Air Fryer Sausage & Onion Rings – Crispy, Meaty, Crowd-Pleasing! This easy 5-ingredient recipe brings together the best of both worlds: juicy air fryer sausages and golden air fryer onion rings - all in one bite! Whether you're planning a Father's Day feast, gearing up for game day, or just want a fun new way to cook sausage in the air fryer, this combo is guaranteed to be a hit.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
Don’t stress about making each sausage-and-onion ring look perfect! This recipe celebrates the perfection of imperfection :). The onions don’t need to wrap around the sausage flawlessly. Once dipped in egg and coated with crispy breadcrumbs, everything holds together beautifully. And, just like my Pizza Rolls Appetizer, this one gets perfectly crisp with no oil splatters. The result is a fun, flavorful bite that’s ready to serve as a Father’s Day treat, game day snack, or a hit-anytime dinner. It’s even great for picky kids - crispy on the outside, meaty on the inside, and packed with familiar flavors they’ll love.
Recipe Overview
- ⏱️ Ready in: 30 minutes
- 🍽️ Servings: 4 onion ring sausages
- 💪 Diet-Friendly: Kid-Friendly, High-Protein
Jump to:
Why You'll Love These Air Fryer Onion Rings Wrapped Sausages
- They're crispy and meaty in one bite: The combo of juicy sausage and golden onion ring gives you the best of both worlds in texture and flavor!
- Quick and Easy: Cooks up fast with minimal mess and no need for deep frying.
- Kid-Approved: Even picky eaters love these! Great for family meals, snacks, or party platters.
- Perfect for Game Day or Father’s Day: Like these Maple Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Wings, these sausages are a crowd-pleasing appetizer that feels festive without the fuss.
- Only 5 Ingredients: Simple pantry-friendly ingredients with big flavor.
Ingredients
- Sausages: Choose thicker sausages (like bratwurst, Italian, or even chicken sausages) that hold their shape when sliced. Avoid overly soft or thin varieties. I like using honey-garlic flavored sausages for flavor without adding extra ingredients.
- Onions: Look for firm, wide onions to get large rings that can fit around sausage slices. Sweet onions work too.
- Eggs: We'll use them for binding the onion and sausage together.
- Breadcrumbs: Like we use in this Kohlrabi Schnitzel recipe, panko breadcrumbs give the crispiest coating. For extra flavor, try seasoned breadcrumbs or add your own spices.
- Cooking Spray or Oil: Lightly spray before air frying to achieve that golden, crispy finish. Avocado or olive oil spray works best.
***see the recipe card at the end of this post for quantities
Substitutions and Variations
- Make it Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free panko or crushed gluten-free crackers instead of regular breadcrumbs.
- Low-Carb/Keto: Swap breadcrumbs with almond flour for a crispy, low-carb coating. And, if you like low-carb recipes, these Easy Cottage Cheese Wraps are also a must-try.
- Vegetarian Option: Use plant-based sausages that are firm and grillable (like Beyond Sausage).
- Add Flavor to Coating: Mix in paprika, garlic powder, or grated parmesan (if not dairy-free) with your breadcrumbs for extra flavor.
- Make it Spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the breadcrumb mix or use spicy sausage.
Step-by-Step Instructions
STEP 1: Prepare ingredients
Cut onions into thick rings, wide enough to wrap around folded sausage slices. Pat the sausages dry with a paper towel and set up your dredging station with one bowl of beaten eggs and another bowl of breadcrumbs.
STEP 2: Assemble
Fold each sausage into a circle (like a wreath) and secure with a toothpick. Gently fit 3-4 onion rings around the outside of each sausage wreath. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, once dipped and coated, it all holds together!
STEP 3: Air-fry
Dip each sausage-onion combo into the egg, then into the breadcrumbs, pressing to help the coating stick and place in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Air-fry at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and golden brown.
STEP 2: Serve
Remove toothpicks and serve warm with your favorite dips. They're perfect for Father's Day, game day, or a picky-kid-approved snack!
Recipe Tips
- Use thicker onion slices: Thin rings can break easily; go for about ½-inch thickness.
- If you want an extra crispy exterior, dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice, You'll just need to double the egg and breadcrumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer. Starting with a hot basket gives you a crispier result.
- Don’t overcrowd and cook in batches if needed so air can circulate and everything crisps up evenly.
- They’re at their best fresh out of the air fryer while hot and crispy, so make sure to serve them immediately!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Though, the air fryer gives the crispiest results. You can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 30-40 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crisp. It's best to place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.
Classic pairings like honey mustard, garlic aioli, spicy mayo, or ranch all work great. For extra kick, try sriracha-lime mayo or a BBQ ranch combo.
Yes, you can freeze leftovers. Let the cooked sausage-onion rings cool completely first. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 5-7 minutes or until heated through and crispy again. Don't microwave though; it can make the coating soggy.
What to Serve With These Onion Ring Sausages
These pair perfectly with a classic coleslaw, this Cabbage and Ham Salad, or the super easy Red Cabbage and Mango Slaw. You can serve it with this Cilantro Lime Tahini Sauce to add a creamy, zesty twist or this Greek Tzatziki Salad Dressing.
Other air fryer recipe
If you tried this Air Fryer Sausage & Onion Rings recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Recipe
Air Fryer Sausage & Onion Rings – Crispy, Meaty, Crowd-Pleasing!
Equipment
- 4 Toothpicks
Ingredients
- 1 large onion or, you may need two, depending on the size of the onions
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 sausages raw
- cooking spray for crisping in the air fryer
Instructions
- Cut onions into rings. Pat the sausages dry with a paper towel and set up your dredging station with one bowl of beaten eggs and another bowl of breadcrumbs.1 large onion, 2 large eggs, 1 cup breadcrumbs
- Fold each sausage into a circle (like a wreath) and secure with a toothpick. Gently fit 3-4 onion rings around the outside of each sausage wreath. Don’t worry if it’s not perfect, once dipped and coated, it all holds together!4 sausages
- Dip the sausage-onion combo into the beaten egg, then coat well with breadcrumbs. Press to help the crumbs stick.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Lightly spray the inside of the rack of the air fryer with cooking spray, place the sausage-onion rings inside and spray the top of each "wreath" with more cooking spray.cooking spray
- Air fry for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. Ensure sausages are fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 160°F / 71°C).
- Remove toothpicks and serve warm with your favorite dip!
Notes
- Use thicker onion slices: Thin rings can break easily; go for about ½-inch thickness.
- If you want an extra crispy exterior, dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice, You'll just need to double the egg and breadcrumbs.
- Preheat your air fryer. Starting with a hot basket gives you a crispier result.
- Don’t overcrowd and cook in batches if needed so air can circulate and everything crisps up evenly.
- They’re at their best fresh out of the air fryer while hot and crispy, so make sure to serve them immediately!
Comments
No Comments