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Making Italian sausage in Air Fryer has never been easier. This quick, no-fuss recipe delivers deliciously juicy sausages with a crispy exterior, turning out into a great weeknight dinner or a savory addition to your brunch menu.
Pair these crispy Italian sausages with some Air Fryer onions and some bread or some Air Fryer mac and cheese.
Air frying is hands-down, one of the best ways to cook sausages. I’ve tried making Air Fryer Brats and peppers and Air Fryer sausage and peppers earlier, and they’ve both turned out great.
This time, I had some Italian sausages to put to use, and I thought of trying out this recipe. They barely need any prep time to make, and are naturally gluten-free, low-carb, and high in protein!
Quick Look At This Recipe
✨ Flavor: Crispy, juicy and savory.
⏱️ Prep time: 5 minutes.
🔥 Cook time: 13 minutes.
⏲️ Total time: 18 minutes + 3 minutes resting time.
👥 Servings: 4 servings.
🥄 Tools: Air Fryer.
❄️ Freezer friendly: Yes. These sausages are perfect for meal-prepping.
👩🏻🍳 Tip: Adjust the cooking time depending on the thickness of the sausages you’re using.
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Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Air frying Italian sausages makes them slightly crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside, cooking them to perfection.
- No oil splatters and no need to grill- air frying these sausages is THE easiest way to cook them.
- They barely take 20 minutes from start to finish- just like my Air Fryer bacon wrapped hot dogs – which makes them perfect for a quick breakfast or weeknight dinner.
Recipe Ingredients
- Italian sausages: The hero ingredient! Make sure you check the label to ensure they are gluten-free.
- Olive oil spray: To prevent sticking and ensure the perfect finish. You’ll need to use very little of this. I love using it for recipes like my Air Fryer scrambled eggs, where I want to keep the calories to a minimum.
See recipe card for quantities.
Variations
- If you enjoy a bit of heat, choose hot Italian sausages or serve the air fried sausages with a sprinkle of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- You can also rub the sausages with a mix of Italian herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme for an aromatic twist. I love using my homemade poultry seasoning here sometimes.
How to Make Italian Sausage in Air Fryer
Start by preheating the Air Fryer to 360°F for 3 minutes.
- Arrange the Italian sausages in the Air Fryer basket in a single layer. Lightly spray them with the olive oil spray.
- Air fry at 360°F for 12-13 minutes. Remember to flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly and get a uniformly crisp exterior.
- Remove the sausages from the Air Fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.
- Serve immediately!
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
Air fried Italian sausages pair wonderfully with Air Fryer peppers and onions, a side of mustard mashed potatoes, or a fresh green salad. I personally love teaming them up with my Air Fryer roasted potatoes or Air Fryer baked potatoes.
If you love bread, you can serve them with some classic Air Fryer garlic bread or try my Air Fryer garlic knots recipe.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Make sure the sausages are not touching each other in the Air Fryer. This helps the hot air circulate freely, ensuring even cooking and browning. I follow this especially when I’m cooking meat- like my Air Fryer garlic steak bites.
- Depending on the size of your sausages and Air Fryer model, you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly.
- To make cleanup easier, you can also line your Air Fryer basket with some parchment paper liners before you arrange the sausages in. This will also help catch any fat drippings from the sausages.
- If you’re planning on slicing them and adding them to your pasta dish or serving them with your Air Fryer fried eggs for breakfast, you can actually slice them before air frying them- that’s what I did when I made my Air Fryer Kielbasa. This will help them cook quicker!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook frozen sausages directly in the Air Fryer. Just add a few minutes to the cooking time until they are fully heated through and crispy.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can reheat them in the Air Fryer or on the stovetop to preserve their texture.
To make sure the sausages are cooked, you can use a digital thermometer to check the internal temperature. If the temperature is 160°F or more, the sausages are done.
More Air Fryer Sausage Recipes
Appetizers
Air Fryer Sausage Rolls
Breakfast
Air Fryer Sausage Patties
Breakfast
Air Fryer Sausage Links
Breakfast
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
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Italian Sausage in Air Fryer
Equipment
- 1 Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 5 Italian Sausage links
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
Instructions
- Set your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) and allow it to heat for 3 minutes. This step ensures the sausages start cooking immediately for even results.
- Arrange the Italian sausages in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If needed, lightly spray them with olive oil. This helps in achieving a more appealing color and texture.
- Air fry the sausages at 360°F (180°C) for 12-13 minutes. Remember to flip the sausages halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly and get a uniformly crisp exterior. Use a digital thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C).
- Remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to let the juices redistribute.
Notes
- Make sure the sausages are not touching each other in the air fryer. This helps the hot air circulate freely, ensuring even cooking and browning.
- Unlike other cooking methods, there’s no need to pierce the sausages when using an air fryer. Keeping them intact retains their natural juices.
- Depending on the size of your sausages and air fryer model, cooking times may vary slightly. Adjust accordingly and ensure the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) for safety.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I used you cook time to prep for a BBQ. I don’t care for onions and peppers in the airfrier. They do not caramelize that way. I saute them in the microwave. I half cooked my sausage in the airfrier using your time and temp. Now when guests arrive I can fire up the grill with a griddle and in minutes they’ll turn out just like they do at the fair.