When you need dinner fast but ordering takeout feels like giving up, this air fryer Italian sausage with veggie swoops in to save the day. Everything cooks together in one basket, the sausage gets crispy, the vegetables come out perfectly tender, and you’ve got a complete meal in 20 minutes with minimal cleanup.
What makes this dish fabulous is how the air fryer handles everything at once. The sausages develop that perfect crispy skin while their juices flavor the vegetables. The high heat caramelizes the edges of the peppers and onions, creating those sweet, smoky flavors that everyone loves!
If you’re worried about everything cooking evenly in one basket, don’t be. The sausages need a few more minutes than the vegetables, so you can get them started while you slice up your peppers and onions.
This recipe works whether you’re feeding a family of picky eaters or want something satisfying after a long day. Serve it on rolls, over rice, or eat it straight from the basket if you’re feeling practical.
I’ll show you exactly how to cook Italian sausage in the air fryer, share some helpful tips I’ve learned along the way, and give you serving suggestions to make dinner planning simple. This one-basket dinner is the perfect combination of convenience and delicious results that you need!
Looking for more easy air fryer dinner ideas? Try my recipes for buffalo chicken meatballs, air fryer jerk chicken skewers, or salmon Caesar salad.
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Ingredient Notes
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Italian sausage: You can use either sweet or spicy Italian sausage links.
- Onion
- Bell peppers
- Mushrooms
- Sub rolls
How to Make Air Fryer Italian Sausage
- Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3 minutes.
- Here’s a neat trick I learned: place two slices of bread under the air fryer basket to catch any dripping grease. Don’t worry if the bread gets squished down; they’re just there to catch drips!
- Place your Italian sausage links in the basket, making sure they’re not touching each other. Give them 6 minutes at 400 degrees F to start browning.
- While the sausage is cooking, get your vegetables ready. Slice your onion and peppers into strips, and cut the mushrooms into even pieces.
- After the initial 6 minutes, lower the temperature to 360 degrees F and flip those sausages over. Add all your prepped vegetables, spreading them around and between the sausages.
- Let everything cook for another 8 minutes at 360 degrees F. At the 4-minute mark, open the basket and rearrange the sausages to sit on top of the vegetables. This helps everything cook evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure your sausages have reached 160 degrees F internally. If they need more time, give them another 3 minutes and check again.
Serving Ideas
Once everything’s done, you can either load up some sub rolls for classic sausage and pepper sandwiches or serve it all on a platter for a lower-carb option.
Add some marinara sauce on the side if you like! If you want to make a more traditional Italian dinner you pair these sausage hoagies up with Utica greens.
Here are some of my favorite sides:
- A colorful mixed green salad
- Roasted potatoes
- Creamy polenta – especially good with spicy sausage
- Macaroni and cheese
- Brussels sprouts
- Rice
How to Store
Store the sausage and veggies in an airtight container. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
The air fryer is perfect for reheating. Just put the leftovers back in at 350 degrees F for 3-4 minutes until heated through. You can also microwave them, but the texture won’t be quite as good as using the air fryer.
Tips & Tricks
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- I know it might seem weird to put bread under your air fryer basket, but trust me on this one! The bread catches all the grease from the sausages, making cleanup so much easier, and it prevents smoking.
- Starting at 400 degrees F and then reducing to 360 degrees F is a two-step cooking process that ensures you get that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
- Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- A meat thermometer is your best friend here! The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F. The sausage should also be nicely browned on the outside with no pink inside.
- You can cook the sausage alone without the veggies. Though honestly, those caramelized veggies are half the reason my family loves this dish!
- Both sweet and spicy work great; it’s really about personal preference.
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Air Fryer Italian Sausage Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Italian Sausage spicy or sweet
- 1 small onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 6 ounces mushrooms
- 4 sub rolls optional
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 F for 3 minutes.
- Put two slices of bread under the air fryer basket to catch the grease from the sausage. Don’t worry if the bread gets smushed down.
- Add the sausage to the air fryer basket and cook for 6 minutes. Be careful not to crowd the sausage in the basket.4 Italian Sausage
- While the sausage cooks slice the onion, peppers and mushrooms.1 small onion, 1 bell pepper , 6 ounces mushrooms
- After the 6 minutes are up reduce the air fryer temperature to 360 F. Use tongs to flip over the sausage. Then toss the onions, peppers and mushrooms into the basket, on and around the sausage.
- Cook for 8 minutes at 360 F. After 4 minute open the air fryer and use tongs to put the sausage on top of the vegetables to make sure they cook evenly.
- Check the temperature of the sausage and verify it has reached 160 F. If it isn’t quite there yet cook it for another 3 minutes and check it again.
- Take the sausage and peppers out of the air fryer. Serve in rolls for sausage subs or on a platter.4 sub rolls
Notes
- I know it might seem weird to put bread under your air fryer basket, but trust me on this one! The bread catches all the grease from the sausages, making cleanup so much easier, and it prevents smoking.
- Starting at 400 degrees F and then reducing to 360 degrees F is a two-step cooking process that ensures you get that perfect crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.
- Cut your vegetables into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- A meat thermometer is your best friend here! The internal temperature should reach 160 degrees F. The sausage should also be nicely browned on the outside with no pink inside.
- You can cook the sausage alone without the veggies. Though honestly, those caramelized veggies are half the reason my family loves this dish!
- Both sweet and spicy work great; it’s really about personal preference.
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
