausage: Since you’re just crisping them up, 5 minutes is usually perfect.
- Smoked sausage: Similar to pre-cooked sausage- aim for 5 minutes.
- Breakfast sausage links: These are smaller (usually 3 ounces each), so 6 minutes is ideal.
- Frozen sausage links: Increase the air frying time by 5 minutes. If standard size, you’ll be looking at 13 to 15 minutes total.
Recipe tips and variations
- Don’t skip the poke. Poking the sausage links beforehand prevents them from bursting during the air frying process. This is especially important for fattier sausages.
- Puffy sausages = normal. The circulating hot air will often puff up the sausages. Don’t fret – this is completely normal and expected, and it will deflate once removed from the air fryer.
- Use vegan and/or vegetarian sausage. I tested three plant-based brands (Beyond, Impossible, and Loma Linda) and found they crisped up similarly to traditional sausages (all had casings).
Storage instructions
To store: Let the sausages cool completely, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days.
To freeze: Fully cooked sausage links freeze well for up to 2 months. Store them in a Ziploc bag with excess air removed to prevent freezer burn.
To reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes until warmed through, or in the microwave in 30-second intervals.
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Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
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Lightly pierce the sausages with a fork in 2 places, through their casing.
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Add a single layer of sausage links to the air fryer basket.
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Air fry the sausage links for 8 minutes, or until the sausages reach 160°F internally and the casings are crisp and golden.
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Remove the sausage links from the air fryer and serve immediately.
- Leftovers: Keep in the fridge for 5 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3 minutes.
- Frozen sausage links: Increase the air frying time by 5 minutes.
- Smoked or pre-cooked links: Air fry for 5 minutes.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 105kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 12gFat: 6gSodium: 7mgPotassium: 3mgVitamin C: 0.02mgCalcium: 0.2mgIron: 0.01mgNET CARBS: 2g
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Originally published February 2024, updated February 2026
