Air-Fried Cheddar Brats: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Cheddar brats are a type of sausage popular in German and Scandinavian cuisine. They are made from pork, beef, or lamb and are flavoured with cheddar cheese, garlic, onion, and spices. Cheddar brats can be cooked in many ways, including grilling, baking, and frying. However, cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them juicy and golden brown. This method is especially useful when grilling is not an option, such as during the winter or when you don't want to stand outside in the heat. Air-fried cheddar brats can be served with various toppings and sides, making them a versatile and crowd-pleasing option for any occasion.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking cheddar brats. While some sources suggest that preheating is not necessary, others recommend preheating your air fryer to a specific temperature for a certain duration. For example, one source suggests preheating to 390°F for 5 minutes, while another recommends 350°F without specifying a duration. A third source recommends preheating to 400°F.

Preheating your air fryer helps to ensure that your cheddar brats cook evenly and develop a brown crust. It is also important to ensure that your brats are cooked to the recommended internal temperature of 160°F to prevent undercooking.

When preheating your air fryer, it is essential to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for your specific model. Each air fryer may have unique features and functions, and following the manufacturer's guidelines will help you achieve the best results. Additionally, always exercise caution when handling hot appliances and use appropriate protective gear, such as oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves, to avoid burns.

The preheating process helps to ensure that your air fryer reaches the desired temperature before adding the cheddar brats. This step is crucial in achieving the desired cooking results, as it ensures that the cooking process begins as soon as the brats are placed in the air fryer. By preheating, you create a consistent and controlled cooking environment, allowing for more precise cooking times and temperatures. This is especially important when following specific recipes or aiming for a particular level of doneness for your cheddar brats.

Place the cheddar brats in the air fryer basket

Cooking cheddar brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get a delicious meal on the table. Cheddar brats are a type of sausage that is popular in German and Scandinavian cuisine. They are typically made with pork or beef and are flavoured with smoked cheddar cheese.

Placing the Cheddar Brats in the Air Fryer Basket

When placing the cheddar brats in the air fryer basket, it is important to ensure that they are in a single layer with space between them. This allows the hot air to circulate around them and ensures even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the brats in batches. It is also recommended to use aluminium foil or parchment paper to line the air fryer basket for easy cleanup. However, if you choose to use aluminium foil, it is important to poke holes in it to allow the hot air to circulate.

Additionally, while some recipes suggest coating the brats in oil or using a cooking spray to prevent sticking, others advise against this, as brats naturally have enough fat to prevent sticking and adding oil may not be necessary. If you do choose to use oil, it is recommended to coat the brats directly rather than spraying the basket to minimise splatters.

Finally, it is important to note that the brats should be placed in the air fryer basket while they are still raw. Precooked brats will not require as much cooking time and may become tough and dry if overcooked.

Cook the cheddar brats

Cheddar brats are a type of sausage that is popular in German and Scandinavian cuisine. They are usually made with pork, beef, or lamb and are flavoured with cheddar cheese, garlic, onion, and spices. They can be cooked in a variety of ways, including grilling, baking, and frying. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook cheddar brats in an air fryer:

Prepare the Air Fryer:

Firstly, you need to preheat your air fryer. Most sources recommend preheating to 350°F, but you can also preheat to 370°F or 390°F. You do not need to use oil or butter to grease the basket as brats have enough fat in them and will not stick. However, if you want to prevent sticking and minimise splatters, you can coat the brats in oil or spray them with cooking spray directly.

Place the raw cheddar brats in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving space between each brat to allow the hot air to circulate. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the brats in batches. Cook the brats for 10-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. The brats are done when they have an internal temperature of 160°F, which you can check with an instant digital meat thermometer.

Serve the Cheddar Brats:

Remove the cheddar brats from the air fryer and serve them on their own or with your favourite toppings and sides. Some popular topping options include sauerkraut, mustard, caramelised onions, crispy fried onion strings, ketchup, mayonnaise, and bacon bits. You can serve the brats on their own or in hot dog buns, hoagie rolls, brat buns, or crusty rolls. Enjoy!

Storing and Reheating:

Leftover cheddar brats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the brats in a hot skillet or the microwave until heated through. You can also reheat them in the air fryer at 320°F for about 3-5 minutes. If you want to freeze cooked brats, wrap them in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight container for up to 2-3 months.

Serve the cheddar brats

Once your cheddar brats are cooked, it's time to serve them! You can serve them on their own, or with a variety of toppings, sauces, and sides.

For toppings, you can add extra shredded cheddar or processed cheddar cheese like Cheez Whiz. You can also add any toppings you would normally put on hot dogs, such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, or caramelized onions. If you want to add some crunch, you can add crispy fried onion strings or bacon bits. If you're looking for something with a bit more tang, you can try sauerkraut, either on its own or with Swiss cheese. You can also add some jalapeños for a spicy kick.

If you want to serve your cheddar brats with a side dish, you can try onion rings, coleslaw, cucumber salad, pierogies, or green beans with bacon. If you're serving a crowd, you can go for larger side dishes like German potato salad, creamy coleslaw, or homemade French fries.

You can serve your cheddar brats in hoagie rolls, brat buns, hot dog buns, or crusty rolls. If you want to add some extra flavor to your rolls, you can put them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp them up.

Now that you know all the different ways to serve cheddar brats, you can mix and match to find your perfect combination!

Store and reheat leftovers

To store cheddar brats, place them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze cooked brats for 2-3 months. Wrap the brats in plastic wrap and store them in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.

To reheat cheddar brats, you can use a skillet, microwave, or air fryer. Heat the brats until they are warmed through. If reheating from frozen, it is recommended to thaw them in the fridge overnight first.

If you are reheating the brats in the air fryer, follow these steps:

• Set the air fryer to 350°F.
• Place the brats in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
• Reheat for 6 minutes, then shake the basket and repeat until the brats are golden brown. This should take around 10 minutes in total.

Frequently asked questions