Air Fryer Kielbasa: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Air fryers are a convenient way to cook a variety of foods, including kielbasa. Kielbasa, also known as Polish sausage, can be cooked in an air fryer in a variety of ways, resulting in a juicy and flavourful dish. In this article, we will explore the different methods for cooking kielbasa in an air fryer, as well as provide tips and serving suggestions.

How long to cook kielbasa in the air fryer

Air-frying is a great way to cook kielbasa, yielding an amazing texture and sealing in the juices. The length of time you cook your kielbasa in the air fryer depends on whether you want to cook it whole or sliced, and how crispy you like it.

Cooking Whole Kielbasa

To cook a whole kielbasa in the air fryer, first, prick the sausage several times with a fork to prevent it from bursting. Then, air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until hot throughout with a firm exterior.

Cooking Sliced Kielbasa

Slice the kielbasa into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Place the slices in a single layer in the air fryer—it's okay if they overlap a little. Then, air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 to 10 minutes, or until hot throughout and firm and a bit crispy on the outside. If you want crispier slices, add another minute or two to the cooking time. If you prefer softer slices, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.

Tips

• You don't need to preheat the air fryer, but it may reduce the cooking time by about a minute.
• Toss the slices halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer. Leave enough room for air to flow around each piece.
• You can use the drippings at the bottom of the air fryer to roast vegetables.

How to serve air-fried kielbasa

Air-fried kielbasa is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. Here are some ideas on how to serve it:

As a Main Course

Air-fried kielbasa can be served as the main dish with some roasted potatoes and your favourite vegetable side dish. It pairs well with vegetables like spaghetti squash, baby potatoes, roasted broccoli, or roasted beets. You can also serve it with crusty rolls, grainy mustard, and sauerkraut.

In a Sandwich

For a quick and tasty meal, serve air-fried kielbasa in a sandwich. Get an Italian sub roll, spread some spicy brown mustard on the inside, add the cooked kielbasa, and a generous pinch of sauerkraut. Pop it in the air fryer and toast for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.

As a Snack or Appetizer

Air-fried kielbasa slices make a great snack or appetizer and can be served with toothpicks. You can also toss them in a sweet and sour 2-ingredient sauce for extra flavour.

In a Stir Fry

Air-fried kielbasa slices can be added to a stir fry, especially one with cabbage. You can use the grease that drips out of the kielbasa while cooking to add extra flavour to the stir fry.

In Breakfast Dishes

Finely diced cooked kielbasa can be added to breakfast dishes like mini quiches, frittatas, omelets, or scrambled eggs. It also goes well with fried rice—try it with diced onions, frozen veggies (corn, peas, carrots), and a splash of soy sauce.

With Dipping Sauces

Serve air-fried kielbasa with dipping sauces like horseradish sauce, remoulade sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, or ketchup.

What to serve with air-fried kielbasa

There are many ways to serve air-fried kielbasa. Here are some ideas:

As a Main Course

• Whole kielbasa with roasted potatoes and a vegetable side dish.
• With a side of dill pickles, sauerkraut, and spicy mustard.
• With fresh tomato and cucumber salad, seasoned with salt and slices of raw onion.

As a Sandwich

Kielbasa with sauerkraut on crusty rolls or sub rolls, with mustard.

As a Snack or Appetizer

• Kielbasa slices with a dipping sauce such as horseradish sauce, remoulade sauce, or barbecue sauce.
• Kielbasa bites with toothpicks, served with mustard and ketchup for dipping.

As Part of a Dish

• Add to a stir fry, fried rice, soup, or breakfast dishes such as mini quiches, frittatas, omelets, or scrambled eggs.
• Use the drippings from the air fryer to roast vegetables.

How to cook whole kielbasa in the air fryer

Yes, you can cook kielbasa in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook whole kielbasa in an air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to 375°Fahrenheit (around 190°Celsius) and allow it to preheat.

Step 2: Prepare the Kielbasa

Pierce the whole kielbasa several times with a fork to prevent it from bursting during cooking.

Step 3: Place the Kielbasa in the Air Fryer

Place the whole kielbasa in your air fryer tray or basket.

Step 4: Cook the Kielbasa

Air fry the kielbasa at 375°Fahrenheit for 7-8 minutes, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness. Consider flipping the kielbasa halfway through the cooking process for even cooking.

Step 5: Serve

Once cooked to your liking, remove the kielbasa from the air fryer and serve warm.

Tips:

• You can also cook sliced kielbasa in the air fryer by following a similar process. Simply slice the kielbasa into 1/2-inch thick pieces, place them in a single layer in the air fryer, and cook for 8-10 minutes at 380°Fahrenheit.
• For extra flavor, you can toss the kielbasa slices in a mixture of garlic powder and paprika before air frying.
• Serve the kielbasa as a main dish with sides or use it in sandwiches, stir-fries, soups, breakfast dishes, or fried rice.

How to air fry frozen kielbasa

Yes, you can cook frozen kielbasa in an air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). This step is important as it helps create a great sear when you place the frozen sausage in the air fryer, sealing in the juices.

Step 2: Place the Frozen Kielbasa in the Air Fryer

Take your frozen kielbasa and put it into the air fryer basket. Depending on your preference, you can cook the sausage whole or slice it into 1/2-inch thick pieces before placing it in the basket. If you're cooking a whole kielbasa, pierce a few holes in it with a fork to prevent it from bursting during cooking.

Step 3: Air Fry the Kielbasa

Set the temperature to 390°F (200°C) and cook for 10-12 minutes. For best results, flip the kielbasa halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Once the kielbasa is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the juices redistribute and prevents them from bursting out when you cut into the sausage.

Tips and Variations:

• You can serve air-fried kielbasa as a main dish with sides like sauerkraut, potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
• For a sandwich, spread mustard on an Italian sub roll, add the cooked kielbasa and sauerkraut, and toast in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes.
• If you want to add some spice, blend garlic powder and paprika, and sprinkle it over the kielbasa slices before air frying.
• For a crispy crust, cook the kielbasa until the exterior is firm and browned.

Enjoy your delicious, juicy, and crispy air-fried kielbasa!

Frequently asked questions