These Air Fryer Brats are the most delicious quick & hassle free dinner. Caramelized on the exterior and super juicy on the inside, the air fryer is the perfect way to cook bratwurst. You can’t forget about the sweet and smokey beer braised onions. This simple meal is a crowd pleaser!
Serve these with Seasoned Frozen Tater Tots.
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Highlights
- No grill or parchment paper needed
- Caramelized exterior & juicy on the inside
- Brats cook in less 15 minutes
- Simple dinner idea
- Low carb/keto
- Beer braised onions
- Kid friendly
Ingredient Notes
- Onions: Any kind of onion will work.
- Bratwurst: You can use thawed or frozen brats. If you cook frozen brats, add about 3 minutes to cook time. This is just an estimate based on my air fryer. Be sure to check that the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
- Beer: Any beer you have on hand will work. I used Rainier.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
Helpful Equipment & Tools
- Ultrean 8.5 Quart Air Fryer: Great size & price point.
- Calphalon Classic Hard-Anodized Nonstick Pots and Pans: High quality, heavy duty, & even heating.
- ThermoPro TP01A Digital Meat Thermometer: Ensures perfectly cooked meat every time & is only around $10.
How to Cook Brats in Air Fryer
Overview
- Brown the onions.
- Braise them in beer.
- Air fryer the brats, flipping halfway through.
- Enjoy the beer brats with lots of beer braised onions!
Step by Step
Step 1: In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until browned.
Step 2: Deglaze the pan with the beer and stir in the sugar, paprika, and salt.
TIP - Be sure to allow the onions to develop some color before adding the beer.
Step 3: Turn the heat to medium low. Braise for about 20-25 minutes (stirring occasionally) or until the beer has reduced.
Step 4: After the onions have been braising for about 10 minutes, place the bratwursts in the air fryer basket not touching (no need to grease it).
TIP - If the beer is boiling too rapidly, turn the heat to low.
Step 4: Air fry at 380 for 5-7 minutes.
Step 4: Flip and air fry at 380 for another 5-7 minutes or until the bratwursts reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees, then remove the brats from the air fryer.
TIP - Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature of the bratwursts.
Make Ahead & Storage
- Refrigerator: Store cooked bratwurst in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or the air fryer at 350 degrees for 4-5 minutes.
- Freezer: You can freeze bratwurst raw or cooked for up to 3 months. Raw or cooked bratwursts will stick together if frozen touching. I recommend wrapping them individually in plastic wrap and then placing them in a large freezer bag. This way you can thaw only what you need. Thaw raw bratwurst in the refrigerator overnight. Thaw cooked bratwurst in the fridge or reheat from frozen in the air fryer or microwave.
- Make Ahead: The onions can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat before serving in the microwave or on the stove.
Expert Tips
- Don’t rush the onions. The onions develop flavor as they braise in the beef. I recommend starting them at least 10 minutes before the brats. You can even braise them longer if needed, just be sure to keep them on low.
- Don’t grease the air fryer. The bratwursts a high enough fat content that they will not stick to the basket without any additional greasing. Adding more oil will cause the air fryer to smoke (see note below).
- Use a meat thermometer. The bratwurst need to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
- Toast the buns. If you are serving them on buns, throw them in the air fryer at 400 for a few minutes to toast them.
- Load up on toppings. Don’t forget about the toppings. There are so many possible flavor combinations (see ideas below).
Recipe Notes
- The air fryer may smoke. Since bratwurst have a high fat content, oil will splatter and begin to circulate in the air fryer. When the oil hits the hot coils in the top of the air fryer smoke is created. The best way to prevent smoke is to be sure the air fryer and drip tray are cleaned well before cooking the brats.
Variations
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place brats on a baking sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes flipping halfway through. Broil for a couple of minutes at the end to brown the brats more. The brats are done when the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees.
FAQs
Sausage comes in many different shapes and forms. Bratwurst are a specific kind of fresh pork sausage link.
There are many different ways to cook raw bratwurst. You can air fry, grill, sauté, boil, braise, or bake them. My preferred method is the air fryer because it is quick, easy, and able to be done indoors.
Bratwurst are traditionally served on bread or a bun with mustard, sauerkraut, and onions. They can also be served without bread.
Bratwurst must be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Yes. Fully cooked bratwurst might still be pink when cut into. The only way to ensure they are fully cooked is to use a thermometer. They need to reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Cooking brats in the air fryer is simple. Simply air fry at 380 degrees for about 10-14 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees (depending on size), flipping halfway through.
Brats that are already cooked can be reheated in the air fryer at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes or until heated through.
Toppings
- Beer braised onions are my favorite topping (of course)
- Bacon bits
- Shredded cheese
- Sauerkraut
- Pickles or pickled jalapeños
- Coleslaw
- Sautéed bell peppers and onions
- Sriracha, hot sauce, or buffalo sauce
- Ketchup, mustard, or relish
- Chunky salsa
Side Dishes
- Potato chips
- Simple green salad
- Potato salad
- Mac and cheese
- French fries
- Beans
- Fruit or raw veggies and dip
Related Recipes
Brats in Air Fryer
Ingredients:
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 3 yellow or white onions
- 2 cups light beer
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 bratwurst, 1.25 pounds
Instructions:
- Review all recipe notes and instructions before beginning.
- In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 5 minutes or until browned.
- Deglaze the pan with the beer and stir in the sugar, paprika, and salt.
- Turn the heat to medium low. Braise for about 20-25 minutes (stirring occasionally) or until the beer has reduced.
- After the onions have been braising for about 10 minutes, place the bratwursts in the air fryer basket not touching (no need to grease it).
- Air fry at 380 for 5-7 minutes.
- Flip and air fry at 380 for another 5-7 minutes or until the bratwursts reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees.
Oh yum! This looks like the perfect dinner for my boys. I'm going to make this tonight.
Wow, these look AMAZING! Will have to try them.
-T-
Thanks!
A great new spin a brats! Love the touch of smokiness that the paprika adds too. A winning recipe!!
These brats are so easy and delicious. Love doing them in the air fryer. We are making them again for game day. Thanks for sharing.
YUM! We love the snap these brats get on them from the air fryer. Delicious, easy, fabulous recipe!
Any style of sausage is great in the air fryer but wow, these brats are killer! I just loved the beer braised onions. They really make this dinner a special treat and they smell amazing too. Will be making on repeat.