Cooking sausages in the air fryer is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to achieve perfectly juicy sausages with a crispy exterior. Whether you’re using Italian sausages or experimenting with different varieties, the air fryer ensures even cooking and delicious results every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: With just a few minutes of prep and under 20 minutes of cooking time, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.
- Versatile: This method works with all types of sausages, including Italian, chicken, turkey, kielbasa, bratwurst, and even plant-based sausages.
- Minimal Cleanup: The air fryer keeps your kitchen mess-free, with no splattering oil to worry about.
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Ingredients
- Trader Joe’s Italian Sausage (or any brand of Italian sausage)
- Onion, sliced
- Red or Green pepper, sliced
- Olive oil
Full Ingredients in Recipe Card Below
How Long to Cook Sausage in an Air Fryer
Cooking sausage in the air fryer is quick and easy. At 360°F (182°C), your sausages should take around 20 minutes to cook, flipping them halfway through. Thicker sausages like Italian sausage may take the full 20 minutes, while smaller sausages may need slightly less time. For safety, always check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for pork sausages or 165°F (74°C) for chicken or turkey sausages.
How to Cook Sausage in Air Fryer
Step 1:
Preheat the Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and allow it to preheat.
Step 2:
Prepare the Sausages: Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper. Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch each other. Note: Do not place the parchment paper in the air fryer without any food on it, as this can cause the paper to blow around and possibly catch fire.
Step 3:
Cook the Sausages: Set the timer for 20 minutes. After 15 minutes of cooking, flip the sausages to ensure even browning. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes or until the sausages are fully cooked and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork sausages.
Step 4:
Sauté the Peppers and Onions: While the sausages are cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and peppers, and sauté for about 15 minutes, stirring often, until they reach your desired level of doneness.
Step 5:
Alternative Method – Air Fryer Peppers and Onions: If you prefer, you can cook the peppers and onions directly in the air fryer basket. After removing the sausages, place the sliced peppers and onions in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. However, I personally prefer the sautéed method for a richer flavor and better texture.
Step 6:
Serve: Once the sausages are done, serve them with the peppers and onions on the side or as a topping. Enjoy them on a plate, in a bun, or over pasta for a complete meal.
Pairing
Now that your air fryer sausages are perfectly cooked, it’s time to think about what to serve alongside them. Pairing these juicy sausages with the right side dishes or complementary recipes can elevate your meal to the next level.
For a balanced and nutritious option, try my Air Fryer Broccoli. It’s a quick and easy recipe that takes just 10 minutes, delivering perfectly crispy broccoli that adds a fresh and healthy element to your plate.
If you’re in the mood for more air-fried goodness, these Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are an excellent choice. Ready in just 15 minutes, they’re juicy, flavorful, and pair wonderfully with the savory taste of the sausages.
Looking for something a bit different? My 10 Minute Air Fryer Meatballs are a fantastic addition to any meal. Whether you serve them alongside the sausages or mix them into your favorite pasta, these meatballs are sure to be a hit.
With these delicious pairings, you can create a complete, satisfying meal that your family and friends will love. Whether you’re keeping it simple with veggies or adding more protein, these recipes complement your air fryer sausages perfectly.
Expert Tips
• Parchment Paper: Lining the air fryer basket with parchment paper makes cleanup easier and prevents the sausages from sticking. Important: Ensure that the parchment paper is only placed in the air fryer when food is on top of it to avoid it blowing around and potentially catching fire.
• Alternative Sausages: This method works with various types of sausages, including chicken, turkey, kielbasa, bratwurst, and plant-based sausages. Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness and type of sausage.
• Even Browning: Flipping the sausages halfway through cooking ensures they brown evenly on all sides.
FAQ
It takes about 20 minutes to cook Italian sausages in an air fryer at 360°F, flipping them halfway through.
Yes, you can cook peppers and onions with sausages in the air fryer. After cooking the sausages, place the sliced peppers and onions in the air fryer basket and cook for 8-10 minutes at 360°F, shaking the basket halfway through.
Poking holes in the sausage casing can help release fat and prevent the casing from bursting, but it’s optional depending on your preference.
Yes, you can cook frozen sausages in the air fryer. Increase the cooking time by about 5 minutes and ensure they reach an internal temperature of 160°F for pork sausages.
Sausages should reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) for pork sausages and 165°F (74°C) for chicken or turkey sausages to be considered fully cooked.
You can cook a wide variety of sausages in the air fryer, including Italian, breakfast, chicken, turkey, kielbasa, bratwurst, and even plant-based sausages.
To prevent sausages from sticking to the air fryer basket, line the basket with parchment paper or spray it lightly with cooking oil before placing the sausages inside. Important: Only place parchment paper in the air fryer with food on top of it to avoid the paper blowing around and potentially catching fire.
Storage and Leftovers
Store any leftover sausages in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until warmed through, or slice them and add them to a stir-fry or pasta dish.
Nutritional Information
(Per serving based on 4 servings)
- Calories: 280
- Protein: 14g
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sodium: 850mg
Quick Facts About Air Fryer Sausages
- Cooking Time: 20 minutes at 360°F
- Internal Temperature: 160°F for pork sausages
- Works with: All types of sausages (Italian, chicken, turkey, kielbasa, bratwurst, plant-based)
Air fryer sausages are a simple yet delicious way to prepare a quick meal with minimal effort. Whether you’re serving them with sautéed veggies or pairing them with some of the other air fryer favorites, you’ll love how easy it is to make perfectly juicy sausages every time. Don’t forget to try the recommended pairings for a complete, satisfying meal that’s ready in under 30 minutes!
Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
Cosori Air Fryer 5.8 Quart
Thermopro TP19H Digital Meat Thermometer
DALSTRONG Nakiri Asian Vegetable Knife – Gladiator Series
Niman Ranch Pork, Sausage Spicy Italian Links
Italian Air Fryer Sausage Links
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Trader Joes Italian Sausage
- 1 Onion Sliced
- 1 Pepper Red or Green Sliced
- 1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat Air Fryer to 360 Degrees
- Line air fryer basket with parchment paper
- Place sausages in single layer in air fryer basket
- Set timer for 20 minutes
- Flip sausages after 15 minutes cooking time
- Cook sausages five more minutes till done
Saute Peppers and Onions
- Place sliced peppers and onions in a skillet with a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat
- Saute 15 minutes stirring often until desired doneness
Air Fryer Peppers and Onions
- If you prefer, you can cook the peppers and onions directly in the air fryer basket. After removing the sausages, place the sliced peppers and onions in the air fryer basket. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even cooking. However, I personally prefer the sautéed method for a richer flavor and better texture.
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