My air fryer kielbasa is easy to make and gets ultra crispy on the outside while remaining juicy in the middle. I love to make this as an easy appetizer, snack, or even a dinnertime protein option.

Air-frying sausages has become such a dinnertime hack that I’ve been doing it multiple times a week. First, we tried air fryer brats, then air fryer Italian sausages. I recently tried air frying sliced kielbasa, and I must say, it’s just as delicious!

My sister likes them in sandwiches or served over a bed of roasted veggies. I find they’re a great party snack if you slice them thin and serve them with dipping sauce. Plus, in addition to being fast to make, they’re healthier than other kielbasa recipes since you don’t need added oil for them to get crispy on the outside. 

Key Ingredient

• Kielbasa sausage. Also known as Polish sausage, kielbasa is a type of smoked sausage made from pork or a blend of pork and beef. Because they are usually sold smoked or pre-cooked, they only really need to be heated through.

How to cook kielbasa 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. Preheat the air fryer and slice the sausages into ½-inch pieces. 

Step 2- Air fry. Add the sausages to the air fryer basket and cook, flipping periodically. 

Step 3- Serve. Serve the sausages warm or toss in a bowl with sauce. 

Tips for the best air fryer kielbasa

• Preheat the air fryer. I find this is the #1 mistake people make when they’re new to air frying. While most recipes don’t specify preheating the air fryer, it makes all the difference. 
• Don’t crowd the basket. To ensure each sausage slice gets extra crispy and browned, there should be minimal overlapping. 
• Air fry the sausages whole. I prefer slicing the Polish sausages as this helps them cook more quickly, but it’s optional. If you prefer whole sausages, I suggest poking holes in them with a fork to prevent them from bursting as they cook.
• Adjust the cook time. Everyone’s air fryer works differently, so the exact cooking time for sausages may vary. When in doubt, reduce the cooking time and check with a meat thermometer until the sausages reach a minimum internal temperature of 160°F (71 °C). 

Recipe variations

• Mix with a sauce. Along with dipping sauces, I like to toss the freshly air-fried kielbasa in a sauce (as pictured). Buffalo sauce, BBQ sauce, and spicy ketchup are my favorites.
• Cook with peppers and onions. When I want a heartier, all-in-one dish, I’ll toss sliced peppers and onions with salt and garlic powder and add them to the bottom of the basket. This way, they’ll get caramelized and soak up the flavor of the sausages. 
• Oil. While optional, I find lightly greasing the basket with olive oil spray helps the sausages get crispier on the outside. 
• Use other types of meat. I’ve found turkey kielbasa at the butcher, and while I haven’t tried it personally, I imagine it would work just as well. If you try turkey kielbasa, comment below and let me know how it turns out. 

Storage instructions

To store: Let the sausages cool completely, then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days. 

To freeze: Transfer the cooled leftovers to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. 

Frequently asked questions

More easy air fryer dinners

• Air fryer pork chops
• Air fryer steak
• Air fryer fish tacos
• Air fryer chicken thighs
• Air fryer chicken drumsticks
• Air fryer ribeye