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. It is also a versatile cooking method, as you can cook other types of sausages, such as breakfast sausages, bratwurst, or chicken sausages, in the same way.

To make Italian sausage in an air fryer, preheat your air fryer to 360-400°F for 3-5 minutes. If you are cooking sausages with vegetables, toss the vegetables in a bowl with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, and add them to the air fryer basket first. Then, place the uncooked sausages on top in a single layer, leaving some space between them. Cook the sausages for 10-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are well-browned on the outside and have an internal temperature of at least 160°F.

You can serve air fryer Italian sausages with peppers and onions, alongside pasta sauce and pasta, or in a bun with marinara sauce and cheese. They also pair well with fried potatoes, white rice, grilled peppers, or a crusty roll.

Choosing your ingredients

Types of Sausages:

Firstly, select the type of Italian sausage you prefer. You can choose from a variety of options, including pork sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage. Each of these options will give your dish a distinct flavour and texture, so it's important to consider your preference. If you're serving guests, it's a good idea to ask about any dietary restrictions they may have.

Spiciness:

Italian sausages come in different flavours, including mild, sweet, or spicy. You can select the level of spiciness that suits your taste buds. If you're serving a diverse group, consider providing a mix of mild, sweet, and spicy sausages to cater to different preferences.

Gluten-Free Option:

If you or anyone you're serving follows a gluten-free diet, be sure to choose gluten-free Italian sausages. Check the labels carefully to ensure they are certified gluten-free. This is an important step to ensure that everyone can enjoy the meal safely.

Thickness:

When selecting your sausages, pay attention to their thickness. Thicker sausages, such as Italian sausages, will take longer to cook than thinner breakfast sausages. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness, so choose sausages that match your desired cooking time.

Fresh or Frozen:

You can choose to use fresh or frozen Italian sausages for this recipe. If you opt for frozen sausages, there's no need to thaw them first. Simply cook them straight from frozen, adjusting the cooking time accordingly.

Additional Ingredients:

While sausages are the star of this dish, you can also add some sliced bell peppers and onions to enhance the flavour and make it a heartier meal. Choose a mix of colourful bell peppers (red, yellow, green) for a vibrant and tasty addition to your dish. Don't forget to select a type of oil, such as olive oil, avocado oil, or cooking spray, to ensure the sausages don't stick to your air fryer and for cooking the veggies.

Remember to select ingredients of the highest quality to ensure the best results. With the right combination of ingredients, you'll be well on your way to creating mouth-watering Italian sausages in your air fryer!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your sausages will cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for making delicious Italian sausages:

Firstly, it is crucial to understand the role of preheating. When you preheat your air fryer, you are essentially bringing the appliance to a temperature that is optimal for cooking your desired food item. In this case, you want to preheat your air fryer to the ideal temperature for cooking juicy and flavourful Italian sausages.

Now, let's get into the specifics of preheating for this particular recipe. The ideal temperature to preheat your air fryer for cooking Italian sausages is 360 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature setting will ensure that your sausages cook through evenly and develop a nice crust without drying out. Depending on your air fryer model, you can set the temperature accordingly.

The preheating time can vary, but generally, it should take around 3 to 5 minutes to preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. You can use the timer on your air fryer if it has one, or you can simply set a timer on a separate device. It is important to be patient during this step to ensure that your air fryer reaches the desired temperature before adding your sausages.

While preheating, you can prepare your sausages and other ingredients. Gather your uncooked Italian sausages, which can be either pork, chicken, or turkey, and ensure they are at room temperature. You can also prepare any vegetables or sides you plan to cook alongside the sausages, such as bell peppers, onions, or potatoes.

Once the preheating time has elapsed, it is a good idea to check if your air fryer has reached the desired temperature. Most modern air fryers will have a temperature indicator light or display that will let you know when it is ready. If your air fryer does not have this feature, you can use an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature inside the cooking chamber.

If your air fryer has reached 360 degrees Fahrenheit, it is now time to add your sausages. Place the sausages in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This will allow for even cooking and browning. If you are cooking a large batch, you may need to cook the sausages in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding.

In conclusion, preheating your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes is an essential step in cooking juicy and flavourful Italian sausages. By following this guide, you will ensure that your sausages turn out perfectly cooked and delicious every time. Now you're ready to move on to the next steps of cooking your Italian sausages in the air fryer!

Add the sausages

Now that you've preheated your air fryer to 360-400 degrees Fahrenheit, it's time to add the sausages. Place the uncooked sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not overcrowded. This will ensure even cooking and browning. If you are cooking sausages with peppers and onions, place the vegetables in the basket first, then lay the sausages on top.

If your sausages are frozen, you can cook them straight from frozen. However, they may take a few minutes longer to cook. For fresh or thawed sausages, use a paring knife or a fork to poke holes in the casings. This allows the fat to escape easily. If you are cooking high-fat sausages, this will also help to reduce the amount of smoke produced during cooking.

Cook the sausages for 10-13 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit, or 15-20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, flipping them halfway through. The internal temperature of the sausages should reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are cooking frozen sausages, the internal temperature should also reach a minimum of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Once the sausages are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, ensuring juicy and tender sausages.

Cook for 10-20 minutes

Once you've preheated your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit and placed your uncooked Italian sausages inside, it's time to cook them. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your sausages and the model of your air fryer, but generally, Italian sausages will take between 10 and 20 minutes to cook in an air fryer. For thinner sausages, such as breakfast sausages, you're looking at a cooking time of around 8 to 10 minutes. Thicker sausages like Italian sausage or bratwurst will take a little longer, around 9 to 13 minutes.

It's important to ensure your sausages are cooked through. You can check this by cutting into one and making sure there is no pink meat remaining, or by using a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're cooking frozen sausages, they may take a little longer, so it's a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure they're cooked properly.

While your sausages are cooking, you can prepare any sides or toppings you'd like to serve with them. Italian sausages go well with fried potatoes, grilled peppers, white rice, or crusty bread rolls. You can also serve them with pasta and marinara or pesto sauce, or with sliced peppers and onions, which can be cooked in the air fryer at the same time as your sausages.

Once your sausages are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to distribute throughout the meat, ensuring your sausages are juicy and tender. Enjoy!

Rest and serve

Once your sausages are cooked, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be evenly distributed throughout the meat.

You can serve Italian sausages with fried potatoes, white rice, grilled peppers, or in a crusty bun with your favourite condiments. They also go well with roasted veggies like broccoli or cauliflower and potatoes.

If you're serving with peppers and onions, you can cook these in the air fryer at the same time as the sausages. Simply slice 2 bell peppers and 1 onion, toss them in a bowl with 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, and ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper. Spritz the air fryer basket with cooking spray if it's an aluminium basket. If it's non-stick, you can skip this step. Lay the veggies on the rack and put the Italian sausage on top of the peppers before cooking.

If you have any leftover sausages, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer and serve.

Frequently asked questions