I honestly don’t know how I cooked before my air fryer. I used a toaster oven for years, but an air fryer speeds things up and gives a nicer browned finish on meats and vegetables. I own two styles — a basket model and a small countertop oven with racks — and both have their strengths. For quick weeknight meals, the basket-type air fryer is unbeatable. These air fryer loaded sausages are a great example: simple to prepare, packed with flavor, and on the table in about 20–25 minutes. I served mine without buns so the roasted peppers, onions, and smoky cheese could shine, alongside buttered sweet corn and garlic bread.
Begin by slicing one onion and one red and one green bell pepper. Season them with your preferred spices, then place the slices in the air fryer basket in an even layer.
Lightly coat the vegetables with a spray of extra virgin olive oil cooking spray to help with browning and prevent sticking.
Arrange uncooked sausages on top of the peppers and onions in a single layer so they cook evenly.
This photo shows the brand I used for this batch, but any sausage variety will work well in the recipe.
Air fry at 400°F (about 200°C), flipping the sausages once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.
When the sausages are cooked through, top them with sliced or shredded cheese. I chose smoked gouda for its rich flavor, but cheddar or mozzarella work equally well.
Return the basket to the air fryer and cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and begun to bubble.
Serve immediately while hot and gooey. The combination of caramelized peppers and onions with juicy sausages and melted cheese is simple and delicious.
Recipe:
Ingredients:
- One package of uncooked sausages (any brand or flavor; I used Johnsonville Original Brats)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- Seasoning of choice (I used Slap Ya Mama)
- Extra virgin olive oil cooking spray
- Sliced or shredded cheese (I used smoked gouda)
Directions:
Slice the onion and bell peppers and place them in the air fryer basket in an even layer. Lightly spray with extra virgin olive oil cooking spray and sprinkle your chosen seasoning over the vegetables. Arrange the sausages on top of the vegetables. Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for about 15 minutes, flipping the sausages once halfway through cooking. When the sausages reach a safe internal temperature and are nicely browned, add the cheese on top and cook for another 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts. Serve hot. This dish is quick, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights.