Air Fryer Italian Sausage | Ready In 15 Minutes

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Looking for a quick dinner that is perfect for busy weeknights and easy lunches? This affordable and versatile Air Fryer Italian Sausage recipe is easy and on the table in under 15 minutes!

Suitable for gluten free, low carb, keto, and paleo diets. Post includes Weight Watchers points.

Real talk, friend. At 6pm my brain is all tired out from all the homework drama, forgotten sport kits and teen taxi service. On those days, I need dinner to cook itself and on the table fast . Enter my refrigerator staple Italian sausage as it is incredible quick and easy to whip up some Air Fryer Italian Sausage.

Air fry sausages, tuck your cooked sausage into a toasty sausage roll, top with cooked peppers and onions, or with treats like Air Fryer Onions, and easy Air Fryer Green Beans.

Why Make This Recipe

This is my go-to method as it works perfectly every single time.

• Super fast: I love that dinner is simple and on the table in max 15 minutes.
• Hands-off cooking: The air fryer does all the hard work.
• Crispy outside, juicy inside: The circulating hot air browns the sausage evenly.
• Super Versatile: Pair with any of your favorite side dishes for an easy, fuss-free meal. 

Ingredients Notes

This is fairly easy to pull together. But I have some notes and variation tips for you.

Uncooked Sausages: I use uncooked ground Italian sausages. And fyi, Italian sausage is a pork sausage seasoned with fennel and paprika. There are different varieties, the most common being hot Italian sausages that are made with red pepper flakes, mild which doesn’t include red pepper, and sweet Italian sausage, which often includes a bit of sugar or honey. Choose your favorite variety. This will work with chicken sausage or turkey sausage instead.

How To Cook Italian Sausage in Air Fryer

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat the air fryer to 360 degrees F / 182 degrees C.
2. Place Italian sausages inside the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving plenty of space between them for air to circulate so they cook and brown evenly.
3. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, turning the sausages halfway through the cooking time.
4. Use a digital meat thermometer to check to ensure Air Fryer Sausage links are fully cooked. The internal temperature should be at least 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C when inserted into the thickest part of the sausage.

Bintu’s Tips and Variations

Although this is quick to make, I have a few tips and variations that make a big difference.

• Leave space between the sausages in the air fryer basket to allow the hot air to circulate and cook the meat evenly. Flip halfway through cooking so both sides brown evenly.
• To help prevent smoking, make sure your air fryer basket is clean with no leftover grease. Sausages release quite a bit of fat as they cook, which drips down during cooking. If your air fryer has a drip tray, give that a quick clean too, and clean it between every 2-3 batches if cooking a lot.You can add a small amount of water to the drawer underneath the basket to reduce smoking.
• Piercing is totally optional. I skip it to keep the meat extra juicy but you can poke the casing to release some fat.
• Air fryers may vary depending on the make and model. Use the cook time listed as a guide, check your food for doneness, and adjust the time as needed.
• Want even more helpful air fry function info? Then you’ll want to read my 18 Air Fryer Tips for Better Air Frying!
• There are 10 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
• P.S. Don’t have air fryer? No problem! Check out this post and learn How to Cook Italian Sausages on Stove and serve with Air Fryer Butternut Squash.

Serving Suggestions

I find these good as is, but I love that they are super versatile and can be served in or with sooooooo many other treats like the classic combo aka Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers sandwich with rolls or hot dog buns, cooked sausage, peppers and onion, or top with sauerkraut, relish, and mustard.

You can serve them as stuffed Italian Sausage, by cutting a slit on the top of each link and stuff it with mozzarella cheese in the last few minutes of cooking. They go great with Potato Pancakes, Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, with crunchy Air Fryer Stuffing or Air Fryer Baby Potatoes or Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or with Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or a Wedge Salad.

Storage

Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an airtight container for 3 days. Reheat in microwave or air fry at 360F for 2-3 mins. Cook fresh sausage within 3 days of buying / freeze for up to 3months.  

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FAQs

How Do You Know When Italian Sausage Is Cooked?

The best way is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. If they have reached at least 160 degrees F / 71 degrees C are safe and ready to serve. Another method is to cut into the center and look. The meat should be firm and the juice should be clear. If there is any pink, the sausages are not cooked enough.

How Long Does To Cook Italian Sausage In The Air Fryer?

They take about 10-15 minutes to cook, depending on their total size and thickness. Start checking at 8 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature has reached 160F / 71C before serving. To reduce the cook times, slice sausages in half lengthwise or in rounds before air frying.

Can You Cook Frozen Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer?

Yes you totally can. Place frozen sausage in to the air fryer basket and cook for 12 to 15 minutes at 400F, flipping halfway through until the internal temperature reaches 160F / 71C.

Best Equipment To Use

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