Bacon Wrapped Sausage in Air Fryer

In just 20 minutes, you can enjoy our savory, smoky, and slightly sweet Bacon Wrapped Sausage in Air Fryer bites. The ultimate appetizer or party snack; the juicy breakfast sausage links are wrapped in thick-cut bacon, coated with a touch of brown sugar for caramelization, and crisped to perfection in the air fryer. They’re quick to prepare, easy to serve, and wildly addictive—perfect for game day, holiday brunch spreads, or even a fun weeknight dinner addition.
Whether you serve them with your favorite BBQ sauce, maple syrup for dipping or alongside your favorite breakfast-for-dinner spread, these bite-sized snacks are crowd-pleasers through and through. Best of all, they’re ready in under 30 minutes using just a handful of simple ingredients.
This easy recipe was our love game day! We love an easy appetizer for football season. If you do too, here is a list of some of our favorite easy party foods: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Wing Dip, Slow Cooker Spinach Dip, Crockpot Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Meatball Sliders, BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders, Hawaiian Roll Sliders, and our Slow Cooker Pulled Pork with Root Beer.
- Simple Ingredients: You only need three simple ingredients to make these little smokies.
- Quick and Easy: The air fryer gets these ready in about 10 minutes per batch.
- Sweet and Savory: Brown sugar and bacon make an irresistible flavor combo.
- Perfect for Entertaining: Ideal for brunch, potlucks, tailgates, or last-minute hosting.
- Kid-Friendly: These are a hit with both adults and little ones.
- Low Carb: This low carb snack will be one of your new favorite recipes.
With just a quick trip to the grocery store, you will be ready to make this perfect appetizer.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Thick Bacon: The thick cuts of bacon add a salty and crispy balance to the savory pork sausage.
- Pork Breakfast Sausages: A savory meat that pairs well with a salty bacon.
- Brown Sugar: Provides a lightly sweet profile to balance the flavors of the pork.
For this easy recipe, you'll want to have on hand an air fryer, tongs and toothpicks.
Love this yummy appetizer but want to make it your own? Here are some helpful ideas for you to change these bacon wrapped sausages.
- Turkey Bacon: A leaner alternative to traditional bacon if you prefer less fat.
- Chicken or Turkey Sausage: Swap in other breakfast sausage varieties for a lighter twist.
- Spicy Kick: Add a sprinkle of cayenne or crushed red pepper to the brown sugar mix.
- Sugar Free: Skip the brown sugar altogether for a more savory version.
- Maple Glaze: Brush with maple syrup in the last few minutes of air frying for extra shine and flavor.
Check out these step by step photos to see how quick and easy it was to make this air fryer breakfast sausage wrapped in bacon.
Preheat air fryer to 400F.
Slice bacon in half. Rub 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar on each piece of bacon.
Secure a strip of bacon with a toothpick on one end of a link, then wrap around and secure the other side (note: be mindful they need to go into the air fryer in a single layer).
Repeat with all sausage links.
Lightly coat the air-fryer basket with non-stock cooking spray or olive oil. Working in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, and without overcrowding place sausages in the air fryer basket and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip halfway for a more even crispy bacon on all sides.
If desired, drizzle with maple syrup or dip in your favorite BBQ sauce for additional great flavor.
Hint: Thick cut bacon holds its shape better and doesn’t overcook before the sausage is done. If you need to use regular bacon cook for a little less time.
Here are some ways to store these simple bacon wrapped sausages.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: Alternatively, you can place it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, thaw fully if frozen, and reheat in the air fryer or microwave until warmed throughout.
Enjoy these air fryer sausages as part of your breakfast or brunch or bring them along to a gathering as a perfect party food addition.
- Mini Pancake Skewers: Serve as part of a brunch board. Make our crispy fluffy pancakes and make them half the size!
- Mini Waffles or Biscuits: Make a DIY breakfast sandwich station. If you have a mini waffle maker (or not) use our gluten free buttermilk waffle recipe.
- Dips: Serve them alongside dips, like our Buffalo chicken wing dip, slow cooker spinach dip, or guac and chips.
- Sliders: A little extra something to pair with our meatball sliders, BBQ pulled pork sliders or Hawaiian roll sliders.
- Hot Dogs: Keeping on with the pork theme, serve them alongside plain hot dogs, chili dogs or pigs in a blanket.
- Brunch Cocktails: Serve our blackberry champagne cocktail for a fruity pairing, our crockpot spiked apple cider for a sweet and savory vibe, or our breakfast shot for a little citrus and salty twist!
- Hot Beverages: Any breakfast item goes well with an espresso Irish coffee, Irish coffee with Baileys, hot chocolate with baileys, or our crockpot hot chocolate.
Here are some of our best tips to help you make these air fryer bacon wrapped smokies!
- Don’t Overcrowd: Air needs to circulate for even crisping, so work in batches.
- Soak the Toothpicks: Soak the toothpicks for at least 10 minutes, this prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- Flip Halfway: For even browning and a crisper bite on all sides.
- Maple Finish: Drizzle or dip in maple syrup just before serving for a restaurant-style touch if desired.
Do you have questions about making our bacon wrapped sausage in air fryer.
Yes, preheating ensures the bacon starts cooking right away for maximum crispness.
Can I make this without toothpicks?It's possible, but toothpicks help keep the bacon secure during cooking.
How do I know when they're done?The bacon should be crisp and the sausage fully cooked through—about 10 minutes at 400F.
Can I double this recipe?Absolutely, just cook in batches to avoid overcrowding.
What's the best type of sausage to use?Pork breakfast sausage works best, but any link-style sausage will do.
Check out some more of our recipes you will want to try!
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Bacon Wrapped Sausage in Air Fryer
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon thick cut
- 8 tablespoon brown sugar optional
- 16 pork breakfast sausage links
- toothpicks, soaked in water
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 400F.
- Slice bacon in half. Rub 1 ½ teaspoons brown sugar on each piece of bacon.
- Secure a strip of bacon with a toothpick on one end of a link, then wrap around and secure the other side (note: be mindful they need to go into the air fryer in a single layer).
- Repeat with all sausage links.
- Lightly coat the air-fryer basket with non-stick cooking spray or olive oil. Working in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, and without overcrowding place sausages in the air fryer basket and cook for about 10 minutes. Flip halfway for a more even crispy bacon on all sides.
- If desired, drizzle with maple syrup or dip in your favorite BBQ sauce for additional great flavor.
Tips
- Thick cut bacon holds its shape better and doesn’t overcook before the sausage is done. If you need to use regular bacon cook for a little less time.
- Air needs to circulate for even crisping, so work in batches.
- Soak the toothpicks for at least 10 minutes, this prevents them from burning in the air fryer.
- For even browning and a crisper bite on all sides.
- Drizzle or dip in maple syrup just before serving for a restaurant-style touch if desired.

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