Air Fryer Italian Sausage

Have you ever tried air frying your food? Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I love my air fryer! Cooking food in the air fryer is faster, easier, cleaner, and oftentimes more delicious! When I bought my first air fryer, I was so excited to try it, and I’ve been using it ever since. However, I’m not alone. Since the rise in popularity of air fryers, there has been a lot of innovation to how food is made in this unique device. Italian sausage is no exception. I’m excited to share with you how you can make air fryer Italian sausage in 10 minutes!

You can make air fryer Italian sausage for a variety of dishes, including pasta, salad, sandwiches, and to serve with vegetables.

In this guide, I’ll show you everything you need to know in order to make the best and easy air fryer Italian Sausage.

Can You Air Fry Italian Sausage?

Yes! You can air-fry Italian sausage. You can air fry both sausage links, ground Italian sausage, and patties.

Why Air Fry Italian Sausage?

Making Italian sausage in the air fryer provides many benefits over cooking it in other methods. By air frying Italian sausage, you can use less energy than a stovetop or oven to cook your meat. This will ultimately save you time and money on your next energy bill.

The Italian sausage will also come out crispier on the outside and juicer on the inside than if you boiled or baked it. Plus, you don’t have to use any oil to make Italian sausage in the air fryer super crispy. That’s the beauty of the air fryer. You can get food really hot and crispy in very little time using little to no oil.

Selecting the Right Italian Sausage to Air Fry

When it comes to creating a delicious dish with air-fried Italian sausage, choosing the right type of sausage is essential. The variety of Italian sausages available can greatly influence the final flavor and texture of your dish. Here are some insights to help you make the best choice:

Flavor Profile: Mild, Spicy, or Sweet

Italian sausages come in a range of flavors, from mild Italian sausage and sweet Italian sausage to spicy and robust. Consider your personal preferences and the taste preferences of your friends and family. If you enjoy a little heat, opt for spicy Italian sausages, which can add an extra layer of complexity to your dish. On the other hand, mild or sweet sausages are great for a more subtle flavor profile.

Casing Type

Italian sausages can be found in different casing types, such as natural and synthetic casings. Natural casings are typically made from animal intestines and have a traditional texture that offers a satisfying "snap" when you bite into the sausage. Synthetic casings, made from materials like collagen, provide a consistent texture and are often preferred for ease of cooking and eating.

If you want a noticeably crispy sausage, I recommend opting for a natural casing.

Meat Content

Another important factor to consider is the meat content of the sausage. Traditional Italian sausages are often made with a blend of pork and sometimes beef. However, there are also chicken or turkey-based sausages available for those seeking a leaner option. The meat-to-fat ratio in the sausage can affect both flavor and juiciness. A slightly higher fat content can contribute to a richer taste and prevent the sausage from drying out during cooking.

If you want a juicer sausage link, I recommend using the pork variety.

Additional Ingredients and Seasonings

Italian sausages can be enhanced with various additional ingredients, such as herbs, spices, garlic, fennel seeds, and even cheese. These ingredients can elevate the flavor profile and complement the seasoning you plan to use during the air-frying process.

Plus, it’s important to consider the additional seasonings or flavorings in your sausage if you plan to add it to dishes, such as pasta.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Italian Sausage

Italian Sausage Links: The main ingredient you’ll need is 3-5 Italian sausage links of your choice. You can use any brand, flavoring, and meat type of your choice.

Seasonings (Optional): If you wanted to sprinkle additional seasonings over the top of your sausage links, you can do so to add extra flavor. Here are some flavor suggestions:

Classic Italian Blend: A mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary can infuse the sausages with even more traditional Italian flavors.

Garlic and Onion Powerhouse: Sprinkle garlic powder and onion powder over the top of the sausages for a savory kick that pairs well with the sausage's richness.

Spicy Heat: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper over the sausages for those who enjoy a bit of heat.

Fennel Infusion: Fennel seeds are a staple in Italian sausage. Add crushed or ground fennel seeds to add that distinctive taste, even if your sausages don't have fennel as a primary ingredient.

Citrus Zest: For a zesty twist, grate some lemon or orange zest over the sausages before cooking. This can add a refreshing and fragrant note to the dish.

How to Air Fry Italian Sausage

Air frying Italian sausage is super quick and easy! Reference these steps to make an air fryer sausage.

Make Sure Your Air Fryer is Clean: If your air fryer is dirty, clean your air fryer before cooking your sausages. By cleaning the basket, you will prevent the Italian sausages from smoking during the cooking process.

Put the Raw Italian Sausages in the Air Fryer: Put 3-5 sausage links in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are evenly spaced. Some air fryer baskets are larger, while some are smaller, which will dictate how much you may be able to put in there.

Sprinkle Your Choice of Seasonings on Top (Optional): Reference the suggested seasoning blends above and sprinkle your choice of herbs and spices over the top of the sausages. Flip them over, and cover the other side of the sausages with your preferred seasonings.

Preheat the Air Fryer and Hit Start: Set your air fryer to 360°F for 10 minutes. Just note, that some air fryers will require longer or shorter cooking times. I recommend testing yours out at this recommended temperature and time and then see if you need to re-adjust.

Cook for 10 Minutes: Hit the start button and cook for 10 minutes. Halfway through, at the 5-minute mark, pause the cooking and flip over the sausage links. This ensures that the sausage links evenly cook.

Let Cool and Serve: Once they are done, let them cool for 2-5 minutes. Cut up in 1-inch discs or serve whole with your favorite dishes.

Air Fryer Italian Sausage Time and Temp

In order to cook Italian sausage in the air fryer, cook at 360°F for 10 minutes. Flip your sausages halfway through the cooking process.

You may have to adjust the time and temp for different air fryer models.

Tips to Make Air Fryer Italian Sausage the Best

Start with a Clean Air Fryer Basket: Make sure your air fryer is clean before cooking, as it can prevent the sausages from smoking. If you’re cooking a lot of Italian sausages, clean the air fryer between batches.

Use Perforated Parchment Paper: Perforated parchment paper is one of the must-have air fryer accessories! Place perforated parchment paper in the basket in order to prevent smoking. This is another method you can use besides cleaning.

Add Vegetables: Add vegetables to the air fryer basket to make this a complete meal. Add sliced onions, bell peppers, squash, or potatoes. Season the whole basket with your favorite spices and herbs.

Know How to Adjust Your Cooking Times: Your cooking times may vary if you’re using a different brand or size air fryer. Additionally, it may vary if you cooking smaller or larger sausage links. You may need to experiment a couple of times to get the perfect cooking time for you.

In my recipe, I used medium-sized sausage links.

Use a Meat Thermometer: Use a digital meat thermometer to ensure your sausage is completely cooked through. This will also help you adjust your cooking times if needed.

When the sausages are done cooking, stick a meat thermometer in the center of one of the sausage links. The sausage should give a reading of 165°F internal temperature if it’s done.

How to Use Air Fryer Italian Sausage in Recipes

You can use air fryer Italian sausage in a variety of ways.

• Chop it up and put it on top of an Italian-style or antipasto salad.
• Put it in a hoagie roll and make an Italian-style sub.
• Chop it up and put it on top of spaghetti and marinara.
• Add slices of air fryer sausages to a creamy mushroom or asparagus risotto.
• Hollow out bell peppers and stuff them with a mixture of diced sausage, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese.
• Make a flavorful breakfast hash. Sauté diced potatoes, bell peppers, onions, and sliced sausages in a skillet until crispy and golden. Top with fried or poached eggs and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
• Create a wholesome grain bowl with quinoa, farro, or brown rice as the base. Top with sliced air fryer Italian sausages, roasted vegetables, hummus, and a sprinkle of feta cheese. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette for a balanced and satisfying meal.
• In a skillet, sauté cooked gnocchi with sliced sausages, cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, and garlic.
• Combine your air-fried sausages with a hearty white bean stew.
• Slice your Italian sausage and serve it with pesto pasta.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Italian Sausage

• Roasted Garlic Mashed Cauliflower: For a lighter alternative to traditional mashed potatoes, consider serving air fryer Italian sausages with creamy roasted garlic mashed cauliflower.
• Caprese Salad: Layer ripe tomato slices, fresh mozzarella, and basil leaves. Serve with a side of sliced Italian sausage.
• Sautéed Spinach with Garlic and Lemon: Put one tablespoon of olive oil into a pan, and let it heat to medium-high. Put in several handfuls of spinach, until it fills the pan. Lower the heat, and sauté on medium heat until it wilts down. Add 3-4 cloves of minced garlic, and sauté until fragrant, a couple of minutes. Turn off the heat, and add 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice.
• Roasted or Grilled Vegetables: You can grill onions, bell peppers, tomatoes, spicy peppers, zucchini, or other kinds of vegetables and pair them with Italian sausage. Grilled vegetables are perfect to add a smokiness flavor to your meal. You can also roast vegetables like carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower at 400°F for roughly 20 minutes.
• Sweet Potato Fries: Pair Italian sausages with the sweet and savory combination of air-fried sweet potato fries.
• Ratatouille: Serve your sausages with a generous portion of ratatouille – a Mediterranean vegetable medley consisting of eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes.
• Caesar Salad: Put a twist on a classic salad by adding sliced Italian sausage to your salad instead of chicken.
• Garlic Butter Orzo: Melt butter in a saucepan until melted. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cooked orzo pasta and serve with sliced Italian sausage.

How to Store Italian Sausage

You can store air-fried Italian sausage in an air-tight container in the back of the fridge for 4-5 days.

You can also freeze them for 3-4 months. When you want to use them, defrost them in the fridge overnight, and use them in your favorite dishes the next day.

FAQs

How to air fry Italian sausage patties?

Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly spray the cooking basket with cooking oil spray. Evenly space your patties in the air fryer basket. Hit start and cook for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, pause, and flip the patties. Cook for another 3 minutes. Test the internal temperature, by inserting an instant-read thermometer. It should read 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can you cook frozen Italian sausage?

Yes! Place your frozen Italian sausage in the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F, and cook for 5 minutes. Then, separate and evenly space the sausages. Cook for another 8-10 minutes at 400°F to get the perfectly cooked air fryer frozen sausages.

How many sausage links can I cook at one time?

It depends on how big your air fryer basket is. The average-sized basket can hold up to 4-5 sausage links. However, bigger baskets can hold more and smaller baskets can hold less. Just make sure that you evenly space your sausage links when you air fry them. Don’t crowd the basket or they won’t evenly cook through or get as crispy.

How long does air fryer Italian sausage last?

Air fryer Italian sausage can last as long as 4-5 days in the fridge or 3-4 months in the freezer.

How do you know air fryer Italian sausage is done?

Using an instant-read meat thermometer, stick the thermometer into the center of the sausage. It should read between 160-165°F.

How should I reheat leftover Italian sausage?

If you’re reheating them in the air fryer, preheat them to 400°F, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until warm.

Will this recipe work for any kind of sausage?

Yes! If the sausage is in links, you can follow the instructions in this article. You may want to vary your cooking times if they’re in another form, such as patties or ground.

More Italian-Style Recipes To Try

• Creamy Sausage Asparagus Pasta
• Quick & Creamy Ricotta Pesto Pasta
• Tuna Pesto Pasta with Fried Capers
• Recipe for Strawberry Salad [with Basil and Lemon]
• Quick Marinara Sauce
• Homemade Meatballs and Spaghetti
• Pizza Sauce from Tomato Paste

More Air Fryer Recipes

• Air Fryer Red Potatoes with Garlic Herb Aioli
• Air Fryer Roasted Cherry Tomatoes
• Crispy Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan
• Easy Air Fryer Hot Italian Wraps