How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer
on Jul 31, 2024, Updated Dec 11, 2024
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Air-fried sausage is quick and easy to make as an appetizer and a nice addition to a variety of recipes.
The air fryer has so many uses, and cooking up tender sausages with a nicely browned, snappy exterior in a hands-off way is one of the best ways to take advantage of the versatile appliance. This recipe is for uncooked Italian sausage links (see the best way to cook kielbasa in an air fryer, too!). You can use pork sausage, chicken sausage, turkey sausage, whatever you like, hot or mild. At 400 degrees they are ready in 8 to 12 minutes, and then all you have to do is serve them up, or use them in a favorite recipe. This timing works for almost any air fryer from a Ninja air fryer to a Cosori to a Breville.
You can serve the sausages as is, slice them up and serve them with marinara sauce or mustard, or use the air-fried Italian sausage in different dishes, like Sausage and Peppers Pasta or Chicken Sausage Pasta. Tuck them in crusty rolls and smother them with some sautéed onions and bell peppers for an old-school sub featuring air-fried Italian sausage. Or serve them in a bun like a hot dog. You can also remove the casings after the links cool a bit, then crumble the cooked sausages and add them to pasta sauces or dishes like Bread Turkey Sausage Stuffing, Baked Ziti, or Baked Tortellini.
Also see How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Oven!
Table of Contents
How to Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer: The air fryer cooks up sausages that are juicy and tender in about 10 minutes, with a nicely browned and snappy exterior.
How to Air Fry Italian Sausages
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Air-fry the sausages: Place the sausage links in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook the Italian sausage in the air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes, turning them over once halfway through the cooking process, until browned and cooked through. The internal temperature should be at least 160 degrees on an instant-read or digital meat thermometer.
- Serve hot. Cut the sausages and serve warm, or use in a recipe.
Tips for Cooking Italian Sausage in an Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer for the fastest, most even cooking. The air fryer only needs 5 minutes to preheat.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Leave space between the sausages for the air to circulate so they cook evenly.
- Use an instant-read thermometer inserted into the very middle of the sausages to check that internal temp is at least 160 degrees.
Storage
Leftover sausages are amazing, so plan to make extra! Cooked sausages can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They can be used in all kinds of dishes from pasta salads to sandwiches.
FAQs
Italian sausages will take about 8 to 12 minutes to cook at 400 degrees in an air fryer.
Italian sausages will take about 10 to 14 minutes to cook at 380 degrees in an air fryer.
Italian sausages will cook in about 12 to 15 minutes in an air fryer at 350 degrees.
Piercing the sausages before cooking them in an air fryer will help them release more fat, but they will stay juicier if you do not pierce them. It’s a personal preference. They may burst open a little bit if you don’t pierce them first, but that’s fine.
You do not need additional oil to air fry sausages – there is enough fat in the sausages so that they brown up nicely and stay juicy inside.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Sausage
More Air Fryer Recipes
- Air Fryer Kielbasa
- Air Fryer Bacon
- Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
- Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
- Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
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Air Fryer Italian Sausage
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Italian sausage
- Mustard (or other dip; optional for serving)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Place the sausage in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving space between the sausages for the air to circulate so they cook evenly.
- Air fry the sausages for 8 to 12 minutes, turning them over once halfway through the cooking process, until browned and cooked through. Serve with spicy mustard or another dipping sauce, or use in a recipe.
Quick way to cook Italian sausage. Thank you!