Air-frying sausages produces a juicy, golden-brown result with no oil and less fat, and is rated the "best and easiest" way to cook them. The simple recipe, shared by GoodFood, has earned 40 five-star ratings online and 16 comments from home cooks who have tested it.
Why air frying beats the frying pan
Unlike frying, grilling or roasting, the air fryer method requires little to no oil and virtually no effort. Sausages tend to be fairly high in fat, but when prepared in an air fryer, much of that surplus fat drains away into the basket rather than pooling around the sausages during cooking.
GoodFood has stated that air-frying is the most energy-efficient method for cooking sausages — and also the "easiest" and "fastest" way to get the job done. They said: "This method ensures a crispy exterior while retaining moisture in the centre to keep the sausages juicy."
What home cooks say
Reviewers have praised the technique. One wrote: "I have to say this is just the best and easiest way of cooking sausages. They were delicious." Another added: "This recipe gave me nicely browned sausages, and they were so juicy." A third noted: "This recipe always works for me, less fat splatter to clean up."
How to cook sausages in an air fryer
All you need for this recipe is six sausages of your choosing. Chipolatas will require slightly less cooking time, but opt for whichever variety takes your fancy, be it classic pork or Cumberland.
Next, pierce the sausages several times all over with a sharp knife. This step is optional, but it will help draw out more of the fat during cooking. Lay the sausages in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your batch, you may need to cook them in stages or make use of two drawers if your model has them.
Set the air fryer to 180°C and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning them every five minutes, until cooked through. If you have a meat thermometer to hand, ensure the centre of the meat has reached 75°C. Serve alongside a full breakfast or with mashed potatoes for a fuss-free midweek dinner.
