Air Fryer Brats
on Jan 30, 2024, Updated Mar 09, 2024
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Juicy, full of flavor, and crispy on the outside; these Air Fryer Brats are so simple to make and require almost no effort!
Brats are an essential part of any tailgate party or barbecue at my house. We loved to cook them on the grill so they can have a nice sear to them, and serve them with all sorts of delicious toppings that pair perfectly with the flavor of the brats. If you don’t have a grill then don’t worry! You can throw them right in your air fryer, flip them halfway through cooking time, and you’re all done.
This method makes for an easy weeknight dinner with any condiments or toppings that you have on hand. I always make sure to serve them on hot dog buns with mustard, relish, and ketchup. Once you cook your brats in the air fryer, you’ll see for yourself how flavorful they come out and how quick they are ready!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses the air fryer to cut down on cooking time.
- Gives you the most flavorful and juicy brats.
- Does not require much prep time.
- Makes cooking large amounts of bratwurst easy.
What are Brats?
People call them brats for short, but they are also known as bratwurst. These are specific types of fresh link sausage that are made solely from pork or veal, unlike other sausages. They are most commonly seasoned with spices like ginger, coriander, garlic, or callaway. Bratwurst originated in Germany and has spread in popularity in America, being served for tailgate parties or classic barbecues. All in all, filled with an herby, savory, and bold taste, bratwurst are generally very filling since they contain a lot of protein!
Recipe Ingredients
- Bratwurst—They can come in many kinds of flavors with different seasonings, so choose your favorite!
- Salt and pepper—Can be added to taste.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Popular Substitutions and Variations
There are so many delicious ways to enjoy a tasty brat. You can serve them on their own with a variety of sides, or on a hot dog bun with your favorite toppings! Here are some ingredients that pair wonderfully with brats!
Veggies
- Grilled onions
- Diced bell peppers
- Jalapeno peppers
- Pickled red onions
Sauces
- Mustard
- Sweet pickle relish
- Catsup
- Horseradish
Other
- Shredded colby jack cheese
- Sauerkraut
- Smoked baked beans
- Bacon bits
How to Make Air Fryer Brats
Step #1. Preheat your air fryer.
Step #2. After it is preheated, add your brats to the air fryer basket and space them out as much as possible.
Step #3. Cook your brats and be sure to flip them halfway through the cooking time.
Step #4. Once they are finished cooking, salt and pepper them to taste. Serve and enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
While bratwurst is a type of sausage, these two foods have a few differences in how they are made as well as their ingredients. Sausage is made from any type of ground meat and can come in a fresh or dried variety. Bratwurst, on the other hand, comes as a fresh link and is specifically made from pork or veal. Sausage is a broad term for ground meat that is encased and made into links, but bratwurst is a specific and unique type of sausage.
Absolutely! The air fryer is great at cooking frozen food. Don’t worry about thawing them before, you can throw them right into the air fryer. You will want to increase the cooking time to about 15-17 minutes, or until they are fully heated.
Yes! As the bratwursts cook in the air fryer, you might start to notice that they crack down the middle. The reason for this is because moisture is trying to escape the brat so the outer casing will split to release that built up moisture. Don’t worry, it is perfectly normal!
Expert Tips
- If you are planning to cook a bunch of brats for a big gathering or party, be sure to only do a single layer on the bottom of the air fryer basket and cook in batches if needed. You don’t want to overcrowd the air fryer or the brats will not cook evenly.
- You can check to see if your brats are done with a meat thermometer, ensuring that they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- For easy clean up and to avoid any juices dripping in your air fryer, you can line the basket with parchment paper or tin foil.
How to Store Air Fryer Brats
If you have any leftover brats, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Once you are ready to enjoy them again, reheat your brats in the microwave for about a minute, or you can use the air fryer for 3 minutes at around 350°F.
More Air Fryer Recipes To Consider
Chicken Recipes
Homemade Chicken Nuggets
Beef Recipes
Air Fryer Steak
Egg Recipes
Air Fryer Eggs
Side Dishes and Salads
Air Fryer Zucchini
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Air Fryer Brats
Ingredients
- 6 bratwurst
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer for 5 minutes at 370° F.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, add your brats to the air fryer basket and space them out as much as possible.
- Cook your brats for 6 minutes at 370°F then flip them and cook them for an additional 6 minutes. Once they are finished cooking, salt and pepper them to taste.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- We like to serve our brats on hot dog buns with some sweet pickle relish, ketchup, and mustard.
- You can also serve your brats on their own with a side of sauerkraut and grilled onions.
- You may notice some of your bratwurst crack down the middle as they cook. This is caused by moisture trying to escape the brat and is totally fine.
- You can store your leftover brats in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat your brats in the microwave for about a minute or in the air fryer for 3 minutes at 350°F.
- You can check to see if your brats are done by making sure they reach an internal temp of 165°F.
