Recipe Snapshot

PREP + COOK TIME: 25 minutes
METHOD: Air Fryer
OTHER TOOLS: knife and cutting board
TOTAL INGREDIENTS: 7

Italian Sausage in the air fryer is a simple base that turns into a delicious meal – all in one basket! Juicy sausage cooks to perfection with a crispy exterior, and the optional peppers and onions add perfectly roasted sweetness. Serve the sausage links and veggies over rice or on a sandwich roll for an easy meal on busy nights!

What’s To Love About This Recipe

Italian sausage links are quick to prepare with no extra fuss or steps, and full of flavor.
Cook the sausages solo or turn this into a one-basket meal with sliced peppers and onions for more flavor and nutrients.
Italian sausage links in the air fryer are a versatile option for multiple serving styles, such as a rice bowl, on a hoagie or sandwich roll, or even on a breakfast plate with eggs and hashbrowns..
This recipe works with any kind of Italian sausage – pork, chicken, or turkey. Choose your favorite brand and keep a package or two on hand for easy meals on busy weeknights. The air fryer keeps it simple!

Ingredients Needed

Italian sausage – Get a package of 4-5 Italian sausage links in any seasoning variation (sweet, mild, or hot) or meat choice (pork, chicken, or turkey). Check ingredient labels to meet any dietary needs, as different brands may vary slightly in additives and preservatives.
Avocado oil spray (optional) – Avocado oil spray is best for air-frying at high temperatures since it prevents food from sticking to the basket and won’t burn easily. It also adds a nice glaze that helps crisp the outside of the links.

Optional additions:

Make the sausages on their own, or build a heartier meal by adding a mix of peppers and onions directly into the air fryer for perfectly golden-brown, delicious results!

Bell peppers – Add 1-2 bell peppers of any color and slice them into strips for extra flavor and nutrition.
Onion – Slice a small yellow onion for a bit of added sweetness to balance the Italian spices.
Olive oil – Use a bit of olive oil to coat the peppers and onions and help them caramelize perfectly.
Salt and pepper – Season the veggies with salt and pepper to taste!

ingredients to include plate containing sliced red and yellow peppers and sliced, white onion, avocado oil spray, 5 sausage links on parchment lined wooden cutting board,

How To Make Italian Sausage In The Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 370 ℉.
Lightly spray the basket with avocado oil spray if desired.

overhead view of black air fryer with hand spraying avocado spray, with plate of peppers and onions and sausages in background

Place sausages in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
(Optional) In a small bowl, toss sliced peppers and onions with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Add them to one side of the air fryer basket around the sausages.

white plate of peppers and onions surrounded by salt and pepper bowls and olive oil

Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping the sausages and stirring the veggies halfway through, until the sausages are browned and cooked through (160℉ for pork, 165℉ for chicken or turkey).

overhead view of air fryer containing air fried sausage and peppers

Remove the sausages and let them rest 3-5 minutes before slicing.
Serve with roasted peppers and onions over cooked rice, or on a sandwich roll.

overhead view of white plate with 2 sausage, rice and peppers with gold fork on side

Pro Tips

Cooking times will vary slightly based on the sausage thickness. Smaller sausages cook faster, while thicker ones may need up to 14 minutes.
Pierce the sausages once or twice with a toothpick to prevent bursting.
To prevent the air fryer from smoking, place a small piece of parchment paper or a slice of bread under the basket to catch oil drips.
Cook in batches if needed. I recommend only adding 4-5 links at a time to allow proper heat circulation.
For crispier sausage skin, increase the heat to 390℉ for the final 2 minutes.
Let the sausages rest before slicing to seal in the juices.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Use any variety of Italian sausage, such as sweet, mild, or spicy, in pork, chicken, or turkey options.
If you haven’t planned ahead for dinner, you can also use frozen sausage directly from the freezer if needed! Cook the sausages at 360℉ for 14-16 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking, and be sure to test the internal temperature for doneness with a meat thermometer.
It’s easy to make this meal gluten- or dairy-free by choosing sausages that suit your dietary needs. Be sure to check the sausage packaging to ensure the ingredients meet your criteria!
Bulk up your meal and try other veggie add-ins to the air fryer, like chopped zucchini, mushrooms, or cherry tomatoes.

How To Serve Italian Sausage

Italian sausage in the air fryer makes your meal prep easy!

Serve the sliced links, peppers, and onions over a bowl of simple Basmati Rice or cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Sausage and veggies also make a delicious bowl with pasta noodles and a sprinkle of Parmesan! Serve with Air Fryer Red Potatoes or a light salad for a balanced dinner.

Build a hearty bowl by adding even more roasted veggies, such as Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts or seasoned, sautéed broccoli.

For another easy meal option, add sliced sausage to a sandwich roll with marinara, sautéed veggies, and melted mozzarella.

And for one more versatile meal choice, slice the links and serve them for breakfast with scrambled eggs or Air Fryer Hash Browns.

closeup of air fried sausage, peppers and onions on white platter

Storing and Reheating

How To Best Store Leftovers

Fridge

Store leftover sausage and veggies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Freeze cooked sausage for up to 3 months, and freeze the veggies separately for the best texture.

How To Best Reheat Leftovers

Air-fry again at 350℉ for 4-5 minutes (this will produce the best texture), or microwave until warmed through.