• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Stuff Matty Cooks
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipe Index
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Air Fryer

    Air Fryer Italian Sausage (Juicy & Easy!)

    Updated: Feb 4, 2025 · This post may contain affiliate links · 3 Comments

    Sharing is caring!

    1387 shares
    • Facebook574
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Email
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Air fryer sausage Pinterest pin image

    If you love juicy, flavorful Italian sausage, then making it in the air fryer is the way to go! It’s quick, easy, and mess-free—no splattering grease to clean up. Whether you’re cooking mild, sweet, or spicy Italian sausage, the air fryer gives you perfect results in just 20 minutes. It’s the ultimate fuss-free way to get a delicious meal on the table, whether you’re making sausage subs, pasta, or meal prepping for the week.

    ready to eat italian sausage and peppers close up image

    Why This Recipe Is Fantastic

    • Perfectly cooked, juicy Italian sausage in just 20 minutes.
    • No splattering grease—easy and mess-free cooking.
    • Versatile—serve in subs, pasta, or alongside veggies.
    • Cooks evenly every time in the air fryer.
    Jump to:
    • Why This Recipe Is Fantastic
    • Ingredients You’ll Need
    • How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer
    • Expert Tips for Perfect Italian Sausage
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Pairings and Related Recipes
    • FAQ (Part 1 – Common Questions)
    • More Common Questions (FAQ Part 2)
    • Storage and Reheating
    • Nutritional Information
    • Kitchen Essentials and Items Used
    • Air Fryer Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions
    • Join Our Facebook Groups

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    • 1 pound Trader Joe’s Italian Sausage
    • 1 onion, sliced
    • 1 red or green bell pepper, sliced
    • 1 Tbsp. olive oil

    Full Ingredients in Recipe Card Below

    Trader Joes Italian Sausage

    How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer

    Step 1 – Preheat the Air Fryer

    Set your air fryer to 360°F and allow it to preheat for 3 minutes.

    Italian sausage in the air fryer on parchment paper

    Step 2 – Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

    Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to catch drippings and minimize cleanup.

    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.H3: Step 3 – Arrange Sausages in the Basket

    Step 3 – Arrange Sausages in the Basket

    • Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

    Step 4 – Cook the Sausages

    Cook sausages for 5 more minutes until fully done.

    Set the timer for 20 minutes.

    Flip sausages after 15 minutes of cooking.

    Peppers and Onions ready to be sauteed

    Step 5 – Check for Doneness

    • Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 160°F.

    Step 6 – Serve and Enjoy

    Let sausages rest for 2 minutes before slicing.

    Italian sausage in the air fryer partially cooked and ready to be flipped

    How to Cook Peppers and Onions

    Skillet Sauté Method (Recommended)

    • Heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
    • Add sliced peppers and onions.
    • Sauté for 15 minutes, stirring often, until softened and caramelized.

    Air Fryer Peppers and Onions Method

    While this is an option, I personally prefer the sautéed method for a richer flavor and better texture.

    After removing the sausages, place sliced peppers and onions in the air fryer basket.

    Cook at 360°F for 8-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.

    Italian sausage with peppers and onions on serving board above view

    Expert Tips for Perfect Italian Sausage

    • For crispier skin: Cook at 400°F for the last 2 minutes.
    • Prevent smoking: Add 2 tablespoons of water to the air fryer drawer.
    • Cooking from frozen? Increase cook time by 5-6 minutes.

    Serving Suggestions

    Classic Italian Sausage Subs

    • Serve sausages in a toasted hoagie roll with marinara sauce and melted cheese.

    Over Pasta with Garlic Butter Sauce

    • Slice sausages and toss with pasta, garlic butter, and Parmesan.

    As Part of a Breakfast Hash

    • Dice and fry with potatoes, onions, and bell peppers.

    Pairings and Related Recipes

    • Air Fryer Green Beans
    • Air Fryer Zucchini
    • Instant Pot Rice Pilaf

    FAQ (Part 1 – Common Questions)

    Do I need to flip sausages in the air fryer?

    Yes! Flipping halfway ensures even browning.

    Can I cook Italian sausage from frozen in the air fryer?

    Yes! Add 5-6 extra minutes to the cooking time.

    How do I keep my air fryer from smoking while cooking sausage?

    Place 2 tbsp of water or a piece of bread in the air fryer drawer to absorb excess grease.

    More Common Questions (FAQ Part 2)

    Can I cook vegetables with the sausage in the air fryer?

    Yes! Add sliced bell peppers and onions halfway through cooking.

    What’s the best way to store and reheat air fryer sausage?

    Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

    Storage and Reheating

    How to Store Leftovers

    • Let sausages cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge.

    Best Way to Reheat Air Fryer Sausage

    Stovetop: Heat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of water.

    Air fryer: 350°F for 4-5 minutes.

    Microwave: 30-45 seconds per link.

    Nutritional Information

    • Serving Size: 1 sausage link
    • Calories: 280
    • Fat: 24g
    • Protein: 14g
    • Carbs: 1g

    Making Air Fryer Italian Sausage is a quick, juicy, and flavorful way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort. Whether you enjoy it in a sub, over pasta, or with veggies, it’s a simple and delicious meal option!

    Tried this recipe? Tag me using #StuffMattyCooks so I can see your creations! I love sharing your dishes!

    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 

    ready to eat italian sausage and peppers close up image

    Air Fryer Italian Sausage with Peppers and Onions

    Make juicy and flavorful Italian sausage in the air fryer in just 20 minutes! This easy recipe delivers perfectly cooked sausage with a crispy exterior and tender inside. Serve it in subs, over pasta, or with sautéed peppers and onions for a quick and delicious meal.
    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course, Dinner, Lunch
    Cuisine: Italian, American
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 280kcal

    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.

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 280kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 24g | Sodium: 850mg | Fiber: 1g
    Tried this recipe? Dont Forget to Follow Us.Mention or Follow @stuffmattycooks or tag #stuffmattycooks!

    Join Our Facebook Groups

    Instant Pot Recipe Spot
    Air Fryer Recipe Spot

    Vegan and Vegetarian Plant Based Recipes

    (Visited 111,676 times, 2 visits today)

    More Air Fryer Recipes

    • air fryer parmesan balsamic brussel sprouts close up
      Crispy Air Fryer Parmesan Brussels Sprouts (or Roast in Oven!)
    • A plate of crispy, perfectly cooked air fryer bacon, highlighting its texture and seasoning.
      Air Fryer Bacon Recipe | Crispy Every Time
    • Crispy air fryer falafel served with pita, garlic sauce, and fresh herbs.
      Crispy Air Fryer Falafel Recipe (Easy & Healthy!)
    • empanada close up featured
      Air Fryer Empanadas | Crispy, Delicious, and Easy to Make!

    Sharing is caring!

    1387 shares
    • Facebook574
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Email

    Primary Sidebar

    Recommended Recipes

    • Thin sliced roast beef frontal picture.
      Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast Beef Rare (Deli Style)
    • crispy air fryer fried chicken ready to eat.
      Air Fryer Fried Chicken | Crispy and Delicious Every Time
    • adobo chicken closeup featured image
      Instant Pot Chicken Adobo | Easy & Flavorful
    • Instant pot Salsberry meatballs close up
      Salisbury Steak Meatballs Instant Pot
    • instant pot rice pilaf featured image
      Rice Pilaf with Orzo: Instant Pot & Stovetop Recipe
    • close-up instant pot lo mein
      Instant Pot Chicken Lo Mein

    Recommended Recipes

    • These healthy chicken lettuce wraps are easy to make and better than P.F. Changs
      Easy Instant Pot Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Better Than Takeout!)
    • instant pot clams linguine close up featured photo
      Instant Pot Linguine Pasta with White Clam Sauce
    • air fryer meatballs close up
      10 Minute Air Fryer Meatballs Recipe
    • instant pot greek chicken close up
      Greek Chicken Instant Pot
    • banana-bread-finished-cut
      Instant Pot Banana Bread (Quick and Easy)
    • instant pot pork and sauerkraut ready to eat
      Instant Pot Pork and Sauerkraut

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Newsletter

    Contact

    Copyright © 2021 Stuff Matty Cooks

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Do not sell my personal information.
    Cookie SettingsAccept
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required