Easy dinners are a must around here, that’s why we love these air fryer chicken sausages. If you are a fan of easy air fryer recipes then you definitely need to try Stuffed Pork Chops in the Air Fryer, full of sun-dried tomatoes and cheese. Or make these Air Fryer Marinated Chicken Thighs, a family favorite recipe.
These air fryer chicken sausages are a favorite recipe of mine and I will tell you why! After a long day of working, I am sometimes so tempted to just run out and get fast food. Those busy weeknights are the nights that I am in desperate need of a quick meal.
Luckily, I have a few ideas up my sleeve for those types of evenings such as frozen chicken breast in the air fryer or air fryer frozen chicken strips.
But, I also typically keep chicken sausages in the fridge for an easy dinner idea.
Air fry chicken sausages in just a few simple steps and you will be on your way to making a main dish without a frying pan. When you cook chicken sausage in an air fryer, you end up with these juicy and wonderfully browned sausage links.
Plus, chicken sausages are a little lighter than pork sausages because chicken contains less fat. But, let me tell you they do not sacrifice any flavor at all. They are just as tasty as traditional sausages.
We love easy air fryer recipes that are quick and make flavorful meals!
What is Chicken Sausage?
To make chicken sausages, ground chicken is mixed with seasonings and put into a casing. These sausages are typically about 6 inches in length. The seasonings that are used are different with each type of sausage. And there are a lot of different flavors! The Italian sausage flavor happens to be one of my favorites (and the ones that are in these pictures!)
Our Favorite Brands of Chicken Sausage
There are many brands that make chicken sausages that are available at most grocery stores. Here are some available options plus our favorites.
- Aidells Chicken Sausage: This is our favorite brand of chicken sausages and for good reason. They are tasty sausages made with quality ingredients. And they come in a ton of flavors. (Chicken & Apple Smoked Sausage, Artichoke & Garlic, Habanero & Green Chile, Cajun Style Andouille, Spinach & Feta just to name a few).
- Trader Joe’s Chicken Sausage: Our favorite flavors are Sweet Italian Chicken and Spicy Jalapeño Chicken Sausages. Unfortunately, there aren’t Trader Joes located everywhere.
- Al Fresco Chicken Sausage
- Greenwise Chicken Sausage: This is a Publix brand of sausage, they are good.
- Applegate Organics Chicken Sausage: These should be available at most supermarkets.
- Premio Chicken Sausage
Does the Skin need to be Pierced
I don’t recommend poking any holes in the skin of the sausages. When you pierce the skin, it allows all of the juices to leak out. They may end up splitting in the cooking process, but at least you didn’t purposely poke them.
Is Chicken Sausage Pre-Cooked?
Most brands of chicken sausage are already cooked through and just need to be heated up so they aren’t cold. If you have raw chicken sausage, then keep in mind that the cooking time is going to be longer.
You will want to check the internal temperature of the sausages with a meat thermometer. The temp needs to be at least 165 degrees F to be safe to eat.
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage Ingredients
You basically only need one ingredient to make this air frying recipe. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full ingredient amounts.
- Chicken Sausages: Pick your favorite brand and go with it. I can fit up to 6 sausages in my 5.8 quart, basket style air fryer.
- Favorite Dipping Sauce: Yep, pick your favorite sausage dipping sauces (we like mustard) but there are so many options.
How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Sausages
Air frying sausages is such a simple recipe. Just follow the directions on the recipe card at the bottom of this post and you will be eating the best chicken sausage in no time.
- Preheat the air fryer, mine takes about 4 minutes.
- Place uncooked sausage carefully into the hot air fryer basket.
- Flip over halfway through cooking time.
- Let cool a little before enjoying.
What to Serve with Chicken Sausage?
In just a few simple steps you will be eating a delicious meal. There are many side dish options to eat with this chicken sausage main dish. Here are some of our favorite ways to eat these tasty sausages.
- Vegetables. This air fryer sausage recipe goes well with most vegetables. Here are some greats air fryer brussels sprouts with bacon, instant pot stir fry vegetables (in pictures), bell peppers and onions, air fryer squash and zucchini, roasted asparagus, green beans, cauliflower rice, or brown sugar carrots.
- Grains. Serve it up with some lemon butter rice, quinoa, wild rice or brown rice.
- Fresh Fruit. Any cut up fruits that you love, would go well.
- Potatoes. This type of sausage pairs so well with these cheesy garlic mashed potatoes or salt and vinegar smashed potatoes.
- Salad. Eat a small side salad or dinner salad on the side.
- Easy breakfast sausages. Make it the perfect breakfast by serving the sausages with hash browns and scrambled eggs. Or use sliced sausage with the eggs and potatoes in a tortilla to make a breakfast burrito.
- Sausage hot dogs. Serve these up in buns or hoagie rolls, just like hot dogs but with sausage instead. Top with some pickled red onions.
- Sauce. If I am serving these sausages up with some side dishes, I like to include some delicious dips also. Here are some of our favorites. Mustards, we go with plain yellow mustard or stone ground mustard, but you can use honey mustard or dijon mustard if you like. We also like, chick fil a copycat sauce, barbecue sauce, ketchup, chipotle mayonnaise, chick fil a Polynesian sauce, magical aioli, or ranch dressing.
- Just sausages. Yep eat them on their own, they are delicious!
Can Chicken Sausages be Frozen?
If you like to buy sausage in bulk or if your chicken sausages have been sitting around in the fridge for a while you can definitely freeze them before the expiration date.
To keep them protected in the freezer, keep them in their original packaging but wrap that with aluminum foil or put the package in a freezer safe gallon sized zip bag. Write the date on bag.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Sausages
It’s easy to cook frozen chicken sausage in the air fryer. If you have cooked the sausages already and frozen them or are pulling them out of a package that you have frozen, you can cook them with this method.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Add frozen sausages to the hot air fryer basket, keeping them in a single layer and preferably not touching.
- Cook for 6 minutes and flip over. Continue cooking for another 6-7 minutes until heated through. Raw frozen sausage will probably need to cook longer.
- Let cool a little then enjoy!
PRO TIP! For best results, thaw the sausages completely before air frying. When they are air fried from frozen the texture of the sausages may be affected. They may come out a little leathery.
Air Fryer Sausage Recipe Tips & Variations
- Single layer. Keep the sausages in a single layer, it allows the hot air to circulate fully around them and allows them to cook evenly.
- Spicy sausage. If you would like a little extra spice on your sausages, sprinkle them with some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Thickness of the sausages. The length of cook time will depend on the size of the sausages you have. The thickness of the chicken sausages comes into play, thicker sausages may need another minute and thinner sausages may need a little less time.
- Different air fryers. All air fryers cook a little differently, so the cook times may need to be adjusted up or down. I use a Cosori 5.8 quart basket style air fryer.
- Different sausages. Different types of sausages can also be cooked instead of chicken. You can cook turkey sausages, vegan sausages and vegetarian sausages (may need less cooking time), pork and beef sausages, even sausage patties, air fryer kielbasa, breakfast sausages and smoked sausages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this air fryer sausage recipe keto friendly? Chicken sausage is typically low carb, but it will depend on which sausage you buy. Sometimes the casing on the sausages is not as low in carbohydrates. Just make sure to pay attention to the packaging when buying them. Or take the casings off before eating.
How long to cook chicken sausage in air fryer? Chicken sausages only need to cook for about 10 minutes and they are done.
Can you cook chicken sausage in an air fryer? Yes, you can cook chicken sausages in the air fryer. Just preheat the air fryer and pop the sausages in.
Do I need extra oil to air fry sausages? There really is no need to add any extra oil in this air fryer recipe. If you want crispy skin, try adding a tiny bit of olive oil or avocado oil onto the sausages. I don’t recommend using non stick cooking spray in your air fryer as it degrades the coating.
What temperature should chicken sausages be cooked to? You want to make sure that chicken sausages are cooked to at least 165°F, this you can check with a meat thermometer.
Storage Instructions
How to refrigerate air fryer sausages? Let the sausages cool and put in an airtight container. They should last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
How do you reheat sausages in an air fryer? Pre-heat the air fryer to 350° F. Cook leftover sausages in a single layer for 3-4 minutes. Check to make sure sausages are heated through. Cook longer if necessary.
How to freeze air fried sausages? Let sausages cool completely before putting into an air tight, freezer safe container. Sausages can be frozen for 1-2 months, just be sure to label with the recipe and date.
How to thaw frozen air fry chicken sausages? Thaw frozen cooked sausages on a plate in the refrigerator overnight until defrosted.
Directions to cook sausages from frozen are above.
More easy air fryer recipes!
- Air Fryer Frozen Egg Rolls
- Air Fryer Parmesan Broccoli Florets
- Uncrustables in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Crispy Crowns
- Frozen Breaded Shrimp in Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Mac and Cheese Bites
- Bagel Bites in Air Fryer
If you’ve tried this chicken sausage air fryer recipe, don’t forget to give me a star rating and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who have made my recipes!
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Air Fryer Chicken Sausages
Ingredients
- 4-6 large chicken sausages
- favorite dip: mustard, bbq sauce, ranch, etc
Instructions
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Preheat the air fryer to 360°F, mine takes about 4 minutes.
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Place uncooked sausage carefully into the hot air fryer basket.
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Cook sausages for about 4 minutes, then flip over. Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes.
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Let sausages cool a little before enjoying.
Equipment
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Air Fryer
Recipe Notes
- Single layer. Keep the sausages in a single layer, it allows the hot air to circulate fully around them and allows them to cook evenly.
- Spicy sausage. If you would like a little extra spice on your sausages, sprinkle them with some red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Chicken sausages will last about 3-4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for most accurate results.
Nutrition Information
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