Mustard Hasselback Kielbasa Bites are rings of smoked sausage, sliced hasselback style, and then cut into bite-sized sections and smothered in a mustard-base sauce. Then, the bites are cooked in an air fryer, soaking up all of the flavorful sauce! For serving, the bites are paired with a creamy and tangy mayonnaise-based dip. It’s an appetizer that is not only delicious but visually appealing! Oven instructions included! I also have Sheet Pan Hasselback Kielbasa you will love! I also have Maple BBQ Kielbasa Bites!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Kielbasa: Kielbasa (sometimes also called ring sausage) is a flavorful, lightly smoked sausage that is pre-cooked. You could also experiment with different varieties of sausage like Andouille sausage, Mexican Chorizo, or other sausages.
Mustard: Course-ground Dijon mustard adds a bold and spice kick to the sauce and dip. It also has a pleasant grainy texture. You could certainly use regular Dijon mustard, but the sauce will have a smoother texture.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar helps balance the flavors of the mustard and brown sugar.
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds richness and a slightly sweet flavor to the sauce.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire sauce complements the other ingredients, creating a well-rounded taste.
Mayonnaise: Mayonnaise is added to half of the sauce to use as a dip for the Kielbasa bites. Yes, the bites are delicious on their own, but the dip really makes this appetizer extra special!
Can I Serve The Kielbasa Bites Without Dipping Sauce?
Absolutely, you can enjoy each Kielbasa bite without the dipping sauce. They are full of flavor in each bite, for sure! But, I encourage you to try the dipping sauce if possible. (After all, it’s simply adding mayonnaise to the mustard sauce.) It takes this appetizer to a whole new tasty level!
Storing & Reheating Mustard Hasselback Kielbasa Bites
If you have any leftover Kielbasa bites (which I highly doubt once you and everyone else start tasting them), let them cool to room temperature. Then, store the bites in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last up to 3-4 days. The dip should be stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to a week. Reheat the bites in the air fryer, in a microwave, or in the oven. Give the dipping sauce a good stir when serving with the reheated bites.
Mustard Hasselback Kielbasa Bites
Ingredients
- 2 rings (13.9) ounces each) Kielbasa
- ¼ cup (62 g) course ground Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Slice the Kielbasa into ¼-inch slices, but not all the way through. To do this, place the kielbasa between two chopsticks or skewers. (These will prevent you from cutting through the kielbasa completely.) Using a sharp knife, slice in a downward motion, stopping at the chopsticks.
- Slice sausage crosswise into 1-inch bite-sized pieces (about 3 rings per piece) for a total of about 20 bites per ring, or 40 bites for both rings. Place the bites into a large bowl or onto a baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine the mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
- Divide the mixture into two bowls.
- To the first bowl of the mustard mixture, add the mayonnaise. (This will be the dipping sauce). Stir to combine. Store the sauce in the refrigerator, covered, while you prepare the bites.
- Pour or brush about half of the second bowl of mustard sauce over the Kielbasa bites, making sure to get the sauce in between each cut section. Reserve the rest of the sauce for after cooking.
- Arrange the Kielbasa bites in a single layer into the basket of your air fryer. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may have to work in batches.
- Air fry* at 400°F for 7-9 minutes, or until browned, shaking the basket of the air fryer halfway through cooking.
- Remove the bites from the air fryer and set them on a large platter or baking sheet. Pour or brush the rest of the reserved mustard sauce over each.
- Garnish with parsley (optional) and serve warm with the refrigerated mayonnaise-based dipping sauce. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Preheat oven to 425°F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Prepare the Kielbasa as instructed and place onto the baking sheet.
- Brush or pour the mustard sauce over the tops of the Kielbasa bites.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until browned.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
Did you make this recipe?
You can tag me at @iamhomesteader.
What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
Amazing little appetizer! The mustard flavor is such a nice complement! These would be perfect for a football party!
Elizabeth
These are so good!!!! I wish I could describe the flavors to do them justice, they are really THAT tasty. The mustard sauce that the bites are cooked in makes them amazing as-is. And then, the mayonnaise dipping sauce really put them over the top. You will WOW your guests when (I repeat, WHEN) you serve these.
Rachael
Perfect appetizer for a party! These are so quick in the air fryer and the caramelized bits on the kielbasa are my favorite.
Annabelle
These are great as an appetizer! They're tasty, and even better with the sauce!
Bella
So tasty and easy! The tangy mustard pairs well with the salty kielbasa.
Selena
So so delicious. I love the crispiness that you get from the air fryer and the sauce is just to die for on these.
This was easy,fast and most of all delicious. The kielbasa caramelized beautifully in the air fryer. I did add a pinch more brown sugar but other than that I followed the recipe to a T. I will definitely be making these again & am going to try your maple version as well.
Can these be cooked in a smoker?
Sure
I made the Kielbasi recipe with pineapple. I’m going to try this one next. I like the way the pineapple chunks make the dish look variegated. Any ideas of what can go in this mustard version to make the dish look nice?
Red Peppers? Parsley garnish? Asparagus, green beans? Lots of options. 🙂
So simple and tastes truly amazing!
Loved these!
Yum!!! I will make this again!
Amazing! Didn’t change a thing. This was supposed to be used as a Thanksgiving appetizer, but my family ate them all the night before.
These were amazing! We had them for dinner with a side of Broccoli and let me tell you, that dipping sauce is great with broccoli too! Will be bringing them to a family get together this weekend! We used the skinless beef kielbasa from Eckrich.
Yes!!! Agreed… that sauce is great with so many things!
We wanted to love this and we did love the way it crisped up in the air fryer but the ACVinegar was WAY too much. We both choked at the smell and the taste of the ACV. I went back to see if what me writing 2 Tablespoons should have been 2 teaspoons but the recipe did call for 2 Tablespoons. Eeek!
Sorry you didn’t like the flavor. Unfortunately I can’t predict personal preferences. That being said, this was heavily tested and that amount (2 tablespoons) is divided between the basting sauce and the dipping sauce. And the mayo in the dipping sauce definitely cuts down on intensity of flavor. If you followed the directions with the sauce, it is actually a very conservative amount, very well balanced with the sugar, and the perfect ingredient to cut the richness of the kielbasa. I’ve now made this for dozens of people and everyone has gone back for more, more bites and MORE SAUCE! 🙂
“In a small bowl, combine the mustard, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Divide the mixture into two bowls.
To the first bowl of the mustard mixture, add the mayonnaise. (This will be the dipping sauce). Stir to combine. Store the sauce in the refrigerator, covered, while you prepare the bites.”
So thank you for leaving your feedback, I appreciate it and your honesty. Not every recipe will appeal to everyone. While I am a bit caught off guard by the feedback, maybe it could remind someone else who doesn’t like vinegar-based sauces to not try a vinegar based sauce.
This one may be more to your liking! https://iamhomesteader.com/maple-bbq-hasselback-kielbasa-bites/
Just made this and it was so good! Easy too! Will make again.
Do these need to be served warm? Do they need to be warmed up if I am taking them to party?
I do think they are better hot. They can be room temperature but ideally should be warm.
These are excellent!!! I would add a little hot pepper flakes for my spice-loving family. Took them to a tailgate party and they were a big hit!
Awesome to hear!!!
My husband gets very mad at me because I make things for the first time and take them to peoples houses or make them for a party that we’re having so I made these and I have to say they’re really good I used to family size packs of kielbasa from Eckrich I made enough sauce for both packages, which was actually four amounts. If you count that you have to take away some for the dipping sauce, so I made the dipping sauce separate from the sauce that I cook them in. I think they turned out pretty good. I’m putting them in a crockpot because they’re going to a bonfire tonight I hope everybody eats them. I’m not a Kabashi person much, but I do have to say I like the taste of these.
do u have a recipe for bacon scallops
I’m diabetic. Anything I can use in place of brown sugar.
Splenda makes a brown sugar. Maybe also try agave in lieu of the brown sugar but may change consistency
Swerve makes a brown sugar substitute. I’ve used it, and it’s pretty good. If you have a Publix, you’ll find it in the sugar aisle.
I know Splenda is marketed as being diabetic friendly, but just be aware it will spike MOST diabetics blood sugar. Hope that helps.
Looks delicious
Can this be done in a oven?
The oven instructions are in the recipe card notes.
To be clear, if baking in the oven, I apply all of the sauce before baking, none after baking? (Except for the dip, of course)
I’m going to try this, but I think I’ll smoke the sausage for a bit of extra flavor. Then add sauce and transfer to the oven.
Wondering if this will work for other sausages? Bratwurst?
I have cooked sausages for many years – silly me I have not air fried before. That will change this morning
Thank you
Yes! The sky is the limit. 🙂
This looks soooo good. I will definitely make them for Rugby afternoons. Thank you