One of the easiest meals you can make is Chinese sausages with rice. Recently I have been air-frying them and it is much easier than pan-frying and way quicker than boiling. You can air-fry the entire links or chop them into pieces beforehand. The latter will render out more of the fat. So if you do not like it too greasy, it is a good option.
Chinese sausage, also known as lap cheong, is a type of cured sausage originating from southern China It has a sweet, salty flavor that makes it a versatile ingredient in many Chinese dishes While Chinese sausage is traditionally pan-fried, the air fryer offers a quick and easy way to cook it to perfection.
In this comprehensive guide we’ll explain everything you need to know about cooking Chinese sausage in an air fryer. You’ll learn how to choose the right sausage, prep it for the air fryer cook it properly, and use your leftover sausage creatively. Let’s get started!
Chinese sausage is made from pork, chicken or duck flavored with soy sauce rice wine, and seasonings. The sausage is then air dried which gives it a chewy, slightly sweet flavor and deep red coloring. Common seasonings include five-spice powder, garlic, sugar, and rose wine.
There are a few main varieties of Chinese sausage:
-
Lap cheong – The traditional pork version, sometimes called “Chinese cured sausage.” It has a sweet, smoky flavor.
-
Lop cheung – A thinner, drier sausage without the liver inside. It has a stronger five-spice flavor.
-
Chicken sausage – Made from ground chicken and similar seasonings. It has a lighter, more delicate taste.
-
Duck sausage – Made from ground duck and flavored with soy sauce, giving it a rich, savory flavor.
Benefits of Cooking Chinese Sausage in an Air Fryer
Cooking Chinese sausage in an air fryer has many benefits compared to pan frying:
-
Quick and easy – It cooks fast with minimal prep or cleanup. Just toss it in the basket!
-
Reduced fat – The air fryer requires little to no oil compared to pan frying.
-
Great texture – Crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside.
-
Intensified flavor – Browning in the air fryer concentrates the sweet, salty taste.
-
Versatile – Easy to toss with veggies or add to fried rice and noodles.
-
Convenient – You can cook a few links at a time straight from frozen.
The air fryer truly is the easiest, healthiest way to enjoy delicious Chinese sausage at home. Now let’s get into the specifics of how to cook it to perfection.
Selecting and Preparing the Sausage
Choosing high-quality sausage is the first step for achieving the best results:
-
Check the label – Look for lap cheong made with pork and traditional spices. Avoid mystery meats.
-
See it yourself – Select plump, rounded sausages with an even shape. Avoid shriveled or cracked casings.
-
Know your variety – Lap cheong and lop cheung have different flavors based on fat content. Try both!
-
Take a sniff – The sausage should have a sweet aroma, not sour or stale. A good sniff test never hurts!
Once you have your quality sausage, proper preparation is important:
-
Remove casing – Peel off the waxy casing before cooking for even browning.
-
Cut into pieces – Slice diagonally into 1/2 inch pieces to expose more surface area.
-
Pat it dry – Dab both sides with a paper towel to remove excess moisture for crisping.
Prepping the sausage correctly before air frying is crucial for safety and the best texture. Now we’re ready to cook!
Air Frying Instructions and Tips
Cooking Chinese sausage in the air fryer is simple, but there are some important tips to follow:
-
Preheat properly – Heat the air fryer to 400 ̊F for optimal crisping.
-
Don’t overcrowd – Cook in a single layer, avoiding overlaps for even cooking.
-
Flip halfway – Turn the pieces over at the halfway point to brown both sides.
-
Brush with oil – Lightly coat with oil or spray for enhanced browning, if needed.
-
Track cook times – Check often as times vary by thickness and doneness preference.
-
Ensure doneness – Internal temperature should reach at least 165 ̊F. Cut to test.
-
Allow carryover cooking – Let rest 1-2 minutes out of the fryer before serving.
Follow these air fryer tips and test for doneness to end up with perfectly cooked Chinese sausage every time. Keep reading for more recipe ideas!
Tasty Recipe Ideas Using Chinese Sausage
The sweet and savory flavor of Chinese sausage pairs deliciously with many ingredients. Try it in these easy air fryer recipes:
-
Sausage fried rice – Dice and air fry sausage, then toss with veggies and cooked rice.
-
Sausage egg rolls – Roll air fried sausage and veggies up in egg roll wrappers and air fry again.
-
Sausage peppers and onions – Toss sliced sausage with bell peppers and onions to air fry.
-
Sausage kabobs – Thread sausage pieces onto skewers with pineapple and bell pepper.
-
Sausage pasta – Slice air fried sausage and mix into pasta with Parmesan.
-
Sausage omelette – Make an omelette filled with diced air fried sausage.
The options are endless! Air fried Chinese sausage also works in tacos, pizza, noodles and more.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Here are some tasty ways to serve your freshly air fried Chinese sausage:
- Rice or noodle bowls
- Ramen or pho
- Breakfast tacos or burritos
- Omelettes or frittatas
- Fried rice or stir fry
- Egg rolls or potstickers
- Pizza or flatbread
- Savory waffles or pancakes
For easy sides that complement the flavor, try:
- Steamed vegetables
- Bell peppers and onions
- Kimchi or sauerkraut
- Fresh pineapple or mango
- Scallions and cilantro
The sweet and salty flavors also pair well with:
- Soy or hoisin sauce
- Hot Chinese mustard
- Sweet chili sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
With so many pairing possibilities, you can enjoy air fried Chinese sausage for any meal of the day!
Storage and Reheating Leftovers
Like any cooked sausage, leftover air fried Chinese sausage should be handled properly:
- Allow to cool completely before refrigerating in an airtight container.
- Use within 3-4 days for peak freshness and flavor.
- Reheat gently in a skillet, toaster oven or microwave until heated through.
To freeze extras for longer storage:
- Cool sausage completely before freezing in a single layer on a tray.
- Transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers once solid.
- Freeze for 2-3 months for best quality.
- Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
With proper storage and reheating, you can enjoy quick meals from your leftover air fried sausage all month long!
The Benefits of Cooking Chinese Sausage at Home
Air frying Chinese sausage at home offers many perks compared to takeout:
-
It’s faster, cheaper and healthier than takeout or delivery.
-
You control the quality of ingredients and avoid additives.
-
It allows you to experiment with flavors exactly how you like.
-
You can make restaurant favorites without leaving home!
-
Leftovers allow you to prep quick meals all week.
-
It’s a versatile ingredient to enhance many types of dishes.
With the air fryer, you can easily achieve crispy, flavorful Chinese sausage with minimal time and effort. Impress family and friends with your homemade Chinese cuisine!
Handling Raw Sausage Safely
To prevent foodborne illness when handling raw sausage:
-
Always wash hands and surfaces after handling raw meat.
-
Separate raw sausage from cooked foods during prep and storage.
-
Refrigerate raw sausage within 2 hours of purchasing and use within 1-2 days.
-
Cook sausage to an internal temperature of at least 165 ̊F and rest 3 minutes before cutting.
-
Do not refreeze thawed sausage; cook within 1-2 days.
-
When reheating fully cooked sausage, heat to 165 ̊F.
By properly handling, prepping and cooking the sausage, you can safely enjoy the deliciousness of Chinese sausage at home.
With the right techniques, air frying delivers fast, flavorful results cooking Chinese sausage. Browning it in the air fryer is the quickest route to sweet, savory sausage that enlivens any dish.
Refer to this guide for purchase tips, prep steps, cook times, recipe ideas, storage guidelines and safety practices when cooking Chinese sausage.
Say goodbye to greasy
Recipe Notes + Tips
- I like to eat these sausages with steamed rice and stir-fried Chinese vegetables like broccoli and Yu Choy Sum.
- The fat that sinks to the bottom of the basket can be used to stir-fry other things again. I like to use it for stir-frying broccoli with garlic. It tastes great when added to vegetable dishes to make them taste more like meat.
About This Recipe
Air-frying Chinese sausages is super quick and easy. I like to turn my air-fryer to the max setting and cook them for 2-3 minutes. They come out super juicy and the outside skin crisps up nicely.
You have basically two options when it comes to cooking them. You can either cook the entire links or slice them beforehand. Before cooking, cutting them up will help remove more of the fat, making the sausages less greasy. It also exposes more surface area so more of the sausage will get crispy.
Ultimately, this is a personal decision so you can decide what you want to do. I will say that both options are good but I usually cut them beforehand.
The only ingredients you will need are Chinese sausages. You do not need any oil because the sausages are already very oily. I am cooking three sausages today because it is just my wife and I eating. Usually, you want to cook one and a half sausages per person.
STEP 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400℉ and set the timer to 2-3 minutes.
STEP 2: Slice the sausages into ¼-inch thick, bite-sized pieces.
STEP 3: Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked. They should reach an internal temperature of 165℉.
