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I’ll be honest—this recipe happened on one of those nights. You know the kind. I opened the fridge, stared for a solid minute, and thought, “I want something cozy, but I also don’t want to cook.” Enter air fryer chicken apple sausage, my weeknight hero that somehow tastes like I tried harder than I did.

If you’ve ever grabbed chicken apple sausage at the store thinking, “This seems healthy-ish… now what?”—same. I’ve tested it every which way: pan, oven, grill. The air fryer wins, no contest. It gets the outside lightly crispy, keeps the inside juicy, and doesn’t trash your kitchen. That’s a win-win-win IMO. 🙂

This article shares exactly how I make it, plus the tips I wish I’d known sooner, flavor combos I actually repeat, and a few product recs I genuinely use.

Why I’m Slightly Obsessed With Chicken Apple Sausage in the Air Fryer

Let’s get this out of the way: chicken apple sausage sounds boring. I get it. But once you air fry it? Totally different story.

Here’s why I keep buying it:

Sweet + savory balance without adding sugar
Lean protein that still tastes comforting
Fully cooked (translation: low effort, high reward)
Works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner

Ever noticed how some “healthy” foods taste…sad? This isn’t one of them. The apple adds just enough sweetness to make it interesting, especially when the casing crisps up in the air fryer.

Ingredients You’ll Need (Nothing Fancy, Promise)

I’m keeping this simple because that’s the whole point.

Main Ingredients

Chicken apple sausage (links or fully cooked sausage)
Olive oil spray (optional, but helpful)
Black pepper (freshly cracked if you have it)
Garlic powder (optional, but I always add it)

That’s it for the base recipe. You can dress it up later—we’ll get there.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Air Fryer Chicken Apple Sausage

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

I preheat my air fryer to 375°F for about 3 minutes. Some people skip this. I don’t. Preheating helps the sausage crisp evenly right away.

Step 2: Prep the Sausage

If the sausages are long, I slice them in half. If I want crispy edges everywhere (highly recommend), I slice them into 1-inch coins.

Lightly spray with olive oil and sprinkle with black pepper and garlic powder.

Step 3: Air Fry

Place the sausage in a single layer. Crowding is the enemy here.

Cook time: 8–10 minutes
Flip or shake halfway through

You’ll know they’re ready when the edges look golden and slightly blistered. That’s the good stuff.

Step 4: Rest (Yes, Really)

I let them sit for 1–2 minutes. The juices settle, and the texture stays perfect.

My Favorite Flavor Add-Ons (That Don’t Ruin the Simplicity)

Some days I keep it plain. Other days I play around.

Savory Boosts

Smoked paprika for depth
Italian seasoning for a cozy vibe
Crushed red pepper if you like a little heat

Sweet-Savory Twists

Toss with sautéed onions
Add roasted Brussels sprouts or sweet potatoes
Drizzle with a tiny bit of honey mustard (trust me)

Ever tried chicken apple sausage with veggies roasted in the same air fryer basket? Dangerous. You’ll start making it weekly.

What the Top Recipes All Agree On (And I Do Too)

After cooking this a ridiculous number of times, I noticed the same themes that top-performing recipes emphasize—and they’re right.

Don’t overcook it (it dries out fast past 10 minutes)
Slice for crispiness, leave whole for juiciness
Use moderate heat (375°F beats 400°F here)
Let the air circulate—space matters

Simple rules, but they make or break the dish.

My Go-To Air Fryer (Worth Every Penny)

I’ve tested this recipe in multiple air fryers, but the one I use weekly is the Cosori Pro II Air Fryer.

You can check it out here:
👉 https://amzn.to/4qveeJa

Why I like it:

Even cooking (no weird cold spots)
Easy-to-clean basket (huge deal)
Enough space for sausage + veggies

FYI, you don’t need a fancy air fryer for this recipe—but a reliable one helps.

Best Chicken Apple Sausage Brands (From My Own Fridge)

Not all chicken apple sausages are created equal. These are the ones I buy repeatedly:

Aidells Chicken & Apple Smoked Sausage
👉 https://amzn.to/4a3PstR
Juicy, well-seasoned, and crisps beautifully.
Applegate Organic Chicken & Apple Sausage
👉 https://amzn.to/49JHIvX
Cleaner ingredients, milder flavor.

IMO, Aidells wins on flavor, but Applegate works great if you prefer organic.

How I Serve Air Fryer Chicken Apple Sausage

This is where it really shines. I rotate these all the time:

Breakfast

With scrambled eggs and sourdough toast
Sliced into an omelet
Next to pancakes (sweet + savory magic)

Lunch

Over mixed greens with vinaigrette
In a wrap with mustard and arugula

Dinner

With roasted vegetables
Over mashed sweet potatoes
Tossed into pasta with spinach

Ever had one of those meals where everyone asks, “Can we have this again?” Yeah. This is that meal.

Common Mistakes (I’ve Made Them So You Don’t Have To)

Cooking at 400°F → dries it out
Stacking sausages → uneven browning
Skipping seasoning entirely → missed opportunity

Learn from my lazy mistakes.

Storage & Reheating Tips

I store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

To reheat:

Air fryer: 350°F for 3–4 minutes
Skillet: medium heat, quick toss

Microwave works, but you’ll lose the crisp. Just saying :/

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