Cutting calories, but not flavor? Then this turkey breakfast sausage recipe is just what you need. Make it in an air fryer or oven. Your call.
I love breakfast sausage but not necessarily all the calories that go with it.
This turkey breakfast sausage is still packed with tons of good sausage flavor (thanks to the seasonings), but at a fraction of the calories as traditional pork breakfast sausage.
Jump to:
- The ingredient list:
- Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- How to make turkey breakfast sausage in the oven:
- What is the proper internal temperature for ground turkey?
- How long will these turkey breakfast sausages keep in the refrigerator?
- Can turkey breakfast sausages be frozen?
- Can this recipe be doubled for more sausages?
- How to keep the ground turkey from sticking to your hands?
- How to make turkey breakfast sausages (in an air fryer):
- Additional air-fryer breakfast recipes:
- Printable Recipe Card
The ingredient list:
**Note - The following lists of ingredients plus kitchen tools and equipment contain affiliate links (highlighted in blue) for your consideration and shopping convenience. #CommissionsEarned
- ground turkey
- salt and pepper
- fennel seed
- ground sage
- smoked paprika
- garlic powder
- red pepper flakes (optional)
Kitchen tools and equipment needed:
- air fryer or oven
- baking pan (for air fryer or oven)
- medium-size bowls
- measuring spoons
- instant-read thermometer
How to make turkey breakfast sausage in the oven:
The instructions are just the same as listed in the recipe card, only the cooking time will be longer.
What is the proper internal temperature for ground turkey?
165-degrees Fahrenheit.
To check the doneness of these turkey sausages (whether done in an air fryer OR oven), stick an instant-read thermometer into the center of one of the sausages.
If the internal temperature does not read 165-degrees, or the juices do not run clear, put the sausages back in to cook for an additional few minutes.
How long will these turkey breakfast sausages keep in the refrigerator?
Once cooked, store the sausages in an air-tight container and they'll keep well for 5 - 6 days.
Can turkey breakfast sausages be frozen?
After cooking, yes!
Wrap the sausages well in freezer paper and then in a freezer zip-top bag or an air-tight freezer container.
Turkey breakfast sausages can be frozen up to 2 - 3 months.
Can this recipe be doubled for more sausages?
Yes, easily.
Just double the ingredients and you're good to go.
You can also make the sausages bigger than what you see here in the photos. Just be aware that with bigger sausage patties the cooking times will increase as well.
As long as you use an instant-read thermometer you'll know how long to cook your larger sausages until done in the center.
How to keep the ground turkey from sticking to your hands?
Using water on your hands will help keep the turkey from sticking to your fingers and make it much easier to form the sausages.
How to make turkey breakfast sausages (in an air fryer):
- Place the ground turkey in a bowl and add the salt, pepper, fennel seed, ground sage, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix until all the ingredients are incorporated.
- Using water on your hands, the ground turkey into small patties (approximately 1½ tablespoon per patty) and place onto an air-fryer baking sheet.
- Set the temperature to 350-degrees and cook for 12-13 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer reaches 165-degrees Fahrenheit.
Additional air-fryer breakfast recipes:
Don't let the title mislead you. What I'm calling Air Fryer Soft Boiled Eggs aren't boiled at all. They're cooked in the air fryer, and they couldn't be easier to make, or more perfect!
Skip the drive-through and make your own Copycat Egg McMuffin at home in your air fryer (or skillet). You'll be glad you did!
Step away from the stovetop with this fast and cool cooking method. Follow along as I show you my easy method for How to Fry Eggs in an Air Fryer.
When you make this recipe, and I hope you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd take a moment to leave a star rating on the recipe card and briefly comment on why you rated it as you did. FYI - Google appreciates recipe ratings and, in turn, will share my recipes with more people. Thank you so much!!
Printable Recipe Card
Turkey Breakfast Sausage - Air Fryer or Oven Method
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon fennel seed
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powdeer
- ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes or to taste
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well to combine.
- Wet hands with water and form the ground turkey mixture into 12-13 small patties (approximately 1½ tablespoons, each).
- Place the patties on an air fryer baking sheet and cook for 12-13 minutes at 350-degrees (or until an instant-read thermometer reached 165-degrees when inserted into the center of a sausage.
- OR place the patties onto a baking sheet and cook in a preheated (350-degree) oven until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 165-degrees F when inserted into the center of a sausage.
Nutrition
I sincerely hope you've enjoyed today's healthy and fit, lower-calorie recipe for Turkey Breakfast Sausage (made in an air fryer or oven) as much as I've enjoyed bringing it to you!
Follow me across my social media platforms and join in on the conversation: FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST, TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE.
Thank you so much for visiting me today in my Kudos Kitchen. I hope you found something you'll love and that you'll come back and visit me often. There is always room for you around my table!
Should you have any questions or comments regarding anything you've seen here on my blog, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. It is always my distinct pleasure to respond to you just as soon as I possibly can.
Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!!
Renée says
These are the perfect breakfast sausage for when you're counting calories. You'll never miss the pork because the flavor is spot on!!
Natasha says
I had made these breakfast sausage and even though I had to substitute some ingredients because I just didn’t have it, it was still delicious and I can’t wait to cook it for my family soon.
Renée says
Awesome to hear, Natasha!
Thanks for letting me know, and for the 5-star rating!
Take good care,
Renee