How to Cook Sausage Patties in the Oven: Easy Breakfast Solution

I am a wife, homeschool mom of four, and owner of multiple businesses, so I am always looking for quick and simple ways to prepare meals for my family of six. I found a kitchen hack that has been a lifesaver for cooking sausage.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to make sausage patties, baking them in the oven is a great option. It’s less messy than cooking them on the stovetop, allows you to cook a large batch all at once, and you can work on other parts of the meal while they are cooking.

Homeschool Tuesdays can be a little hectic. We have to be out of the house early to make sure we get to our coop on time. Yes, I am late often! lol. My hubby will sometimes start the sausage in the oven so we can all finish getting ready while they cook. He just sets the timer and lets Siri remind us when to check the patties.

To make sausage patties in the oven, all you need is some fresh or frozen sausage (pork, turkey, or chicken), parchment paper, and a baking sheet. I like to season the sausage with some of my family’s favorite spices and herbs to add more flavor.

Go ahead and place the sausage patties on the baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake them for about 15-20 minutes until they are fully cooked with a bit of crunch. They will cook a little differently depending on the thickness of the patties and the level of frozenness. until they are fully cooked with a bit of crunch.

There are so many variations of baked sausage patties, from adding cheese and vegetables to making them spicy with hot sauce or red pepper flakes. You can customize the sausage to suit your taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients and Equipment Needed

Baking sausage patties is about the simplest and easiest way to cook breakfast. You don’t need many ingredients or equipment to get started. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients

• Sausage: You can use any sausage you like, such as pork sausage, turkey sausage, or chicken sausage. Make sure it is in patty form, or you can form it into patties yourself.
• Non-stick cooking spray: This will help prevent it from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Optional seasonings: Add your preferred seasoning, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, or paprika, to the sausage patties. Be creative.

Equipment

• Baking sheet: A baking sheet pan with raised edges will help prevent grease from spilling into your oven. Can you say ridiculous mess?!
• Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil: These are used for easy cleanup and to prevent the sausage from sticking to the baking sheet. I have had better luck with coverage and cleanup with parchment paper.
• Meat thermometer: This is an easy way to ensure your sausage is cooked to the correct temperature. I am so leary of undercooked meat that I HAVE to have a meat thermometer handy!!
• Spatula: You’ll need a spatula to flip the sausage patties halfway through cooking.

Now that you have all of your ingredients and equipment, it’s time to start!

Preparing Your Sausage Patties

If you are making the sausage patties yourself, you will need to prepare the sausage and get it ready to bake. I personally prefer the frozen premade patties. For someone who lives a lot of their life in the kitchen, I hate dealing with raw meat.

Seasoning the Patties

One of the best things about making your own sausage patties is that you can season them just the way you like. You can use a premade sausage seasoning blend or create your own by mixing your favorite spices.

Mix the seasoning into the meat to season your sausage patties. Be sure to mix the seasoning in really well. If you prefer, you can use your hands or a spoon to mix the meat.

Some popular sausage seasonings are:

• Sage: This herb is a staple in most breakfast sausage recipes. It provides a distinctive flavor that you will definitely associate with breakfast sausage.
• Black pepper: Used in nearly all sausage recipes, black pepper adds a spicy note and enhances the overall flavor.
• Thyme: Another common herb in breakfast sausage patties, thyme gives an earthy, slightly minty flavor.
• Garlic powder: A common ingredient in many savory dishes, garlic powder adds depth and a savory taste to breakfast sausages.
• Onion powder: This ingredient is often used in combination with garlic powder. It provides a sweet, slightly sharp flavor that complements the meat.
• Red pepper flakes: While not as common as the above seasonings, red pepper flakes are still widely used to add subtle heat to breakfast sausages.

Arranging Patties on the Tray

Once your patties are formed and seasoned, arrange them on the tray. You can use a sheet pan or a baking dish. If you’re using a baking sheet, line it with parchment paper or aluminum foil to make cleanup easier. I promise you will thank me for this!

I learned my lesson after the first couple times of baking sausage. My ADHD had me piling as many patties on the pan as possible. Not good. I had parts of the sausage that were not cooked evenly. So, from my experience, make sure to leave some space between each patty. This will ensure that the patties cook more evenly. If you’re cooking a lot, you may need to use more than one tray.

If you want to make sure that your sausage cooks evenly, you can also dimple the center of each patty with your thumb. This will help the patties cook and prevent them from puffing up too much.

Baking the Sausage Patties

I love using the oven for baking sausage because it frees me up to work on other dishes at the same time. I’m able to pop it in and finish other parts of the meal while it bakes. Here are a few steps to follow to help you get perfect patties every time.

Preheating the Oven

The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Start getting the sausage ready for the oven while it is preheating.

Cooking Time and Temperature

Put the sausage patties on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper in the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the patties are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). We like our sausage with crispy edges so sometimes we let them cook for an extra couple minutes.

Checking for Doneness

Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature to make sure the sausage is the right temp. Insert the thermometer into the center of a patty. Make sure not to touch the baking sheet since the hot baking sheet can throw the reading off. The sausage is done when the temperature reads 160°F (71°C). If not, pop them back into the oven for a few more minutes until they reach the right temperature.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving Suggestions

Once your sausage patties are perfectly cooked, it’s time to serve them up! These patties are a great breakfast food that can be served in so many ways.

• Create a sausage, egg, and cheese keto-friendly biscuit for a quick on-the-go breakfast.
• Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of chives for a savory twist.
• Serve alongside low-carb pancakes or waffles for a hearty breakfast.
• Chop up cooked sausage patties and add them to scrambled eggs and cheese for a protein-packed breakfast.
• For a protein punch, add a side of sausage to Mixed Berry, Lemon Blueberry, Pumpkin, Chocolate, or Lemon Poppyseed muffins.

Storing Leftovers

I love to double and triple recipes because I know we will eat the leftovers at some point during the week. I usually cook a lot of sausage or bacon since it keeps so well in the fridge and freezer. That being said, if you have any leftovers, you’ll want to store them properly to keep them fresh.

• Allow the patties to cool to room temperature before storing them.
• Place the patties in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days; freeze the patties for up to 3 months for longer storage.

Reheating Instructions

Reheating leftover sausage is a breeze. You’ll see one of my older kids using the air fryer to reheat their sausage as they run out the door to college a couple of times each week.

• To reheat refrigerated patties, place them in a microwave-safe dish or bowl and heat on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until heated through.
• To reheat frozen patties, place in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Then, reheat using the microwave or oven.
• To reheat using the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the patties on a baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until heated.

Frequently Asked Questions

So, these are some of the questions I had when I started baking sausage. Hope this helps.

Is baking sausage patties or air-frying faster?

While baking breakfast sausage in the oven is fast and easy, air-fried breakfast sausage can be ready in as few as 5-7 minutes.

How long do you bake sausage patties?

The cooking time for sausage patties in the oven will vary depending on their thickness, frozenness, and oven temperature. A good rule is to cook them thawed for 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Flipping them halfway through will ensure even cooking. However, it’s always best to use a meat thermometer to make sure they are cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).

How do you keep sausage patties from sticking to the baking sheet?

I like to use parchment paper or aluminum foil to prevent the sausage patties or links from sticking. You can also lightly coat the baking sheet with cooking spray or oil. Be careful…this can cause excess grease. Leave space between each patty to allow for even cooking and crispy edges.

Can you cook frozen sausage in the oven?

Yes, you can cook frozen sausage patties in the oven. You’ll need to add extra cooking time. Place them on a lined baking sheet and cook at 400°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Again, it’s best to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of breakfast sausage reaches 160°F (71°C).

How do you know when sausage patties are done in the oven?

The best way to know when sausage patties are done in the oven is to use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the center of a patty and check that the internal temperature has reached 160°F (71°C).