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This air fryer Italian sausage recipe yields juicy, perfectly cooked sausages served over a bed of caramelized peppers and onions. It’s a failproof, hearty dish you can make any night of the week.
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Are we still using our air fryers every meal of the day? I know I am. It’s become our most well-worn kitchen tool, especially when it comes to protein. Like my air fryer brats or air fryer sausage links, these Italian sausages are quick to cook and make for an easy meal. Plus, they’re versatile.
We like to pile them in sandwiches, but you could easily serve them on a bed of pasta with some marinara sauce. Personally, I’ll eat them straight from the basket! You’ll notice I’ve added peppers and onions to the base of the air fryer before adding the Italian sausage on top, but that’s completely optional.
If you love easy recipes for a quick air fryer weeknight dinner, try my air fryer steak, air fryer salmon, air fryer chicken thighs, and air fryer pork chops next.
Ingredients needed
- Mild Italian sausage. I always prefer to get my Italian pork sausage straight from the butcher as opposed to pre-packaged sausages. I find they’re fresher, juicier, and the seasoning is generally higher quality. If you’re using frozen sausages, let them thaw overnight.
- Bell peppers. I used tri-color peppers, but you could use any color you want. Red peppers are the sweetest, which I find complements the savory sausages nicely.
- Onions. I prefer sweet white onions or yellow onions. Red onions also work, but they have a milder flavor.
- Olive oil. To help the veggies caramelize.
- Salt and black pepper. Just a pinch.
- Italian seasoning. For extra flavor.
How to make Italian sausages in the air fryer
This is an overview with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.
Step 1- Prep. Add the sliced veggies to a bowl.
Step 2- Combine the oil and seasonings and toss to coat.
Step 3- Assemble. Add the veggies to the basket and place the sausages on top.
Step 4- Air fry. Air fry the sausages until they’re fully cooked (flipping periodically). Then, serve them warm.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the cooking time. The sausages I used were about 1.5 inches thick. If you’re using thicker sausages, increase the air frying time by 1-2 minutes, and vice versa.
- Use a digital meat thermometer. You’ll know the sausages are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Keep them in a single layer. If there’s any overlap, the sausages may not fully cook on the inside or become crispy on the outside. This may mean you’ll have to cook in batches, but it’s worth it.
Storage instructions
To store: Let the sausages cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To freeze: Transfer the leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheating: Warm the sausages in the air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes or slice them in half and cook them in a pan over medium heat (flipping often) until they’re warm.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, I’ve often used frozen Italian sausage in the air fryer. I do recommend thawing it first, as it yields naturally juicier sausage.
Flipping the Italian sausage during the air frying process several times ensures that all sides cook evenly. Also, please stick to my tested cooking time.
More air fryer recipes
If you tried this air fryer Italian sausage recipe or any other recipe on The Big Man’s World, please rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below. It really helps others thinking of making the recipe.
Air Fryer Italian Sausage
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian sausage 3-5 links
- 2 bell peppers sliced
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 200C/400F.
- In a large bowl, add the sliced bell peppers and sliced onions and mix with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Transfer the peppers and onions to the air fryer basket, place the Italian sausage on top, and air fry for eight minutes, rotating the sausage several times throughout. You can also check the doneness by using a meat thermometer and making sure the internal temperature is 165F.
- Remove the Italian sausage, peppers, and onions from the air fryer basket and serve immediately.
Notes
- Add some heat. When I want to bring on the heat, I’ll use hot Italian sausage links or toss the veggies in a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Use different kinds of sausages. Italian sausages are generally made from pork, but if that’s not your jam, I’ve also had luck with chicken sausage and turkey sausage. Just remember you’ll need to cook them to 165F.
- Extra spices. Depending on how flavorful my sausages are, sometimes I like to add an extra pinch of garlic powder, paprika, oregano, or even some fennel salt.
- Garnish. Top the cooked sausages with fresh herbs like parsley or basil for a brighter flavor.
This air fryer Italian sausage turns out so good, especially with the peppers and onions. We served this in hoagie rolls!