Italian sausage in an air fryer refers to the process of cooking Italian sausage links or patties in an air fryer appliance. The air fryer uses rapid hot air circulation to cook foods quickly using little to no oil. This makes it an efficient and healthy way to prepare Italian sausages compared to pan frying.
Have you ever wondered, How To Cook Italian Sausage In Air Fryer? With its hot circulating air, an air fryer evenly cooks the sausage to a crisp exterior while keeping the interior juicy. It’s an easy and hands-off way to quickly cook flavorful Italian sausages with less fat and mess than frying in a pan.
The air fryer allows you to cook plump Italian sausages in about 10-15 minutes. You’ll position the loose sausage links or patties in the air fryer basket to ensure all sides are exposed to hot air flow. With a short cooking time and no preheating required, the air fryer lets you fix tasty sausages for serving like at the carnival midway.
How an Air Fryer Cooks Sausages
An air fryer is essentially a miniature, supercharged convection oven. A heating element and fan rapidly circulates hot air around food at speeds up to 20 miles per hour! This allows heat to penetrate food quickly from all sides, cooking items very fast.
The extremely hot, constant blast of air essentially dehydrates and browns the exterior of foods. With Italian sausages, this results in browned, crispy casings enclosing tender, moist sausage inside. An air fryer gives you similar results as deep frying but without submerging food like Cook Ribs in all that oil.
Key Benefits of Cooking Sausages in an Air Fryer
- Uses little to no oil for healthier eating
- Heats and browns faster than the oven
- Crispy, evenly browned casings
- Does not overcook or dry out inside
- Easy cleanup with no dealing with hot oils
As you can see, whipping up perfect Italian sausages is just one of the many things an air fryer can do exceptionally well! Now let’s get into the specifics on how to make beautifully browned, mouthwatering Italian sausage links or patties in your air fryer.
Preparing Raw Italian Sausages
Italian sausages are most often available in a few basic forms:
- Links – short curved tubes of ground sausage
- Patties – round, flat discs of sausage
- Bulk sausage meat – loose plain sausage that can be shaped
Types of Sausage Casing
For links, pay attention to the type of casing used:
- Natural casings – Made of animal intestines, they brown and crisp beautifully.
- Collagen casings – Made of collagen, they hold their shape well during cooking.
- Synthetic casings – Made of man-made cellulose, these don’t brown as nicely.
Natural and collagen casings will get the crispiest in an air fryer.
| Collagen Casings | Natural Casings |
| Thin and sturdy | Rougher texture |
| Holds shape when cooking | Shrinks and wrinkles when cooked |
| Doesn’t crisp as well | Browns and crisps nicely |
Prepping Sausage Links
- Select sausages encased in natural, collagen, or cellulose casings no more than 1 inch thick.
- Let sausages sit out for 15-30 minutes to lose chill before cooking.
- Cut chains of linked sausages into shorter 3-4 sausage portions so they fit in air fryer basket.
- Use a sausage pricker tool to poke holes all over casings to prevent ballooning and busting.
Forming Sausage Patties
For the bulk loose sausage:
- Shape sausage meat into round flat patties about 1/2 inch thick and 3 inches wide.
- Make indentations on both sides with fingers so patties cook evenly.
- Chill in the fridge for 30-60 minutes to help patties hold their shape.
Now it’s time to get these sausages sizzling hot in your air fryer!
How to Cook Sausages in an Air Fryer – Step by Step
Preparing perfect air-fried sausages only takes minutes with these simple steps:
1. Preheat Air Fryer
- Most models only take 3 minutes to fully preheat.
- Check your manual for timing.
- Preheating is essential for crisp casings!
2. Grease Air Fryer Basket (optional)
- Lightly brush the basket with oil or nonstick spray.
- Helps prevent sticking.
- Ok to skip if your model has a nonstick basket.
3. Add Sausages
- Place sausages in a single layer, not touching.
- Links can be close but not linked together.
- Don’t overcrowd – too many will steam, not fry!
4. Air Fry Sausages
- Set the temperature to 370° F.
- Cook for 4-8 minutes.
- Flip sausages over halfway through.
- Brush sausages with oil or sauce last 2 minutes if desired.
5. Finish and Serve
When done, sausages should be sizzling hot with dark, crispy casings.
- Links should reach an internal temp of 160° F.
- Transfer sausages to a paper towel.
- Allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Enjoy with your favorite condiments and sides!
Tips for Crispy Sausage Casings
- Use natural or collagen casings
- Poke casings before cooking
- Give space between sausages
- Preheating is mandatory
- Brush sausages with oil at the end
It’s that easy to make tasty Italian sausages in your air fryer! Now check out some flavor variations and serving ideas:
Air Fryer Italian Sausage Flavor Ideas
One of the best qualities of Italian sausage is all the taste possibilities! Here are some classic and creative recipes to try in your air fryer:
Traditional Italian Sausage Seasonings
The traditional spice mix includes:
- Fennel seed – distinctive licorice flavor
- Black pepper – bite of heat
- Paprika – a touch of sweetness & color
- Cayenne or red pepper flakes (optional) – extra heat
Make it yourself or use pre-made links.
Creative Flavor Combinations
Jazz up basic Italian sausage with these fun fusion flavors:
- Mexican-Style – Cumin, chili powder, oregano, garlic, lime
- Greek-Style – Lemon, oregano, parsley
- Cajun-Style – Cayenne pepper, paprika, garlic, thyme
- Hawaiian-Style – Pineapple, brown sugar, ginger, garlic
Mix it up with flavors that match the meal you are serving the sausage with!
Best Ways to Serve Air-Fried Italian Sausage
Using your air fryer opens up quick and easy meal ideas featuring crispy, succulent Italian sausage:
- Sausage subs – Crisp in the air fryer, slice in half, and tuck into crusty rolls with fried peppers and onions.
- Sausage pasta – Toss hot cooked pasta with crumbled sausage, tomato sauce, olive oil, and parmesan.
- Sausage pizza – Top baked crust with crumbled sausage as the protein along with other favorite toppings.
- Sausage sandwiches – Pierce and air fry links whole, split open, and stuff in bread or wraps to eat handheld.
- Sausage egg cups – Line muffin pans with sausage patties, crack an egg inside, and bake until the egg sets.
- Sausage breakfast tacos – Chop air-fried links and stuff in warmed tortillas with eggs, cheese, and taco sauce.
As you can see, crispy, delicious Italian sausage cooked in the air fryer can be served in tons of quick and tasty ways!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Italian Sausage in an Air Fryer
Still, have questions about making Italian sausage in your air fryer?
Here are answers to some common queries:
What temperature should I cook Italian sausage in an air fryer?
Cook at 370° F to quickly brown the exterior and cook inside without overdoing it.
How long does it take to cook sausage in an air fryer?
4-8 minutes is typical depending on shape and thickness. Cook links for less time than bulk patties.
Can you air-fry frozen sausage?
Yes, add 1-2 minutes to the overall cooking time. Be sure the sausage is fully thawed before eating.
Why are my air-fried sausages wrinkled?
Natural casings can wrinkle when cooked. Make sure to poke holes so the casing doesn’t burst.
Do I have to flip the sausages during air frying?
Yes, flipping halfway helps expose all sides directly to moving air for even cooking.
Should I preheat my air fryer before cooking sausages?
It is highly recommended to properly preheat before air frying any foods, including sausages. This ensures casings get ultra crispy.
Be sure to poke around your air fryer manual or quick start guide for any other questions specific to your appliance. Now get ready to impress everyone with your top-notch air frying abilities! In no time, you’ll be an expert in making crazy delicious Italian sausage in your air fryer.
Conclusion:
Cooking Italian sausage in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. Simply preheat the air fryer to 400°F. Next, cut the raw sausages into bite-sized pieces and coat them with olive oil. Arrange the sausage pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking halfway, until the sausages reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Test for doneness by piercing a sausage with a fork to ensure juices run clear.
Following the steps for How To Cook Italian Sausage In Air Fryer? allows you to make delicious sausage in just minutes. The air fryer’s rapidly circulating hot air crisps up the outside to perfection. In no time at all, you can enjoy perfect Italian sausage without the added calories from frying in oil. This cooking method keeps all the flavors in while removing excess fat and grease.
