If you want a fast and delicious way to make Italian Sausage, look no further. The sausages cook quickly in the air fryer and get crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside with this recipe. Plus, clean up is easy because there is no splatter.
Italian sausage is a flavorful staple that can liven up sandwiches, pastas, pizzas, and more. While pan frying is the traditional cooking method, using an air fryer takes the hassle out of cooking sausages. With an air fryer, you get evenly cooked, juicy sausage in a fraction of the time and with less mess. Read on to learn the ins and outs of cooking italian sausage in the air fryer for delicious results every time.
Air Fryer Benefits for Sausages
Air frying is an ideal cooking technique for sausages for several reasons
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Even browning – The circulating hot air surrounds the sausages to brown them evenly on all sides. No need to flip or rotate.
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Cooks fast – Sausages reach safe internal temperature quickly in an air fryer, in around 15 minutes.
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Less fat – Excess fat drips away while air frying versus pan frying in grease. The sausages still come out juicy.
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Easy cleanup – With no messy spatters to clean up air fryers save time on cleanup.
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Versatile – Use an air fryer to cook raw sausages or reheat pre-cooked ones.
Tips for Air Frying Sausage
Follow these tips for the best results when making air fryer sausage:
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Use metal or bamboo skewers to keep links from curling if needed
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Use a light coating of oil to help sausages brown if desired.
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Flip sausages halfway through cooking for more even browning.
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Pat away excess moisture so sausages get crispy exterior.
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Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket – leave space between sausages.
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Adjust cook times based on thickness of sausage. Thicker takes longer.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness of 165°F.
How to Cook Raw Italian Sausage
Here is a simple process for cooking raw italian sausage in an air fryer:
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Preheat air fryer to 370°F.
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Pat sausages dry with paper towels.
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Use a light coating of oil if desired for browning.
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Place sausages in single layer in basket, without crowding.
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Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
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Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165°F.
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Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Cooking Times for Sausage
The exact air fryer cooking time can vary slightly based on:
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Size of air fryer basket
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Amount of sausages
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Thickness of sausages
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Whether raw or pre-cooked
For reference, these are general cooking times:
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Raw italian sausage: 12-15 minutes at 370°F
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Raw bratwurst: 13-16 minutes at 360°F
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Raw breakfast sausage: 10-12 minutes at 360°F
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Pre-cooked sausage: 6-8 minutes at 325°F
Check sausage internally with a meat thermometer for doneness.
Pairings for Italian Sausage
Some popular ways to serve italian sausage straight from the air fryer include:
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Sausage, peppers, and onions sandwich
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Added to pasta, rice dishes, or pizza
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Slice and add to salads orcharcuterie boards
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Serve with roasted potatoes or veggies
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Top with desired condiments like mustard or ketchup
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Chop up for breakfast tacos or scrambles
The flavorful seasonings in italian sausage pair well with bold and acidic ingredients. Play around with creative recipes and ingredient combinations in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Sausage Recipes to Try
Take your air fried sausage to the next level with these delicious recipes:
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Air Fryer Sausage Balls – Flavorful, poppable appetizers
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Sausage Pepper Sandwiches – Classic flavor combo on bread
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Sausage Broccoli Pasta – Quick, healthy weeknight meal
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Sausage Potato Bake – Comfort food casserole
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Sheet Pan Sausage and Veggies – Easy one pan meal
The options are endless for incorporating air fried italian sausage into all types of cuisines and dishes.
Tips for Leftover Sausage
Air fried sausages will keep in the refrigerator 3-4 days. Here are tips for enjoying the leftovers:
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Store sausages whole or sliced in airtight container.
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Reheat gently in the air fryer, microwave, or stove.
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Use in fried rice, pasta, soups, omelets, etc.
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Top salads, flatbreads, or charcuterie boards.
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Make sausage sandwiches or breakfast tacos.
With an air fryer, you can cook up a batch of italian sausages quickly and conveniently. Follow these guidelines for crispy, fully cooked sausages ready to become the star of your favorite meals. What will you make first with air fried sausage?
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Air Fryer Sausage Recipes
Another option for air fryer Italian sausage is to combine it with some air fryer potatoes. This recipe for Air Fryer Home Fries is a must if you love potatoes as much as I do. Sausage would be a great addition to this dish.
You can either cook your sausage whole, slice it up, and then add it to your potatoes. You can also cut up some sausage and put it in the air fryer with the peppers and onions. There will be a little more grease this way, so if you want to avoid that, cook the sausage first. slice it up and then add it to your potatoes once they are done cooking.
Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
I’m from New Jersey, and because there are so many Italian Americans here, sausage and pepper sandwiches are very popular. As a child, whenever I went to a friend’s house for a party, there was a huge sheet pan full of sausage and peppers.
There were fresh Italian rolls from the bakery next to it, and everyone could make their own sausage and pepper sandwiches. I really didn’t like peppers or onions when I was younger, but this flavor combination was just so good that I did.
Due to the splatter, I no longer cook Italian sausage on the stove. Instead, I put it in my air fryer. Also, I can put the onions and peppers in the air fryer first, and then add the sausage. Air fryer Italian sausage is absolutely delicious, I cannot believe I never made it before. I love how crispy everything comes out, while remaining juicy inside. Also, clean up is so easy with this recipe which is a huge plus.
Air Fryer Italian Sausage (Easier Method)
FAQ
How to cook sausages in an air fryer?
How long to air fry sausages at 400?
What is the best temperature to cook Italian sausage?
Can You air Fry Italian sausage?
Air fry sausage: Place the sausage links in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy exterior. Cool and serve: Remove from the air fryer with tongs and let cool for a few minutes before serving. Frozen Italian sausage can easily be made in the air fryer.
Can one cook broccoli in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook broccoli in the air fryer like any other vegetable. You can add a little salt, garlic powder and pepper to enhance the flavor.
How long to cook Italian sausage in air fryer?
Make sure the sausages are fully cooked through. Cook the sausages for 10-13 minutes (this can vary by air fryer and the thickness of the Italian sausage). Remember to flip the sausages at the halfway mark (after about 7 minutes in the air fryer). The internal temperature of the sausages should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to cook Italian sausage links in air fryer?
Remove peppers and onions from the air fryer basket and set them aside. Increase the temperature of the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit and add Italian sausage links to the basket of the air fryer. Air fry at 370 degrees F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the links halfway through the cooking process. 7.