My homemade Air Fryer Sausage Patties are made with blueberries, basil and ground turkey for a healthy high protein breakfast staple.
You always ask me for savory high protein breakfast ideas. I love my sheet pan egg sandwiches, but I get that some people don't eat eggs or currently have the ick. So I'm constantly working on new options like my savory breakfast muffins.
These sausage patties are a staple because I wanted to make a healthier homemade option. Unlike common storebought options, these air fryer sausage patties are lower in sodium, gluten-free and dairy-free. I love making them to pair with toast and fruit for easy breakfasts!
Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved
- Protein packed. 2 of these breakfast sausages have 27g of protein, which I love as a dietitian. Research shows that high protein breakfasts are so important for blood sugar, weight management and cravings.
- Meal prep friendly. These air fryer breakfast sausages are easy to prepare ahead of time and store in the freezer for easy proteins.
- Gluten and dairy-free. Making brunch for a crowd? This breakfast sausage recipe is great for those with dietary restrictions.
Ingredients
Ground turkey. This is our protein of choice! I recommend using 93% lean ground turkey for this recipe.
Spices. Garlic powder, dried thyme, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, black pepper are the only spices you need for this recipe
Fresh basil. For a touch of freshness!
Blueberries. It's blueberry season and if you haven't tried adding fresh blueberries sausages yet you are going to LOVE these! The blueberries add the perfect burst of sweetness and fresh flavour. They really elevate these to create the perfect breakfast option.
Maple syrup. For a hint of natural sweetness and that classic maple breakfast sausage flavour.
The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add ground turkey, spices, maple syrup and fresh basil. Mix well to combine.
- Add blueberries. Gently mix the berries into the turkey mixture.
- Divide the meat into 8 even sized balls (about 2 tablespoon per ball). Press each ball to form ½ - inch thick patties. Ensure the blueberries are covered by the meat mixture so they don’t fall out while baking.
- Arrange in the basket of your air fryer (this may need to be done in batches). Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the patties and bake for an additional 3 minutes.
Substitutions and Variations
To make gluten-free: this recipe is naturally gluten-free.
To make dairy-free: this recipe is naturally dairy-free.
To make nut-free: this recipe is naturally nut-free.
Missing ingredients? Try these:
- Ground turkey: swap for ground chicken or pork
- Fresh basil: swap for fresh rosemary
Equipment
Storage
Air fryer sausage patties can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
To freeze after cooking, allow the patties to cool fully before placing them in an airtight bag or container. I recommend dividing layers of patties with a piece of parchment paper to prevent the patties from sticking together. Patties can be frozen for up to 3 months.
To reheat, allow them to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the microwave (about about 2 minutes), air fryer (at 325 F for about 4 minutes) or stove top (for a few minutes per side). If you prefer, you can reheat them directly from frozen by heating in the air fryer at 350F for about 5-7 minutes.
Top Tips for Success
Ensure the blueberries are pressed firmly into the sausage patties prior to baking to minimize the chances of them falling out.
I highly recommend using an air fryer with a crisper plate (or a baking dish with a wire rack in the oven). These sausages will have excess moisture that will be released from the berries during the baking process. Allowing that moisture to drain away from the sausages ensures that you are getting sausages with a perfectly golden brown outside edge.
Frequently Asked Questions
These are great sources of protein! Pair them with a fiber filled carbohydrate for a balanced meal. Some options include: air fryer, diced potatoes, toast with peanut butter, fruit salad etc. I also love making them into breakfast sandwiches with my sheet pan eggs.
You don't have to, however I think they add such a great fresh flavour to these if you like sweet and savory. However if you prefer to leave them out you absolutely can!
I recommend using fresh blueberries for best results. If you are in a pinch and only have frozen berries on hand you can add them directly into the mixture from frozen (please note this may result in sausage patties that are much brighter blue in colour).
Yes! These are a great option for a freezer friendly meal prep breakfast. Once cool, air fryer sausage patties can be stored in an airtight container or bag for up to 3 months. You can check out the storage section for more tips.
Absolutely! This recipe works great if doubled.
More Savory Breakfast Recipes
High protein breakfasts are my jam!
- Savory Cottage Cheese Breakfast Muffins
- Breakfast Protein Biscuits
- Avocado Cottage Cheese Toast
- Chorizo, Egg and Green Chile Breakfast Casserole
See you in the kitchen!
PS. I love seeing my recipes in action! If you decide to make these air fryer sausage patties, don't forget to snap a photo and tag me on Instagram- @nourishedbynic or leave a comment and rating below letting me know how you liked it!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Sausage Patties
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup depending on your sweet preference
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add ground turkey, spices, maple syrup and fresh basil. Mix well to combine.
- Add blueberries. Gently mix the berries into the turkey mixture. Divide the meat into 8 even sized balls (about 2 tablespoon per ball). Press each ball to form ½ inch thick patties. Ensure the blueberries are covered by the meat mixture so they don’t fall out while baking.
- Arrange in the basket of your air fryer (this may need to be done in batches). Bake for 5 minutes. Flip the patties and bake for an additional 3 minutes.
Notes
Arrange sausage patties on the baking tray (ensuring they are not overcrowded).
Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Please note that as air fryers typically have a crisper plate this allows the excess liquid from the blueberries to drain as the sausage patties cook. If you are using a standard cookie tray in an oven the excess moisture may pool on the tray. This will not affect the taste of the sausages but may result in a more blue colour! Stovetop directions: Add 1 teaspoon of oil to a nonstick pan and place over medium heat. Add turkey patties and cook for about 5 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until fully cooked. *I have included an estimation of the nutrition information for this recipe below. However, always remember a recipe is so much more than just nutritional content and these numbers do not need to dictate your food choices. Please don't forget that both your body and soul need nourishment! The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.
Jill says
I was looking for something a little different to add in to the breakfast rotation, and these were a great choice! They’re a unique blend of flavors, easy to make (I made the oven version), easy to freeze, and a great on-the-go-option.
Valerie McEnroe says
Wasn’t a fan of the blueberries. For those who want to try it, I suggest cutting the blueberry measurement in half.
Nicole Addison says
Hi Valerie- I'm sorry the blueberry wasn't a hit, these are blueberry sausages so I had to make sure the blueberry flavour came through! The great thing about these is you can easily leave the blueberries out or add any other mix-ins you prefer!
Kat says
My kids LOVE these breakfast options! Flavor is great. It is healthy and quick. Thank you!! We triple the recipe and freeze.
Sherry says
Excellent high protein "to go" option. Perfect sweet and savory mix.
Nicole Addison says
If you are looking for a new high protein addition to add to your weekly meal prep (that isn't oats or eggs) these are a GREAT option! I hope you enjoy them!