Crispy Air Fryer Italian Sausage Recipe

Perfectly cooked Italian sausages, made quickly and easily in the air fryer. This straightforward method yields juicy sausages with a tender-crisp casing in under 15 minutes. Once you learn how to cook Italian sausage in the air fryer, it will likely become your go-to technique.

Overhead view of 5 Italian sausages in an air fryer basket.

🌭 What Makes This Recipe So Good

Air frying produces excellent texture and flavor. The inside stays juicy while the casing crisps up nicely, creating a satisfying bite. Cooking time is short, so these sausages are a fast option for lunch or dinner.
Cleaner and easier than stovetop cooking. An air fryer contains drips and grease so there’s less mess. You don’t need to constantly manage the sausages to avoid burning or to get even browning. The even hot air circulation helps crisp all sides without fuss.
Serve air-fried sausages with pasta, sautéed vegetables, roasted potatoes, or in a bun with your favorite toppings. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator overnight and slice them into scrambled eggs with peppers and onions for a great next-day breakfast.

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef’s Tips

Air fryer models vary. Cook times depend on your unit, the sausage size, and whether you’re cooking from chilled or room temperature. Our sausages were done after about 13 minutes; yours might be slightly shorter or longer.
Use an internal thermometer to check doneness. Remove sausages when they reach 158° Fahrenheit, then let them rest for a few minutes. Resting allows juices to redistribute and the sausages to finish cooking to a safe internal temperature (about 160°F).
Sausages release fat while cooking, which can sometimes cause smoke. To reduce smoking, add a little water under the basket so drippings hit the liquid instead of hot metal. A slice of bread placed under the basket works similarly. If you prefer, use air-fryer-safe parchment to line the basket.

5 Italian sausages on a plate lined with parchment paper. One of the sausages is sliced into thick discs.

♨️ More Air Fryer Recipes You’ll Love

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Chicken Fries in the Air Fryer
Air Fryer Baked Potatoes
Homemade Air Fryer Egg Rolls
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5 from 2 votes

Air Fryer Italian Sausage

Prep:
10

Cook:
15

Total:
25

Perfectly cooked Italian sausages, ready in under 15 minutes.

Sam Guarnieri

5 Italian sausages

Ingredients

5 Italian sausage links any brand

Equipment

Air Fryer
Tongs
Internal meat thermometer

Instructions

Preheat the air fryer to 370° Fahrenheit.
Remove the basket and arrange 5 Italian sausage links in a single layer, leaving space around each for air circulation. Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding.
Return the basket to the preheated air fryer and cook for 6 minutes.
Remove the basket, flip the sausages carefully, and return to the air fryer. Cook 4 more minutes.
After those 4 minutes, check the internal temperature. Continue cooking and check every 1–2 minutes until the sausages reach 158° Fahrenheit internally.
Transfer sausages to a plate and let rest 3–5 minutes. They will finish cooking during resting and should reach about 160°F. Serve warm.

Notes

Cook Time: Our sausages took about 13 minutes total in our air fryer. Times will vary by model and sausage size, so rely on an internal thermometer rather than the clock or appearance.
Leftovers: Store any cooked leftover sausages in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Nutrition Information

Servings shown are approximate and depend on portion size.

Nutritional values are estimates for one serving based on the listed ingredients and do not include optional additions. Actual values may vary by brand and ingredient choices.