Jimmy Dean sausage links crisp up nicely in an air fryer with far less grease than traditional pan frying. If you want to know how to cook jimmy dean sausage links in air fryer, the process is simple, fast, and very forgiving.
You do not need a lot of oil, and you do not need to stand over a hot stove. The air fryer does most of the work for you.
This guide covers temperatures, timing, thawed vs frozen links, and a few tips so your sausage comes out browned on the outside and juicy inside.
Why Use An Air Fryer For Jimmy Dean Sausage Links
Air fryers move hot air around the food at high speed. That gives sausage links a browned, slightly crisp skin without deep frying.
Compared to pan frying, there is less splatter and less cleanup. The links also cook more evenly because the heat surrounds them on all sides.
- Less oil needed
- No grease popping on your stove
- Faster than oven baking for small batches
- Easy to cook just two or three links at a time
One thing to keep in mind is that air fryer models vary. A 1500 watt unit cooks faster then a smaller 1000 watt unit. So use the times below as a starting point and check your links near the end.
How To Cook Jimmy Dean Sausage Links In Air Fryer
Here is the basic method for fully cooked Jimmy Dean links. These are the ones labeled “fully cooked” on the package. If you have raw links, see the section below.
What You Will Need
- Jimmy Dean sausage links (thawed or frozen)
- Air fryer
- Tongs or a fork
- Optional: parchment paper with holes, or a light spray of cooking oil
Step By Step Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for about 3 minutes. Preheating helps the skin brown instead of just warming through.
- Arrange the links in a single layer in the basket. Do not stack them. Leave a little space between each link so air can flow.
- Set the timer for 8 minutes if the links are thawed. For frozen links, set it for 12 minutes.
- Flip the links halfway through cooking. Use tongs so you do not pierce the casing.
- Check the internal temperature. It should reach 160°F. If you do not have a thermometer, cut one link open. There should be no pink in the middle.
- If they need more color, add 1 to 2 more minutes. Watch them closely at this stage.
- Let them rest for 1 minute before serving. The casing firms up slightly and the inside stays juicy.
Total time is usually 8 to 10 minutes for thawed links and 12 to 15 minutes for frozen ones. Thick links take a bit longer then thin ones.
Air Fryer Temperature And Time Chart
- Thawed links: 380°F for 8 to 10 minutes
- Frozen links: 380°F for 12 to 15 minutes
- Thick dinner links: 380°F for 10 to 12 minutes
- Small breakfast links: 370°F for 7 to 9 minutes
Always flip halfway. This is the single most important step for even browning.
Tips For Better Results
Do Not Overcrowd The Basket
If you pile links on top of each other, the ones in the middle steam instead of brown. Cook in batches if you need to. A single layer is best, even if it means two rounds.
Skip The Oil Most Of The Time
Jimmy Dean links already contain fat. That fat renders out during cooking, which is enough to keep them from sticking. If your basket tends to stick, a light spray of oil is fine. Do not soak them.
Use A Meat Thermometer
A thermometer takes the guesswork out. Insert it into the end of a link, not the side, so you get a reading from the center. 160°F is the target.
Watch Out For Small Links
Thin breakfast links can dry out fast. Start checking them at 6 minutes. If they look brown and firm, pull them out.
Clean The Basket After Each Batch
Sausage leaves grease behind. If you cook a second batch in a dirty basket, that old grease can smoke. A quick wipe with a paper towel between batches helps.
Cooking Frozen Jimmy Dean Sausage Links
You can cook frozen links straight from the freezer. No thawing needed. Just add a few minutes to the cook time.
- Preheat to 380°F.
- Place frozen links in a single layer.
- Cook for 12 minutes, flipping at the 6 minute mark.
- Check the temperature. If below 160°F, add 2 to 3 minutes.
Frozen links may release more liquid at the start. That is normal. It cooks off and the links brown near the end.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Not preheating the air fryer
- Stacking links instead of using one layer
- Forgetting to flip halfway
- Cooking on too high a heat, which burns the outside before the inside heats through
- Not checking the internal temperature
Each of these is easy to fix. Once you cook one batch, you will get a feel for your machine.
Serving Ideas
Air fryer sausage links work for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Try them with scrambled eggs and toast. Slice them into a breakfast burrito. Serve them on a plate with pancakes and syrup.
You can also cut them into coins and add them to pasta, rice, or a breakfast hash. They reheat well in the air fryer too. Just 2 to 3 minutes at 350°F brings them back to life.
Storing And Reheating Leftovers
Put cooled links in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. To reheat, air fry at 350°F for 2 to 3 minutes. The microwave works but makes the casing rubbery. The air fryer keeps that nice snap.
For longer storage, freeze cooked links in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 350°F for 6 to 8 minutes.
Final Thoughts
Cooking Jimmy Dean sausage links in an air fryer comes down to three things: preheat, single layer, and flip halfway. Get those right and you will have browned, juicy links in under 15 minutes.
Start with 8 minutes for thawed links and 12 for frozen. Then adjust based on your air fryer and how brown you like them. Once you try it, you may not go back to the skillet.