• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Food Meanderings
  • Start HERE
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipes
    • Courses
      • Breakfast and Brunch
        • Pancakes, Waffles & French Toast
        • Breakfast Potluck Ideas
      • Lunch
        • Sandwiches and Burgers
        • Salads
        • Soups, Stew & Chili Recipes
      • Dinner
        • Main dish
        • Pork Recipes
        • Pasta & Pizza Recipes
        • Casseroles
        • Chicken Recipes
        • Beef
        • Beef Recipes
        • Fish & Seafood
      • Desserts
        • Baked Goods
        • Bars and Squares
        • Cake
        • Cookies
        • Cupcakes
        • Frosting and Icing Recipes
        • Frozen Dessert Recipes
        • Healthy Dessert Recipes
        • No Bake Desserts
        • Pie and Pastry Recipes
        • Sweets
    • Cuisine
      • Asian Recipes
      • Italian Recipes
      • Mediterranean Recipes
      • Mexican Recipes
      • Southern Recipes
    • Dish Type
      • Appetizers
        • Dip Recipes
      • Breads
        • Bread Machine Recipes
        • Muffins
      • Side Dishes
        • Vegetables
      • Snacks
      • Sauces, Spreads and Condiments
      • Drinks
        • Smoothies
        • Mocktails
      • One-Pot and One-Pan meals
    • Cooking Style
      • Dinner Party Recipes
      • BBQ & Grilling
      • Healthy Recipes
      • Seasonal Cooking
      • Slow Cooker Recipes
      • Vegetarian
    • Special Diet
      • Gluten-free Recipes
      • Vegan Recipes
      • Vegetarian
      • Weight Watchers Friendly Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Canada Day
      • Christmas Recipes
      • Easter Recipes
      • Earth Day Recipes
      • Father's Day Recipes
      • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
      • 4th of July Recipes
      • Halloween Recipes
      • Mother's Day Recipes
      • New Year's Eve Recipes
      • St. Patrick's Day Recipes
      • Stampede Recipes
      • Thanksgiving Recipes
      • Birthday Recipes
      • Valentine's Day Recipes
      • Game Day Recipes
    • Ingredient
      • Meat
        • Pork
        • Poultry
      • Pasta
      • Beans
      • Potatoes
      • Fruit
      • Rice
      • Egg Recipes
      • Chocolate
  • Meanderings
    • Articles
      • My Weight Watchers (WW) Journey
      • Weight Watchers Tips & Tricks
      • Comfort & Baked Expectations
      • Gingerbread: The Art of Food
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Start HERE
  • Recipes
  • Easter Recipes
  • About Me
  • Contact Me
×

Home » Recipes » Cooking Style » Air Fryer Recipes

Air Fryer Kielbasa (Kovbasa)

Published: Mar 12, 2023 by Terri Gilson · Modified: Mar 12, 2023 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

Sharing is caring!

8 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Reddit
  • Yummly
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe
kielbasa on a white plate with a small white dish of mustard and tongs, with an air fryer in the background

Making kielbasa in the air fryer is quick and easy! Kielbasa, the Polish word for sausage, (aka Kovbasa for us Ukrainians, or Kubassa for those of us that are Ukrainian Canadians from the prairies) is a traditional type of sausage often eaten with perogies and cabbage rolls. Growing up, this was something we ate on a regular basis (and still do)!

several pieces of kielbasa on a white plate with a small white dish of mustard

Air Fryer Kielbasa sausage is a quick, easy, and delicious way to prepare this Ukrainian sausage, instead of boiling, baking grilling, or frying it. You don't have to heat up your house with the oven or stovetop and the air fryer saves electricity. This recipe is ideal for everything from busy weeknights to special occasion dinners and it's popular any time of the year.

Jump to:
  • 🥘Ingredients
  • 📖Variations & Substitutions
  • 🔪Instructions
  • 🥗 Side Dishes
  • 🍽Equipment
  • 🌡️Storage
  • 👪 Serving Size
  • 💭Top Tip
  • 🔢WW Points
  • 🦺Food safety
  • 📋 Air Fryer Kielbasa (Kovbasa) Recipe

🥘Ingredients

All you need is non-propellant oil spray and a ring of sausage for air frying kielbasa:

kielbasa and spray oil on counter surface with air fryer in the background
  • ring of kielbasa (Kovbasa/Kubasa)
  • oil (spray)

*See recipe card for details

📖Variations & Substitutions

  • Kielbasa - you can use turkey kielbasa instead of pork and you can use homemade sausage or buy it from the grocery store or deli
  • Oil - The best oil to use in an air fryer is avocado or canola, as they have a high smoking point. However, you can also use olive oil. Also, it's important to use a non-propellant spray (see Top Tip). *You can learn more about the best types of oil to use in your air fryer HERE!
  • Serving - you can serve kielbasa with mustard or bbq sauce (barbecue sauce). If you want to serve it as an appetizer instead, you can cut it into 1 inch circles and place them in a single layer in the air fryer (they will need less cooking time)

🔪Instructions

bottom of basket sprayed with oil

Spray the bottom of the air fryer basket or drawer with a few pumps/seconds spray of oil

kielbasa being poked with a fork

Cut whole kielbasa ring into 4 pieces

Place kielbasa pieces in the bottom of the air fryer basket or drawer and poke each piece with a fork a few times *This will allow some of the fat to drain to the bottom of the drawer or basket

* You can remove the sausage casing now or leave it on until cooked, as it's easier to remove once it's cooked.

kielbasa being sprayed with a few pumps of oil

Spray with a few pumps of oil/5 second spray if using an aerosol spray

cooked kielbasa in the drawer

Cooking time: Cook on 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7 minutes on one side

Then turn over and cook for another 6 minutes on the other side

*NOTE: If your ring of kielbasa meat is thinner, it will take less time - I would recommend you try 3-4 minutes on each side

kielbasa in air fryer drawer with an instant read thermometer taking internal temperature

The kielbasa will be done when the internal thermometer reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C)

casing being cut off the kubassa

Cut the casing off the kielbasa, if you didn't do this at the beginning

Serve with yellow mustard.

🥗 Side Dishes

For a hearty meal, serve kielbasa with the following dishes:

  • Ukrainian Borscht Soup (with beef)
  • Potato and Cottage Cheese Perogies
  • Green beans and Mushrooms
  • Lazy Slow Cooker Cabbage Rolls (shown)
  • white rice
  • beets
lazy slow cooker cabbage rolls on plate with kielbasa and beets


🍽Equipment

For this Ukrainian sausage recipe, you will need an air fryer and if you don't have one (and are thinking of getting one) I recommend you read my article on What to Look for in an Air Fryer. I would also suggest you get silicone tongs (affiliate links) so you don't damage the finish inside your air fryer.

For best results, you'll want to use a meat thermometer - that way you will know for sure that the kubassa is done! I recommend an instant-read thermometer (affiliate link) because it's more than just a meat thermometer!

  • I use my Thermapen for everything from a variety of meats to baking pie and bread to eggs, casseroles, candy making, and more!
  • This amazing little tool instantly and accurately measures temperature with a quick poke. And it's not just for the grill, it's the go-to kitchen instrument trusted by the world's most acclaimed chefs and BBQ champions (it's one of Alton Brown's 'favorite things')!
  • And it comes with a handy little chart that gives you chef recommended temperatures, as well as the minimum done temps for food safety. 

The thermometer should read 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) for safe consumption of air-fried kielbasa.

cooked kielbasa in the drawer of an air fryer with a black instant read thermometer to the right

🌡️Storage

Store air fried kielbasa in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. You can freeze it for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

👪 Serving Size

This air fryer kielbasa recipe makes 8 servings. However, it depends on how you want to serve kubassa. If you are serving it as a meal, cut it into pieces, as shown. But if you are making it as an appetizer, you may want to slice it into rounds.

2 pieces of kielbasa with a small dish of mustard and beets and perogies on a white plate, with a fork

💭Top Tip

Spray your air fryer sausage (and anything you put in the air fryer) with a light spray cooking oil, but do NOT use an aerosol cooking spray with propellants (like Pam). This can cause damage to the surface of your air fryer and cause the coating to flake off and potentially onto your food. *The label will tell you whether it has propellants or not (*see substitutions and variations for the best oils to use for in the air fryer)

🔢WW Points

Typical Kielbasa is usually pork and not the most WW friendly meat, so you'll use a lot of points - 11 ww points for 3 oz, to be exact. But if you use turkey kielbasa you can cut the points to 3 ww points for 3 oz. It's also low carb!

Chosen Foods Avocado oil spray (avocado) is the one I generally use and according to the ww app, it has 0 points for a 5-second spray.

kielbasa on a white plate with a small white dish of mustard and tongs, with an air fryer in the background

🦺Food safety

  • Cook kielbasa to an internal minimum temperature of 160 °F (74 °C)
  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
  • Never leave cooking food unattended

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov 

So if you are looking for a great way to cook kielbasa, the air fryer is ideal. Not only is this kielbasa air fryer recipe an easy meal, it's a delicious meal the whole family will enjoy!

several pieces of kielbasa on a white plate with a small white dish of mustard
Food Meandering Logo

📋 Air Fryer Kielbasa (Kovbasa) Recipe

This air fryer kielbasa (kovbasa) recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy Ukrainian kubasa. You don't have to heat up your house with the oven or stovetop and the air fryer saves electricity.
Print Pin Rate
Course: dinner, main
Cuisine: Polish, Ukrainian
Keyword: air fryer, kielbasa, kovbasa, kubasa, kubassa
Special Diet: low-carb
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 306kcal
Author: Terri Gilson
Prep Time: 5 minutes
13 minutes
Total Time: 18 minutes
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

air fryer
tongs

Ingredients

  • spray oil
  • 750 g ring of kielbasa (garlic sausage)

Instructions

NOTE: The instruction images will NOT print by default. If you want them to print, you'll need to check the box beside "images" on the print page

  • Spray bottom of air fryer with a couple pumps of oil
    bottom of basket sprayed with oil
  • Cut sausage ring into 4 pieces.
    Place kielbasa in the bottom of the air fryer basket or drawer and poke each piece with a fork a few times *This will allow some of the fat from the sausage pieces to drain to the bottom of the drawer or basket
    * You can remove the sausage casing now or leave it on until cooked, as it's easier to remove once it's cooked.
    kielbasa being poked with a fork
  • Spray with a few pumps of oil/5 second spray if using an aerosol spray
    kielbasa being sprayed with a few pumps of oil
  • Cook time:
    Cook on 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 7 minutes on one side
    Then turn over and cook for another 6 minutes on the other side
    *NOTE: If your ring of kielbasa is thinner, it will take less time - I would try 3-4 minutes on each side
    cooked kielbasa in the drawer
  • The kielbasa will be done when the internal thermometer reads 160 degrees F (71 degrees C) *Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way to ensure doneness!
    kielbasa in air fryer drawer with an instant read thermometer taking internal temperature
  • Cut the casing off the kielbasa, if you didn't do this at the beginning

Notes

Nutrition Facts
📋 Air Fryer Kielbasa (Kovbasa) Recipe
Amount Per Serving (3 oz)
Calories 306 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 13g
Cholesterol 66mg22%
Sodium 821mg36%
Potassium 222mg6%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Protein 13g26%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 11mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition

Serving: 3oz | Calories: 306kcal (15%) | Carbohydrates: 2g (1%) | Protein: 13g (26%) | Fat: 27g (42%) | Saturated Fat: 10g (63%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 66mg (22%) | Sodium: 821mg (36%) | Potassium: 222mg (6%) | Vitamin C: 1mg (1%) | Calcium: 11mg (1%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating and review below!
Rate this Recipe

More Air Fryer Recipes

  • air fryer potato skin being held up over a tray of more air fryer potato skins
    Air Fryer Potato Skins
  • black air fryer surrounded by foods made in the air fryer (fries, wings e
    What to Look for in an Air Fryer
  • air fryer pizza bite being dipped over a tray of more air fryer pizza bites
    Air Fryer Pizza Bites (with dipping sauce)
  • 2 air fryer roast chickens on a green plate with lemon wedges
    Air Fryer Roast Chicken (with lemon, rosemary and garlic)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

I'm Terri, a passionate home cook and baker, an award-winning recipe developer and a busy working mom that is trying to eat healthy and fit everything into not enough hours in a day! My mission is to share not only my recipes, cooking hacks and tips with you, but also my secrets to successful weight maintenance.

More about me →

Easter Recipes

  • a piece of lemon pie being lifted out of a whole pie, with a lemon cut in half in background
    Old Fashioned Lemon Pie
  • collage of 4 photos of healthy leftover ham recipes with black text on white circle in the middle.
    35 Healthy Leftover Ham Recipes
  • collage of 4 photos of Easter brunch recipes with text in the middle
    Easter Brunch Menu Ideas
  • a slice of daffodil cake on a white plate with lattice trim and a blue material background
    Daffodil Cake

More Easter Recipes --->

Footer

Featured On:

Taste Of Home Logo Parade Logo MSN Logo Master Chef Canada Logo Huffpost Logo Good Housekeeping Logo

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Accessibility Policy

Subscribe

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Work with me

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2023 Foodmeanderings.com

8 shares