If you’re looking for an easy and flavorful recipe for dinner, try this Air Fryer Italian Sausage is a great option. This simple meal requires very few ingredients. You’ll need: Italian sausage (frozen or not), olive oil spray, bell peppers, onions, and a hoagie roll (optional).
Can I air fry frozen Italian sausage?
Yes, you can definitely air-fry frozen sausages. (After all, that is the whole point of this recipe.)
Cooking frozen sausages with an air fryer is simple and quick. It will just take a few more minutes than air frying fresh sausage. Also, any type of air fryer will work, either a toast oven style air fryer or a basket style air fryer.
To cook frozen Italian sausages:
- Preheat your air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. (The total cook time averages between 12 and 15 minutes.)
- After 8 minutes, flip your sausage to ensure they cook completely through.
- Once they’re out of the air fryer, use a meat thermometer to ensure they’re completely cooked. If not, throw them back in for a few more minutes.
Why This Air Fryer Italian Sausage Recipe Works
This recipe continues my obsession with all things air fryer. Recently, I’d found myself disgruntled with the few different lunch meals we’d had on rotation. My wife and I both working from home means that we have the luxury of making hot lunches, but we’d really run out of fast and creative ideas.
That was until we broke down and purchased an Instant Pot Vortex Plus Air Fryer. After having it for just a few weeks, I’m proud to say that my lunch game has drastically improved. From Air Fryer Jalapeno Poppers and Cheese Quesadilla for lunch to Crispy Air Fryer Green Beans with dinner. This not-so-little machine has made my life easier and brought variety to our meals.
This specific recipe for air fryer Italian sausages is easy to make, and you can adjust it for taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Think of it as a starting point and inspiration to let your culinary creativity take flight.
For this recipe, you need bell peppers and onions and your preference of sausage (whether it be Italian chicken sausage, veggie sausage, turkey, or pork sausage links, it all works. The kicker is that it all comes together in under 20 minutes. I can even throw that together between Zoom calls 😉
How long do I cook Italian sausage in an air fryer?
When using an air fryer, you should cook sausages for 10 to 15 minutes at approximately 370 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the type of air fryer you have and the thickness of the sausages.
Three Methods for Testing the Doneness of Sausage
- Check the internal temperature. You do this with a traditional or digital meat thermometer. Either way, the sausages should reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit for pork or beef sausage. 164 degrees Fahrenheit for turkey or sausage.
- Feel your sausage. If your sausages feel firm to the touch, they are most likely done. A touch test like this, just like when making other forms of animal protein, is a good option. It prevents you from slicing into the meat and losing all the juice if the meat isn’t done.
- When all else fails, inspect the interior. If you don’t have a meat thermometer and the touch test failed you, you can cut into the center of your air fryer sausage to inspect it. A sign that Italian sausage is not cooked is when you cut it open and all the juices spill out. A cooked sausage will have a firm texture and will maintain its shape once you cut it.
Here’s a great article on how you know when Italian sausages are done cooking.
Making Air Fry Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 package Italian pork sausage (or sausage of choice)
- 3 bell peppers sliced into strips (color of your choice)
- 1 large onion sliced into strips
- 4 hoagie roll
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 27 minutes
- Slice the bell peppers and your onion into long strips.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes, or according to your air fryer model’s instructions.
- Once your air fryer is preheated, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a thin layer of olive oil spray.
- Then, add peppers and onions to the air fryer basket. Spray them with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Cook for 15 minutes, tossing onions and peppers midway through (or when your model reminds you).
- Once your timer goes off, check your peppers and onions. If you prefer them softer and a bit sweeter you can cook them 2-3 minutes longer. Otherwise, put them in a bowl and set them aside.
- Put your Italian sausage in the air fryer basket and set the time for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your sausage.
- While your sausage is cooking, toast your roll or bread (if making a sandwich) in the oven, toaster, or toaster oven. You can also toast your bread in your air fryer for 2 minutes once your sausages are removed. You just don’t want to toast at the same time because it crowds the air fryer and prevents your sausages from getting a golden brown.
- Serve your Italian sausage in your roll with peppers and onions on top. Or, go the gluten-free or keto version and eat alone. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Always start with a clean air fryer. You don’t want leftover food to burn and ruin the taste of your recipe.
It’s also important to put the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer to ensure they cook evenly and get a nice brown crispy exterior.
Because all air fryer models vary slightly, use the cooking times in this recipe and guidelines. But make sure to periodically check your sausage and veggies.
If they look like they need a few more minutes (or you like a crispier sausage), pop them for two minutes at a time until they’re at your desired doneness.
Air Fryer Italian Sausage Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Italian sausages
- 3 Bell peppers
- 1 Onion
Instructions
- Slice the bell peppers and your onion into long strips.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees Fahrenheit for 2-3 minutes, or according to your air fryer model’s instructions.
- Once your air fryer is preheated, spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with a thin layer of olive oil spray.
- Then, add peppers and onions to the air fryer basket. Spray them with olive oil spray and sprinkle with salt.
- Cook for 15 minutes, tossing onions and peppers midway through (or when your model reminds you).
- Once your timer goes off, check your peppers and onions. If you prefer them softer and a bit sweeter you can cook them 2-3 minutes longer. Otherwise, put them in a bowl and set them aside.
- Put your Italian sausage in the air fryer basket and set the time for 10-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of your sausage.
- While your sausage is cooking, toast your roll or bread (if making a sandwich) in the oven, toaster, or toaster oven. You can also toast your bread in your air fryer for 2 minutes once your sausages are removed. You just don’t want to toast simultaneously because it crowds the air fryer and prevents your sausages from getting a golden brown.
- Serve your Italian sausage in your roll with peppers and onions on top. Or, go the gluten-free or keto version and eat alone. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
How to store Leftover Air Fryer Italian Sausage
You can store leftover Italian sausages in the fridge. Once the sausage, onions, and peppers cool down, put them in an airtight container and place them in the fridge. Properly stored Italian sausages can last 3 to 4 days in refrigeration.
To reheat, you can also use your air fryer. Preheat your air fryer according to your model’s instructions and then air fryer for 2 to 3 minutes. Trust me when I say they are just as good reheated as they are the first day.
More Ways to Use Air Fryer Italian Sausage
We love leftover air fryer Italian sausage with peppers and onions on a roll for lunch. But you can also incorporate leftover air fryer sausage in various recipes. Below is some inspiration for using air fryer sausage (or the leftovers from your meal).
Breakfast Charcuterie Board
Everyone loves breakfast sausages. That’s why these air fryer Italian sausage and veggies are perfect for a breakfast charcuterie board. If you want to wow your guests the next time you host a brunch party.
Bacon, Cheese, And Egg Pinwheels
These breakfast egg pinwheels are great for breakfast on the go. Adding air-fried Italian sausage, onions, and peppers to the mix will take this dish to the next level. It’s a great tasty, and filling breakfast that will last you until lunch.
Breakfast Casserole
Air fryer Italian sausages are the perfect addition to this simple breakfast casserole. Add your leftover Italian sausage, onions, and peppers to the mix and pop it in the oven. If you meal prep, you’ll want to try this effortless casserole.
Pasta
Italian sausage, onions, and peppers are great additions to any pasta. You can add your leftovers to this one-pot kielbasa pasta or this penne Pomodoro. And if you have some hoagie rolls left, you can toast them with some garlic butter to serve with your pasta.
Minestrone Soup
If you don’t know what to do for dinner, you should try this hearty sausage Minestrone. This classic Italian soup is delicious and very easy to make. It’s the perfect way to repurpose leftover air fryer sausage and veggies.
Chili
This 5 Can Slow Cooker Chili is a perfect hearty meal to add air fryer sausage to. Make this chili recipe as instructed while frying your sausage in the air fryer. Then simply slice or chop your sausage to your desired size and add it to your chili when it’s done.
Air Fryer Sausages for (Adult) Lunchables
Adult lunchables are a great way to ensure you eat a healthy and delicious lunch at work, school, or at your desk at home. These juicy sausages and veggies are a great addition to your lunchables. You can pack them along with cheese, bread, and fresh fruit.
Pizza
If you enjoy homemade pizza, you should try this Italian sausage and caramelized onion pizza. You can use your air fryer sausage leftovers as toppings. Follow the recipe and use store-bought dough or try our homemade pizza dough.
Are you looking for more great Air Fryer recipes? We’ve got just that! Here are our favorite Air Fryer recipes. All tested and all very delicious!
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Italian Style Smothered Pork Roast
Balsamic Vinegar and Olive Oil Bread Dip
I’ve fallen in love with our air fryer because recipes are quick and easy to make, regardless of the meal or day. This air fryer Italian sausage recipe is no exception.
Have questions or suggestions? Leave them in the comments below. Until next time: Stay salty, and sweet 😉
