Air Fryer Italian Sausages

This air fryer Italian sausage recipe makes juicy sausage links with browned casings and tender peppers and onions underneath. The vegetables cook right below the sausage, where they pick up some of the flavorful drippings as everything cooks together.

I make these Italian sausage links in my Ninja Foodi using the Air Crisp setting, but the same method works in other air fryers with fresh hot, mild, or sweet sausage. Serve them in a hoagie, with my marinara sauce, or alongside roasted green beans.

Why Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer

• Juicy sausage with a browned casing: The air fryer gives the outside good color while keeping the sausage juicy inside.
• The vegetables cook right along with it: I put the peppers and onions underneath the sausage so they soften in the drippings instead of needing a second pan.
• No skillet splatter: You can cook the sausage without standing over the stove or cleaning grease from around the pan afterward.
• Use the Italian sausage you like: Mild, hot, and sweet Italian sausage links all work with this method.

Ingredients Needed

• Italian sausage links: I use fresh, raw pork Italian sausage from the meat department. Mild, hot, or sweet Italian sausage all work. You can also use raw chicken or turkey Italian sausage; just keep in mind that poultry needs to cook to a higher internal temperature.
• Bell peppers: I use a mix of red, yellow, and green peppers. You can use one color or whatever combination you have.
• Red onion: Slice it about the same thickness as the peppers so the vegetables soften at about the same rate.
• Olive oil: Coats the vegetables so the seasonings stick and helps them cook in the air fryer.
• Italian seasoning, salt & black pepper: A simple seasoning blend is enough since the sausage already brings plenty of flavor.

You can get the full list of ingredient amounts and instructions from the full recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Cook Italian Sausage in an Air Fryer

Season the peppers and onions

Toss the sliced peppers and onions with the olive oil and seasonings. Make sure the vegetables are evenly coated before they go into the basket.

Layer the sausage over the vegetables

Spread the peppers and onions across the bottom of the air fryer basket, then arrange the raw Italian sausage links on top in a single layer. As the sausage cooks, some of the drippings fall onto the vegetables underneath.

Flip the sausage and stir the vegetables

Once the first side of the links has started to brown, turn them over. Give the peppers and onions a quick stir at the same time so different pieces get a chance to cook closer to the hot air.

Finish until browned and cooked through

Keep cooking until the sausage reaches the right internal temperature and the casing is browned to your liking. If the sausage is cooked through but you want more color on the outside, give it another minute or two.

Air Fryer Italian Sausage Time and Temperature

For fresh or raw Italian sausage links, I cook them at 390°F for about 16–20 minutes total, flipping after the first 8–10 minutes.

I start checking around the 16-minute mark. Pork Italian sausage should reach 160°F in the center. If you’re using chicken or turkey Italian sausage, cook it to 165°F.

The size of the links and your air fryer can change the exact cooking time, so use the temperature along with the clock.

One thing I’ve noticed with air fryer sausage is that cooked and browned aren’t always the same thing. Your sausage can reach 160°F before the casing has as much color as you want. If that’s the case, let it air fry a little longer to get the browned outside you’re looking for.

Top Cooking Tips

• Adjust for poultry sausage: Chicken and turkey Italian sausage work here too, but cook them to 165°F rather than 160°F.
• Leave some room between the sausage links: Keep them in one layer rather than stacking them so the exposed sides can brown.
• Check the temperature before judging by color: The casing may look browned before the very center is ready, especially with thicker links.
• Give the vegetables a stir halfway through: The peppers and onions sitting directly underneath the sausage get more of the drippings, so stirring helps everything cook more evenly.
• Swap in other quick-cooking vegetables: Zucchini or yellow squash can work in place of some of the peppers. If you want to use something firmer, like Brussels sprouts or root vegetables, give them about a 5–10 minute head start before adding the sausage.

How to Cook Italian Sausage in a Ninja Foodi

I originally tested this recipe in my Ninja Foodi using the Air Crisp setting. Set it to 390°F, cook the sausage over the peppers and onions, and flip the links halfway through.

If you’re using another Ninja air fryer, the same general method works, but I would start checking the sausage around the 16-minute mark rather than assuming every model will finish at exactly the same time.

What to Serve With Air Fryer Italian Sausage

Since the peppers and onions are already cooking with the sausage, you can turn this into dinner with one simple addition.

• Make sausage and peppers sandwiches: Add the sausage, peppers, and onions to a crusty hoagie roll. Spoon over a little marinara sauce or add provolone if you want.
• Add it to pasta: Slice the cooked sausage and toss it with pasta or Air Fryer Spaghetti Squash, the peppers and onions, and warm marinara sauce.
• Serve it with potatoes: Browned butter mashed potatoes make this a heartier dinner and work well with the sausage and peppers.
• Keep the side simple: Add roasted green beans, sautéed green beans, or baked asparagus.

For more ideas, browse my side dish recipes and dinner recipes.

More Air Fryer Sausage Recipes

If you like how easy it is to cook sausage this way, I have several other options depending on the type of sausage you have:

• Air Fryer Brats
• Air Fryer Kielbasa
• Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
• Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
• Sausage Patties in the Air Fryer

Storage & Reheating

• Store: Keep leftover Italian sausage, peppers, and onions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Pop the sausage and vegetables back into the air fryer until they’re hot throughout. Sliced sausage will warm faster than whole links.
• Make ahead: You can cook the sausage and vegetables ahead of time and store them together for quick lunches or dinners during the week.

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