Air Fryer Sausage and Shrimp Kabobs Recipe

This 4-ingredient Smoked Sausage and shrimp skewer recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and is a crowd favorite! They’re an easy, quick, and delicious bite perfect as an appetizer for game day or a weeknight meal!

Shrimp & Smoked Sausage On A Stick

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious, and affordable recipe, this is for you! You must make this four-ingredient recipe from gamedays to parties and BBQs to poker nights.

I’ve been making this for over 40 years. I started watching as my Dad made it for every single, practically weekly neighborhood BBQ and eventually had it become my responsibility. I make this pretty much every football party and when we have friends over for game night.

I’m not only showing you how to make this in the air fryer, but I’m also giving you grilling instructions below.

Shrimp & Smoked Kielbasa Recipe Ingredients

This recipe has just four ingredients. If you don’t have the spice mixture I have, try a different seasoning you have. I’m giving recipe substations below.

• Jumbo Shrimp – Raw, deveined and thawed
• Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa – these are already pre-cooked
• Seasoning – I prefer 2 Gringos Chupacabra Original Fine Meat Rub
• Olive Oil

How to Make Air Fried Sausage & Shrimp Skewers

1. Add the shrimp to a large bowl and sprinkle with half of the seasoning. Give it a light toss to combine.
2. Add the smoked sausage, the rest of the seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil to coat.
3. Grab some tongs and toss/mix to coat the shrimp and sausage slices.

WATCH: How to Skewer Sausage & Shrimp Kabobs

1. Tuck each sausage slice into the shrimp’s “C” curve and carefully thread it onto the soaked wooden skewer.
2. To thread, go through one side of the shrimp, through the whole sausage slice, and into the tail portion of the shrimp. Repeat until you have at least 3 “bites” onto each skewer. Repeat until they are all skewered.

You can heat your air fryer while threading it or after threading it. If you do the latter, please cover the kabobs with plastic wrap and place them in the fridge.

How to Air Fry Sausage & Shrimp Kabobs

1. Place your prepared skewers in a single layer in a preheated air fryer. Mine held two in each basket. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip, and air fry for an additional four minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked.
2. Remove the kabobs from the air fryer, plate them, and loosely cover them with foil. Repeat step 1 for the remaining uncooked kabobs.
3. Serve the kabobs immediately.

Air Fryer Kabobs FAQ’s

• Do I have to soak wooden skewers in water? Yes, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them, as this prevents them from burning. Metal ones do not need to be soaked.

  • If you don’t want to wait, use a 6″ stainless steel skewer (provided they will fit in your air fryer).
• Can I use frozen shrimp? The shrimp must be thoroughly thawed for this recipe.

  • To thaw frozen shrimp quickly, put them in a sealable plastic bag. Fully submerge the bag in cold water. Change the water every 5 minutes (ensuring it stays cold). They should be fully thawed in 20-30 minutes.

What to Serve With Smoked Sausage & Shrimp Kabobs

This recipe could be a snack, appetizer, or meal. The choice is yours.

• Crostini – serve it with some little crunchy bites like these Smoked Picanha (Steak) with Goat Cheese Crostini or these Tomato, Ricotta, Prosciutto Italian Crostini
• Sandwiches – I’d go with a Korean-Style Crispy Shrimp Burger or a Po’Boy
• Dipping Sauce – these are good with chili sauce, cocktail sauce, and BBQ sauce

How to Store Shrimp and Kielbasa Kabobs

Place the cooled skewers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If desired, remove the food from the skewers before storing it.

How to Reheat Shrimp and Sausage Skewers

There are several ways to do this, but I do not recommend using the microwave. The shrimp can turn super rubbery in there.

• Air Fryer: Place them in a preheated 300F air fryer for 2 minutes. Flip and reheat for another 1-2 minutes or until warmed through.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 300F. Place the skewers in a pan with some liquid and cover loosely with foil. Heat for ~5-10 minutes or until heated through.
• Skillet: Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the skewer and heat while flipping occasionally. This should take only a few minutes.

Shrimp & Sausage Skewer Recipe Substitutions

The only thing I wouldn’t change, naturally, is the shrimp. That’s pivotal here, but you can change the other meat and the seasoning.

• Smoked Sausage: you can use any flavor of smoked sausage or kielbasa. Try turkey kielbasa or apple chicken sausage.
• Seasoning: go with any complimentary seasoning. I highly suggest getting the 2 Gringos Chupacabra sampler set and playing with those!

How to Make Sausage & Shrimp Skewers on the Grill

1. Make sure the grates are clean and lightly coated with oil. Please see this post for details! Preheat the grill to 350F.
2. Thread the kabobs with soaked wooden skewers or metal skewers.
3. Grill for 3-5 minutes per side. Do not ‘force’ the shrimp to flip, as you risk ripping them. They will be released when they’re ready. To get grill marks, gently press down on the sausage until you hear that ‘sizzle’.
4. Remove when the shrimp is no longer opaque but rather pink and cooked through.

Air Fryer Shrimp and Sausage Skewers Recipe

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This 4-ingredient Smoked Sausage and shrimp skewer recipe is ready in under 15 minutes and is a crowd favorite! They’re an easy, quick, and delicious bite perfect as an appetizer for game day or a weeknight meal!

• Author: Lori
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 mintues
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 8-9 skewers
• Category: appetizers, easy dinners, snacks, game day foods, bbq foods, grilled shrimp
• Method: air fryer and grill
• Cuisine: appetizers, easy dinners, snacks, game day foods, bbq foods, grilled shrimp

Ingredients

• ~24 Jumbo raw shrimp, thawed and deveined
• 1 12-14 ounce package of Smoked Sausage or Kielbasa cut into ~24 1/2″ rounds
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons of 2 Gringos Chupacabra Original Fine Meat Rub
• 2 teaspoons olive oil.

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Instructions

1. Add the shrimp to a large bowl and sprinkle with half the seasoning. Give it a light toss to combine.
2. Add the smoked sausage, the rest of the seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil to coat.
3. Grab some tongs and toss/mix to coat the shrimp and sausage slices.
4. Place your prepared skewers in a single layer in a preheated air fryer. Mine held two in each basket. Air fry for 4 minutes, flip, and air fry for an additional four minutes or until the shrimp are fully cooked.
5. Remove the kabobs from the air fryer, plate them, and loosely cover them with foil. Repeat step 1 for the remaining uncooked kabobs.
6. Serve the kabobs immediately.

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