Air Fryer Kielbasa

My air fryer kielbasa is super easy and gets perfect crispy edges while staying so juicy on the inside! I make this whenever I need a quick and delicious meal, snack, or even party appetizer.

My Easy Way to Cook Kielbasa in the Air Fryer

Sometimes, I plan the entire week’s meals in advance. Sometimes, dinner comes together when I stick my head in the fridge and see what we have. This air fryer kielbasa recipe was definitely an example of the latter.

I wanted to make a quick dish that my kids would like. They had never had kielbasa before, so I needed a fun yet tasty way to introduce them to this delicious meat.

I decided to slice them up and toss the kielbasa in the air fryer so each coin-sized piece would get nice and roasted on the outside, resulting in so much more flavor.

When I served it for dinner, I put toothpicks out! My daughter Leah has a thing with toothpicks and eating. She just loves them. So I knew she would think it was cool. And, if it’s cool to a stubborn 9-year-old, it’s cool anywhere, right?

When Leah sat down, I saw the huge smirk on her face. And, I was right. She grabbed the toothpick and immediately went in for a bite. I turned my head what could have only been one minute to start eating myself, and she was already asking for more with an empty plate.

I have to say this is still my favorite way to air fry kielbasa and still the way my kids ask for it every single time.

And, if you love good air fryer sausage recipes, try my recipes for italian sausage in the air fryer, air fry sausage links, air fryer brats, and smoked sausage in the air fryer.

What is Kielbasa?

Kielbasa is a flavorful smoked sausage that originates from Poland. It comes in a variety of types, including pork, beef, turkey, and even combinations of different meats. 

Unlike traditional sausages, kielbasa is often sold pre-cooked or smoked, meaning it only needs to be heated through rather than fully cooked. I love how it’s so convenient for throwing together a quick meal!

Air Fry Kielbasa Ingredients

• Kielbasa – I use polska kielbasa made with pork and beef, but fully pork, beef, or turkey kielbasa will work

How to Cook Kielbasa in the Air Fryer

A full printable version of this recipe with ingredient measurements is available at the bottom of this post.

STEP ONE: Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees F. 

STEP TWO: Slice the kielbasa into ½-inch thick rounds. 

STEP THREE: Place the kielbasa in the air fryer basket or tray in a single layer and air fry them for 8-10 minutes flipping them halfway through the cooking time. 

Tips for the Best Air Fryer Polish Sausage

• I always start with high-quality kielbasa for the best taste and texture. My family loves polska kielbasa!
• I try to slice the kielbasa into even rounds so they’ll all heat up at the same rate.
• Lay the kielbasa in the air fryer in an even layer without overcrowding the basket. I leave a little space between each slice.
• Shake the basket halfway through the cooking time. I find this helps the sausage slices heat up evenly.
• I check on the kielbasa at the 8-minute mark. If they aren’t quite done, I check on them every minute or so after 8 minutes to make sure they don’t overcook and dry out.
• I store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Air Fryer Kielbasa Variations and substitutions

• Toss red pepper flakes and a little olive oil with the kielbasa before cooking to add heat. I do this when I want a spicier version!
• Brush with BBQ sauce in the last couple of minutes for a sweet and smoky glaze. I love how the BBQ caramelizes on the outside.
• I usually serve air fried kielbasa with a dipping sauces like spicy mustard, spicy mayo, or even ranch for a fun twist.
• I sometimes add seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or smoked paprika. This is great when I’m serving the kielbasa with something like potatoes that can handle a lot of flavor.
• Sometimes, I slice the kielbasa into super thin rounds for crispier pieces that work well as a snack or appetizer. I just make sure to watch the cook time closely!

What to Serve with Kielbasa in the air fryer

I usually serve air fryer kielbasa with vegetables like air fryer asparagus, air fryer onions, air fryer carrots, or with peppers and onions. Air fryer pierogies also fit nicely with them!

When I’m craving a nice, hearty side, I usually turn to baked potato in the air fryer, twice baked potatoes, or an easy potato soup alongside a side salad.

Air Fryer Kielbasa FAQs

How can I use air fry kielbasa

I love using these as a simple dinner, but I have also gotten creative and have added them to a breakfast hash with some diced potatoes and placed them on kabobs with some sharp cheddar cheese and pickles. I’ve even used them in place of ham in my ham and cabbage soup with success!

How long to cook kielbasa in the air fryer

I always look for pre-cooked kielbasa at the store, which means that all I need to do is heat it up in the air fryer. And thankfully, kielbasa cooks pretty quickly when it’s been cut into slices! I find that 8-10 minutes of cooking time is perfect for ½-inch slices.

What are the different kinds of kielbasa?

The most known kielbasa in the US are smoked kielbasa and Polish sausage, often referred to as polska kielbasa, which is usually made up of a mix of pork and beef. It can also come made from turkey and ground chicken. It typically comes already cooked, but comes out even tastier when air fried for that hot and crispy flavor!

More Easy Air Fryer Dinner Recipes

• Air fryer hot dogs
• Air fryer meatloaf
• Air fryer salmon
• Air fryer ribeye steak
• Air fryer pork chops

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