Super flavorful and fast, Italian sausage with peppers and onions cooks in about 10 minutes in the air fryer.
Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers is one of our favorite quick meals for two.
Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Crispy bell peppers, tender onions and Italian sausage browned on all sides make an easy, satisfying air fryer meal. It’s a great option when the grill or stove isn’t ideal and you want dinner or lunch on the table in minutes.
The air fryer heats almost instantly, so once your vegetables are sliced and the sausages are out of the package, assembly is quick. Arrange everything on the air fryer tray and you’ll be eating in roughly 10 minutes.
This is our go-to for a fast midday meal when one of us is working from home and the other is nearby. Veggies can be prepped ahead when you’re meal prepping other dishes, which makes this even faster on busy days.
We enjoy these sausages on brat or sausage rolls, but you can skip the bun for a lower-carb plate and pair the dish with a simple side salad or roasted cauliflower.
Italian Sausage Safe Internal Temperature
Most fresh Italian sausages contain raw ground pork and should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). Use a quick-read digital thermometer and insert the probe sideways for the most accurate contact with the meat.
In a 350°F air fryer, raw Italian sausages typically take about 10 minutes to reach the proper temperature, depending on thickness and model. Always check the package instructions because smoked or fully cooked sausages only need reheating, not a full cook.
Why This Recipe Works
- Ready in under 15 minutes—perfect any time of year.
- Italian sausages come seasoned, so you can choose sweet, mild, or hot with minimal extra seasoning needed.
- Feeds one or two people with very little cleanup.
- Easy to monitor and ensure the sausages reach a safe internal temperature.
Ingredients Needed:
- Italian sausage – pick your preferred flavor: sweet, mild or hot. All cook similarly.
- Bell peppers – red, yellow or orange add color and sweetness; red is our favorite.
- Onion – sweet onion preferred, sliced thickly so it softens without burning.
- Olive oil – a light spray on the vegetables helps with browning (optional).
- Salt & pepper – to taste.
Easy Meals for Two
An air fryer is ideal for quick lunches and small dinners. It frees you up to keep working while food cooks. Other easy air fryer options include pizza sliders, chicken subs, and simple crescent-wrapped fillings—quick ideas for variety when you don’t want to cook from scratch.
Tips for Making Italian Sausage in the Air Fryer
- Mix and match pepper colors for visual appeal and flavor.
- Slice peppers to the thickness you prefer for sandwiches; thin slices can be added partway through cooking.
- Slice onions slightly thicker so they soften without burning.
- Vegetable slice thickness affects cook time—adjust accordingly.
- Add mushrooms or other vegetables if desired.
- Do not cook frozen sausages from solid in the air fryer; thaw first for even cooking.
- Cooked sausage and vegetables freeze well in airtight containers.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer or microwave for best texture.
- We prefer brat or sausage rolls to hoagie-style buns for serving.
How to Make Sausage, Peppers & Onions in the Air Fryer
1. Prepare vegetables: slice the peppers and onions. Lightly spray or toss with a teaspoon of olive oil if desired, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Arrange sausages in one row on the air fryer tray or basket, leaving space around each for air circulation. Place the peppers and onions in a single layer next to the sausages.
3. Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes. Use tongs to turn the sausages for even browning and shake the basket to loosen the vegetables.
4. Continue air frying for another 5–7 minutes, or until sausages register 160°F and vegetables reach your preferred doneness. Remove any vegetables that are done earlier to avoid overcooking.
5. Serve warm on rolls with your favorite condiments, or plate without a bun for a low-carb option.
Other Easy Air Fryer Recipes
- Bacon & Cheese Loaded Fries
- Roasted Mushrooms
- Broccoli with Garlic & Parmesan
Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
Ingredients
- 3 Italian sausages
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 sweet onion, sliced thickly
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional)
- Dash salt
- Dash pepper
Instructions
- Spray or toss vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange sausages, peppers and onions in three rows in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 5 minutes.
- Turn sausages for even browning and shake vegetables loose. If vegetables are done, remove them.
- Cook another 5–7 minutes until sausages register 160°F and vegetables reach desired doneness.
Notes
- Mix and match pepper colors.
- If slicing peppers thin for sandwiches, add them partway through cooking so they don’t overcook.
- Sliced onions should be thicker to prevent burning.
- Vegetable thickness changes cooking time.
- Thaw frozen sausages before cooking for best results.
- Cooked sausage and vegetables freeze well and reheat in the air fryer or microwave.
- We prefer brat or sausage rolls to hoagie buns for serving.
Nutrition
Originally shared June 3, 2020. Pictures updated June 16, 2023.