For what I like to consider a grown up version of beans and weenies, I make air fryer kielbasa and beans! It’s packed with flavor, super customizable, and definitely hits the spot for a comfort food meal. The air fryer makes it easy, with great caramelization on the sausage too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for the air fryer. The kielbasa gets deliciously browned while the beans soak up all that smoky flavor!
- Hearty and satisfying. Protein-packed sausage and beans make this a filling meal that won’t leave you hungry
- Easy weeknight dinner. Simple ingredients and minimal prep make this a great option for busy evenings
- Big flavor with little effort. Kielbasa brings plenty of smoky, savory goodness to the dish without needing a lot of extra ingredients
- Budget-friendly. Beans help stretch the meal while keeping it affordable and satisfying
- Comfort food at its best. Warm, hearty, and packed with cozy flavors everyone loves
- Family-friendly. The familiar flavors appeal to both kids and adults
- Great for meal prep. Leftovers reheat well, making lunch or dinner easy the next day!
- Customizable. Add peppers, onions, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, or your favorite seasonings to make it your own
Quick + Easy Recipes
straight to your inbox
Ingredients List
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, sliced into ½” thick medallions
- ½ cup diced yellow or sweet onion, or ½ tsp onion powder
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 15 ounce can baked beans (I use beef and BBQ flavor)
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 15.5 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce (or ketchup)
- 2 Tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (or molasses)
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp hot sauce (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste (I use ½ tsp and ¼ tsp respectively)
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- You can use regular or turkey kielbasa, or a similar smoked sausage of choice
- Instead of bacon, you can also use cooked ground beef or similar. Check out my Air Fryer Bacon recipe for how to cook it in your air fryer if you like!
- If you’re using raw onions, feel free to sautee them in the bacon grease to soften them (otherwise they’ll be fairly firm still; or you can use the onion powder instead)
- Swap up the type and flavor of all the beans (black beans and navy beans are other great choices) as desired to customize it to your liking
- In addition to the onion, you could also add diced bell pepper, fire roasted diced tomatoes, fire roasted corn, zucchini, or anything else similar
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste, including omission
Equipment Note
You’ll need an oven safe pan that fits in your air fryer’s basket for this recipe. This can be a cake pan, casserole dish, or even a loaf pan. I use two smaller oval dishes because I have a two basket Ninja air fryer. However, it works fine with one larger pan in other setups!
Step By Step Instructions
- Spray your baking pan(s) with nonstick spray or similar
- Mix all ingredients except for the kielbasa together in a bowl, then spread evenly in your baking dish(es)
- Add the sliced kielbasa over the top of the bean mixture in an even layer
- Place the filled dish(es) in your air fryer, then cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, until the kielbasa is browned to your liking. Stir (to incorporate the kielbasa into the dish), then cook an additional 5 or so minutes, until the beans are bubbling and begin to brown. Depending on the size of your dishes and air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches
- Serve with white rice, a fried egg, or your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Vegetable Sides
- Coleslaw: The cool, tangy crunch is a perfect contrast to smoky kielbasa
- Cucumber salad: Light and refreshing alongside a hearty bean dish
- Green salad: A simple vinaigrette helps cut through the richness
- Roasted green beans: An easy vegetable side that complements the meal!
- Roasted Brussels sprouts: Their slight bitterness balances the savory flavors. Try my Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts With Bacon to incorporate any leftover bacon from this recipe!
Comfort Sides
- Cornbread: Slightly sweet cornbread pairs beautifully with beans and sausage
- Dinner rolls: Great for soaking up any extra sauce
- Mac and cheese: For an extra-comforting meal
- Home fries: Crispy potatoes are always a natural fit with kielbasa!
Crunchy Toppers
- Sauerkraut: A traditional pairing that brings bright acidity
- Pickles: Crunchy and tangy to balance the richness
- Pickled red onions: Add color and a pop of flavor
- Pepperoncini: Mild heat and acidity work well with beans and sausage
Drink Pairings
- Amber lager: Malty enough to stand up to the smoky flavors
- Hard apple cider: Apple and kielbasa are a classic combination
- Sweet tea: Refreshing and crowd-pleasing!
- Whiskey Sour: The citrus and slight sweetness complement the smoky sausage and savory beans without overpowering them
When to Serve
This is the kind of meal that shines at casual family dinners, potlucks, game-day gatherings, and backyard cookouts. It’s hearty enough to stand on its own but pairs beautifully with simple sides and refreshing drinks!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make This In The Oven Instead?
Yes. Spread the kielbasa and beans in a baking dish. Cover and bake until hot and bubbly; about 40-60 minutes in a 350°F oven. Stir once or twice during cooking so the beans heat evenly and the sausage browns nicely.
Can I Cook This Recipe On The Stove?
Absolutely. Brown the kielbasa and onions in a skillet over medium high heat, then add the beans, sauce, and seasonings. Reduce heat and simmer until everything is heated through and the flavors have combined, about 10-15 minutes.
What To Add To Beans And Sausages?
Some of the best additions are onions, bell peppers, garlic, barbecue sauce, brown sugar, mustard, hot sauce, tomatoes, or smoked paprika. Fresh herbs, sauerkraut, or pickled onions can also add brightness and extra flavor.
Tips For the Best Kielbasa and Beans
- My 8-qt Ninja air fryer can cook about half this recipe at a time. Depending on the size of yours, you can cook in batches, try to have the recipe (using canned beans makes this trickier), or cook half and save the rest for later for a meal prep option
- Using raw onions will give you a more crisp texture, since they don’t cook down a ton. Make sure to cut them small. You can cook for additional time if desired to soften them, but make sure to stir often so the beans and sausage don’t burn. If you’re not a fan of crunchier onions, I recommend opting for the onion powder instead!
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Allow the dish to cool slightly before storing. This helps prevent excess condensation in the container
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
- Freeze for longer storage. Kielbasa and beans can be frozen in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer: Reheat at 350°F for 4-6 minutes, stirring halfway through if possible
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through
- Stovetop: Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until hot
- Add a splash of water or broth if the beans have thickened too much during storage
- Heat until steaming throughout for the best texture and flavor!
Pro Tip
Kielbasa and beans often taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together, making this a great make-ahead meal for busy weeknights!
- Kielbasa Soup
Final Thoughts
This easy air fryer kielbasa and beans recipe is the perfect comfort food meal! It’s super customizable with different seasonings and beans, making it easy to tailor it to your personal preferences.
It’s one of my favorite simple weeknight dinners, and it reheats really well too, making it perfect for meal prep and leftovers for lunch. Add some white rice, crunchy veggies, or even a runny egg to turn it into a brunch dish!
Katie’s tip
For more great savory sausage recipes, check out all of my Air Fryer Kielbasa Recipes for more inspiration!
Air Fryer Kielbasa and Beans
Servings: 8
Kielbasa and beans is a classic comfort food dish made with a variety of beans, seasonings, and savory sausage. The air fryer delivers melt in your mouth caramelization for a delicious meal!
Equipment
- Spatula (or spoon; for mixing)
- Casserole dish (or similar oven-safe dish that fits in your air fryer)
- Nonstick spray
Ingredients
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage (sliced into ½” thick medallions)
- ½ cup diced yellow or sweet onion (or ½ tsp onion powder)
- 4 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled)
- 15 ounce can baked beans (I use beef and BBQ flavor)
- 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans (drained and rinsed)
- 15.5 ounce can kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce
- 2 Tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar (or molasses)
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- ½ tsp hot sauce (or to taste)
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste (I use ½ tsp and ¼ tsp respectively)
Instructions
- Spray your baking pan(s) with nonstick spray or similar
- Mix all ingredients except for the kielbasa together in a bowl, then spread evenly in your baking dish(es)½ cup diced yellow or sweet onion, 4 slices bacon, 15 ounce can baked beans, 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans, 15.5 ounce can kidney beans, ¼ cup BBQ sauce, 2 Tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp hot sauce, ½ tsp garlic powder, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Add the sliced kielbasa over the top of the bean mixture in an even layer14 ounces kielbasa sausage
- Place the filled dish(es) in your air fryer, then cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 8-10 minutes, until the kielbasa is browned to your liking. Stir (to incorporate the kielbasa into the dish), then cook an additional 5 or so minutes, until the beans are bubbling and begin to brown. Depending on the size of your dishes and air fryer, you may need to cook in multiple batches
- Serve with your favorite sides. Enjoy!
Notes
- You can use regular or turkey kielbasa, or a similar smoked sausage
- Instead of bacon, you can also use cooked ground beef, chicken, pulled pork, or similar
- If you’re using raw onions, feel free to sautee them in the bacon grease to soften them (otherwise they’ll be fairly firm still; or just use the onion powder instead)
- Swap up the type and flavor of all the beans as desired to customize it to your liking (or based on what you have in the pantry)
- In addition to the onion, you could also add diced bell pepper, fire roasted diced tomatoes, fire roasted corn, zucchini, or other veggies
- All seasonings are adjustable to taste
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 262g | Calories: 570kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 5.6g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 1393mg | Potassium: 1019mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 18.4IU | Vitamin C: 12.9mg | Calcium: 163mg | Iron: 6.4mg
