Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers is an easy dinner ready in just 12 minutes! The sausages and peppers cook perfectly and evenly in the air fryer and save a ton of time!
Serve them on hoagie rolls or over your favorite pasta with a side salad for a complete meal!
This air fryer Italian sausage and peppers recipe is an easy way to make a full meal fast, whether you need a simple weeknight dinner or something hearty without a lot of cleanup.
If the weather is getting colder and you find yourself staring longingly at your outdoor grill, you’re not alone. I know you’d like to whip up some grilled sausages and peppers, but venturing into the cold doesn’t sound appealing.
No worries, we are solving this problem with a simple fix by cooking Italian sausage in the air fryer. And if you don't have an air fryer, don't fret! You can make crockpot sausage and peppers instead!
Not too long ago, I was hesitant to purchase an air fryer. I already have an Instant Pot and I resisted because hey, who wants another appliance?
I justified it by buying the Cuisinart model that’s also a toaster oven. When it comes to cooking gadgets, I’ll find a way to reason them into my kitchen!
Now I’ve been bitten by the air fryer bug and the ease and speed it cooks even the most simple foods. Grilled cheese in the air fryer? Yes! If you want an even simpler sausage option, try my air fryer bratwurst.
Brats in the air fryer? They're a thing!
Brace yourself for more air fryer recipes to come...for now, let’s talk air fried sausage and peppers!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Fast - a family friend dinner on the table with just 12 minutes total cooking time? With an easy recipe like this, you can count me in!
- Low Carb - leave out the bun and you have a keto friendly meal clocking in at 5 grams of carbs.
- Customizable - this recipe is made with simple ingredients. Add whatever kind of toppings you fancy to change it up a bit. You can make scrumptious, restaurant quality sausages without stepping outside the house!
- Delicious - ummmm, hello! If you love a juicy sausages with crispy skin you’re in luck! Oh, and clean up is a breeze.
Ingredients
- Sweet Bell Peppers – I used a blend of green bell peppers, yellow, orange and red peppers. Whatever you have in your garden or find at the grocery store can work.
- Olive oil – just a touch to get the spices sticking onto the bell peppers and keep them from sticking to the air fryer basket.
- Italian Sausage links – I used mild Italian sausage but if you like hot Italian sausage or sweet sausage, I say go for it!
- Spices – Garlic powder, salt and pepper
- Buns – for serving. You can use hot dog buns or hoagie style sausage buns
How to make Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
All the tips you need are in the printable recipe card below.
Step 1: Wash your bell peppers and dry thoroughly. Cut them into strips and place them in a medium sized bowl.
Step 2: Add the olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir to mix everything together.
Step 3: When the air fryer oven is heated to 400°F, add the seasoned peppers to the outer parts of the tray or air fryer basket. Place the uncooked sausages in a single layer in the middle of the basket and set the cook time for 12 minutes, flipping the Italian sausages after 6 minutes.
Serve in buns along with the peppers.
For another easy pork dinner, my air fryer pork tenderloin is always a good choice.
How Long to Cook Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer
Italian sausage cooks quickly in the air fryer, making it an easy option for busy nights.
- Cook at 400°F for 12–15 minutes
- Flip halfway through cooking
- Sausage is done when browned on the outside and cooked through
Tip: If your sausages are thicker, add a couple extra minutes as needed.
What Temperature Should Italian Sausage Be Cooked To?
Italian sausage should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160–165°F.
The easiest way to check is with a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the sausage. This helps ensure your sausage is fully cooked while still juicy and flavorful.
Can You Cook Frozen Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer?
Yes, you can cook Italian sausage straight from frozen. No need to thaw ahead of time. This will be our saving grace. 😉
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
- Cook for 15–18 minutes
- Flip halfway through
- Check for an internal temperature of 160–165°F
This is a great option when you forgot to thaw dinner but still need something hearty and filling!
How to Keep Sausage Juicy in the Air Fryer
A few simple tips will help your sausage stay juicy instead of dry:
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- Don’t overcook. Pull it once they reach the cooked temp
- Flip halfway through cooking for even browning
- Let it rest for a few minutes before serving
- Cook peppers separately if needed to avoid excess moisture
Keeping it simple goes a long way here.
Variations
Shredded cheese is a delicious add on to complete this delicious meal. I like shredded mozzarella or provolone cheese with my sausages.
Mustards are king when it comes to sausages. Whether you rock the whole grain mustard, Dijon, or straight up yellow mustard, it’s a match made in sausage heaven.
Add white, yellow or red onions to the bell peppers if you’d like.
Tips
Italian sausage on a bun is a great option for an easy meal when you’re on the go! (Farmers, I’m talking to you here!)
Put it all together and wrap in foil. You can deliver warm, or send it out in a heated lunch box.
Make sure you're starting with a clean air fryer. We don't want to have any grease when starting this recipe.
How to store leftovers
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
FAQS
These sausages can be cooked and portioned into freezer safe containers. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the microwave.
You can cook breakfast sausages, links, sausage patties, kielbasa, turkey sausage, chicken sausage in a similar way in the air fryer. That’s a lot of sausages!
The times will vary depending on the thickness of the sausages and the type of meat.
Cook Italian sausage to a temperature of 165 degrees F, when measured with a digital meat thermometer.
What to Serve with Italian Sausage and Peppers
This recipe already makes a great base for a full meal, but here are a few easy ways to serve it:
- Serve on hoagie rolls for classic sausage sandwiches
- Spoon over rice or pasta
- Pair with a simple side salad
- Add a side of roasted potatoes or chips
It’s an easy, flexible dinner that works for both busy weeknights and casual gatherings - including field meals!
What to serve with sausage and peppers
I’m gonna roll with some classics here and recommend creamy potato salad, air fryer pretzel bites or even your favorite potato chips if you’re having one of those kinds of days. We all have 'em.
Keeping it low carb? How about some marinated cucumbers and onions or roasted Brussels sprouts and bacon.
Go ahead, take a bite. It tastes like it’s straight off the grill, right?!?
Other main dishes
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers recipe
Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies
More air fryer recipes
Need something quick? My air fryer thin pork chops are fast, easy, and weeknight-friendly.
If you make air fryer sausage recipe, head on back and leave a comment or recipe review rating. I’d love to hear from you!
Recipe
Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
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Ingredients
- ¼ green pepper cut in strips
- ¼ red pepper cut in strips
- ¼ yellow pepper cut in strips
- ¼ orange pepper cut in strips
- ½ Tablespoon olive oil
- 4 Italian Sausages of your choice I used mild but hot is also delicious
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Hoagie buns for serving
Instructions
- Wash peppers and dry thoroughly. Cut peppers into strips and set them aside.
- In a medium bowl toss together the peppers, olive oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder mix to coat evenly.
- Set Air Fryer to 400 degrees. Add the seasoned peppers to the outer edges of the tray. Place sausages in the middle of the tray. Set the air fryer for 12 minutes, flipping the sausages halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve the sausages and peppers in toasted buns if desired.
Notes
- If you like your sausages more browned on the outside, prick both sides of the sausages with a fork before cooking.
- Don’t forget to flip your sausages so they brown on both sides.
- Keeping the peppers on the outer edges prevents them from getting overcooked. You can also cook them separately for less time. You can also add onions if you like.
- Because of the high-fat content, be careful of splattering oil when you open the air fryer.
- Check with a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the sausages reaches 165°F
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
Charlotte Singh says
I love using the air fryer for quick recipes!Will definitely make this on busy weeknights!