Frozen Sausages in the Air Fryer
Frozen sausages are one of the easiest things to cook in an air fryer, because you do not need to thaw them. The air fryer cooks them in about 18 minutes with browned, snappy skins, and the fat drips into the drawer. The only thing to get right is making sure the middle is piping hot before you serve them.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 21min
- Prep
- 1min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 310kcal
Why the air fryer works for frozen sausages
Frozen sausages in air fryer baskets cook well because the hot air thaws and cooks the surface at the same time. In an oven you often end up with burnt skins and a cold middle, and in a pan the outside browns long before the centre defrosts. The air fryer gives gentle, even heat that cooks from the outside in at 180 °C, while the fat drips away.
Cooking frozen sausages in the air fryer is also practical. You do not have to plan ahead and thaw them, which is risky if they are left out. A batch of eight takes about 18 minutes, and it does not heat the whole kitchen. For fresh or chilled sausages, see our guide to air fryer sausages.
How to make frozen sausages in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Check the pack Look at the cooking instructions. Most frozen sausages can go straight into the air fryer. Do not thaw them and do not prick the skins.
- Preheat Heat the air fryer to 180 °C for .
- Load Lay the frozen sausages in a single layer in the basket, with a little space between each. Brush with the oil if you like, though they release plenty of fat.
- Cook Cook for , then turn the sausages over with tongs and cook for another , until browned all over. Thick sausages need the full or slightly longer.
- Check Cut one open or use a thermometer. The FSA says sausages must be steaming hot with no pink meat and clear juices, so the centre should reach 75 °C. Rest them for before serving.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Frozen Sausages | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Frozen pork sausagesTurn halfway | 180 °C | 16–18 min |
| Thin or chipolata sausages | 180 °C | 10–12 min |
| Thick frozen sausages | 180 °C | 20–22 min |
| Frozen chicken sausages | 180 °C | 14–16 min |
| Frozen meat-free sausagesCheck the pack | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Frozen frankfurters | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
You may also like: How to clean an air fryer
Tips
- Do not pile them up. Sausages touching each other steam rather than brown. Leave a small gap, or cook in two batches.
- Turn once or twice. Turning at the halfway point gives an even colour all round.
- Use the thermometer. Frozen sausages can look done before the middle is hot. A probe reading of 75 °C is the only reliable test.
Serving
Serve frozen sausages with mash and onion gravy, or with chips and beans. They also work in a roll with fried onions and mustard. For breakfast, add bacon, eggs and grilled tomatoes. If you are using frozen sausage rolls instead, see sausage rolls in the air fryer.
Storing and reheating
Cooked sausages keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. To reheat, put them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes, until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C).
Variations
- Sausage and onion tray: Add 1 sliced red onion and 1 tsp oil to the basket for the last 10 minutes.
- Honey and mustard: Brush with 1 tbsp honey mixed with 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard for the last 2 minutes.
- Hot dogs: Cook frozen frankfurters at 180 °C for 8–10 minutes and serve in toasted rolls.
Troubleshooting
- The sausages are brown outside but pink inside
- The heat was too high or they were not cooked for long enough. Lower the temperature to 170 °C, add 3–4 minutes and check with a thermometer until it reads 75 °C.
- The skins split
- Frozen sausages expand as they heat. Start at 180 °C, not higher, and do not prick them, which lets the juices escape.
- The sausages are stuck together
- Frozen sausages freeze in a block. Do not rinse them under the tap, which splashes raw meat juices around the sink. Cook them, then gently pull them apart with tongs after 4 minutes once they loosen.
Frequently asked questions
How long do frozen sausages take in an air fryer?
16–18 minutes at 180 °C for standard pork sausages, turned halfway. Thin sausages take 10–12 minutes and thick ones 20–22 minutes.
Can you cook frozen sausages in an air fryer without thawing?
Yes. Cooking from frozen works well in the air fryer, and the skins brown nicely. Do not prick them first.
What temperature should frozen sausages reach?
The Food Standards Agency says sausages are safe once steaming hot all the way through. A thermometer reading of 75 °C in the centre confirms this.
Do you need to add oil to frozen sausages in the air fryer?
No. Sausages release their own fat. A little oil helps browning only if the sausages are very lean.
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