We’re all busy in the mornings, so I’m always looking for ways to make sure I still eat breakfast. Air fryer turkey breakfast sausage is the perfect answer, since you can pop in patties or links to cook while you go about your morning routine, and then just enjoy them when they’re done!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy. The air fryer cooks turkey breakfast sausage with minimal prep and cleanup
- Perfectly browned. Hot circulating air helps create nicely browned edges for flavor while keeping the inside juicy
- Great for busy mornings. Get breakfast on the table quickly without standing over the stove!
- Works with links or patties. Use your favorite style of turkey breakfast sausage for a flexible recipe. They’re even fine frozen! Check out my Air Fryer Frozen Sausage Patties for all the details
- Less mess. No splattering grease across the stovetop means easier cleanup
- Easy to scale. Make a small batch for yourself or cook enough for the whole family
- Great for meal prep. Cook a batch ahead of time for quick breakfasts throughout the week!
- Pairs with everything. Serve it with eggs, pancakes, potatoes, toast, fruit, or your other favorite breakfast foods
- A leaner option. A turkey sausage patty (or links) are a great alternative to traditional pork breakfast sausage
- Consistent results. The air fryer makes it easy to cook sausage evenly without constant flipping or monitoring
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- Turkey breakfast sausage
Ingredient Tips and Notes
- Any brand of turkey breakfast sausage is fine (and chicken sausages work well, too). I have Butterball because that’s what my grocery store carries. Shady Brook Farms is another common option
- Make sure it specifies breakfast sausage, as it’s seasoned differently than a traditional turkey sausage
- This recipe is for uncooked (raw) turkey sausage. Some brands, like Johnsonville or Jimmy Dean, are fully cooked already, which requires less time since you’re basically just reheating them
- You could add a light spray of oil (like olive or avocado oil) if desired, but I personally don’t find it necessary. If you have links with casings, it can help them to brown better
Step By Step Instructions
- If your turkey sausage is in a block or tube, cut it into approximately ½” thick patties. Then, place the patties (or links) into your air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing air space between each one
- Cook sausages on the air fry setting at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The center should reach 165°F on a meat thermometer; add additional time in 1-minute increments as needed. Subsequent batches can be reduced by 2 minutes usually
- Serve hot, with your favorite sides!
Pairing Suggestions
Air fryer turkey breakfast sausage is savory, juicy, and easy to work into almost any breakfast or brunch spread. Pair it with classic egg dishes, hearty potatoes, sweet breakfast favorites, or fresh fruit for a complete meal!
Eggs & Breakfast Classics
- Scrambled eggs: A simple, protein-packed pairing that works for any morning
- Fried eggs: Runny yolks add a rich contrast to the savory sausage
- Omelets: Add vegetables, cheese, and herbs for a hearty breakfast
- Breakfast sandwiches: Layer the sausage with eggs and cheese on an English muffin, biscuit, or bagel!
- Breakfast burritos: Wrap sausage with eggs, cheese, potatoes, and your favorite toppings
- Quiche or frittata: A great option for brunch or feeding a crowd.
Potatoes & Savory Sides
- Hash browns: Crispy potatoes are a classic match for breakfast sausage. Try my Air Fryer Hash Browns and Eggs for a complete meal!
- Home fries: Seasoned potatoes make the meal more filling
- Breakfast potatoes: Roast or air fry them alongside your sausage for an easy combination
- Sweet potato hash: The natural sweetness balances the savory turkey sausage
- Biscuits and gravy: Turkey sausage works well as a lighter alternative in a hearty breakfast spread
Pancakes, Waffles & Sweet Favorites
- Pancakes: Sweet maple syrup and savory sausage are a classic sweet-and-salty combination
- Waffles: Crispy waffles pair beautifully with juicy sausage and butter. Try some quick Air Fryer Trader Joe’s Blueberry Waffles!
- French toast: A rich, sweet option that creates a satisfying brunch plate. Try my Air Fryer French Toast Casserole for a make-ahead friendly option!
- Breakfast muffins: Blueberry, banana, or cinnamon muffins make an easy addition
- Cinnamon rolls: Perfect for a leisurely weekend breakfast or holiday brunch
Fresh Fruit & Lighter Sides
- Fresh fruit salad: Bright, juicy fruit keeps the meal feeling fresh and balanced
- Berries: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries add natural sweetness
- Yogurt parfaits: Creamy yogurt and crunchy granola make a lighter complement
- Sliced melon: Refreshing and especially nice for a summer brunch
- Applesauce: A simple sweet pairing that works particularly well with sausage
Breakfast Breads
- Toast: Simple and perfect for a quick weekday breakfast
- English muffins: Great for breakfast sandwiches or serving with butter and jam
- Biscuits: Fluffy biscuits are a classic sausage pairing
- Bagels: A hearty option with cream cheese or eggs. You can even Toast a Bagel in the Air Fryer!
- Croissants: Buttery and flaky for an elevated brunch spread. Make some easy Frozen Croissants in the Air Fryer!
Drinks
- Coffee: A hot cup of coffee is always a natural breakfast choice!
- Orange juice: Bright citrus helps cut through the savory sausage
- Apple juice or cider: Apple and sausage are an especially delicious combination
- Smoothies: Add fruit and yogurt for a refreshing, balanced breakfast. Check out all of my Smoothie Recipes for some inspiration!
- Bloody Marys: A savory option for an adult weekend brunch
Recipe FAQs
Are Sausages Better In The Oven Or Air Fryer?
Both methods work well, but the air fryer is usually better for smaller batches because it cooks quickly and gives the sausage nicely browned edges. The oven is more convenient when you’re cooking a large quantity at once.
For everyday breakfasts, the air fryer is hard to beat for speed and convenience!
Can I Cook Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage Links In An Air Fryer?
Yes! Jimmy Dean turkey sausage links can be cooked in the air fryer. They are already fully cooked, so 4-6 minutes at 350°F is usually sufficient. If yours are frozen, add 1-2 minutes.
How Do You Make Sausage Crispy In An Air Fryer?
For crispier sausage, avoid overcrowding the basket so hot air can circulate around each piece. Cook the sausage in a single layer and turn or shake it partway through.
You can also add a minute or two of cooking time at the end to brown the exterior more, but keep a close eye on it so the sausage doesn’t dry out.
Tips For the Best Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage
- If you cut your sausage from a log and are struggling to get them back to round, use a cookie cutter! I have a 2.5” round cookie cutter I just pop each slice into and mush it back into shape. Of course, this is optional and only if you want them to look more even
- My 8 qt air fryer can comfortably cook 8 sausage patties at a time (2.5” diameter), so estimate about 1 qt size needed per slice. For smaller air fryers, cook in batches (don’t overcrowd or they won’t cook and brown evenly)
- I do not preheat my Ninja air fryer for this recipe, and 10 minutes total is perfect for the first batch (and I cook for 8 minutes on any secondary batches). Different air fryers can vary slightly, so adjust as needed for your particular model and/or different sausage patty or link thicknesses and sizes
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days
- Freeze cooked sausage for up to 2-3 months for longer storage
- Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, until warmed through
- Microwave: Heat on high in short 20-30 second intervals to avoid drying out the sausage
- Meal prep tip: Cook a larger batch ahead and portion the sausage with eggs, potatoes, or other breakfast favorites and store in the fridge or freezer for quick mornings!
More Air Fryer Turkey Recipes
- Air Fryer Turkey Dip
- Air Fryer Turkey Burgers
Final Thoughts
Air fryer turkey breakfast sausage is one of my favorite breakfast ideas for those busy mornings! It cooks up quickly and easily, comes out with perfectly browned edges while being juicy inside, and pairs with eggs, toast, fruit, and more!
You can serve it for breakfast or brunch, and even make a larger batch to meal prep for the week and save yourself even more time! It’s great on breakfast sandwiches and in burritos too!
If you love this lean protein, make sure to check out all of my Air Fryer Turkey Recipes for more easy recipes featuring simple ingredients, and perfect for any occasion or meal!
Air Fryer Turkey Breakfast Sausage (Patties or Links)
Servings: 6
Make air fryer turkey breakfast sausage for a quick and easy way to start your day! It comes out juicy inside, with perfectly browned edges, and pairs with other breakfast favorites for a complete meal.
Equipment
- Flat spatula (recommended for flipping; transfer)
Ingredients
- 16 ounce roll raw Butterball turkey breakfast sausage (or similar patties or links)
Instructions
- If your turkey sausage is in a block or tube, cut and form it into approximately 3” round, ½” thick patties (use a round cookie cutter if you need help shaping). Then, place the patties (or links) into your air fryer basket in a single layer, allowing air space between each one16 ounce roll raw Butterball turkey breakfast sausage
- Air fry at 375°F (or 380°F, depending on available settings) for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through. The center should reach 165°F on a meat thermometer; add additional time in 1-minute increments as needed. Subsequent batches can be reduced by 2 minutes usually
- Serve hot, with your favorite sides!
Notes
- Make sure your package specifies breakfast sausage, as it’s seasoned differently than regular turkey sausage
- This recipe is for uncooked (raw) turkey sausage. Some brands, like Johnsonville or Jimmy Dean, are fully cooked already, which requires less time (usually 4-6 minutes) since you’re basically just reheating them
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, size of patties, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 70g | Calories: 140kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3.5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 160mg | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1.1mg
