Sausage cooked in an air fryer is the easiest, fastest, and hands-off way to make Italian sausages that are juicy and golden brown.
You will never make air-fried sausage any other way again! It tastes great on its own, in a bun, over pasta, or in the classic way with peppers and sausage.
There was no way I thought I’d have such a good relationship with this countertop kitchen appliance after making air fryer tofu, the first thing I used it for.
For most of the year, I thought it would sit on a shelf in the basement and only be used a few times.
I don’t know what else to say besides the fact that I made these sausages in an air fryer to show how wrong I was.
But what it proves is that yes, you can cook sausage in an air fryer in minutes and it will turn out great.
When I say perfect I mean a beautiful crispy golden brown exterior with a juicy, succulent center.
The same applies to cooking brats in the air fryer in case you prefer those to sausage.
That may be a graphic or over the top way to describe a cooked sausage, but let’s be honest: that’s how you want it cooked.
Conecuh sausage is a staple of Southern cooking loved for its distinctive spice blend and smoked flavor. While traditionally pan-fried, cooking Conecuh sausage in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to enjoy this Alabama specialty. Air frying locks in moisture and gets that crispy outer casing without the grease of pan frying.
In this detailed guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to cook perfect Conecuh sausage in an air fryer every time Whether you’re craving it for breakfast, dinner, or just a quick snack, you’ll learn tips for crisping up the casings while keeping the interior juicy Let’s get started!
Benefits of Cooking Conecuh Sausage in an Air Fryer
Air frying is a great way to cook Conecuh sausage for several reasons:
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Quick cooking time – Sausages are done in just 10-15 minutes in an air fryer, faster than oven baking.
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Less fat and grease – The air fryer uses rapid hot air rather than oil to cook, resulting in less fat and grease.
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Crispy exterior – The circulating hot air crisps up and browns the casings nicely.
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Juicy interior – The inside stays moist and juicy since the air fryer doesn’t dry out meat.
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Easy cleanup – With less grease splatter, air fryers are easier to clean up than pan frying.
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Consistent results – The enclosed air fryer cooks food evenly with no burning or undercooking.
With all those benefits, it’s easy to see why air frying makes cooking Conecuh sausage so quick and convenient!
Step-By-Step Guide to Cooking Conecuh Sausage in an Air Fryer
Follow these simple steps for perfect air fried Conecuh sausage every time.
Ingredients:
- Conecuh sausage links (can use smoked, turkey, or beef varieties)
- Cooking spray or oil (optional)
Equipment:
- Air fryer
- Aluminum foil or air fryer liner (optional)
Instructions:
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Preheat air fryer to 390°F. Let it fully preheat before adding food.
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Prep the sausages by poking several holes all over the casings with a fork. This prevents them from bursting.
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Grease air fryer basket by spraying lightly with oil or use a liner for easy cleanup.
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Add sausages to the preheated air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
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Cook for 5-6 minutes then flip the sausages and cook 5-6 minutes more until browned and 165°F internal temperature.
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Optional browning – For extra crispy casings, coat sausages with a thin brush of oil after flipping and cook 2-3 minutes more.
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Let rest 1-2 minutes before serving so juices redistribute. Enjoy!
That’s truly all there is to it! With just 10-15 minutes of air frying, you can enjoy quick and easy Conecuh sausages with crispy browned casings and plump, juicy meat inside.
![Air fried conecuh sausages][]
Air fried conecuh sausages come out perfectly crispy and delicious (image source: chefsresource.com)
Tips for Making the Best Air Fried Conecuh Sausage
Use these handy tips for the absolute best results when cooking Conecuh sausage in your air fryer:
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – Leave space between sausages for air circulation.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F internal temp.
- Adjust time for thicker sausages – Add 2-3 minutes for larger links.
- Flip halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Brush with oil for crunchier casing – Just avoid excess oil dripping.
- Let rest before eating so juices redistribute after cooking.
- Reheat gently – Place in a 275°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes to reheat leftovers.
Follow these tips and tricks for that perfect blend of snappy, lightly crisped casings and moist, flavorful meat when you air fry Conecuh sausage.
Common Questions about Air Frying Conecuh Sausage
Have some questions about cooking Conecuh sausage in an air fryer? Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Can you cook frozen Conecuh sausage in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen Conecuh sausage in an air fryer! Just add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165°F. The air fryer’s rapid circulating heat will thaw and cook the sausages evenly.
What temperature should you cook Conecuh sausage at in an air fryer?
Cook Conecuh sausage at 390°F in an air fryer. This high heat helps crisp up and brown the casings nicely while thoroughly cooking the interior.
How long does it take to cook Conecuh sausage in an air fryer?
It takes just 10-15 minutes to cook Conecuh sausage in an air fryer. Cook for 5-6 minutes per side, adjusting time for thicker sausages. Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165°F.
Can you put raw Conecuh sausage in the air fryer?
Yes, you can put raw, uncooked Conecuh sausage directly into a preheated air fryer. The hot circulating air will cook the sausages perfectly with crispy browned casings and moist interiors.
Should you flip Conecuh sausages during air frying?
It’s important to flip Conecuh sausages halfway during air frying to ensure even cooking and browning on both sides. Flipping halfway helps them cook faster too.
Can you air fry precooked Conecuh sausage?
You can reheat precooked or leftover Conecuh sausage in an air fryer. Place in a 275°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Don’t overcook or they may dry out.
With this guide, you now have everything you need to cook delicious, crispy, juicy Conecuh sausage in your air fryer! Enjoy this flavorful Southern specialty anytime with less mess and fuss thanks to your air fryer. Give it a try and taste how quick and easy it is to air fry perfection.
HOW TO COOK SAUSAGE IN THE AIR FRYER
If you want to make sausage in the air fryer, all you need is sausage. This goes for sausage links, sausage patties, and the longer sausage coil.
For this recipe I’m using Italian sausage but any seasoning type will work and any type of meat.
Whether it’s pork, turkey, chicken, or lamb sausage, this same air fryer method can be used.
It’s interesting that the cooking times are pretty much the same for both uncooked and fully cooked sausage.
Simply place thawed sausage links in the air fryer either in the basket or on the trays.
Make sure the sausage is all in one layer so that the air fryer can do its magic and let air flow all around it while it cooks, giving it the perfect “fried” texture.
TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST AIR FRIED SAUSAGE
- Do not poke holes in the sausage; you are not cooking a potato! Many recipes say to do this, but it only lets the juices leak out while air-frying. That will make a mess in the bottom of your air fryer and make the sausage dry. No bueno.
- If you don’t want your air fryer to smoke (this doesn’t happen to me very often, but it can happen when you’re air-frying something high in fat, like sausages), put a piece of parchment paper on the bottom to catch the drips. It’ll make clean up a little easier too. This is something I sometimes do with air-fried cod to catch the butter and lemon sauce that runs off the sides. You can also use aluminum foil in the air fryer, but be sure to pay attention to the safety instructions.
- It’s possible to air fry as many sausages as you can fit in one layer in your air fryer. This way, you can make enough for a big group or just have tasty leftovers. That’s probably between 8 and 10 for ovens like the one I have. For basket models, maybe 5-8.
