Breakfast sausage is one of those morning staples that can quietly sneak in high-fructose corn syrup, fruit-based fillers, or sweetened seasoning blends — making store-bought versions a real minefield. This homemade version keeps things clean and straightforward, built entirely around ground pork and a short list of savory spices you can trust. Sage, thyme, smoked paprika, and a touch of garlic and onion powder do all the heavy lifting, delivering that deeply satisfying, herby sausage flavor without any problematic sweeteners. The optional teaspoon of maple syrup is just enough to round out the savory notes if you tolerate it, but the patties are completely delicious without it. Cooking them in the air fryer means you get a beautifully golden-brown crust and juicy interior in about ten minutes, with no need for extra oil or babysitting a skillet. Pressing the patties slightly thinner at the edges is a small trick that makes a real difference in even cooking. These are the kind of patties that make a weekday morning feel like something worth getting out of bed for.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground pork, sage, thyme, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and red pepper flakes and maple syrup if using. Mix with your hands until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the meat, about 30 seconds — stop as soon as the mixture is uniform to keep the texture tender.
Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and press each into a round patty about 3 inches wide and 1/2 inch thick. Slightly thinner edges help the patties cook evenly.
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