Air Fryer Italian Sausage: Quick, Easy, Delicious!

Cooking Italian sausages in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-free way to make juicy and golden brown sausages. It is less messy and time-consuming than pan-frying and requires no additional cookware. You can cook up to four sausages at once, and they will be cooked to perfection in 10-15 minutes.

Cooking temperature and time

The cooking temperature and time for Italian sausages in the air fryer will depend on the thickness of the sausages and whether they are fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked.

Cooking Fresh Italian Sausages in the Air Fryer

For fresh Italian sausages, you should preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, add the sausages to the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 10 to 13 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature of the sausages should be a minimum of 160°F (70°C). If you want your sausages extra crispy, you can cook them at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway.

Cooking Frozen Italian Sausages in the Air Fryer

You can cook frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer without thawing them first. Preheat your air fryer basket to 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes. Then, cook the frozen sausages for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure the sausages reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F (70°C).

Cooking Pre-Cooked Italian Sausages in the Air Fryer

For pre-cooked Italian sausages, you can heat them in the air fryer at 400°F (200°C) for 8 to 10 minutes.

Pre-cooking prep

To make Italian sausage in an air fryer, you'll need to do some prep work before you start cooking. Here's a detailed, step-by-step guide on what you need to do to get your ingredients and air fryer ready:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you'll need uncooked Italian sausages. You can use any variety of Italian sausage, such as mild, sweet, or spicy, depending on your preference. Make sure to get standard-size sausages, as larger ones from the deli counter may take longer to cook. You can also use raw Italian chicken sausage if you prefer. If you want to add some vegetables to your dish, bell peppers and onions are a great option. You can also serve the sausages with buns, marinara sauce, and cheese.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to prepare the sausages. If you're using fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This step is important because it allows the fat to escape easily from the casing. For an average-sized Italian sausage, poking it three times should be sufficient.

Now, let's get your air fryer ready. Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes. If you're using a cooking spray, you can spritz the air fryer basket with it. If you're using a non-stick air fryer, you can skip this step.

If you're adding vegetables to your dish, slice your bell peppers and onions into strips. Toss them in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper. If you're using an aluminum air fryer basket, spritz it with cooking spray before adding the vegetables.

Now you're ready to start cooking your Italian sausages in the air fryer! Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each sausage for air to flow. If you're cooking vegetables at the same time, lay the veggies on the rack and put the sausages on top.

Remember, this guide is for pre-cooking prep only. For the full cooking instructions and additional tips, make sure to refer to the full recipe.

Serving suggestions

Italian sausages cooked in an air fryer are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Sandwiches

For a quick and easy option, serve the sausages in gluten-free hot dog buns or hoagie rolls. Top with bell peppers, onions, and cheese for added flavour and texture. You can also add marinara sauce to make it a sausage roll.

Pasta

For a heartier meal, pair the sausages with pasta. Toss the cooked pasta with marinara or pesto sauce and top with the air-fried Italian sausages.

Entree

For a well-rounded meal, serve the sausages with roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes. This option provides a balance of protein and nutrients.

Keto

For those following a keto diet, these air-fried sausages are a great option as they are typically low-carb. Serve them with keto-friendly sides like cauliflower mash and roasted vegetables.

Seasoning

Feel free to season the sausages to suit your taste preferences or the dish you're serving them with. Some popular seasoning options include salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning.

Sides and Toppings

Italian sausages cooked in an air fryer can be served with a variety of sides and toppings. Some options include:

• Giardiniera
• Roasted onions
• Red peppers
• Jalapenos
• Mayo
• Ketchup

Internal temperature

The internal temperature of Italian sausages cooked in an air fryer should be at least 160°F (70°C). This is to ensure that the sausages are cooked properly and are safe to eat. If the internal temperature is below this, the sausages may be undercooked and could pose a risk of food poisoning.

To check the internal temperature of your sausages, you can use an instant-read thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the centre of one of the sausages to get an accurate reading. If the temperature is below 160°F (70°C), continue cooking the sausages in the air fryer in short intervals, checking the temperature each time, until the desired temperature is reached.

It's important not to overcook your sausages, as this can cause them to shrivel up and become dry. The recommended cooking time and temperature for Italian sausages in an air fryer is generally around 10-12 minutes at 360°F (180°C). However, this may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages and the model of your air fryer, so it's always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and ensure they are fully cooked.

Additionally, if you are cooking frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer, they may take a few minutes longer to cook. It is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and cook the frozen sausages for 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Again, use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached the minimum internal temperature of 160°F (70°C).

Reheating and freezing

Once you've cooked your Italian sausages in the air fryer, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat them, simply pop them back in the air fryer and cook until heated through.

You can also freeze cooked Italian sausages. Let them cool completely, then transfer to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2-3 months. There's no need to thaw them before reheating—just pop them straight into the air fryer and cook until heated through.

Frequently asked questions