Air Fryer Sausage Patties
Breakfast sausage patties burn on the outside and stay pink in the middle if the skillet is too hot, and they leave a greasy pan to wash. Air fryer sausage patties cook in about 10 minutes at 370 °F, brown on both sides and let the grease drip into the drawer. The recipe works for fresh, thawed or frozen patties.
- Temperature
- 370°F190 °C
- Total time
- 24min
- Prep time
- 2min
- Servings
- 4
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 300kcal
Why the air fryer works for sausage patties
A sausage patty is ground pork with fat, salt and spices such as sage, thyme and black pepper. In a skillet it sits in a pool of its own grease, and the edges can scorch before the center is cooked. In the air fryer, hot air surrounds the flat patty, the fat melts and drips through the basket, and both sides brown at the same time. Sausage patties in the air fryer need no oil, no flipping more than once and no skillet to scrub.
The ground pork rule applies here. A raw patty needs an internal temperature of 160 °F, not just a brown surface. Patties are thin, so a thermometer inserted from the side is the reliable way to check. This page covers breakfast patties made from pork, and the same method works for the sausage "burgers" in the freezer aisle. For Italian links, see sausage; for bratwurst, see brats.
How to make sausage patties in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare If the patties are stuck together, separate them. There is no need to add oil, as the patties contain enough fat. Sprinkle the pepper over both sides.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 370 °F for .
- Cook Place 4 patties in the basket in a single layer without overlapping, and cook the other 4 as a second batch. Cook each batch for , flipping after , until deep golden brown. For a sweet glaze, brush the patties with the maple syrup in the last minute.
- Check Insert an instant-read thermometer sideways into the center of a patty. Raw pork sausage must reach 160 °F. If the reading is lower, cook longer.
- Drain and serve Lift the patties onto a plate lined with paper towels for , then serve hot.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Sausage Patties | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh or thawed, ½ inchFlip after 5 min | 370 °F (190 °C) | 10 min |
| FrozenFlip after 6 min | 370 °F (190 °C) | 12–14 min |
| Fully cooked pattiesHeat to 165 °F | 350 °F (180 °C) | 4–5 min |
| Turkey or chicken pattiesCook to 165 °F | 370 °F (190 °C) | 10–12 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Keep them in one layer. Overlapping patties steam instead of browning. Cook in two batches if needed; they reheat well in a minute.
- Make a dimple. If you shape homemade patties, press a shallow dimple in the center so they stay flat.
- Drain the fat. The drawer collects grease. Empty it between batches to avoid smoke.
What to serve with sausage patties
Sausage patties are made for a big breakfast with scrambled eggs, pancakes and toast. They also make a fast breakfast sandwich: put a patty, a fried egg and a slice of cheese on an English muffin or a biscuit. For a bigger brunch, add a side of bacon.
Storing and reheating
Cooked patties keep for 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, or about 2 months in the freezer, which makes them good for meal prep. Reheat in the air fryer at 350 °F for 3–4 minutes from the refrigerator, or 5–6 minutes from the freezer, until they reach 165 °F.
Variations
- Homemade patties: Mix 1 lb ground pork with 1 tsp rubbed sage, ½ tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp kosher salt, ½ tsp black pepper and ¼ tsp red pepper flakes. Shape 8 patties about ½ inch thick and cook as above.
- Sage and maple: Add 1 tbsp maple syrup to the homemade mix for a sweeter patty.
- Turkey patties: Cook turkey or chicken patties to 165 °F, which usually takes 10–12 minutes.
- Sandwich: Assemble with egg and cheese, wrap in foil and keep warm in the oven at 200 °F.
If it does not turn out right
- The patties are greasy
- Pat the cooked patties with paper towels and empty the drawer between batches. Leaner patties of turkey or chicken produce less grease but cook faster.
- The patties stick together or to the basket
- Lay them in a single layer without touching. If your basket tends to stick, brush it lightly with oil before the patties go in.
- The outside is dark but the middle is pink
- The patties were too thick, over ½ inch, or still frozen. Lower the temperature to 350 °F, add 2–3 minutes and check for 160 °F.
Questions and answers
How long do sausage patties take in the air fryer?
About 10 minutes at 370 °F for fresh patties of ½ inch, flipped once. Frozen patties take 12–14 minutes. The center must reach 160 °F.
Can you cook frozen sausage patties in the air fryer?
Yes. Place them straight from the freezer into the preheated basket at 370 °F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway. No thawing is needed.
Do you need to add oil to air fryer sausage patties?
No. The patties contain enough fat to brown and release grease into the drawer. Add oil only for lean turkey or chicken patties.
How do I cook fully cooked sausage patties?
Precooked patties only need heating. Cook them at 350 °F for 4–5 minutes, flipping once, until hot at 165 °F.
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