The smell of sizzling sausage and sweet peppers used to fill my grandmother’s kitchen every Sunday, but now I make Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers in twenty minutes with almost no cleanup. It’s juicy, colorful, and comes together faster than you’d believe.
I started testing this version back in 2019 when I got my first air fryerI must’ve tried eight different temperature combinations before I nailed that perfect caramelized edge on the peppers without drying out the sausage. After a decade of recipe testing and my training at the Culinary Institute, I can tell you this method delivers restaurant-quality results with zero babysitting and just one basket to wash.
Olivia Farnsworth
Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers Recipe Easy and Quick
This Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers recipe is a fantastic quick and healthy dinner option that the whole family will enjoy. It’s gluten-free, low carb, Whole30 compliant, and ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
16 ounce Polish sausage kielbasa or your choice of rope sausage or link sausages
1/2 large yellow or white onion sliced in 1-inch pieces
3 bell peppers any color combination seeds and stems removed and chopped in 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon avocado oil or olive oil
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of salt and pepper to taste
Method
Place the sliced sausage, peppers, and onions in a big mixing bowl.
Pour in the oil and sprinkle all the seasonings over the ingredients.
Use tongs or spoons to mix everything well until all pieces are nicely coated.
Transfer the mixture into your air fryer basket; work in batches if needed so it’s not piled too high.
Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook for 12 minutes, shaking or stirring the contents halfway through the cooking.
If you want extra crispness, continue cooking for an additional 2 minutes.
Carefully remove from the air fryer and add more salt, pepper, or garlic powder if you like before serving.
Notes
If your air fryer is small, cook the sausage and peppers in smaller batches for even cooking. This dish tastes great with a side of cauliflower rice or a fresh green salad. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This is one of those dishes that feels fancy but comes together faster than ordering takeout. The sausage stays juicy, the peppers get beautifully caramelized, and everything happens in one basket with barely any effort on your part.
Quick weeknight hero: From prep to plate in under 30 minutes
Minimal cleanup: Just one bowl and your air fryer basket
Diet-friendly: Naturally gluten-free, sugar-free, Whole30, and low carb
Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters go back for seconds
What You’ll Need
The beauty of air fryer sausage and peppers is how simple the ingredient list isyou probably have most of these already. Polish sausage or kielbasa work beautifully, but any rope or link sausage you love will do the job. The bell peppers can be any color combination you like; I usually grab whatever’s on sale and enjoy the rainbow effect.
For the seasonings, we’re keeping it classic: parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. A tablespoon of avocado oil or olive oil helps everything caramelize without sticking. That’s itno fancy pantry items required.
Ingredient
Easy Swap
Polish sausage or kielbasa
Italian sausage, chicken sausage, or turkey sausage
Avocado oil
Olive oil or any neutral cooking oil
Bell peppers (any color)
Use all one color if that’s what you have
Yellow or white onion
Red onion or sweet onion
How to Make It
Start by slicing your sausage into roundsabout half-inch pieces work perfectly. Chop your peppers and onion into roughly 1-inch chunks so everything cooks evenly. Toss it all in a large bowl with the oil and seasonings until everything’s nicely coated.
Load the sausage and peppers into your air fryer basket. They don’t need to be in a single layer, but avoid stacking them too high or the air won’t circulate properly. Set your air fryer to 400°F and cook for 12 minutes, tossing everything halfway through with tongs. If you like extra crispy edges, add two more minutes at the end.
Pro Tip: After hundreds of air fryer tests, I’ve learned that tossing halfway through is the secret to even browning without any burnt spots.
Tips for Perfect Results
The most common mistake I see is overcrowding the basket. If your air fryer is on the smaller side, cook in two batchesit only takes 12 minutes anyway, and you’ll get much better caramelization. The peppers should be tender with some charred edges, and the sausage should have those gorgeous crispy bits.
Don’t skip the tossing step at the 6-minute mark. It redistributes everything so the pieces on top get their turn near the heat source. If your sausage releases a lot of fat, just drain it carefully halfway throughthis keeps everything from steaming instead of crisping.
Serving and Storage
I love serving this straight from the air fryer with a side of cauliflower rice or over a bed of zucchini noodles for a low-carb meal. It’s also fantastic tucked into crusty rolls for sausage and pepper sandwiches, or spooned over mashed potatoes for something more filling.
Storage Method
How Long It Lasts
Refrigerator (airtight container)
Up to 4 days
Freezer (freezer-safe container)
Up to 3 months
Reheating
Air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes or microwave until hot
Leftovers reheat beautifully in the air fryerjust a few minutes at 350°F and they taste freshly made. I often double the batch on Sunday and use the extras for quick lunches throughout the week.
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FAQs (Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers)
What temperature should I cook this at?
Cook at 400°F for best results. This temperature allows the sausages to brown nicely while the peppers become tender without burning. Most air fryers reach this temperature quickly and maintain consistent heat throughout cooking.
How long does it take to cook?
Total cooking time is about 12-15 minutes. Cook for 8 minutes first, then shake the basket and add peppers if using fresh ones. Continue cooking for 4-7 more minutes until sausages reach 165°F internal temperature.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Yes, preheat for 2-3 minutes at 400°F before adding ingredients. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps achieve that perfect golden-brown color on the sausages. It also reduces overall cooking time slightly.
Should I pierce the sausages before cooking?
Pierce each sausage 2-3 times with a fork to prevent bursting. This allows steam to escape and prevents the casings from splitting open during cooking. It also helps the sausages cook more evenly throughout.
Can I use frozen sausages for this recipe?
Yes, but add 3-5 extra minutes to the cooking time. Start with frozen sausages alone for the first 10 minutes, then add peppers for the remaining time. Always check that internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.
You’ll love how this air fryer sausage and peppers turns outgolden, juicy, and ready in twenty minutes with barely any cleanup. The peppers get those sweet caramelized edges while the sausage stays perfectly tender inside. It’s the kind of weeknight dinner that feels special without any fuss.
Try switching up the sausage varietiesspicy Italian adds a nice kick, or chicken sausage keeps things lighter. Toss in some sliced mushrooms or zucchini if you’ve got them hanging around. Leftovers make fantastic breakfast hash when you scramble in a couple eggs, a trick I learned from my grandmother’s “never waste anything” kitchen philosophy.
I’d love to see how yours turns outtag me if you share a photo! Did sausage and peppers show up at your family table growing up too? Save this recipe for busy nights when you need something reliable and comforting, and maybe text it to a friend who’s always asking what’s for dinner.
With a passion for wholesome cooking inspired by family traditions, I create healthy, simple recipes focused on sourdough, shrimp, chicken, and balanced meals for everyday wellness.
Every recipe here is tested in my kitchen using U.S. measurements and easy-to-find ingredients, so you can cook confidently.
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