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.
Can I use garlic sausage instead of kielbasa?
Sure. I haven’t tested it, so can’t speak to its flavor profile. But if you enjoy the flavors, it should be fine.
These were very, very good. I used spicy mayo in the dipping sauce instead of regular and it was a great addition! Thanks for the recipe, this was seriously good.
These are so yummy. I made these yesterday for a neighbors gathering. Everyone kept asking what is this? OMG these are delicious. Wow I gotta have some more. Needless to say they were eaten up! Easy and simple to make. I did serve them with a spicy mustard which was perfect combo to go along with the sweetness of the pineapple. I will definitely make these again.
Can you grill the bites instead of air fry
definitely
Absolutely delicious! We made to have for dinner as I had some Kielbasa I needed to use. It was so easy, so good and my super picky family loved it.
WOW!!! My family loves it when I make these. I make it on my little smoker to give them a smokey flavor on top of the already amazing flavor and it just seals the deal! Thank you for this outstanding recipe!
Made this today, it was delicious and so easy!!!
I’ve made this several times and had only been using the portion of the sauce without the mayo to put on the kielbasa and it’s so good. Tried the additional dipping sauce with mayo and it’s EVEN BETTER!
Great appetizer.
Can one use Miracle Whip salad dressing instead of Mayonnaise?
sure
This is amazing and the sausage gets crispy crunchy around the edges! So yummy!
This looks amazing! Wondering if you have tips to air fry it at home and then somehow keep it warm when traveling to a Superbowl Party?!?
Sure – you could pop them into a warm crockpot or put them into a tightly sealed container.