Breakfast Sausage in Air Fryer

Breakfast sausage in the air fryer is low in fat and high in protein. It’s the starting point for so many different breakfast options. 

Have you ever noticed how many types of breakfast sausage there are? It’s obviously a popular breakfast choice. If I listed the brands, types and ways you could serve breakfast sausage, I think I might sound like Bubba from the movie Forrest Gump. Talking about all the ways you can serve and eat shrimp.

My personal favorite type of breakfast sausage is the frozen link variety. Mainly because there are so many “healthier” varieties now. But I always used to microwave them. And then brown them on my stovetop in a pan with some butter because that made them taste better. Obviously cooking them in the air fryer is the better choice.

Why cook breakfast sausage in the air fryer?

Air fryers are a one stop shop for cooking breakfast sausage. No added butter or oil. The air fryer makes any type of breakfast sausage juicy on the inside and perfectly browned on the outside. Plus no mess of splattered grease on your stovetop! My basket style air fryer contains the mess. And I can just toss it in my dishwasher when I am finished for a simple clean-up! This is such an easy air fryer recipe with so many possibilities…

What types of breakfast sausage can you cook in the air fryer?

Literally all of them. Pictured are just three types I have tried. But any brand (Applegate, Brown ‘N Serve, Bob Evans, Jimmy Dean, Kroger, Johnsonville, etc.) will cook beautifully in your air fryer. Also any variety – pork, turkey or chicken, fresh or frozen, links or patties. The only type I haven’t tried yet is meat-alternative breakfast sausage. If YOU have tried them, please let me know what your experience has been in the comments!

How to cook frozen sausage links in an air fryer

This variety is my personal favorite. I am partial to both the Brown ‘N Serve Turkey Frozen Sausage Links and the Applegate Chicken & Maple Sausage. I like the texture and flavor of both. Plus I know I’m saving some fat and calories with these choices.

Place the links in the basket of your air fryer in a single layer. Air fry them at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. There is no need to flip them. These directions work for raw sausage links (not just pre-cooked) as well.

How to cook raw sausage patties in your air fryer

Place the breakfast sausage patties in your air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the sausage at 400 degrees F for 8-10 minutes. Since you are cooking the sausage from raw, it is important to check their internal temperature with a meat thermometer before eating. Breakfast sausage is safe to eat once it reaches a minimum temperature of 160 degrees F.

Serving Suggestions

• As pictured, with a slice of avocado toast and grapefruit sections
• With your favorite eggs – fried, poached, scrambled, or folded into an omelette
• With pancakes and a side of breakfast potatoes
• Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• French Toast Roll Ups
• Breakfast Taquitos
• Air Fryer French Toast
• Buttermilk French Toast
• Grandmother’s Toad in a Hole
• Sausage Pancake Muffins

What’s the difference between breakfast sausage and ground pork?

Seasoning and flavor is the main difference. Ground pork is just pork that is ground up … like beef. It’s not seasoned. Breakfast sausage is often made with seasoned ground pork, but now is often found made with ground turkey or chicken instead. The most commonly used spices and flavorings for breakfast sausage are salt and black pepper, thyme, sage, maple syrup, paprika and cayenne pepper.

Storage Directions

Store cooked/air fried breakfast sausage in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator or in the freezer for up to one month.

Kitchen Tools for making this recipe

• These directions will work with any type of air fryer. I use a Philips XXL Air Fryer to test all of my recipes.
• Always use a digital meat thermometer to check the temperature of meat that has been cooked from raw before eating.
• Use metal tongs to remove the cooked breakfast sausages from your air fryer.

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Ham Steaks
• Air Fried Cinnamon Rolls
• Frozen Biscuits in the Air Fryer
• Air Fryer Quiche
• Air Fried Bread Pudding

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