Air Fryer Kielbasa, Potatoes & Sauerkraut

Sausage and sauerkraut are one of my husband’s favorite meals. Making Kielbasa, Potatoes and Sauerkraut in the air fryer is the easiest way to make smaller portions of this classic meal.

If you like this recipe you may also enjoy Hot Dogs and Sauerkraut and Sauerkraut Casserole.

Kielbasa in the Air Fryer

Savory Kielbasa, tangy sauerkraut and soft potatoes provide a complete flavor in every delicious bite! The smoked flavors in Kielbasa, a Polish sausage, are amplified in the air fryer and complement so many vegetables.

A complete meal with a meat, starch and vegetable is a quick lunch or dinner to make in the air fryer. There’s not much work outside of slicing Kielbasa and cutting up a couple of potatoes.

We have the basic BBQ Kielbasa recipes all the way up to a fancier Bacon Wrapped Pork and Sauerkraut Roll-Ups. If it includes some combination of sausage and sauerkraut my husband and daughter want to eat it!

Ever since eating our delicious Sausage, Potatoes and Sauerkraut in the Instant Pot we knew we needed to make it in our Cuisinart air fryer and toaster oven. This air fryer Kielbasa, sauerkraut and potatoes makes a perfect everyday meal for 2 – 3 people.

Air Fryer Kielbasa Recipe

When craving pork and sauerkraut, Kielbasa or smoked sausage is the easiest protein to make and enjoy with sauerkraut. Both the Kielbasa and sauerkraut basically just need warming. The potatoes need cooking, so that’s why they get put in the air fryer basket alone before adding the other ingredients. This allows the entire meal to finish up at the same time.

Smoked sausage is pre-cooked so it just needs to be warmed, but always read the package label and cooking instructions to be sure. Getting slightly brown on the edges adds more flavor.

Just like I’ve shared in Potatoes and Green Beans and Instant Pot Sausage, Sweet Potatoes & Green Beans brown is not just a color it’s a flavor, so don’t be afraid of frying the edge of the vegetables just a bit.

To make Italian sausage we love this Air Fryer Sausage, Peppers & Onions or Instant Pot Sausage, Peppers and Onions recipe where the sausage does require being fully cooked.

How Long Does it Take to Cook Kielbasa in the Air Fryer?

Coins or bite-size pieces of Kielbasa, which is typically pre-cooked, can be warmed in the air fryer in 5 to 7 minutes at 350°F.

Can Frozen Potatoes Be Used?

Yes! Fresh or frozen potatoes work well in this meal, but they take longer to cook than the rest of the ingredients so start cooking them first.

Frozen potatoes should be laid on the tray and air fried for 5-6 minutes before seasoning with oil, salt and pepper. The seasoning sticks to a soft surface much better than a frozen surface. After seasoning return to the air fryer for another 6-8 minutes.

We find that diced hash browns work best. Ensure the potatoes are mostly cooked before adding sausage and sauerkraut to the tray.

In this picture is partially cooked potatoes. When potatoes look like this, beginning to brown and soften on the outside, I add sausage and sauerkraut to the tray.

Air Fryer Tips

• Cooking frozen potatoes takes a little longer to soften than freshly diced potatoes.
• Smoked sausage is typically cooked during the smoking process so making smoked sausage in the air fryer is essentially heating it up and browning the edges to add just a bit more flavor.
• Keep food in a single layer on the air fryer tray so that it can warm and cook evenly.
• Leaving a little space between pieces of ingredients means the meal will cook more quickly. Filling the tray so that ingredients are very close together will increase cooking time.
• Another green vegetable like broccoli or asparagus with a similar cooking time can be made at the same time.
• My husband enjoys making a sandwich with the Kielbasa and sauerkraut and garlic mustard. Ketchup adds flavors to the potatoes.

To make a big batch of this meal see our notes on making Kielbasa in the oven.

How to Make Air Fryer Smoked Sausage, Sauerkraut & Potatoes

1. If using foil to make clean-up easier be sure that the foil is cut to be about the same size as the tray and wrapped tightly around the tray.
2. Cut potatoes into small cubes. Use a spray bottle of olive or avocado oil to spray an even coat of oil on potatoes. Season to your preference with salt and pepper.
3. Spread potatoes out over air fryer tray. Air fry at 350°F for 10 minutes.
4. While potatoes are cooking cut sausage into 1/2 inch slices. Rinse sauerkraut if desired, but this is not required, just an optional personal preference.
5. Push potatoes to one side of the tray and arrange across one-third of the tray. Add sliced sausage in the center of the tray and add sauerkraut to the outside third.
6. Air fry for an additional 5 – 7 minutes at 350°F until potatoes are browned.

Other Easy Meals with Kielbasa:

• Cheesy Sausage and Potato Casserole
• Sausage and Potato Skillet
• Cheesy Stuffed Shells with Spinach & Sausage
• Everything Bagel and Sausage Casserole
• Sausage Fried Rice

Originally published on May 20, 2020 and updated on February 14, 2022.