Air-Fryer Italian Sausage: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious!

Yes, you can cook Italian sausages in an air fryer. It's a quick, easy, and hands-free way to cook juicy and golden brown sausages. You can cook up to four sausages at once, and they will be ready in 10 to 15 minutes.

Cooking temperature and time

Preheating the Air Fryer:

Before adding the sausages, preheat your air fryer to a specific temperature to ensure even cooking. Most recipes recommend preheating to around 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 degrees Celsius) for 3 to 5 minutes. However, some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for a crispier exterior.

Cooking Temperature:

The optimal cooking temperature for Italian sausages in an air fryer is between 360 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (182 to 204 degrees Celsius). A temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit will yield a crispier, browner exterior, but it's important to monitor the sausages to prevent overcooking.

Cooking Time:

The cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages and the number of sausages in the air fryer basket. For thinner sausages, such as breakfast sausages, cooking time ranges from 8 to 10 minutes. For thicker sausages like Italian sausage or bratwurst, the cooking time is typically between 9 and 13 minutes. It's important to note that these times may vary slightly depending on the model of your air fryer.

Flipping the Sausages:

To ensure even cooking and browning, it is recommended to flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process. This helps prevent bursting and promotes a consistent cooking temperature throughout the sausage.

Checking Doneness:

To ensure your Italian sausages are cooked thoroughly, it is crucial to check their internal temperature with an instant-read thermometer. The sausages should reach a minimum internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). If the sausages are not pre-cooked, make sure there is no pink colour remaining in the centre before serving.

Adjustments for Thinner or Thicker Sausages:

If you are using thinner sausages, adjust the cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking. Thinner sausages may only require 8 to 10 minutes of cooking time. Conversely, if you are using thicker sausages, you may need to increase the cooking time slightly, but be sure to monitor the internal temperature to prevent overcooking.

Extra Crispy Sausages:

For those who prefer their sausages with an extra crispy exterior, you can cook them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through. This higher temperature and cooking time will result in a crispier texture.

Cooking Frozen Sausages:

You can cook frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer without thawing them first. Preheat your air fryer basket to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius) for 5 minutes. Then, cook the frozen sausages for 12 to 14 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit (71 degrees Celsius).

Reheating Cooked Sausages:

To reheat leftover Italian sausages, preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit (182 degrees Celsius). Place the sausages in the air fryer basket and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Cooking with Peppers and Onions:

If you're cooking Italian sausages with peppers and onions, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius). Cook the sausages with the vegetables for 15 minutes, rotating the sausages every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking.

Tips for Success:

• Always preheat your air fryer for consistent results.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages to ensure they are cooked thoroughly.
• Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process to prevent bursting and promote even browning.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your sausages to avoid overcooking or undercooking.
• For extra crispy sausages, increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10 minutes.
• You can cook frozen sausages directly in the air fryer, but be sure to increase the cooking time slightly.
• Reheat leftover sausages at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for a quick and easy meal.
• When cooking with vegetables, ensure even cooking by rotating the sausages and stirring the vegetables.

Serving suggestions

Italian sausages are a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

Pasta

You can serve Italian sausages with pasta. Marinara sauce or pesto are great options to accompany the sausages, and you can choose your favourite pasta shape.

Sandwiches

For a gluten-free option, serve the sausages in a hot dog bun or a hoagie roll. For an extra kick of flavour, top with bell peppers and onions.

Entree

Italian sausages can be served as an entree alongside roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and potatoes.

Keto

For a low-carb option, serve the sausages with keto sides like cauliflower mash and roasted vegetables.

Seasoning

Feel free to season your sausages to suit the dish you're serving them with. You can use salt, black pepper, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, Italian seasoning, and more.

Sausage Sub

You can serve the Italian sausages on a sausage roll, also known as a sub. Slice the roll 3/4 of the way down, add the sausages and peppers, then place it back in the air fryer for a few minutes until it's nice and hot.

Sides

Italian sausages can be served with a variety of sides, such as a baked potato, garlic bread, rice, cornbread, or mac and cheese.

Reheating

If you have any leftover sausages, you can easily reheat them in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F and cook the sausages for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through.

Freezing

You can also freeze cooked Italian sausages. Let them cool completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. They will stay fresh for up to 2-3 months. When you're ready to eat them again, there's no need to thaw them. Just pop them into the air fryer and heat until they're cooked through.

How to cook frozen Italian sausage

Yes, you can cook frozen Italian sausages in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F for 3-5 minutes. If desired, you can line the air fryer basket with foil or an air fryer insert to catch any grease and make cleaning easier.

Step 2: Prepare the Frozen Italian Sausages

Place the frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer basket. It is fine if they are stuck together. If they are stuck to the packaging, simply run some hot water over the spot where they are stuck to loosen them.

Step 3: Cook the Sausages

Cook the sausages at 350-400°F for 10 minutes. After this time, they should be easy to separate. Give them some space and continue cooking for another 10-12 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F, flipping them halfway through.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Remove the sausages from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and flavourful sausage.

Tips:

• You can cook sliced bell peppers and onions in the air fryer alongside the sausages. Simply toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, and place the sausages on top of the vegetables in the air fryer.
• To prevent the sausages from bursting, avoid overcooking them and be sure to flip them halfway through.
• For extra crispy sausages, cook at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

How to serve Italian sausage in a roll

Italian sausages are a great option to cook in an air fryer. They are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways, including in a roll. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare and serve Italian sausages in a roll using an air fryer:

Ingredients:

• Uncooked Italian sausages (mild, sweet, or spicy)
• Avocado oil or olive oil spray
• Gluten-free hot dog buns or hoagie rolls
• Bell peppers (optional)
• Onion (optional)

Instructions:

• Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for about 3-5 minutes.
• Spray the bottom of your air fryer basket with avocado oil or olive oil to prevent sticking.
• Place the uncooked sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If you are using thicker sausages, poke a few holes in the casings with a fork or paring knife to allow the fat to escape.
• Cook the sausages for 10-13 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. The internal temperature of the sausages should reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
• If you are using bell peppers and onions, slice them into strips or chunks and toss them in olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• After the sausages have finished cooking, let them rest for a few minutes before slicing them to your desired thickness.
• Serve the sausages on gluten-free hot dog buns or hoagie rolls. Top the sausages with the cooked bell peppers and onions, if desired.

Tips:

• If you prefer crispier sausages, increase the air fryer temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• You can also cook frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cook the frozen sausages for 12-14 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• Store leftover sausages in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze them for up to 2-3 months.

How to reheat Italian sausage

To reheat Italian sausage in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360–400 °F. Place the leftover sausage links in the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 3–5 minutes, or until heated through.

If you are reheating Italian sausages with peppers and onions, follow the same instructions but increase the cooking time to 4–5 minutes.

Frequently asked questions