Air Fryer Kielbasa: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking kielbasa in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this Polish sausage. Kielbasa can be cooked in a variety of ways, but air frying ensures a juicy and flavourful sausage with a firm, almost crisp exterior. The air fryer also reduces the amount of grease, making it a slightly healthier option.

How to cook kielbasa in an air fryer

Kielbasa is a type of Polish sausage, typically made with pork and/or beef, but sometimes made with turkey. Kielbasa can be cooked in a variety of ways, including boiling, grilling, roasting, and pan-frying. However, cooking it in an air fryer is a great option as it is quick, hands-off, and results in juicy and flavorful sausage. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook kielbasa in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the kielbasa

Start by slicing the kielbasa into 1/2-inch thick pieces. You can also cut it into coins or shorter lengths, depending on your preference. If you want to cook the kielbasa whole, pierce the sausage several times with a fork to prevent it from bursting.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Preheat your air fryer to between 375-400°F (180-200°C). Most recipes recommend cooking at 400°F, but you can adjust the temperature slightly depending on your preference and the doneness you want.

Step 3: Place the kielbasa in the air fryer

Place the sliced kielbasa in a single layer in the air fryer basket or tray. Make sure they are not overcrowded to allow for even cooking. If cooking a whole kielbasa, place it directly in the air fryer.

Step 4: Cook the kielbasa

Cook the kielbasa at 375-400°F for 7-12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the sausage and your desired level of crispiness. Shake the basket or use tongs to flip the kielbasa pieces halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

Step 5: Serve the kielbasa

Once the kielbasa is cooked to your liking, remove it from the air fryer and serve it as a standalone dish or use it in various recipes. Kielbasa is versatile and can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or as an appetizer. Some serving suggestions include:

• Sandwiches with sauteed jalapenos, onions, and provolone cheese
• Scrambled eggs and biscuits, waffles, or pancakes
• With white rice, baby potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or potato salad
• As an appetizer with cocktail forks or frilled toothpicks and a dipping sauce or spicy mustard
• In a sausage omelet with pico de gallo or avocado
• In foil packets with potatoes, onions, and sweet peppers

Tips:

• You can add a drizzle of olive oil to the kielbasa before placing it in the air fryer for extra crispiness and caramelization.
• If cooking from frozen, cook the kielbasa whole for 4 minutes, then slice it and place it back in the air fryer for an additional 15 minutes at 400°F.
• Most kielbasa sold in American supermarkets is fully cooked, so you are just reheating it to your desired texture and temperature.

How long does it take to cook Polish kielbasa in an air fryer?

The cooking time for Polish kielbasa in an air fryer depends on the desired level of crispiness, the thickness of the sausage slices, and whether the kielbasa is cooked from frozen.

Cooking Times

For sliced kielbasa, it typically takes 8 to 10 minutes at 380°F to 400°F to cook in an air fryer. If you prefer your kielbasa slices with a crispier texture, you can add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. Conversely, if you prefer them softer, you can reduce the cooking time by 1-2 minutes. It's important to note that these timings are for fully cooked kielbasa that just needs reheating.

When cooking whole kielbasa, it will take a little longer, around 10 to 12 minutes at 380°F to 400°F .

Cooking from Frozen

If you're cooking kielbasa from frozen, the timings will be longer. For sliced kielbasa, cook the sausage whole for 4 minutes, then slice and return to the air fryer for an additional 15 minutes at 400°F. For whole kielbasa, cook at 380°F for about 12 minutes, or until heated through with a firm exterior.

Tips for Optimal Cooking

To ensure even cooking, it's recommended to preheat the air fryer, spread the kielbasa slices in a single layer, and shake or flip the basket halfway through the cooking process.

Serving Suggestions

Kielbasa is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It pairs well with scrambled eggs, biscuits, waffles, pancakes, potatoes, rice, and various dipping sauces. You can also incorporate it into sandwiches, pasta dishes, or enjoy it as an appetizer with cocktail forks or toothpicks.

How to make crispy sliced kielbasa in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• Kielbasa (aka Polish Sausage)
• Oil (optional)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheat setting, turn it on and wait about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, slice the kielbasa into ½-inch thick rounds.
• If you want to add oil, do so now. Toss the kielbasa with the oil, turning to coat fully.
• Place the kielbasa in the air fryer basket in a single layer. It’s okay if the pieces overlap a little.
• Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, depending on how crispy you like it. Shake the basket halfway through cooking to promote even browning.
• If you want your kielbasa slices extra crispy, add another minute or two to the cooking time. For softer slices, reduce the cooking time by a minute or two.
• Serve hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips:

• If you want even more flavour, blend 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder and paprika and sprinkle over the slices before frying.
• If you are cooking more than one sausage, work in batches. Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket—leave enough room for air to circulate and fry each piece evenly.
• Always preheat the air fryer! If you don’t, it will take longer for the kielbasa to caramelize, which will dry out the sausage.
• You can cook the kielbasa whole without slicing it first. If you do this, poke a few holes in the sausage with a fork before cooking to prevent it from bursting. Allow the sausage to cool slightly before slicing.

What to serve with air-fried kielbasa

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

Side Dishes

• Potatoes
• Freshly sliced tomatoes and cucumbers with a sprinkling of salt and some raw onion slices
• Sauerkraut
• Dill pickles
• Roasted vegetables
• Spaghetti squash
• Baby potatoes
• Roasted broccoli
• Roasted beets
• Crispy Baked Sweet Potato Fries
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Mozzarella Sticks
• Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts
• Air Fryer Green Beans
• Air Fryer Bacon Wrapped Asparagus
• Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• Air Fryer Bagel Bites
• Air Fryer Hot Pockets
• Air Fryer Bagel Bites

Appetizers and Snacks

• Kielbasa slices with a dipping sauce, such as mustard, ketchup, horseradish sauce, remoulade sauce, or barbecue sauce
• Kielbasa sandwiches, made with Italian sub rolls, spicy brown mustard, and sauerkraut
• Kielbasa bites, tossed in a 2-ingredient sauce from a glazed kielbasa bites recipe

Main Courses

• Kielbasa and cabbage stir fry, cooked in the grease that drips out of the kielbasa
• Soup with potatoes, cabbage, noodles, or beans, and some greens such as kale, spinach, or sorrel
• Fried rice with diced onions, frozen veggies (corn, peas, carrots), and a splash of soy sauce
• Mini quiches, frittatas, omelets, or scrambled eggs with finely diced cooked kielbasa
• Cajun pasta with stirred-in kielbasa
• Kielbasa hoagies with peppers and onions
• Kielbasa with pierogies and cabbage

How to cook frozen kielbasa in an air fryer

Ingredients:

Frozen Kielbasa

Method:

• Place the frozen kielbasa in the air fryer basket.
• Set the air fryer to 380°F / 190°C or 390°F.
• Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can cook the kielbasa whole or sliced.
• If cooking whole, there is no need to poke the sausages.
• If cooking sliced, cut the kielbasa into equal slices so they cook evenly, but not too thin so they don't burn.
• For extra crispy kielbasa, add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
• Always preheat your air fryer.

Serving Suggestions:

• Dipping sauces: grain mustard, spicy mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce, fry sauce.
• Side dishes: French fries, sauerkraut, sautéed peppers and onions, mac and cheese, Brussels sprouts, baked beans, coleslaw.

Frequently asked questions