Air Fryer Kielbasa: Quick, Easy, Delicious

Air fryer kielbasa is a quick, easy, and tasty snack that can be made in just 10 minutes. Kielbasa is a Polish sausage that is usually bought already smoked or fully cooked. It can be cooked in the air fryer as a whole sausage or in slices, and the circulating hot air gives it an amazing texture and seals in the juices. The air fryer also reduces the mess and grease that comes with frying the sausage in oil.

Cooking whole vs. slicing

You can cook kielbasa either whole or sliced in an air fryer, and both methods are straightforward and quick.

Cooking Whole Kielbasa in an Air Fryer

To cook whole kielbasa, preheat your air fryer to between 375°F and 400°F. Prick the sausage several times with a fork to prevent it from bursting—it may still split as it cooks, but it won't explode. Then, place the whole kielbasa in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it is hot throughout with a firm exterior.

Cooking Sliced Kielbasa in an Air Fryer

If you prefer your kielbasa sliced, preheat your air fryer to 380°F to 400°F. Slice the kielbasa into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little room for air to flow. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until the sausage is hot and crispy on the outside.

Advantages of Each Method

Cooking whole kielbasa is a good option if you want to serve it as a main dish, as it can be easily sliced after cooking. On the other hand, sliced kielbasa is perfect for appetizers, snacks, or finger food, and it cooks faster than whole kielbasa. Sliced kielbasa also provides more surface area for crisping, resulting in a snappy exterior and a juicy interior.

Preheat settings

Preheating your air fryer is a good idea when cooking kielbasa, although some sources say it is not necessary. Preheating ensures that the kielbasa cooks evenly from the start and helps to achieve a nice outer crust. If you don't preheat it, it will take longer for the kielbasa to caramelize, which can make the sausage dry. It will also take a few extra minutes to cook the kielbasa to the ideal doneness.

The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is between 350°F and 400°F (177°C to 204°C). Most sources recommend preheating to 380°F (193°C) or 400°F (204°C) for about 5 minutes. However, one source recommends preheating to 375°F (191°C).

If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, simply turn it on and wait about 5 minutes.

Dipping sauces

Air fryer kielbasa is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways and paired with various dipping sauces. The traditional way to serve kielbasa is with grainy mustard, such as Pulaski or Maille, and sauerkraut, but there are several other sauces and dips that can enhance the flavour of this Polish sausage.

One option is to make a homemade sauce by simmering mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar in a pan. You can then add the cooked kielbasa to the pan and stir to coat the sausage in the sauce. Alternatively, you can simply toss the cooked kielbasa in your favourite barbecue sauce.

If you're looking for a spicier option, you can add a dash of Frank's Red Hot to your sauce or serve the kielbasa with horseradish sauce or remoulade. For a classic American taste, you can dip your kielbasa in ketchup or mustard. You can also serve it with a side of potato salad or with potatoes, vegetables, or rice and pasta.

Kielbasa is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. You can add it to soups, fried rice, quiches, frittatas, omelettes, or scrambled eggs. It can also be sliced and served as an appetizer or used in sandwiches.

Cooking times

The cooking time for your kielbasa will depend on whether you are cooking the whole sausage or slices, and how crispy you like it. If you are cooking slices, you should expect a cooking time of around 8 to 10 minutes at 380°F (190°C). If you like your kielbasa slices extra crispy, you can add a couple of minutes to this time. If you prefer them less crispy, you can subtract a minute or two. It is recommended that you shake the basket halfway through cooking to help the sausage cook evenly.

If you are cooking a whole kielbasa, you should prick the sausage several times with a fork before placing it in the air fryer to prevent it from bursting. The cooking time for a whole sausage is around 10 to 12 minutes at 380°F (190°C). You can also cook the sausage at 375°F (190°C) for 7-8 minutes, or at 400°F (204°C) for 9-10 minutes.

You can also cook kielbasa in the air fryer at the same time as other ingredients. For example, you can cook it with perogies, sliced onion, garlic, and olive oil at 400°F (204°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing the ingredients around every few minutes.

Side dishes

There are a variety of side dishes that you can serve with kielbasa. The options are endless! Here are some ideas:

Traditional Sides

Kielbasa is a type of Eastern European sausage, particularly popular in Poland and Ukraine. It is known for its bold garlic taste and smoky aroma. As such, traditional sides include:

• Sauerkraut
• Diced onions
• Brown mustard
• Fresh roll or bun
• Potato roll or kaiser roll
• Bread dumplings
• Brown gravy
• Pierogies
• Egg noodles

Other Sides

If you are looking for something a little different, you could try:

• Grilled vegetables, such as red and green peppers, mushrooms, and onions
• Seasonal vegetables, such as corn and green beans
• Rice, pasta, or quinoa
• Fried apples or pineapple
• Deviled egg potato salad
• Easy Cheesy Rice with Broccoli
• Potato wedges
• Roasted broccoli
• Roasted beets
• Baked potatoes
• Chips and salsa
• Red beans and rice
• Fried rice with diced onions, frozen veggies (corn, peas, carrots), and soy sauce
• Omelets or scrambled eggs
• Soups, such as chicken noodle soup, vegetable soup, mushroom barley soup, or borscht

Frequently asked questions