Air-Fried Beer Brats: The Perfect Quick Cook

Cooking beer brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make juicy and delicious brats without having to grill them. The air fryer is able to give the brats a crispy texture on the outside while keeping them tender and juicy on the inside. The entire process takes under 20 minutes and can be served in a hoagie bun, over pasta, or with veggies.

Preheat the air fryer to 350-380°F

Preheat your air fryer to between 350°F and 380°F. Some sources recommend preheating to 370°F or 375°F, but these temperatures are within the 350°F-380°F range. Preheating your air fryer will help the brats cook more quickly and evenly.

Once your air fryer is preheated, brush or spray the tray with cooking oil, and add the brats in a single layer so they are not touching each other. This will allow hot air to circulate around them.

If you are cooking frozen brats, you should cook them at 350°F for about 13 to 15 minutes. If you are cooking thawed raw bratwurst, you can cook them at 370°F for 8 to 10 minutes.

Cook the beer brats for 12-15 minutes

Now, it's time to cook the beer brats! Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching each other. This arrangement allows the hot air to circulate evenly around the brats. Set the air fryer temperature to 350°F-380°F (190°C if your air fryer uses Celsius). The cooking time will vary depending on your desired level of doneness and the starting temperature of the brats.

If you're using frozen brats, cook them for 13 to 15 minutes at 350°F. For thawed raw brats, 8 to 10 minutes at 370°F should suffice. If you're short on time, some recipes suggest cooking for as little as 5 minutes on one side and then 3 to 5 minutes on the other, depending on your desired level of doneness. However, the recommended cooking time for juicy, evenly browned brats is 12 to 15 minutes. Flip the brats halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.

While the brats are cooking, you can prepare any desired toppings or side dishes.

Flip the beer brats halfway through

Flipping your beer brats halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure your sausages are browned evenly on both sides. This is a crucial step to achieving that perfect, crispy texture on the outside, while keeping the inside juicy.

When cooking beer brats in an air fryer, it is recommended to cook them for 12 to 15 minutes at 350°F, flipping them over halfway through. This will ensure that both sides of the sausages are cooked evenly and achieve that desirable golden-brown colour.

For best results, arrange the brats in a single layer on the air fryer tray, making sure they are not touching each other. This allows the hot air to circulate evenly around each sausage. After placing the tray back into the air fryer, set the timer for 5 minutes. Once the timer goes off, use tongs or a spatula to carefully turn each sausage over and cook for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, depending on how well-done you prefer your brats.

If you are using frozen brats, you may need to increase the cooking time to 13 to 15 minutes at 350°F. It is still recommended to flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.

Beer brats are best served in buns with toppings

Beer brats are a German sausage, usually made with ground pork, and are a type of comfort food. They are best served in buns with toppings, and can be cooked in an air fryer in under 20 minutes.

To make beer brats in an air fryer, first, preheat the air fryer to 350°F-380°F. It is recommended to brush or spray the air fryer tray with cooking oil before adding the brats. Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching, so that the hot air can circulate.

Cooking time for the brats varies depending on the source, but generally, they should be cooked for 8-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through. The brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F-165°F.

Beer brats are typically served in buns or crusty rolls, with toppings such as mustard, sauerkraut, onions, and cheese. Some people also like to add avocado, tomato, or potato salad on the side.

Beer brats can be cooked with peppers and onions

For even cooking, cut the peppers and onions into 1/2-inch slices. If you want to add a little heat, include some crushed red pepper flakes, or chili powder, smoked paprika, and cumin for a spicy kick. You can also add olive oil and salt to taste. For a savory version, try using Italian seasoning. If you prefer your peppers and onions softer, air fry them for a few extra minutes.

To cook the beer brats, preheat your air fryer to 375F/190C if your model requires preheating. Place the brats in the air fryer, ensuring they are not touching, and cook for 5 minutes. Turn them over and cook for another 3-5 minutes, depending on how well-done you like your sausages. The brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.

You can serve the beer brats with the peppers and onions for a delicious and flavorful meal. This recipe is perfect for a quick and easy dinner and can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Frequently asked questions