Air Fryer Italian Sausage
With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of the air fryer or Ninja Foodi, you’ll have perfectly cooked Air Fryer Italian Sausage in no time. The crispy exterior and juicy interior make for a mouth-watering combination that’s great to serve with many dishes.
If you’re a meat lover, then you’ve probably heard of Italian sausage. It’s a type of sausage that originated in Italy and is made with pork, fennel seeds, and other seasonings that give it a distinct flavor. Italian sausage can be found in many different forms, from sweet to spicy, and is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes!
It can be used in everything from pasta dishes to pizza toppings to breakfast burritos. Its rich flavor and meaty texture make it the perfect addition to any meal. Plus, it’s an easy way to add protein to your diet.
🍳Why The Air Fryer Is The Best Way To Cook Italian Sausage
Can you cook Italian sausage in an air fryer? Yes, the air fryer is the perfect tool for cooking Italian sausage because it allows you to get that crispy exterior without all the added oil that traditional frying methods require. Plus, it cooks the sausage quickly and evenly. Plus, cooking Italian sausage in the air fryer is easy –pop it in the basket and let the air fryer do the rest! You can cook it to make it extra crispy or keep it juicy and tender. You can even use it to cook frozen Italian sausage!
All you need is your favorite Italian sausage links, an air fryer or Ninja Foodi, and some heat-safe tongs!
🌭Best Brands of Italian Sausage
- Johnsonville is a well-known brand that offers a wide range of Italian sausage flavors, including mild, sweet, hot, and spicy.
- Premio is another popular brand that offers high-quality Italian sausage made with fresh ingredients and traditional seasonings.
- Aidells is known for their all-natural sausages made with high-quality ingredients, and their Italian sausage is no exception.
- Applegate offers a range of organic and natural sausages, including Italian sausage, made with simple ingredients and no added preservatives.
- Hillshire Farm offers a variety of Italian sausage flavors, including sweet and spicy ones, made with high-quality ingredients and traditional seasonings.
📖How To Make Italian Sausage In The Air Fryer
1️⃣Prepare the air fryer: Preheat your air fryer or Ninja Foodi to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
2️⃣Air fry sausage: Place the sausage links in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy exterior.
3️⃣Cool and serve: Remove from the air fryer with tongs and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
🔥Air Fryer Frozen Italian Sausage
Frozen Italian sausage can easily be made in the air fryer. Simply preheat to 375F and air fry for a total of 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until cooked through the middle and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
👩🍳Chef’s Tips
- How long to cook Italian sausage in air fryer depends on how thick the sausage is. Generally, a fully thawed sausage will cook in 15 minutes and a frozen sausage will cook in about 20-25 minutes. Use a kitchen thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 165F.
- Use tongs to flip the sausage links halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; leave some space between the sausage links for even cooking.
- Adjust the cooking time based on the thickness of your sausage links and if you’d like a crispy exterior.
- The inside of the sausage will be very hot after cooking. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
🍴Ways To Use Italian Sausage
- Spaghetti with Italian Sausage – Cook the Italian sausage in a pan, add tomato sauce, and serve over spaghetti noodles.
- Pizza – Top a pizza crust with marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and slices of Italian sausage for a delicious pizza topping.
- Sausage and Peppers – Cook sliced Italian sausage with bell peppers and onions for a classic Italian dish.
- Sausage Sandwich – Serve cooked Italian sausage on a roll with sautéed onions and peppers for a delicious sandwich.
- Soup – Cook Italian sausage with vegetables, broth, and pasta for a hearty and delicious soup.
- Breakfast Casserole – Combine cooked Italian sausage, eggs, cheese, and bread for a tasty breakfast casserole.
- Italian Meatballs – Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef to make delicious meatballs for pasta dishes or appetizers.
- Lasagna – Layer cooked Italian sausage with lasagna noodles, tomato sauce, and cheese for a classic Italian dish.
- Stuffed Mushrooms – Mix Italian sausage with cream cheese and fill mushroom caps for a delicious appetizer.
- Frittata – Combine cooked Italian sausage with eggs, cheese, and vegetables for a delicious and hearty breakfast dish.
❄Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store any leftover sausage in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Cooked sausage can be frozen for up to 2 months. Let the sausage cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container.
Reheating: To reheat Italian sausage in the air fryer, first preheat to 375°F. Place the leftover sausage in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between the links for even cooking. Cook the sausage for 3-5 minutes, turning once halfway through, until it’s heated through and the exterior is crispy.
🍽More Air Fryer Sausage Recipes
Air Fryer Italian Sausage
Equipment
- Air Fryer or Ninja Foodi
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 1 pound Italian Sausage links
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer or Ninja Foodi to 375°F for 3-5 minutes.
- Place the sausage links in the air fryer basket and cook for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes for an extra crispy exterior.
- Remove from the air fryer with tongs and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
