# Air Fryer Sausages and Onions

> To cook sausages in the air fryer, preheat it to 190°C (375°F), spread a sliced onion tossed in oil over the basket and lay 6 raw sausages on top without pricking them. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway, until browned all over and the centre reads 71°C (160°F), or 74°C (165°F) for chicken or turkey sausages. Serve with mustard.

Source: https://savourrecipes.com/recipe/air-fryer-sausages
Author: Daniel Okafor | Published: Oct 12, 2026
Categories: Air Fryer Recipes, Easy Dinner Recipes, American Recipes
Collections: Quick Weeknight Dinners
Tags: High Protein, 30-Minute Meals, Kid Friendly

Air fryer sausages brown evenly on every side with almost no attention: no spitting pan, no turning every two minutes and no grill to light. The hot circulating air renders the fat and crisps the casing while the inside stays juicy, and a sliced onion underneath soaks up the drippings and turns soft and golden. Take them out when the centre reaches 71°C (160°F).

## Key facts

- Prep time: 5 mins
- Cook time: 15 mins
- Total time: 20 mins
- Yield: 3 servings
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cuisine: American
- Method: Air frying
- Calories: 600 per serving

## Ingredients

### Sausages

- 6 raw pork sausages, about 600 g, such as Italian sausage, bratwurst or bangers
### Onions

- 1 large onion, about 200 g, sliced into 1 cm half-moons
- 1 tsp neutral oil
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch black pepper
### To serve

- 2 tbsp mustard, Dijon, wholegrain or yellow
- 6 hot dog buns or crusty rolls (optional)

## Equipment

- Air fryer
- Tongs
- Instant-read thermometer

## Instructions

1. **Preheat.** Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes.
2. **Add the onions.** Toss the sliced onion with the oil, salt and pepper and spread it in an even layer over the bottom of the basket.
3. **Add the sausages.** Lay the sausages on top of the onions in a single layer with a little space between them. Don't prick the casings; the holes let the juices run out and leave the sausages dry.
4. **Air fry.** Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning the sausages with tongs and stirring the onions halfway, until the sausages are browned all over and the centre of the thickest one reads 71°C (160°F). Chicken or turkey sausages need to reach 74°C (165°F). There should be no pink in the middle.
5. **Serve.** Rest the sausages for 2 minutes, then serve with the onions and mustard, in buns or rolls, or with mashed potatoes and greens.

## Tips

- If your air fryer smokes, pour 2-3 tbsp of water into the drawer under the basket so the dripping fat doesn't burn.
- Thick sausages take up to 18 minutes and thin ones as little as 10, so check with a thermometer rather than relying on colour.
- Leave space between the sausages. Where they touch, the casings stay pale and soft.

## Variations

- Chicken or turkey sausages: cook for the same time, until the centre reaches 74°C (165°F).
- Pre-cooked or smoked sausages such as kielbasa or frankfurters: air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 6-8 minutes, until hot through and blistered.
- Sausages and potatoes: air fry 400 g of 2 cm potato cubes tossed in oil for 10 minutes first, then add the onions and sausages and cook for another 12-15 minutes.

## Storage

- Fridge: Refrigerate cooked sausages and onions within 2 hours in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked sausages for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheat: Reheat in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 4-5 minutes, until hot to 74°C (165°F) in the centre.

## Nutrition per serving (estimate)

| Calories | Protein | Carbohydrates | Fat |
|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 31 g | 10 g | 48 g |

## Frequently asked questions

### How long do you cook sausages in the air fryer?

Fresh raw sausages take 12-15 minutes at 190°C (375°F), turned halfway. Very thick sausages can take up to 18 minutes. They are done when the centre reaches 71°C (160°F), or 74°C (165°F) for chicken and turkey sausages.

### Can you cook frozen sausages in the air fryer?

Yes. Air fry raw frozen sausages at 180°C (350°F) for 18-22 minutes, separating them as soon as they loosen and turning them every 5-6 minutes. The lower temperature lets the middle cook through before the outside overbrowns. Check for 71°C (160°F) in the centre.

### Should you prick sausages before air frying?

No. Pricking lets the fat and juices run out, so the sausages end up dry. At 190°C (375°F) the casings rarely burst, and leaving them whole keeps the inside juicy.

### How do you know when sausages are cooked?

Use an instant-read thermometer in the thickest sausage: pork and beef sausages need to reach 71°C (160°F) and chicken or turkey sausages 74°C (165°F). Fully cooked sausages have no pink in the middle and the juices run clear. Browning alone is not a reliable sign.

### Why does the air fryer smoke when cooking sausages?

Fat drips from the sausages onto the hot drawer and burns. Add 2-3 tbsp of water to the drawer under the basket, clean out old grease before cooking, or lower the temperature to 180°C (350°F) and add a couple of minutes.

## Disclaimer

- Nutrition information is an estimate based on the listed ingredients. It changes with the brands, portion sizes and swaps you use.
- Read ingredient labels for allergens and for diet claims such as gluten-free or vegan. Products and their ingredients can change.
- Cooking times are a guide, since ovens, air fryers and slow cookers all run differently. Use a food thermometer and cook meat, poultry and fish to the safe internal temperatures in government food safety guidance.
- This recipe is general information, not medical or nutrition advice. If you have an allergy, a health condition or a special diet, check with a qualified health professional.