Air Fryer Beer Brats: Fresh, Fast, And Flavorful

If you're looking for a quick, easy, and tasty way to cook up some fresh beer brats, then look no further than your air fryer! This method is perfect for those who don't want to deal with the hassle of grilling or boiling and will give you juicy, tender, and flavourful brats in under 15 minutes.

To get started, simply preheat your air fryer to between 350-380°F. While it's heating up, you can pierce the brats with a meat thermometer to check that they reach an internal temperature of 152-160°F when they're done. You can also bring the brats to room temperature to reduce cooking time. Once preheated, place the fresh brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each one, and air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. And that's it! Your brats should now be golden brown and crispy on the outside, while still juicy on the inside.

Now comes the fun part—toppings and sides! While the classic combination of sauerkraut and mustard is always a winner, you can also get creative with toppings like sautéed peppers and onions, coleslaw, cheese sauce, or even potato chips. So, whether you're serving them in a bun or on a bed of sauerkraut, your air-fried beer brats are sure to be a hit!

Choosing the right bratwurst

Type of Bratwurst

Firstly, decide on the type of bratwurst you want to use. There are two main types: fine and coarse. The fine variety tends to be preferred by children, while the coarse option has a more pronounced texture and is often favoured by adults. If you're cooking for a diverse group, consider getting a mix of both types to cater to different tastes.

Quality

It's worth investing in good-quality bratwurst, preferably coarse ones with more spices, flavour, and less fat. Look for options made with ground pork, as this is the traditional German variety. However, you can also explore bratwurst made with beef or veal if you want to experiment with different flavours.

Brand

When it comes to brand selection, Johnsonville is a popular choice for many home cooks. They offer a range of flavours, including cheddar bratwurst, and their products are widely available. Costco is another great option, known for their delicious uncooked bratwurst.

Freshness

Always opt for fresh bratwurst wrapped in white butcher paper to ensure the best flavour and texture. Precooked bratwurst is also available, but for this recipe, you'll want to start with fresh sausages to achieve the perfect cooking time and flavour infusion.

Size

The size of the bratwurst will impact the cooking time. Larger bratwurst, often referred to as deli-size, will take longer to cook than standard-size ones. If you're using smaller bratwurst, such as the Nürnberger Rostbratwurst, adjust your cooking time accordingly, reducing it by about 5-10 minutes.

Flavour Infusion

If you want to enhance the flavour of your bratwurst, consider marinating them before cooking. One popular method is to soak the bratwurst in beer for 30 minutes before air frying. However, be cautious not to soak them for too long, as they may become soggy. Alternatively, you can boil the bratwurst in water before placing them in the air fryer to ensure even cooking.

Preparing the air fryer

Firstly, ensure your air fryer is clean, especially the drip pan, as brats have a high-fat content and will produce a lot of drippings. You can also line the drip pan with parchment paper or aluminium foil to catch any excess grease and make cleaning easier. However, if you have a basket-style air fryer, be cautious about using aluminium foil, as it can affect the airflow and impact the cooking process.

Next, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature for cooking brats is between 350°F and 380°F. Preheating ensures even cooking and helps the brats reach the desired internal temperature faster. Most recipes recommend preheating for about 5 minutes, but this may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Once preheated, it's time to arrange the brats in the air fryer. Place them in a single layer, ensuring they have a bit of space around each one. This arrangement allows for even cooking and browning. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you might be able to cook multiple bratwurst links at once, but make sure they are not overcrowded.

Now, you're ready to set the timer and let the air fryer work its magic. The cooking time for fresh, uncooked brats typically ranges from 11 to 15 minutes. However, it's crucial to monitor the internal temperature of the brats to ensure they are cooked thoroughly. The target internal temperature is 160°F, which is the minimum safe temperature for pork.

During the cooking process, consider flipping the brats halfway through. This step is optional, especially if you have an oven-style air fryer with trays, but flipping helps ensure even browning on both sides of the bratwurst.

Finally, when the brats are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavourful.

Cooking the brats

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking the Brats:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

First, you'll want to preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature is between 350°F and 380°F. Preheat for a few minutes or until the desired temperature is reached. You can also line the drip pan of your air fryer with parchment paper to catch any grease that drips from the brats as they cook. This is especially useful if you have an oven-style air fryer.

Step 2: Place the Brats in the Air Fryer

Place the uncooked brats in the air fryer basket or on the trays, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space around each one. You can cook as many brats as your air fryer can fit or accommodate in a single layer. If you're cooking frozen brats, you'll need to preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before placing them inside.

Step 3: Cook the Brats

Set the timer on your air fryer and cook the brats for 11 to 15 minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the type of air fryer you have and whether you're using uncooked or pre-cooked brats. Uncooked brats will take a bit longer, around 12 to 15 minutes. Pre-cooked brats will take less time, about 7 to 13 minutes.

For uncooked brats, you'll know they're done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. The outsides should look golden brown, and the skin should be tight and starting to crisp up. If you're using a basket-style air fryer, it's a good idea to flip the brats halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking and browning. However, if you have an oven-style air fryer with trays, flipping isn't necessary.

Step 4: Remove and Rest the Brats

Once the brats are cooked, carefully remove them from the air fryer using tongs. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and moist.

Tips for the Best Results:

• If you have the time, let the brats come to room temperature before air frying. They will cook faster and more evenly this way.
• To catch any grease drippings, place a piece of bread or aluminium foil under the air fryer basket.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the brats. Remove them from the air fryer when they reach 160°F.
• If desired, serve the brats in a bun with your favourite toppings.

Suggested Toppings and Sides:

• Sauerkraut and mustard
• Sautéed peppers and onions
• Section-title: Baked beans and potato chips
• Coleslaw
• Ketchup, diced onions, and relish
• Shredded cheese and crumbled bacon
• Cheese sauce with fried pickles
• Buffalo sauce and blue cheese
• Herbs such as parsley, dill, or cilantro
• Hot sauce, jalapeños, or hot peppers
• Pickles or cornichons

There you have it! A quick, easy, and delicious way to cook brats using your air fryer. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

There are many ways to serve beer brats cooked in an air fryer. Here are some suggestions:

Buns and Toppings

You can serve the beer brats in a hoagie roll or brioche bun, or for a more classic option, try a German brötchen or pretzel bun. If you want to skip the bun altogether, you can cut the brats into bite-sized pieces and serve them on toothpicks as an appetizer.

For toppings, you can go with the classic combination of sauerkraut and mustard, or get creative with cheese sauce and fried pickles, buffalo sauce and blue cheese, or even a fried egg. If you're serving the brats with buns, you can melt cheese on top by placing the cheese on the brat and bun, then letting it sit in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes after it's been turned off.

Sides

As for sides, you can go with the traditional German option of potatoes, sauerkraut, mustard, and beer, or go American-style with onion rings, coleslaw, or cucumber salad. Other side dish ideas include:

• Broccoli salad with bacon and cheddar
• Baked beans and potato chips
• Air fryer zucchini chips
• Honey chipotle baked beans
• Smoked mac and cheese
• Creamed corn
• Crispy baked potato wedges
• Air fryer tater tots

Storing and reheating leftovers

If you have any leftover bratwurst, you can store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. If you don't think you'll eat them within that time, you can freeze them for up to 3 months, either in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil.

To reheat your brats, simply pop them back into the air fryer basket or oven and heat them at 320-350°F for 3-5 minutes, or until they're heated through. You can also reheat frozen brats in the air fryer—just increase the cooking time to around 17 minutes.

It's worth noting that the cooking time may vary slightly depending on the brand, wattage, and power of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your brats to ensure they don't overcook. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions