Burnt ends are one of my favorite BBQ apps, traditionally featuring caramelized brisket bites cooked in BBQ sauce, like meat candy! But it doesn’t always have to be brisket, and these kielbasa burnt ends add a smoky, savory, garlicky flavor that’s hard to beat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Big barbecue flavor in less time. Enjoy the sweet, smoky goodness of burnt ends without spending hours at the smoker
- Perfectly caramelized. The air fryer creates deliciously sticky, crispy edges on every bite!
- Easy to make. A handful of simple ingredients is all you need for an impressive appetizer
- Perfect for game day. They’re an irresistible finger food that’s always one of the first things to disappear
- Sweet, smoky, and savory. The combination of barbecue sauce and smoky kielbasa is hard to resist
- Great for entertaining. Serve them with toothpicks for an easy party appetizer or add them to a buffet spread
- Ready in a fraction of the time. Skip the long smoking process and enjoy burnt end-inspired flavor in under an hour
- Easy to customize. Use your favorite barbecue sauce, spice rub, or add a little extra heat with cayenne or hot sauce!
- Versatile enough for any meal. Serve them as an appetizer, snack, party food, or even over rice or mashed potatoes for dinner
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re hosting a tailgate, backyard cookout, or family dinner, these bite-sized barbecue favorites are always a hit
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Ingredients List
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, cut into ½” to ¾” thick chunks (you can halve them if desired)
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 2 Tbsp BBQ dry rub of choice
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Regular or turkey kielbasa is fine! You can also substitute a similar smoked sausage
- Instead of brown sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, or even hot honey for a spicy kick!
- The Dijon mustard can be swapped for yellow mustard or any similar mustard of choice
- Sweet BBQ sauces and rubs work well with kielbasa. I recommend a honey, brown sugar, molasses, or sweet Kansas City style option!
- You definitely do not need to add salt since the kielbasa itself is salty. Depending on your personal preference, you may want to use a low or no salt BBQ rub as well
Step By Step Instructions
- Add the sliced kielbasa to your air fryer in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright). Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 5 minutes, until the edges just start to brown
- Remove the sausage from the air fryer, and add it to a mixing bowl. Toss with all of the remaining ingredients, stirring until well coated
- Return the sauced sausage pieces to your air fryer, and air fry at 400°F for an additional 7-10 minutes, until deep brown and caramelized to your liking (if you have extra sauce, feel free to baste once about halfway through cooking)
- Garnish with candied jalapenos (optional). Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer, or pair with your favorite sides for a meal. Feel free to add any remaining sauce after cooking if you want a saucier burnt end!
Pairing Suggestions
Air fryer kielbasa burnt ends are sweet, smoky, sticky, and savory, making them a perfect appetizer or main dish. They pair wonderfully with classic barbecue sides, comfort food favorites, and refreshing salads.
Barbecue Favorites
- Baked beans: A smoky, slightly sweet side that complements the barbecue glaze
- Coleslaw: Creamy or vinegar-based slaw adds a cool, crisp contrast
- Mac and cheese: Rich, cheesy comfort food is a natural pairing
- Corn on the cob: Sweet corn balances the smoky flavors
- Potato salad: A backyard barbecue staple
Comfort Food Sides
- Mashed potatoes: Perfect for soaking up extra barbecue sauce
- French fries: Crispy fries make this feel like a restaurant-style meal
- Potato wedges: Hearty and easy to serve. Air Fryer Frozen Potato Wedges are a great shortcut option!
- Roasted sweet potatoes: Their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the glaze
- Macaroni salad: A picnic favorite with smoky meats
Fresh Sides
- Garden salad: A light, refreshing balance to the rich kielbasa
- Cucumber salad: Crisp and cooling!
- Broccoli salad: Crunchy with just a touch of sweetness
- Roasted Brussels sprouts: Their caramelized flavor complements the burnt ends. Try my copycat Air Fryer Red Lobster Brussel Sprouts!
- Green beans: A simple vegetable side that rounds out the meal
Bread
- Hawaiian rolls: Sweet, soft rolls are perfect for mini sandwiches
- Cornbread: A classic barbecue pairing!
- Garlic bread: Great for soaking up extra sauce
- Texas toast: Thick slices pair well with smoky flavors. My Air Fryer Frozen Texas Toast is a great quick option!
- Buttermilk biscuits: Fluffy biscuits add a comforting touch
Drink Pairings
- Light lager: Crisp and refreshing with smoky barbecue flavors.
- Amber ale: A slightly malty beer complements the sweet glaze.
- Sweet tea: A Southern favorite that balances the richness.
- Sparkling lemonade: Bright citrus cuts through the sticky sauce.
- Iced tea: Sweetened or unsweetened, it’s always a great choice.
When to Serve
These air fryer kielbasa burnt ends are perfect for game day, tailgates, backyard barbecues, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or an easy weeknight dinner.
Serve them with classic barbecue sides and plenty of napkins they’re wonderfully sticky, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to be one of the first dishes to disappear!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make These On The Grill?
Yes! Grill the kielbasa over medium heat until lightly charred, then slice and add to a cast-iron skillet or foil pan with the barbecue glaze for the last few minutes of cooking. This creates a sticky, caramelized coating that’s similar to classic burnt ends.
How To Make Kielbasa Burnt Ends In The Oven?
Bake the kielbasa at 400°F until browned, then toss it with the barbecue sauce and return it to the oven for a few minutes. The sauce will caramelize and develop a rich, sticky glaze.
Can I Make Them In A Slow Cooker?
Yes, though the texture will be softer than the air fryer version. Cook the kielbasa bites with the sauce on low for 2-3 hours, then broil or air fry it for a few minutes if you’d like crispier, caramelized edges.
Tips For the Best Kielbasa Burnt Ends
- This recipe can be doubled (or more) to feed a larger crowd. Cook in batches as needed so as to not overcrowd your air fryer (which will lead to uneven cooking)
- I make this recipe using a Ninja Dual Zone air fryer and usually do 9-10 minutes for the second cook to achieve the results shown. Other air fryers can vary slightly, so adjust in 1- to 2-minute increments as needed for your specific model and browning preferences
Storage and Reheating
Storage Tips
- Let the kielbasa burnt ends cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days for the best flavor and texture
- Store any extra barbecue sauce separately if possible so you can freshen them up when reheating
- Freeze for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating
Reheating Tips
- Air fryer (best method): Reheat at 350°F for 3-5 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until hot and caramelized
- Oven: Warm at 350°F for 8-10 minutes until heated through
- Microwave: Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, though the edges won’t be crisp anymore
- Brush with a little extra barbecue sauce if you’d like to refresh the sticky glaze!
- Chicken Burnt Ends
- Salmon Burnt Ends
Final Thoughts
These kielbasa burnt ends are a perfect BBQ app! Savory, caramelized sausage meets a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce, for crowd-pleasing bites. I make mine in the air fryer, which gives great crispy edges and browning, without needing a smoker or depending on the weather.
You can absolutely customize this tasty recipe with different BBQ rubs, sausage types, and sauces, to make a drool-worthy flavor combination for any taste. They’re simple, yet delicious, and perfect for parties since you can just serve them with toothpicks!
Katie’s tip
For more awesome savory sausage creations, check out all of my Air Fryer Kielbasa Recipes for inspiration!
Air Fryer Kielbasa Sausage Burnt Ends
Servings: 8
These air fryer kielbasa burnt ends are caramelized to perfection, and coated in savory, BBQ flavor! Perfect as an appetizer for cookouts or anytime!
Equipment
- Spatula (or similar; for mixing)
Ingredients
- 14 ounces kielbasa sausage, cut into ½” to ¾” thick chunks
- ⅓ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 2 Tbsp BBQ dry rub of choice
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Add the sliced kielbasa to your air fryer in a single layer (a small amount of overlap is alright). Cook on the air fry setting at 375°F for 5 minutes, until the edges just start to brown14 ounces kielbasa sausage, cut into ½” to ¾” thick chunks
- Remove the sausage from the air fryer, and add it to a mixing bowl. Toss with all of the remaining ingredients, stirring until well coated⅓ cup BBQ sauce, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp hot sauce, 2 Tbsp BBQ dry rub of choice, 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- Return the sauced sausage pieces to your air fryer, and air fry at 400°F for an additional 7-10 minutes, until deep brown and caramelized to your liking (if you have extra sauce, feel free to baste once about halfway through cooking)
- Garnish with candied jalapenos (optional). Serve with toothpicks as an appetizer, or pair with your favorite sides for a meal. Feel free to add any remaining sauce after cooking if you want a saucier burnt end!
Notes
- Regular or turkey kielbasa is fine! You can also substitute any similar smoked sausage
- Instead of brown sugar, you can use honey, maple syrup, or even hot honey for a spicy kick!
- The Dijon mustard can be swapped for yellow mustard or a similar mustard of choice
- Sweet BBQ sauces and rubs work well with kielbasa. I like honey, brown sugar, molasses, or sweet Kansas City style options!
- You do not need to add salt since the kielbasa itself is salty. Depending on your personal preference, you may want to use a low or no salt BBQ rub as well
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, size of pieces, any sauces or sides added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
Serving: 100g | Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5.4g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4.8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1051mg | Potassium: 116mg | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 13.4IU | Vitamin C: 10.8mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 0.7mg
