These air fryer kielbasa bites are slathered in your choice of bbq sauce as well as brown sugar. Super simple to prepare with only three ingredients, this sweet and savory appetizer takes just 15-minutes to make ready.
Jessica Halverstadt is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
What you’ll love about this recipe
- It is incredibly easy! This kielbasa appetizer requires just three ingredients and about 15-minutes of your time. The prep work is beyond simple and the clean-up is a breeze.
- The flavors! Anyone who is a fan of little smokies is going to love these bbq kielbasa bites. And aside from vegans and vegetarians, doesn’t everyone?!?! From the smoky sausage to the tangy barbecue sauce and the caramelized brown sugar, they bring the sweet and savory flavor you know and love
- It’s a great party appetizer! Because they are bite-sized, delicious, and as mentioned previously, so simple, they are great for all kinds of gatherings from potlucks to cookouts. If you’re hosting, they’re truly the perfect appetizer to get the party started and since they’re cooked in an air fryer, your oven will be free for other things. Additionally, this recipe is very budget-friendly; we’re talking about $4.00 total.
Ingredients (+ notes & substitutions)
- Polish/Polska kielbasa: You can purchase kielbasa in rope or link form. For this recipe, I do recommend the rope form. Because the circumference and diameter are greater the slices are a bit heartier. That being said, if you already have link kielbasa on hand or simply just prefer it, feel free to use it.
- Barbecue sauce: Any barbecue sauce will do, so use your favorite! Sweet, spicy, smoky; they all work. Beware that some of them do contain gluten, so make sure to read the label first if you wish to keep this dish gluten-free.
- Brown sugar: I do suggest dark brown sugar; due to the higher molasses content the caramel flavor is richer. To keep the calorie count down, you could certainly omit the brown sugar altogether.
How to make air fryer kielbasa bites (+ tips)
1. Preheat your air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 350 degrees.
2. Arrange the kielbasa slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for six minutes at 350 degrees. If after six minutes, the kielbasa is not as browned as you would like, you may air fry it longer another couple of minutes or so.
3. Carefully flip the kielbasa slices with a fork, brush with the barbecue sauce, and sprinkle with brown sugar.
4. Air fry for an additional four minutes at 350 degrees until the brown sugar has caramelized.
5. Pierce with toothpicks, if desired, and serve warm.
Storage
Leftovers should be refrigerated in an airtight container for no more than four days.
FAQ
Kielbasa, meaning “sausage” in Polish, originated in…..you guessed it, Poland!! There are many different varieties of kielbasa in Poland prepared from everything from pork to beef, chicken, lamb, or turkey. In America, kielbasa is typically prepared with smoked pork and is u-shaped although it is also sold in link form.
They are not. While kielbasa originated in Poland, the birthplace of the bratwurst is Germany. This German sausage is typically prepared with pork and unlike kielbasa, is generally sold uncooked.
Because it is pre-smoked, you can most definitely eat it without cooking it first.
Although kielbasa is generally gluten-free, it is always a good idea to check the label first. Assuming you also choose a barbecue sauce that is gluten-free, this recipe is gluten-free friendly.
Recommended Products
More bite-sized appetizers you may enjoy:
- Jalapeno Poppers with Brown Sugar Bacon: One of the most popular appetizers on Tao of Spice, these bite-sized sweet and spicy bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers with brown sugar are always a hit! Naturally gluten-free.
- Boursin Roast Beef Pinwheels: The perfect simple yet elevated party appetizer, these Boursin roast beef pinwheels are quick to prepare with just seven ingredients. With so many delicious flavors, you won’t be able to stop after just one of these rich and savory pinwheels.
- Prosciutto Wrapped Goat Cheese Stuffed Peppadews: Goat cheese stuffed peppadews peppers wrapped in prosciutto are a great holiday appetizer that can be prepped ahead. They come together in just 15-minutes, are simple to prepare with just three ingredients, and are gluten-free.
If you make these air fryer bbq kielbasa bites I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment and/or a rating below as I greatly value your opinion. Or snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @taoofspiceblog. Love, light, and happy cooking ya’ll!
Air Fryer Kielbasa Bites
These air fryer kielbasa bites are slathered in your choice of barbecue sauce as well as brown sugar. Super simple to prepare with only three ingredients, this sweet and savory appetizer takes just 15-minutes to make ready.
Ingredients
- 13-14 ounces kielbasa, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer at 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
- Arrange the kielbasa slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook for six minutes at 350 degrees.
- Carefully flip the kielbasa slices with a fork, brush with barbecue sauce, and sprinkle with brown sugar.
- Air fry at 350 for an additional four minutes.
- Pierce with toothpicks, if desired, and serve warm.
Storage: Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to four days.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 2 bitesAmount Per Serving: Calories: 91Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 275mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 0gSugar: 4gProtein: 3g
The nutritional information provided is computer generated. It is only an estimate and intended for informational purposes only. Nutrition details may vary depending on various factors such as origin, freshness of ingredients, etc
