This Air Fryer Kielbasa recipe makes the most deliciously crispy yet tender smoked sausage! In just a few minutes, you'll have perfectly cooked sausage that you can serve as an appetizer, with side dishes, or use in a recipe.
Air Fryer Kielbasa is a super easy way to cook up the smoked sausage.
It's ready in minutes and you can use it in so many ways - as an appetizer, breakfast, side dish or in another recipe.
Kielbasa in air fryer is by FAR my favorite way to cook it up. It's just so quick and easy and the results are perfect every time.
It's perfect served with some sauerkraut and air fryer baby potatoes, along with some melted leeks and a dollop of donair sauce!
Be sure to also check out this list of 44 Kielbasa Recipes.
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Kielbasa is a generic Polish term for sausage, and the recipe originated in Poland. It's similar to other European sausages like bratwurst or bockwurst.
The key difference is that it's typically made of pork, beef, turkey, or lamb and contains garlic as well as other spices such as black pepper, coriander, or marjoram.
There are many ways to cook this Polish sausage, but the best way to cook it, in my opinion, is in the air fryer!
Using the air fryer to cook kielbasa is easy because all you have to do is put it in the air fryer basket, start the timer and you'll have perfectly cooked Kielbasa in under 10 minutes.
Use it in any recipe that calls for sausage like sandwiches, egg scrambles, or serve it over your favorite grains!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Kielbasa is budget-friendly meat that can be found in most grocery stores.
- You'll have a cooked protein on the table in 10 minutes or less.
- Air Fryer smoked sausage is versatile and can be used to make many different meals.
- The air fryer cooks with dry circulating heat making the sausage browned on the outside and warmed through on the inside. Kielbasa in air fryer is perfect!
Ingredients & Tools
- Kielbasa - A 10-ounce Polish sausage is a perfect amount for your average size air fryer. You can find them at a butcher shop or in your local grocery store alongside the cured meats.
- Air Fryer - Any air fryer will work for this recipe, just make sure the basket is big enough to fit the entire sausage without any overlapping.
- Tongs - The air fryer gets very hot, kitchen tongs come in handy to handle the food while keeping yourself safe.
Please see the recipe card below for quantities.
Instructions
Wondering how to make this Air Fryer Kielbasa recipe? It's easy! Just follow this step-by-step photo tutorial. Then, scroll down for the recipe card for the full ingredients list and recipe method.
Preheat the air fryer: Turn the air fryer on to a temperature of 380-degrees-F for 3-5 minutes to allow it to preheat.
Prepare the kielbasa: Slice the kielbasa sausage into 1-inch pieces that are all roughly the same size and thickness. I like to cut them on an angle slightly - for no reason other than to make it look a little fancier!
Brown the sausage: Add the slices to the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes or until they begin to brown.
Flip and serve: After they've started to brown, use tongs to flip them over or shake the air fryer basket. Air fry for an additional 4-5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove with tongs and serve while hot with your favorite recipes.
Top tips
It's important to make sure the air fryer is preheated before cooking the sausage. This will ensure it gets a crispy browned outside.
Cut the pieces of sausage all roughly the same size to ensure they cook fully and evenly.
Ideally, remove the sausage from the fridge 10-12 minutes before cooking to allow the chill to come off the sausage in order to prevent the pieces from curling in the air fryer.
Always use tongs when flipping the meat to ensure you won't get burned.
Ways To Use Air Fried Kielbasa
Toss air fried kielbasa into some Melted Leeks for a protein and vegetable dish.
Add it to scrambled eggs for a high-protein breakfast.
Add toothpicks and serve as an appetizer for a party or game day.
Chop into small pieces and add them to a Taco Bell Cheesy Roll Up.
Make a deconstructed Kielbasa Reuben Sandwich.
Toss it into Spinach & Artichoke Pasta.
Serve it over some cooked grains like farro or quinoa for a hearty main dish.
Storage
Storing: To store any leftovers, make sure they are cooled completely, then place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will last for up to four days.
Freezing: Kielbasa can be frozen for up to two months. Make sure they are cooled completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze. When you're ready to eat them, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating: To reheat, place them in a skillet over medium heat and cook until heated through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 325F.
FAQs
Kielbasa is a pre-cooked sausage, so it doesn't need to be cooked all the way through. You're just looking to get a crispy outside while warming the sausage through.
Yes! Feel free to experiment with different types of sausages in this recipe including Italian sausage, smoked sausage, bratwurst, and more. Just make sure you cut everything evenly and adjust the cooking time.
Depending on the air fryer model you have, you can use aluminum foil UNDER the basket to help with clean up. Using it on the basket will prevent the airflow needed to cook the kielbasa properly.
More air fryer recipes
We hope that you love this tasty kielbasa in air fryer! Be sure to also check out these other side dishes too!
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Kielbasa
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 10 oz Kielbasa Polish sausage
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for a few minutes.
- Slice the kielbasa sausage into 1-inch pieces.
- Add the slices to the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd them) and cook for 4 minutes or until they begin to brown.
- Shake the pan, or turn each one with tongs, and cook for a further 4-5 minutes or until lightly browned. If you like them crispier, cook for a few minutes more.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
wilhelmina
This is a great way to get the perfect cook on bites of smoked sausage! We were so impressed with how well it turned out and how easy it was. Two thumbs up!!
Brandy
Never thought of making it like this but the kielbasa cooked up perfectly in the air fryer. So glad I gave it a try. Perfect way to cook it while it's too cold to grill!