Air Fryer Italian Sausage (Quick Dinner Idea!)
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Learn how to cook Italian sausage in just minutes using your air fryer! Ready in under 15 minutes this easy recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners. We’ve also included directions for pre-cooked and smoked sausage.
Making Italian sausage in the air fryer is my preferred method because it takes just a few minutes to prep and cook. Not to mention minimal cleanup – no greasy mess on the stove to deal with after dinner.
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We’re sharing tips to help you get the best results with this recipe. If you don’t need the tips, scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and a printable recipe card.
These easy air fried sausages cook up crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. And you can serve this flavorful sausage for a no-fuss summer supper.
Or pair the cooked sausage with sauteed onions and peppers and serve them on a hoagie roll for a delicious sandwich. You can even use different varieties of sausage to change things up, such as hot Italian sausage or chicken sausage.
If you’re looking for another hearty dinner, try our Air Fryer Sausage and Potatoes. It’s made with smoked links and is a longtime family favorite.
New to air frying? Get the low down on maximizing your usage of this amazing small appliance, including easy clean up tips, with our best air fryer tips for beginners.
Ingredients
- Italian sausage links – we are using mild Italian sausage today, but you can also go with hot or sweet Italian sausage.
Get the complete ingredients & directions in the recipe card below.
How to Make Juicy Sausage in the Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Add the uncooked sausages to the basket of the air fryer in a single layer and cook for 8-10 minutes.
Remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to settle and reduces the chance of getting sprayed by juices when you cut into the sausage.
Get the low down on our 12 must-have accessories for air fryer cooking.
How to Make Pre-Cooked or Smoked Sausages
If you are using a sausage that has been pre-cooked and isn’t raw, go with these instructions instead.
Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
Place sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes.
Remove sausages and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Making
- Sausages have a high fat content, which can cause them to smoke while cooking. A clean air fryer will help reduce the smoke. You can also use a parchment paper liner in the bottom or add a tablespoon of water to the basket liner.
- Before serving, use a digital meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature of the sausages is 160 degrees F.
- Don’t skip the resting time before serving – it gives the juices time to redistribute so the sausages don’t dry out.
- Keep the sausages in a single layer for even cooking.
- If you are making a big batch, keep the sausages warm by wrapping them in aluminum foil until you are ready to serve.
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Substitutions and Variations – Different kinds of sausages
Uncooked sausage – use the same instructions, but you may need to adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of the sausage.
- Pork sausage patties or links
- Breakfast sausage patties or links
- Turkey sausage patties or links
What to Serve With
This easy recipe goes great with onions and peppers or on a sandwich roll. We also like it with side dishes like Hasselback potatoes, sweet potato wedges, brussels sprouts, and onion rings.
If preferred, you can chop the leftover sausage into slices to add it to pasta, soups, scrambled eggs or stews.
Unsure which oil to use? Check out our handy guide to the Best Oil for Air Fryers.
How to Store
Leftover Italian sausage should be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Reheat for 3-4 minutes in the air fryer at 360 degrees F.
You can have a delicious meal on the table in under 15 minutes with our Italian sausage recipe. And clean up is a breeze, making this easy air fryer recipe perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes:
- Air Fryer Beef Kabobs
- Honey Orange Glazed Salmon (Air Fryer & Stove Top)
- Copycat Cheesy Gordita Crunch (Air Fryer & Oven)
- Air Fryer Cheesesteak Egg Rolls (+ Oven Directions)
**Save Air Fryer Italian Sausage Recipe for Later**
Air Fryer Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 package uncooked Italian sausage links (5 links), mild, hot or sweet
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F.
- Place sausage links in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, about 8-10 minutes.
- Remove sausages from the basket and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- To avoid excess smokiness while cooking, make sure your air fryer is clean and free of baked on food before starting. You can also use a perforated parchment liner or add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the basket liner to reduce smoking.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature.
- It’s important to let the sausages rest after cooking so the juices can absorb into the meat.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 360 degrees F until heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
Nutritional Estimate
Nutritional information is provided as a reference, using an online calculator. We recommend verifying the information independently for accuracy.
