Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Air fryer chicken sausage cooks at 360°F in 10 minutes, crispy outside and juicy inside. I've tested a dozen brands to nail the timing for precooked, frozen, and uncooked links, so you never end up with a dry or split one.
Ingredients
- 4 - 6 chicken sausage links or patties, precooked or uncooked (any flavor)
- Avocado oil or olive oil cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
- Arrange sausages in a single layer in the basket — do not overlap. For uncooked sausages, poke 3–4 small holes with a sharp knife before placing in the basket.
- Spray lightly with avocado or olive oil cooking spray.
- Cook (precooked): Air fry for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until browned and slightly crisp. Check at 6 minutes as air fryers vary.
- Cook (uncooked): Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cook (frozen): Air fry for 10–13 minutes, flipping halfway, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. No thawing needed.
- Rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Temperature: Always 360°F. Higher temps split the casing before the inside heats through.
Internal temperature: Verify 165°F regardless of sausage type or brand. An instant-read thermometer is the only reliable check.
Precooked vs. uncooked: Most store-bought chicken sausage (Bilinski's, Applegate, Trader Joe's, Amylu, Aidells) is precooked. Check the package if you're unsure.
Brand timing: Thinner links like Amylu can finish at 7 minutes. Thicker Aidells links need the full 10. Start checking at 6.
Uncooked sausages: Poke 3 to 4 small holes with a sharp knife before air frying so the casings don't burst. Don't do this to precooked links, it drains the fat that keeps them juicy.
Patties: Same temp and time as precooked links, 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway.
Oil: A light spray is the difference between a sausage that steams and one that gets genuinely crispy. You can skip it, but the exterior won't crisp the same way.
Storage: Airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheating: Air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 5 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch but kills the crispy exterior.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 link | Calories: 120kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 470mg | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
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