Name: Air Fryer Kielbasa
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 Kielbasa

This easy Air Fryer Kielbasa Recipe turns out great every time. You will love how easy it is to cook kielbasa in the air fryer. In less than 10 minutes, you have hot and ready kielbasa.

Air fried Kielbasa in an air fryer basket

Air Fryer Kielbasa

Contents show

Cooking smoked sausage in the air fryer produces the perfect crispy skin and hot insides. My husband LOVES kielbasa.

Over the years, we have shared many kielbasa recipes on the site, including Kielbasa and Green Beans with Potatoes, Bourbon-Glazed Kielbasa, Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Kielbasa, and many others.

This kielbasa is good alone, or you can pair it with onions and peppers. You can serve it as a main entree or side dish, depending on the day.

Ingredients

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make epic Air Fryer Kielbasa! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

Kielbasa: We use store-bought kielbasa found in the grocery store. Look for this Polish sausage in the refrigerator section.

Equipment Needed

Air Fryer - We suggest getting an air fryer that is bigger than you think you will need. We found once we started using the air fryer, we ended up using it for more meals and larger meals.
Kitchen Tongs - We highly suggest getting a good pair of kitchen tongs to remove items from the air fryer and save your hands from getting burned.

How to make Air Fried Kielbasa

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Kielbasa in an air fryer basket before air frying

Place kielbasa in the air fryer basket. Do not stack kielbasa; only lay them in a single layer in the basket.

Air fry at 350°F, and flip the kielbasa halfway through cooking.

Let the kielbasa sit for a minute or two before serving. It will be HOT HOT HOT!

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead:

Add the kielbasa directly from the refrigerator. There is no need to let it sit out before cooking.

Check your air fryer user manual to see if it needs pre-heating. Our air fryer recipes do not include pre-heating. If you need to preheat, lower the cooking time by a minute or two.

Storage:

The USDA recommends refrigerating leftover cooked sausage in an airtight container and enjoying it within three to four days.

Freezing/How to Freeze:

You can keep frozen leftovers for up to two months. Freeze them in an airtight, freezer-safe container.

How to Reheat:

We like using our air fryer to reheat leftover kielbasa to hot and delicious perfection.

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

Did you know there are nine types of Polish kielbasa? You can use your air fryer to cook any of them to hot, crispy-on-the-outside perfection.

Whether you like Italian sausages, turkey, pork, or other flavor of kielbasa this air-fried kielbasa recipe will work great.

Dip slices into your favorite dipping sauces including mustard and bbq sauce.

Vegetarian + Vegan Option:

Vegetarians and vegans should choose a meatless kielbasa alternative. Check the package directions for specifics on how to prepare it.

Gluten-Free:

Meat is naturally gluten-free, but look for a gluten-free label on your kielbasa to avoid cross-contamination.

Smaller Serving Size + Larger Group/More Servings:

Kielbasa comes in a big U-shaped rope, so most air fryers will only fit one or a portion of one. We fit one in our air fryer basket in the recipe photos.

Make It Spicy:

You can choose a spicy kielbasa if you like heat, though we rarely see this variety at stores.

Sugar-Free:

Kielbasa is a savory sausage that is naturally low in sugar. If you are watching your sugar intake, look for kielbasa with no sugar added.

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Kielbasa

Every air fryer cooks uniquely. Watch your kielbasa, especially when you cook the sausages for the first time, to get the perfect browning and crispiness.

What to Serve with Air Fryer Kielbasa

The air fryer is a fantastic, mess-free way to cook kielbasa sausages to hot and delicious perfection any time of the year! Here are some menu planning suggestions for making it a meal.

Sides: CrockPot Cabbage Roll Soup, CrockPot Cabbage Rolls, CrockPot Mushrooms, Slow Cooker Sauerkraut Soup, Crock Pot Bacon Wrapped Potatoes, 7 Up Biscuits

Main Dishes: Crock Pot Garlic Beef Stroganoff, CrockPot Chicken and Dressing, CrockPot Lasagna with Ravioli, Smoked Sausage Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Desserts: Easy Fruit Salad, Crock Pot Apple Crisp, Crock Pot 7 Layer Bars, Crock Pot Apple Spice Dump Cake, Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies, White Chocolate Pumpkin Spice Cookies

Drinks: Washington Apple Drink, Apple Cider Mule, Apple Pie Shot, Apple Cider Margarita, Fireball and Ginger Ale Cocktail, Fireball Apple Cider, Crock Pot Pumpkin Liqueur