Jimmy Dean air fryer sausage links are easier to cook than using your stove and turn out way better too! Crispy on the outside and tender pork on the inside, this is an easy hands free way to make them just like restaurants do.

I bet you’re ready to make breakfast quick right about now right?? OH yes, you will not believe how great these turn out, just like the restaurant but in no time. My kids won’t let me make them any other way now. This is just one easy air fryer recipe hack on The Typical Mom blog.
How to Air Fry Sausage Links
You literally need nothing more than just some non stick spray to prepare these. Honestly if you ran out of that you’d probably be fine anyway too as they’ll emit a bit of grease as they cook too and most likely won’t stick. If you are looking for how to cook sausage patties in air fryer we have that method too so you can make both!
with Eggs
This gets even better though friends. You can make air fryer egg bites or bacon in air fryer at the same time too (we will explain this below). That is right, if it is just the two of you most of these have similar cook times so go for a few of each!
Frozen Sausage Links in Air Fryer
Often times all I have on hand are frozen sausage in air fryer links, large or small. They come out great too and surprisingly doesn’t take much more time than if you took the time to defrost them first.
Tips
Tips: My Favorite models are the Cosori or making Ninja Foodi recipes with the lid that is attached.
It is best practice to put food into a hot basket. This is how to preheat air fryer first before adding your food so it becomes as crispy as possible. For best results, here’s a printable free air fryer cooking time chart here for your fridge.
Ingredient Notes
As far as sausage links go there are many brands out there so choose whichever you like. I prefer Jimmy Dean for name brand but store brand is cheaper. These were raw and not precooked (raw is better so they aren’t overcooked) . I like a light spray of olive oil inside before adding but that is optional.
You can add a few eggs into the basket and cook everything together as an air fryer breakfast in one short air fry session using silicone baking cups (like you would use to bake muffins).
Ninja Foodi Option
You can use any brand of machine, our Ninja Foodi works great for these too. If yours are precooked it would only take 2-3 minutes since you’re just rewarming them up essentially. Working with raw pork will take longer. That is what we chose this go around, and almost always.
Of course if yours are much wider or thicker than you see here, cook times will need to increase. Most come in the same size you see here, there is typically very little variation no matter what brand you choose. I just grabbed the store brand this time.
Sausage Links in Air Fryer Time
Equipment
- 1 air fryer
Ingredients
- 12 small sausage links, pork, raw, links
- 1 pinch salt and pepper, to taste if necessary when done
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees for 5 minutes.
- Spray inside of basket with non stick spray. Place links inside and make sure they don't overlap.
- Air fry for 7-8 minutes, shaking basket halfway through (or flip gently if eggs in silicone muffin cups were added) until outsides are browned and inside is no longer pink.
Video
Notes
with Eggs
If you want to cook eggs at the same time, set in 1 silicone muffin cup per egg into the basket. Crack 1 egg inside each one with a sprinkle of salt and pepper on top. For large eggs you’ll reach medium hard yolks in 5 minutes, medium size will be over hard in 5 min. When cooking together just remove at minute 5 with tongs (will be hot), set aside so they can continue firming up, while you continue cooking the meat for 2-3 more minutes.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Checking the internal meat temperature is important but really if you cut one in half you can tell if it is done. It will no longer be pink or translucent in appearance rather it will be more of a grey color.
What should I serve with sausages?
Well typically these are served for breakfast, or when treating the kids and having breakfast for dinner! This is what we usually add on as other items to eat with them; Air fryer breakfast potatoes can be made cheesy or regular with diced onions. Hashbrowns in the air fryer can be homemade or thawed out and pre-made bought frozen and bagged.
If you are looking to cook full size Italian sausage or frozen sausage like you see here, follow our Ninja Foodi sausage in the air fryer timing. They still cook much faster than smoked brats or on the stovetop so this is how we prepare these as well.
Can you reheat cooked sausages in air fryer?
Totally. To save leftovers make sure they are room temperature and save inside freezer bags in your fridge. Then throw them back into your machine for 2 minutes to reheat, or use your microwave for 45 seconds or so. I prefer the first option because they will get nice and crispy on the outside again which is a no brainer.