Air Fryer Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and peppers are a naturally synced combination — their cook times are very similar at 375°F, eliminating the need for a staggered start. The sausage juices and rendered fat season the peppers as they cook together, creating a flavor cohesion that you would not get cooking them separately. The air fryer produces better browning on the sausage skin than stovetop (which browns only the contact side) and better caramelization on the peppers than an oven (faster, more concentrated heat). The result is a restaurant-quality combination in one basket in under 20 minutes.

Choose bell peppers in a mix of colors (red, yellow, orange, green) for visual appeal and varying sweetness levels. Cut into 1-inch strips. Optionally add sliced onion (half a medium onion, ½-inch strips) — onion caramelizes beautifully in the air fryer alongside sausage. Toss peppers (and onion if using) in ½–1 tsp oil, salt, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Leave sausage links whole — they brown better without cuts. No extra oil on the sausage; they contain sufficient fat.

Preheat to 375°F for 3 minutes. Place sausage links and pepper strips in the basket — separate them enough for airflow. Cook for 8 minutes, then shake the basket. Redistribute so peppers and sausage are not stacked on top of each other. Continue for 7–10 more minutes. At 15 minutes, check sausage internal temperature (160°F for pork/beef sausage at the thickest point). Peppers should be tender and beginning to char at the edges. Both should be done at 15–18 minutes total. Add onion to the basket at the start for caramelized onions to accompany.

Classic serving: in a hoagie roll with a spoonful of marinara sauce and provolone cheese (open-faced under the air fryer at 375°F for 2 minutes to melt). Italian-style: as a secondi piatto (main dish) with crusty bread. Low-carb: served over cauliflower rice or on its own. Spicy version: use spicy Italian sausage and add red pepper flakes to the peppers. Sweet version: use sweet Italian sausage with yellow and red peppers and a splash of balsamic vinegar added after cooking. Swap beef sausages for chicken sausages for a lighter version — increase temperature to 380°F to compensate.

How long do you cook sausage and peppers in an air fryer?

Sausage links and bell pepper strips cook together in 15–18 minutes at 375°F (190°C). Slice the peppers into 1-inch strips and toss in ½ tsp oil. Add both to the basket at the same time. Shake or toss at 8 minutes to redistribute. Sausages must reach 160°F (71°C) for pork/beef or 165°F (74°C) for chicken sausage. The peppers will be tender with slightly charred edges at the same time the sausages are cooked through — a naturally synced combo.