Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Fast, juicy, and packed with protein—this air fryer chicken sausage comes out perfectly crispy every time. Whole links, sliced, or straight from frozen, ready in under 15 minutes with almost no cleanup!
Equipment
- airfryer
- meat thermometer (optional but recommended)
- tongs
Ingredients
- 4 chicken sausage links precooked or raw
- 1 teaspoons oil or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) and preheat for 3 minutes
- Prep the sausage: If using raw links, prick a few small holes in the casing with a fork so steam can escape while cooking.
- Arrange in basket: Place 4 chicken sausage links (precooked or raw) in the basket in a single layer, leaving space between each link for airflow. Add a light spray of 1 teaspoons oil or cooking spray if you want extra crisping.
- Air fry: Cook precooked sausage for 8–10 minutes , or raw sausage for 12–15 minutes.
- Flip halfway: Turn the links over at the halfway point so they brown evenly on all sides.
- Check for doneness: The casing should look golden and tight. If using raw sausage, confirm it has reached 165°F internally with a meat thermometer.
- Serve: Serve in a bun, sliced over a bowl, or straight off the tray with your favorite dip or glaze.
Notes
Tips & Variations: For frozen sausage, air fry at a lower temperature for 3–4 minutes first to separate the links, then finish at the regular temperature. For extra crispiness, slice into coins or butterfly lengthwise before cooking. For a glazed finish, brush on BBQ or teriyaki sauce in the last 2 minutes so the sugar caramelizes instead of burning. Don't overcrowd the basket — cook in batches if needed.
Storage & Reheating: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes to bring back the crisp. Freeze cooked sausage in an airtight bag for up to 3 months.