Skip to Content

How to Cook Italian Sausage in Air Fryer

Learning how to cook Italian sausage in air fryer is the quickest and easiest way to make perfectly tender, juicy, and crisp sausages that will wow everyone. This cooking method is effortless, it does not need any other ingredients and it makes tasty sausages in a flash!

Delicious, versatile, and easy to prepare, who can say no to Italian sausages? These tasty sausages do not only pair amazingly with all kinds of sides but they can also be cooked in a variety of ways.

If you have an air fryer and are looking for more ways to make the most out of it, you wouldn’t want to miss this cooking guide. Learning how to cook Italian sausage in the air fryer is so simple, you can have your sausages ready and on your dinner table in just 15 minutes. 

This post contains links for items to purchase. I make a commission on any sales.

Pin showing the title How to Cook Italian Sausage in Air Fryer

How long do Italian sausages take to cook in the air fryer?

Italian sausages have high fat content and are already pre seasoned, hence they do not need any prep and are ready in a breeze. Using the air fryer makes it a lot easier to cook sausages, even for beginners.

The rough cooking time for Italian sausages is around 12-15 minutes. You can cook them at 370F for 12 minutes or at 360F for 11-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. Adjust the cooking time as you want, just remember that higher temperature equals shorter cooking time, and the lower the temperature needs a longer cooking time.

You have to take note that every air fryer model is different and that the Italian sausages can come in different sizes and thicknesses as well. These factors can affect the cooking time so you might have to slightly adjust it as well. 

How to cook frozen Italian sausage in the air fryer? 

Fresh or frozen, you can easily cook your Italian sausages in the air fryer perfectly. You don’t have to worry about messy cleanup or getting your sausages unevenly cooked.

Frozen Italian sausages are safe to cook from frozen but you can also thaw them in the refrigerator or take them out of the freezer for 5-10 minutes before cooking. Of course, thawed Italian sausages will be quicker to cook.

To cook frozen/fresh Italian sausages in the air fryer, start by preheating your air fryer to 360F for at least three minutes. It is highly recommended to preheat the air fryer every time prior to cooking to ensure that your sausages will be air fried to crispy perfection.

Place your Italian Sausage on the air fryer basket or rack in a single layer with enough space between one another. This simple trick will allow the sausages to brown and cook evenly. It will also be easier for you to flip them. Cook the Italian sausages at the suggested cooking times mentioned above.

Because Italian sausage has high fat content, it’s normal if white smoke will come out of your air fryer while cooking. To reduce the smoke, do not forget to clean your air fryer before using it as leftover remnants or oils will cause more smoke. Plus, if it’s your first time cooking Italian sausage in your air fryer, keep an eye on it just to make sure everything goes as planned!

How to Cook Italian Sausage in Air Fryer Featured Image

How do you know when Italian sausage is cooked?

The best way to know if your Italian sausages are done is to use a meat thermometer. Once they’ve reached the internal temperature of 160F, your sausages are good to go.

Cooking Italian sausages in the air fryer is not only faster and less messy than in the oven and grill, but it’s also healthier as it does not require oil. You can serve your Italian sausages with white rice, roasted potatoes, mac and cheese, and more!

Looking for more Air Fryer Recipes?

Want to make more quick and easy dishes? Here are more effortless and delicious air fryer recipes you can try!

Can You Freeze Italian Sausage?

Yes! It is even more recommended to cook Italian sausage first before freezing. Thus, if you have any leftovers, you should definitely not be worried.

To freeze cooked Italian sausages make sure to let them cool to room temperature before putting them in a freezer safe airtight bag. Seal the bag and remove all the excess air or double pack them. Double packing means wrapping the sausages with foil first before placing them in the bag and sealing it. 

Properly stored cooked Italian sausages are best when consumed within one to two months. They can last longer than this timeframe but it’s highly likely that they will not be in their best state.

How to Reheat Italian Sausage

Like any other frozen food, thaw your cooked Italian sausages in the refrigerator before reheating them in the microwave for three to four minutes.

After that, you can enjoy this yummy treat in your meals and recipes again. However, make it a point to consume everything you’ve thawed because refreezing is a big NO. Refreezing thawed and reheated Italian sausages might not only affect their taste and texture but lead to food poisoning as well. 

To ensure that your Italian sausages are still fresh and safe to eat, smell and touch them. As long as they don’t have a foul odor or a slimy texture, you can still enjoy your yummy sausages to your heart’s content.

If you have an Instant Pot, you can also give this easy Instant Pot Sausages Recipe a try!

In search of the best air fryer?

Whether you’re looking for your first air fryer or need a replacement, here are some of the best brands you can find and order on Amazon!

Stay up to date on all the fast and fun recipes. Follow us on PinterestInstagram, & Facebook!