Air fryer sausage is so incredibly easy to make. This simple, juicy and delicious dinner can be on the table in just 15 minutes. And all you need is your favorite type of Italian sausage: sweet, mild or hot! Plus, this meal goes really nicely with a wide variety of sides and leftover sausage makes for a super tasty lunch the next day.
I like making Italian sausage in the air fryer when I need a really fast, low carb meal. It’s completely perfect if you’re following a low-carb, keto diet or gluten-free, especially when you’re tired and spending time in the kitchen is the last thing you want to do. It’s also so easy to make and is free from grease, which means no splattered mess to clean up!
An air fryer comes in really handy. Overall, I truly don’t know what I’d do without mine! I enjoy air fryer recipes to quickly cook up a delicious protein for my main dish: Air Fryer Salmon, Air Fryer Chicken Breast and Air Fryer Shrimp are all really yummy.
And while your Air Fryer Sausage cooks you can whip up a quick, fresh side like this Arugula Salad, Spinach Fruit Salad or an Easy Broccoli Salad.
How To Make Air Fryer Sausage
Ingredients
- Italian sausage — All you need for this recipe is, you guessed it, sausage! Choose your favorite brand and variety at the grocery store. Use sweet, mild or hot depending on your preference, you can also use chicken or turkey sausage instead of a pork option. I like using jumbo sized links, smaller ones will work but cook very fast, so be sure and adjust the timer accordingly.
Instructions
Prepare sausage links:
- If your air fryer model requires preheating, do this first. Set heat to 375°F or 190°C.
- Remove sausage from packaging and pat the links with a paper towel to soak up any excess moisture.
- Use a fork to pierce a few holes in each sausage so that steam can escape while they cook, then brush with olive oil.
- Line sausages in the fryer basket in a single layer, it’s okay if they touch a little bit, but avoid overlap for even cooking.
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Air fry sausage:
- Air fry your sausage for 6-7 minutes, then flip and cook 6-7 more until golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside. Use a food thermometer to check internal temp, once it reaches 160°F (71°C), the sausages are done!
Rest and serve:
- Take cooked sausages out of the air fryer basket and let them rest on a cutting board for around 5 minutes in order to keep them nice and juicy.
- Slice and serve with sides of your choosing. I really enjoy my air fryer sausage links with a simple green salad, Fluffy Rice or this Asparagus Couscous Salad!
Recipe Tips
- I generally purchase Italian pork sausage for this meal. If you’re not in the mood for pork, you can absolutely substitute chicken sausage or turkey sausage! Or you can make this recipe with chorizo too.
- A food thermometer is very useful when air frying sausages. You’ll know exactly when they reach an internal temp of 160°F (71°C) and avoid under or overcooking.
- It’s hard not to cut into your delicious links right away, but rest time is key. It allows the meat to retain moisture and will make your sausages extra juicy. A bit of patience will pay off!
- This air fryer sausage recipe is also good to be served with ketchup, mustard and with delicious green salad or a bowl of veggies on the side. You can also serve it with eggs and in a bun.
How To Store Leftovers
- Storage tip: Transfer cooled leftovers to an airtight container and fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Leftover Air Fryer Sausage is also very freezer friendly! Transfer cooked sausage to an airtight freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and store frozen for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Allow leftovers to thaw overnight in the refrigerator or use the defrost setting on your microwave (if reheating from frozen). Reheat using your preferred method, anything will work! Pop them back in the air fryer at 300°F or microwave on high until warmed through. You can also use the oven, toaster oven or a skillet on the stovetop.
More Sausage Recipes
Sausages are the best, low-effort meal idea because they’re very versatile and great for use in skillet meals, pasta dishes, casserole and more. Of course, you can even throw them in a bun and add condiments for ultimate simplicity! Here are some more sausage recipe ideas to get you inspired:
- Shrimp And Sausage Vegetable Skillet
- Italian Sausage, Onions And Peppers
- One Pan Sausage With Sweet Potato And Asparagus
- Italian Sausage Cauliflower Rice Skillet
- Sausage With Brussels Sprouts Skillet
- Sausage Quinoa Pasta
Frequently Asked Questions
Sort of! Bratwurst is simply a type of sausage. It’s almost always made with pork, though occasionally you’ll find beef brats. Bratwursts are German in origin and often feature the spice Marjoram!
Cook time will vary depending on the size of your sausage and the brand of air fryer you’re using. I find for jumbo sausage links, it’s takes somewhere between 12-15 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
I often enjoy grilling brats or sausages outside. If the weather isn’t cooperating (or if we’ve run out of propane), the air fryer comes in super handy. It’s an easy cooking method, super quick and pretty hands-off!
Experiencing smoke from your air fryer while cooking sausages? If your air fryer is smoking when cooking sausage, don’t panic! It’s because the fat from sausages may result in some smoke from dripping fat. One good solution for this is to place an air fryer-specific parchment paper in the bottom of the basket beneath the sausages or you can add a small amount of water to the bottom of the basket to reduce the smoke.
Watch the Air Fryer Sausage Web Story.
Serve Air Fryer Sausage With
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Sausage Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 5 uncooked Italian sausage mild, sweet, or hot
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
- Pat the sausages dry with a paper towel and pierce each a few times with a fork to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the sausages with olive oil on all sides.
- Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook the sausages for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through cooking time. Once internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C), they are done. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- Remove sausages from the air fryer. Let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve with green salad and rice.
Tips
- Substitute chicken or turkey sausage if desired.
- I recommend using a food thermometer for this recipe.
- Rest time is important and will make your sausages extra juicy!
- To Store: Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container.
- To Freeze: Transfer cooked sausage to an airtight freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and store frozen for up to 3 months.
- To Reheat: Pop sausages back in the air fryer at 300°F (148°C) or microwave on high until warmed through. You can also use the oven, toaster oven or a skillet on the stovetop.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.
drive mad says
Great recipe! Everyone loved it. Will make it again soon.
Olivia says
That’s amazing! Happy everybody loves it 😉
Earnest Tallent says
Do you have any recipes about fried shrimp? I would like to make it for my event but I have no idea.
Olivia says
Unfortunately I don’t have any.