Air Fryer Sausages and Onions
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).
Published
- Prep Time
- 5 mins
- Cook Time
- 15 mins
- Total Time
- 20 mins
- Servings
- 3 servings
How do you make 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.
- Total time
- 20 mins
- Calories
- 600 per serving
- Protein
- 31 g
- Yield
- 3 servings
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Method
- Air frying
Ingredients
Sausages
Onions
To serve
Equipment
Air fryer · Tongs · Instant-read thermometer
Quick Directions
Preheat
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes.
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.
Add the sausages
Lay the sausages on top of the onions in a single layer with a little space between them.
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).
Serve
Rest the sausages for 2 minutes, then serve with the onions and mustard, in buns or rolls, or with mashed potatoes and greens.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these detailed steps to make the perfect air fryer sausages and onions.
Preheat
Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F) for 3 minutes.
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.
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.
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.
Serve
Rest the sausages for 2 minutes, then serve with the onions and mustard, in buns or rolls, or with mashed potatoes and greens.
Recipe 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.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories | 600 |
|---|---|
| Protein | 31 g |
| Carbs | 10 g |
| Fat | 48 g |
| Saturated fat | 16.5 g |
| Fibre | 1 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 1300 mg |
Estimated from the listed ingredients; values vary by brand.
Related Recipes
Storing & Reheating
- 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.
Air Fryer Sausages and Onions FAQs
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.
