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

Cooking Italian sausage in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and hands-free way to make juicy and golden brown sausages every time. It is also a versatile cooking method, as you can cook the sausages with vegetables, pasta, or sandwiches. To make Italian sausage in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket with cooking oil, such as avocado or olive oil. Then, add the uncooked sausages in a single layer and air fry for 12-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. The internal temperature of the sausages should be a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing the right type of Italian sausage

When choosing the right type of Italian sausage, it's important to consider your taste preferences and the specific recipe you're following. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Type of Meat

Italian sausages are typically made with pork, which is the most common type of meat used in sausages. However, you can also find Italian sausages made with chicken or turkey. If you have dietary restrictions or preferences, make sure to choose a sausage variety that aligns with your needs.

Spice Level and Flavour

Italian sausages come in different spice levels, ranging from mild to hot. If you prefer a milder taste, opt for mild Italian sausage, which has a subtle hint of spice. For those who enjoy a kick, go for hot Italian sausage, seasoned with red pepper flakes. Another option is sweet Italian sausage, which is flavoured with sweet basil. You can also find Italian sausages with unique flavours like 'nduja, which has a distinct taste from the addition of roasted red peppers, or mortadella, which is often processed with pistachios, jalapenos, or olives.

Casing

Italian sausages can be produced with or without a casing. The casing is typically removed before cooking. If you prefer a sausage with a snap and a crispy texture, opt for a sausage with a casing. However, if you want to add the sausage to pasta sauces or pizzas, a casingless sausage might be more suitable.

Cooking Method

When cooking Italian sausages in an air fryer, consider the thickness of the sausages as it will impact the cooking time. Thicker sausages, such as Italian sausage links, usually take longer to cook compared to thinner breakfast sausages. Additionally, if you're cooking frozen sausages, they will take a bit longer to cook, but you can cook them straight from frozen without thawing.

Gluten Content

If you have Celiac disease or follow a gluten-free diet, be sure to choose Italian sausages that are labelled gluten-free. This information is usually found on the packaging.

Serving Suggestions

Italian sausages are incredibly versatile and can be served in various dishes. Consider how you plan to serve the sausages. They pair well with vegetables like broccoli or cauliflower, and they are delicious in sandwiches, pasta dishes, or as part of a keto meal.

Preheating the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an essential step in the cooking process. It ensures that your food cooks evenly and efficiently, achieving the desired crispiness on the outside while keeping the inside juicy. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for cooking Italian sausages:

Firstly, it is important to note that different air fryer models may have specific preheating instructions, so be sure to refer to your air fryer's user manual for any unique guidelines. Now, let's get into the general steps for preheating:

• Set the Temperature: Adjust your air fryer's temperature setting to 360°F (180°C) for preheating. This temperature strikes a balance between browning the sausages and preventing them from drying out. Some recipes suggest a higher temperature of 400°F, especially if you want a crispier exterior. Experiment with temperatures to find your preferred level of doneness.
• Preheat Duration: Once you've set the temperature, let the air fryer preheat for 3 to 5 minutes. This duration allows the air fryer to reach the desired temperature and ensures that your sausages start cooking in a properly heated environment.
• Prepare the Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the air fryer basket. Lightly coat the bottom of the basket with cooking spray, such as avocado oil or olive oil spray. This step helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Arrange the Sausages: After preheating, it's time to arrange your Italian sausages in the basket. Place them in a single layer, ensuring they don't overlap. This arrangement allows hot air to circulate around each sausage, promoting even cooking.
• Temperature and Timing: Now that your air fryer is preheated and the sausages are in the basket, it's time to set the cooking temperature and timing. For Italian sausages, a temperature of 360°F to 400°F is ideal. Cook the sausages for 10 to 12 minutes at 360°F, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. If you prefer a crispier sausage, increase the temperature to 400°F and cook for a similar duration.

Remember, these timings are approximate and may vary depending on the thickness of your sausages and the model of your air fryer. Always use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature of the sausages, ensuring they reach a minimum of 160°F.

Preparing the sausages

Before placing the sausages in the air fryer, use a paring knife or a fork to poke a few holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape, preventing the sausages from bursting. However, some people choose not to puncture the sausages to avoid losing the delicious fats that add juiciness to the meat.

Now, it's time to preheat your air fryer. Set it to 360–400°F for 3–5 minutes. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray, avocado oil, or olive oil to prevent sticking.

Place the sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving a little space around each one. If you're adding vegetables like peppers and onions, arrange them in the basket first, then place the sausages on top.

Cooking time will depend on the thickness of your sausages and your air fryer model. For thinner breakfast sausages, 8–10 minutes should be enough. Thicker Italian sausages will likely take 9–12 minutes. If you're cooking from frozen, add a few minutes to the cooking time.

Flip the sausages halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning. Your sausages are done when they are well-browned, and the internal temperature reaches at least 160°F. Use an instant-read thermometer to check, if needed.

Once they're done, let the sausages rest for about 5 minutes before slicing or serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, ensuring a juicy and flavorful bite.

Cooking the sausages

First, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F for 3-5 minutes. If you're cooking peppers and onions with your sausages, toss these in a bowl with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, and then place them in the air fryer basket.

Next, place your uncooked Italian sausages on top of the peppers and onions, ensuring they are in a single layer and not overlapping. You can cook up to six sausages at once, and they should be around 1.5 inches thick. If your sausages are thinner, adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Cook the sausages for 10-13 minutes at 360-400°F, flipping them over halfway through. The internal temperature of the sausages should be a minimum of 160°F. You can check this with an instant-read thermometer.

Once the sausages are well-browned on the outside and cooked through, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat.

If you want extra crispy sausages, cook them at 400°F for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve Italian sausage cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Sandwiches

You can serve the Italian sausage in gluten-free hot dog buns or hoagie rolls, topped with bell peppers, onions, marinara sauce, or cheese. You could also stuff them with string cheese.

Pasta

Serve the sausage with pasta in a marinara or pesto sauce.

Entree

Pair the sausage with roasted vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, or potatoes.

Keto

Italian sausages are typically low-carb, so they go well with keto sides like cauliflower mash and roasted vegetables.

Seasoning

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

Sides

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

Frequently asked questions