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Inspired by Milwaukeeโs German heritage, this Air Fryer Bratwurst recipe delivers juicy, crispy brats in minutes. Theyโre a fan favorite for tailgates, family reunions, and Oktoberfest celebrations!
Megganโs notes
Thanks to German immigrants who settled the area, my own family included, Milwaukee has deep German roots, which is why bratwurst is such a big deal there. My own personal bratwurst expertise comes from years of watching my family prepare juicy sausages for tailgates and backyard get-togethers.
This air fryer bratwurst keeps things simple, but if you want that classic Milwaukee-style flavor, you can first simmer the brats in beer and onions before air frying. Just follow the steps in my Wisconsin Beer Brats recipe using a half batch, add one or two cans of beer (substituting some water if needed), then transfer the brats to the air fryer for browning.
Itโs an extra step, but totally worth it for that rich, beer-infused taste. Pile them high with toppings like homemade sauerkraut and homemade whole grain mustard to really make my immigrant ancestors proud!
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Bratwurst: If possible, start with raw bratwurst rather than pre-cooked ones for the best flavor and texture. (But thereโs nothing wrong with grabbing a pack of Johnsonville brats!) To channel your inner Wisconsinite, order authentic brats online fromย Glennโs Marketย orย Usingerโs.
- Beer:ย Pilsners and lagers are traditional, but IPAs, porters, and stouts all work wonderfully. If you cannotย bearย to pour that much beer into a pot for cooking bratwurst, substitute half the beer for water.
- Sauerkraut:ย If you have the time, you canย make your own sauerkrautย in 5 days with just cabbage, salt, and juniper berries.
- Mustard: Store-bought mustard is just fine, or you can my homemade yellow mustard and homemade whole grain mustard in just 15 minutes.
- Toppings: To do it up right, consider setting up a BYOB (build your own brat) topping bar with sauerkraut, onions, relish, pickles, ketchup, and a couple different mild and spicy mustards.
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees. Add bratwurst to preheated basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the bratwurst. Continue airfrying at 350 degrees for another 4 to 6 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees on a digital meat thermometer.
- Serve on buns with your favorite toppings.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This Air Fryer Bratwurst recipe makes 5 brats. Feel free to double it for a larger crew (just air fry them in batches).
- Storage: Refrigerate any extra brats in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or until they reach 165 degrees.
- Make ahead: Simmer the bratwursts in beer or water until almost cooked through, then refrigerate until ready to grill.
- Peppers and Bratwurst: In a large bowl, combine 2 seeded, stemmed, and sliced bell peppers with one sliced onion. Toss with ยผ cup olive oil, 1 /2 teaspoon oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt. Place peppers and onions in the air fryer basket and top with bratwurst. Cook at 350 degrees for 8 minutes. Flip bratwurst and toss pepper mixture. Cook an additional 4 to 6 minutes until peppers are tender and the bratwurst reaches 165 degrees.
Frequently Asked Questions
To lock in that juicy flavor, I donโt recommend poking holes through the bratsโ casing before air frying.
Thereโs plenty of fat in air fryer bratwursts, so thereโs no need to add any oil at all.
Pilsners and lagers are traditional, but IPAs, porters, and stouts all work wonderfully. If you do not want to pour that much beer into a pot for cooking bratwurst, substitute half the beer for water.
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Air Fryer Bratwurst
Instructionsย
- Preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees. Add bratwurst to preheated basket.
- Cook for 8 minutes. Flip bratwurst and continue to air fry at 350 degrees until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees on a digital meat thermometer, 4 to 6 minutes more. Serve in buns with your favorite toppings.
- Serve in buns with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Bratwurst: If possible, start with raw bratwurst rather than pre-cooked ones for the best flavor and texture. (But thereโs nothing wrong with grabbing a pack of Johnsonville brats!) To channel your inner Wisconsinite, order authentic brats online from Glennโs Marketย orย Usingerโs.
- Storage: Refrigerate any extra brats in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer for 5 minutes, or until they reach 165 degrees.