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Easy Air Fryer Italian Sausages

June 10, 2022 by Dolly {Dash for Dinner} 1 Comment

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Using tongs to remove Italian sausages from an air fryer basket.
A basket of an air fryer with cooked Italian sausages.
Removing sausages with a pair of tongs from an air fryer.
Removing tongs from an air fryer.
A plate of cooked sausages.
A plate of sausages, fully cooked.
The basket of an air fryer with sausages in it.
Removing tongs from an air fryer basket.
Removing sausages from an air fryer basket.
An air fryer basket with tongs removing Italian sausages.
An air fryer basket, filled with Italian sausages.
An overhead view of an air fryer basket, with Italian sausages.
Tongs removing cooked sausages from an air fryer basket.
Cooked Italian sausages on a plate.

If you’re wondering if you can cook Italian sausages in the air fryer, you’re going to be happy to hear that the answer is YES! Air fryer Italian sausages are juicy, perfectly cooked through, lightly browned and not at all greasy (like their skillet counterparts). Use these cooked sausages as a starting point for an easy meal, or enjoy on a sausage bun with your favorite toppings.

Tongs pulling Italian sausages out of an air fryer.

It’s no secret that that air fryer is one of the best kitchen inventions since… well, the Instant Pot! Isn’t it wonderful to be living during a time of such innovation when it comes to cooking? Never before has it been easier to cook a meal in minutes.

This recipe for Italian sausages in the air fryer has to be one of the most simple and straight forward. It’s an easy meal starter (think adding to peppers and marinara or serving on a steamed bun), and it’s great for a quick and easy protein option on a busy night.

Can I cook my sausages in the air fryer?

Yes! Sausages turn out great when cooked in the air fryer, and it has to be the easiest way to cook them. After a short preheating time, they are ready to go in the basket and cook until browned and delicious. They typically take just 10-13 minutes to cook, and are ready to serve right away.

Because of the crisping tray, the excess fat falls to the bottom of the air fryer and collects there, rather than on the surface of your sausages. This means they require little draining (if any) before serving.

You Will Need:

A package of Italian sausages and a small glass cup of water.
  • Italian sausages: You will need as many sausages as you plan on serving. If using a basket style, you may have to work in batches depending on how many you want to cook through. The average air fryer can hold 4-5 sausages. I like the Johnsonville brand, but you can use whatever you like best.
  • Water: A little bit of water added to the basket will prevent smoking due to the excess grease.
  • Air Fryer: You will need an air fryer, and it can be whatever model you happen to have! I like to use a basket style Ninja air fryer, but you can use an oven-style air fryer as well. If using an oven-style model, add 1-2 minutes to the total cook time.
  • Meat thermometer: This tool is indispensable in the kitchen and will let you know when your food is the perfect temperature for serving. This is the one we use, and I love that it is magnetic. That way, I can keep it on the fridge at all times for easy access. No more digging in drawers!

How to Make Italian Sausages in an Air Fryer

Adding Italian sausages to an air fryer to cook.
  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF for at least 3 minutes, or according to your manufacturers instructions.
  2. Add 2-4 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will prevent smoke caused from the excess fat that falls to the bottom during the cook time.
  3. Add the Italian sausages to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer, leaving some space around each of the sausages.
  4. Cook for 10-12 minutes (or 12-14 minutes if using an over-style air fryer), or until a minimum internal temperature of 160ºF has been reached in each of the sausages.
  5. Flip the sausages halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.
  6. Once the sausages are cooked through, remove them with a pair of tongs. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease, and then serve immediately.
An overhead shot of a plate with cooked sausages on it.

Ways to Serve

Cooking your Italian sausages in an air fryer is the perfect one-step meal starter! They can be used in a variety of ways to create easy weeknight meals. Here are a few of my favorite:

  • Italian Sausage and Peppers: Slice 2-3 rainbow bell peppers (colors of choice) and 1 large onion. Saute with 1-2 tablespoons of oil until soft. Add in the sausages and 1 jar of commercial marinara sauce. Simmer for 10-20 minutes and serve on toasted hoagie rolls.
  • With pasta or rice: Sauté chopped bell peppers and onion in oil, and add in a jar of marinara sauce. Bring to a low simmer and add in the sausages (whole or sliced). Heat until warmed through and serve over your choice of cooked pasta or rice.
  • In soup: Use your cooked Italian sausages to slice and add to your favorite soups (like Zuppa Toscana).
  • In Lasagna: Crumble or slice and add to sauce for lasagna.

Recipe FAQ’s

How long does it take to cook Italian sausages in an air fryer?

When cooked at 350ºF, most Italian sausages will cook in the air fryer between 10-13 minutes. Oven-style models will take a few minutes more to cook through, so it’s important to check the internal temperature. Once they reach an internal temperature of 155ºF-165ºF they are fully cooked and ready to serve.

What internal temperature should Italian sausage be?

Italian sausages should reach a minimum internal temperature of 155ºF-165ºF in order to be safe to eat. Check the thickest part of the sausage, and each of the sausages that you are cooking. Sausages may cook faster on the edges, and more slowly on the inside of the cooking vessel, so it’s important to check each one.

What is the difference between Italian sausage and regular sausage?

There is not a big difference between Italian sausage and regular sausage, and they can generally be used interchangeably with a few simple additions. Italian sausage is just regular sausage with Italian spices and seasonings, including fennel, red pepper flakes, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.

Can you cook frozen Italian sausages in the air fryer?

Yes, you can! But you’ll have to make a few adjustments to ensure they cook through completely. Firstly, increase the temperature to 390ºF and cook for a total of 13-16 minutes (or 14-18 for oven-style models). A few minutes into cooking, separate the frozen sausages with a butter knife or fork and continue to cook. Flip halfway through cooking to ensure they are evenly browned, and remove once they reach an internal temperature of 155º-165ºF.

More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Ideas

  • Air Fryer Frozen Meatballs
  • Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
  • Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers
  • Air Fryer Rotisserie Style Chicken
  • Air Fryer Ham and Cheese Sliders
  • Air Fryer Chicken and Potatoes – Little Sunny Kitchen
An air fryer basket with Italian sausages, being lifted out with tongs.

Air Fryer Italian Sausages

If you're looking for an easy way to cook sausages, you have to try this easy method for Air Fryer Italian Sausages. Perfectly cooked every time!
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Air Fryer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: air fryer, air fryer recipes, Easy recipes, weeknight recipes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 5 sausages
Calories: 314kcal
Author: Dolly (Dash for Dinner)

Equipment

  • Air Fryer

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausages approximately 4-5 sausages
  • 2-4 tablespoons water
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF for at least 3 minutes, or according to your manufacturers instructions.
  • Add 2-4 tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer basket. This will prevent smoke caused from the excess fat that falls to the bottom during the cook time.
  • Add the Italian sausages to the basket of your air fryer in a single layer, leaving some space around each of the sausages.
  • Cook for 10-12 minutes (or 12-14 minutes if using an oven-style air fryer), or until a minimum internal temperature of 155-165ºF has been reached in each of the sausages.
  • Flip the sausages halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and cooking.
  • Once the sausages are cooked through, remove them with a pair of tongs. Drain on paper towels to remove excess grease, and then serve immediately.

Video

Notes

From Frozen: Increase the temperature to 390ºF and cook for a total of 13-16 minutes (or 14-18 for oven-style models). A few minutes into cooking, separate the frozen sausages with a butter knife or fork and continue to cook. Flip halfway through cooking to ensure they are evenly browned, and remove once they reach an internal temperature of 155º-165ºF.
Gluten free: Select sausages that are free from fillers and gluten.
Dairy free: Select sausages without dairy added.
Adding water: Add some water to the basket of the air fryer to prevent smoking from the excess fat. This is an optional (but recommended) step.
Internal temperature: Check the internal temperature of your sausages to ensure they are finished cooking through. They need to reach a range of 155º-165ºF to be safe to eat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 69mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 230mg | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg

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Filed Under: Air Fryer, Diabetic, Dietary Needs, Gluten Free, Keto, Low Carb, Pork, Protein Type, Recipes, Sugar Free

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Comments

  1. Steve

    June 10, 2022 at 6:28 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe is so easy, and doesn’t heat up the house at all. Even using skillets makes my kitchen hot, so I’m happy to find this new way of cooking Italian sausages.

    Reply

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