This was a little experiment with leftover chicken sausages from dinner the previous night. I don’t like waste, so instead of letting the sausages sit at the back of the fridge and be forgotten, I decided to transform them into these air fryer sausage burgers! I find that the simplest recipes often come when I’m looking at what leftovers and extras we have. It’s a great way to use up ingredients before they go off. And this recipe is a perfect example of that. With just a few core ingredients and a couple of extras for serving, this dish is incredibly versatile and can easily be adapted to suit your needs and tastes.
There’s nothing more satisfying than whipping up an entire meal in the air fryer. The minimal mess, quick cooking times, and easy clean up make it an absolute dream for busy days. Or when you want to keep things simple. These homemade air-fried sausage burgers are a great example of how easy it is to create a tasty meal with little effort. Using leftover chicken sausages and a handful of kitchen staples, these burgers are bursting with flavour.
Imagine juicy patties, infused with the zesty kick of lime juice and the subtle heat of chili flakes. All perfectly held together with a satisfying crunch from the breadcrumbs. Each bite is a wonderful combination of flavours and textures, making for a delicious and satisfying meal. These air-fryer sausage burgers are not only quick to prepare but also incredibly tasty. They are guaranteed to tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving more. With minimal costs and cooking time, this recipe is the perfect solution for turning leftovers into a meal everyone will enjoy!
PREP 5 minutes
COOK 25 minutes
KIT you will need an air fryer.
Ingredients for air fryer sausage burgers
3 chicken sausages, skins removed
1 egg
Lime juice
Chilli flakes
Handful of breadcrumbs
Olive oil spray
Method
I started by placing the sausages into a large mixing bowl – removing the skins first to make it easier to break them down. To this, I added a generous squeeze of fresh lime juice for a zesty kick, and a finely chopped red chilli for heat. Though you can adjust the amount depending on your spice preference. I cracked in one egg to help bind the mixture together. And then threw in a good handful of breadcrumbs to give it structure and hold everything in place.
Using my hands, I gently mixed everything together until it was well combined. Then shaped the mixture into small burger patties, roughly the size of the palm of my hand. I gave them a light spray with Frylight oil and placed them into the air fryer basket. They cooked at 160°C for about 25 minutes. Turning them occasionally to ensure they were golden and evenly cooked on all sides. They came out beautifully – juicy on the inside with a lovely, crisp outer edge.
For the buns, I used a cheddar and sun-dried tomato bread mix, which is a bit of a shortcut, but full of flavour. All it needs is some water and a bit of kneading before you leave it to rest – just follow the instructions on the packet. I shaped the dough into small rolls and sprayed them with Frylight before popping them into the air fryer at 180°C for 15 to 20 minutes, checking them occasionally until they were golden brown and sounded hollow when tapped. Once baked, I left them to cool slightly on a wire rack.
To serve, I sliced the rolls, added the sausage burgers, and topped them with peppery watercress, thinly sliced red onion, and a dollop of mayo. Simple, tasty, and all done in the air-fryer!
Tips for Air Fryer Sausage Burgers
1. Use good-quality sausages
Start with your favourite sausages like Cumberland, Lincolnshire, or even spicy Italian-style. Remove the meat from the casings and shape into patties. You’ll get more flavour this way than using plain mince.
2. Don’t overwork the meat
Handle the sausage meat gently when forming patties. Overmixing can make them tough. Just press into shape until they hold together nicely.
3. Make them the right size
Form patties slightly larger than your burger buns as they shrink a little as they cook. So aim for 1.5 to 2cm thickness for even cooking.
4. Chill before cooking
Pop the patties in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes before air frying. This helps them hold their shape and prevents them falling apart during cooking.
5. Preheat the air fryer
If you have time then it is preferable to preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for 2 or 3 minutes. This will help the patties start sizzling immediately and form that tasty browned crust.
6. Cook in a single layer
Don’t overcrowd the basket as the hot air needs to circulate. Cook patties for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Thicker patties may need a minute or two longer.
7. Check doneness
Use a meat thermometer if needed. The sausage burgers should reach an internal temp of 75°C (167°F) to be fully cooked and safe to eat.
8. Add cheese or toppings
For melty cheese, add a slice in the last minute of cooking. Serve in toasted buns with your favourite extras like caramelised onions, mustard, apple slaw, or a fried egg.
So deliciously juicy and super versatile, these sausage burgers are a brilliant go-to for quick dinners or a weekend treat!
Similar recipes
If you love these easy air fryer sausage burgers, you might also like my air fryer mini burgers, the air fryer sausage bake or my air fryer pork steak recipe.
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