Easy Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

Looking for a classic dinner that’s simple, satisfying, and requires almost no cleanup? This Easy Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers, and Onions recipe is your new weeknight champion!

The air fryer is the secret weapon here; it quickly roasts the vegetables until they are perfectly caramelized and tender while ensuring the sausage is juicy and beautifully browned.

Skip the messy stovetop and make this delicious, traditional dinner in under 30 minutes, all in one air fryer basket.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• 30-Minute Dinner: It’s incredibly fast, making it the perfect solution for busy weeknights.
• True One-Pan Meal: Everything cooks together in the air fryer basket, guaranteeing minimal cleanup.
• Perfect Caramelization: The air fryer’s high heat ensures the peppers and onions get beautifully sweet and tender, just like they were roasted in a traditional oven.
• Juicy Sausage: The circulating air cooks the sausage evenly, locking in the juices while achieving great browning on the outside.
• Versatile Serving: It’s fantastic served traditionally on hero rolls, over rice, or simply in a bowl for a lower-carb option.

Ingredients Needed

• Italian Sausage (Sweet or Hot): Primary protein; provides savory flavor and delicious cooking juices.

• Bell Peppers (Red & Green): Sliced sweet vegetables that beautifully caramelize in hot air.
• Yellow Onion: Sliced aromatic adds essential sweetness and depth to the dish.
• Olive Oil: Necessary fat to promote beautiful browning and carry seasoning.
• Garlic Powder: Adds a necessary savory punch to complement the roasted vegetables.
• Dried Italian Seasoning: Herb blend provides the classic, aromatic Italian flavor profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance and balance all components

How To Make Easy Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers, and Onions

Step 1: Chop & Slice: Slice the bell peppers and onions into thick strips (about 1/2-inch thick). Slice the Italian sausage links into 1-inch thick rounds. In a large mixing bowl, toss only the sliced peppers and onions with the olive oil, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly coated.

Step 2: Place the seasoned peppers and onions into the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes. Be sure to shake the basket halfway through.

Step Three: After 10 minutes, add the sliced sausage rounds or whole sausages to the air fryer basket with the partially roasted vegetables. Gently toss everything together with tongs. Continue cooking at 400°F (200°C) for another 10–12 minutes.

Step Four: The dish is ready when the sausage is browned and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), and the vegetables are tender and caramelized. Serve immediately!

Easy Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers, and Onions Recipe Tips

• Slice Vegetables Thickly: Ensure your peppers and onions are sliced into thick strips (about 1/2-inch). If you slice them too thin, they will shrivel or burn before the sausage is fully cooked and the flavors meld.
• Pre-Cook the Vegetables: The key to this recipe’s success is giving the denser vegetables a 10-minute head start. This allows them to soften and begin caramelizing before the sausage is added.
• Do Not Overcrowd: For perfect browning and tenderness, you must cook the ingredients in a single layer as much as possible. If doubling the recipe, cook in separate batches to ensure hot air can circulate and roast, not steam, the ingredients.
• Slice the Sausage: Cutting the sausage into 1-inch rounds increases the surface area for browning and helps ensure they cook through quickly and evenly alongside the vegetables.
• Shake, Shake, Shake: Be sure to shake the basket vigorously halfway through the first cook time and again after adding the sausage. This promotes even browning and deep caramelization on all sides.

Easy Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers, and Onions Recipe Faqs

Can I use frozen sausage links for this recipe? It is not recommended to start with fully frozen sausage, as the cooking time for the vegetables and sausage will be thrown off. If you must use frozen, thaw the links first and then slice them into rounds.

Do I have to slice the sausage? Can I cook the links whole? While you can cook the links whole, slicing them into 1-inch rounds is highly recommended. It ensures they cook evenly and quickly alongside the vegetables, and it maximizes the surface area for browning.

What if my air fryer basket is small? If your basket is small, you must cook the recipe in batches. Overcrowding will steam the peppers and onions instead of roasting them, leading to a bland, watery result.

What is the best way to reheat leftovers? The best way to reheat is by placing the leftovers back in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 4–6 minutes. This maintains the crispness of the peppers and prevents the dish from getting soggy, which often happens in the microwave.

Can I use other types of sausage? Yes, you can substitute Kielbasa, chicken sausage, or even vegan sausage. Since these are often pre-cooked, you may want to add them only during the final 10–12 minutes of cooking to prevent them from drying out.

Serving Suggestions

This dish is traditionally served with a huge side of French Fries, but you can certainly pair it with whatever you would like! Spoon them over some rice or try one of these other popular sides:

• Mashed Potatoes
• Green Salad
• Air Fryer Onion Rings
• Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls

You can also layer sausage peppers and onions into a sandwich roll with tomato sauce or your favorite dip.

More Easy Meals To Make In The Air Fryer

• AIR FRYER BEEF KABOBS
• EASY AIR FRYER PULLED PORK MEDITERRANEAN NACHOS

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