If you’re craving a quick, flavorful dinner that feels like a warm hug on a plate, look no further than this Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe. It’s an absolute game-changer for busy weeknights, combining smoky, juicy sausage with vibrant vegetables that cook evenly and beautifully in the air fryer. This dish bursts with color and flavor while keeping things simple, making it a go-to recipe that delivers satisfying comfort without any fuss or mess.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet essential to making the dish shine. Each one plays its own role: the sausage brings smoky richness, the colorful peppers and zucchini add sweetness and crunch, and the seasonings create a savory, balanced flavor profile.
- 12 ounces smoked sausage or chicken sausage: Sliced into 1/2-inch pieces for perfect bite-sized cooking.
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped: Adds a sweet, vibrant pop of red and crisp texture.
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped: Brings cheerful color and sweetness to the mix.
- 1 small red onion, sliced: Offers a mild tang and a bit of natural caramelization.
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped: Absorbs the flavors beautifully while staying tender.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps everything crisp up nicely and melds the seasonings.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Infuses a warm, aromatic hint of garlic.
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning: Provides a fragrant herb blend that rounds out the savory notes.
- Salt and black pepper to taste: Essential seasoning to enhance all the flavors.
How to Make Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer
First things first, set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This temperature strikes the perfect balance to get your sausage browned and your vegetables tender without drying anything out. Preheating ensures even cooking right from the start.
Step 2: Toss the Ingredients Together
In a large mixing bowl, combine your sliced sausage, chopped peppers, sliced onion, and zucchini. Drizzle the olive oil over everything, then sprinkle the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly until every bite is coated with seasoning and oil, ensuring full flavor with each mouthful.
Step 3: Arrange in the Air Fryer Basket
Place your sausage and vegetable mixture into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Overcrowding will lead to steaming instead of roasting, so if you have a smaller air fryer, cook in batches. This step is key to achieving that beautiful caramelization and char.
Step 4: Air Fry to Perfection
Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to promote even browning and prevent sticking. You’ll know it’s done when the sausage has a crisp, browned exterior and the vegetables have softened but still retain a little bite—perfection on a plate!
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once cooked, serve your Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe hot from the air fryer. Whether on its own or paired with your favorite base, it’s ready to delight your taste buds immediately.
How to Serve Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate this tasty dish by sprinkling fresh herbs like chopped parsley or basil for a vibrant finish. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens every bite, while a dash of red pepper flakes adds excitement for those who love a little heat.
Side Dishes
This Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides. Serve it over fluffy rice or tender pasta for a heartier meal, or keep it light with a crisp garden salad. Creamy mashed potatoes or warm crusty bread are also excellent choices to soak up all the flavorful juices.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress, try serving this dish in colorful bowls or rustic cast-iron skillets. For a family-style setting, keep it whole and offer a buildup of toppings and sides so everyone can customize their plates. Offering dipping sauces like mustard or a tangy aioli adds a fun twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or dinners later in the week without compromising flavor or texture.
Freezing
If you want to save even more time, you can freeze leftovers. Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2 months. Just be sure to let the food cool completely before freezing to maintain the best quality.
Reheating
For best results, reheat your leftovers in the air fryer at 350°F for about 5 to 7 minutes. This will bring back the crispiness of the sausage and keep the vegetables tender. Alternatively, a quick warm-up in a skillet over medium heat works well too.
FAQs
Can I use different types of sausage for this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to swap smoked sausage for chicken, turkey, or even vegetarian sausage. Just make sure to slice them evenly for uniform cooking in the air fryer.
What vegetables work best in the Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe?
While bell peppers, onions, and zucchini are classic choices, you can also add mushrooms, green beans, cherry tomatoes, or even broccoli florets. Just chop everything to similar sizes to ensure even cooking.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as your sausage is gluten-free. Always check the sausage ingredients if you have gluten sensitivities.
How can I make this recipe spicier?
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes before cooking or toss the finished dish with hot sauce for a fiery kick. You can also opt for spicy sausage variations to amp up the heat.
Can I cook this recipe without an air fryer?
If you don’t have an air fryer, you can roast the sausage and vegetables in a preheated oven at 400°F for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through to mimic the air fryer’s even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe is truly one of those dishes you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again. It’s fast, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable, perfect for anyone who wants a satisfying meal with minimal effort. Give it a try tonight—you’ll thank yourself when that first delicious bite hits all the right notes.
Print
Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A quick and flavorful Air Fryer Sausage with Vegetables recipe that combines smoky sausage with colorful bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini. Perfect for a healthy, easy weeknight dinner, this dish is ready in just 25 minutes with minimal prep and cleanup.
Ingredients
Sausage and Vegetables
- 12 ounces smoked sausage or chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- 1 small red onion, sliced
- 1 medium zucchini, chopped
Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is properly heated before cooking.
- Prepare the mixture: In a large bowl, combine the sliced sausage, chopped red and yellow bell peppers, sliced red onion, and chopped zucchini. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Toss well to coat all ingredients evenly with the seasoning and oil.
- Arrange in air fryer basket: Place the sausage and vegetable mixture in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. If needed, cook in batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps everything cook evenly and get crispy.
- Air fry: Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, shaking or stirring the basket halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and tenderness. The sausage should be browned and the vegetables tender when done.
- Serve: Serve hot immediately, either on its own or over rice, pasta, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
Notes
- Feel free to customize with other vegetables like mushrooms, green beans, or cherry tomatoes.
- For a spicy kick, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the mixture before cooking.
