Enjoy ballpark-style eats year-round with this Air Fryer Brats recipe. With crispy skins, juicy centers, and caramelized onions and mustard on top, they’re a fun way to celebrate my family’s Wisconsin roots. Best of all, they’re quick, easy, and totally family-friendly.
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Table of Contents
If you love easy air fryer meals, I have you covered! You'll also love my Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers, Air Fryer Salmon, Air Fryer Turkey Burgers, and Air Fryer Chicken Bites.
At A Glance: Air Fryer Brats
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 5-6 brats
- Nutrition: 435 calories, 28 grams of carbohydrates, 17 grams of protein, and 27 grams of fat.
- What it Tastes Like: Juicy, savory bratwurst with crisped skins, sweet caramelized onions, and classic mustardy goodness.
- Why You'll Love It: This recipe delivers all the flavor of traditional beer brats without firing up the grill. It's great year-round, quick, hands-off, and family-friendly.
- Difficulty Level: Easy and beginner-friendly with simple steps.
Being that my mom is from Wisconsin, brats were a total mainstay in our house growing up. I can still remember walking downstairs for dinner and catching the smell of brats simmering away in beer on the stove—one of those food memories that sticks with you.
Honestly, I wasn’t totally sold on them as a kid or teenager. But as I got older, I learned to appreciate—and genuinely love—them. Juicy, hot, perfectly seasoned, and topped with mustard and grilled onions, a good brat is its own kind of comfort food.
For years, though, I only ever had brats when I was with my mom. Maybe it was nostalgia… or maybe I subconsciously wondered if I was even allowed to make them myself as someone a generation removed from Wisconsin. Eventually, I texted my mom to ask where to buy brats (she was appropriately horrified by this question) and she happily shared all her tips.
After testing cooking times, adding air fryer onions, and enjoying more than my fair share of brats, I landed on a method that makes air fryer brats easy, flavorful, and totally doable year-round. And yes—I’m pretty sure my mom would approve. 😊
For more 30-minute dinners the whole family will love, check out my Instant Pot BBQ Chicken, Creamy Garlic Chicken, White Cheddar Mac and Cheese, and Frozen Vegetable Chicken Stir-Fry.
Important Ingredients and Substitutions
These air fryer brats come together with just a handful of simple ingredients, but a few small choices make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Bratwurst: Use raw, uncooked bratwurst for this recipe so they simmer properly in the beer and finish cooking evenly in the air fryer. Classic pork brats are traditional, but you can also use chicken or turkey bratwurst—just keep an eye on cooking time and internal temperature.
Beer: A light lager or pilsner works best for beer brats in the air fryer. You want something mild and drinkable so it enhances the flavor without overpowering the sausage. If you prefer not to cook with alcohol, you can substitute chicken broth or apple cider for a slightly different but still delicious result.
Onion: Yellow or white onions caramelize beautifully in the air fryer and add that classic brat stand flavor. If you love a little sweetness, a sweet onion works great here, too.
Hot Dog Buns: Standard hot dog buns work perfectly, but sturdier bakery-style buns or brat rolls are great if you want something that can hold up to toppings.
German Mustard: Traditional and highly recommended for authentic brat flavor. Whole-grain or stone-ground mustard makes a great substitute if you can’t find it.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is easy to customize depending on what you have on hand or who you’re feeding. A few simple swaps and add-ons, should you need them:
- Different Sausage — This air fryer bratwurst recipe works with chicken or turkey brats, as well as Italian sausage (or try my Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers recipe). Cooking times may vary slightly depending on thickness—just be sure to cook to a safe internal temperature
- Non-Alcoholic Beer — You can easily use a non-alcoholic beer to simmer the brats to keep that classic beer brat flavor without the alcohol.
- No Beer — Short on beer? You can skip the simmering step and air fry the brats straight from raw. Add a few extra minutes of cook time and flip halfway through, cooking until the brats reach 160°F internally.
- Extra Veggies — Add sliced bell peppers, mushrooms, or even broccolini to the air fryer basket with the onions for extra flavor, texture, and nutrition. Just make sure everything fits in a single layer for even cooking.
- Switch up the Toppings — Top the air fryer beer brats with sauerkraut for a classic tang to balance the rich sausages or switch things up with spicy brown mustard, whole-grain mustard, ketchup, or even a drizzle of beer cheese.
How to Make Air Fryer Brats
For the complete recipe and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1: In a deep skillet over medium-high heat (or using the sauté function on an air fryer/multicooker unit), bring the beer and brats to a boil.
Step 2: Simmer for 4 minutes, then carefully remove the brats from the beer without puncturing them. The brats will not be fully cooked at this point—this step just helps lock in flavor and ensures juicy results.
Step 3: Add the sliced onion to a medium mixing bowl and toss with olive oil and a pinch of salt until evenly coated.
If using a multicooker, carefully drain the beer from the cooking pot and install the air fryer basket.
Step 4: Add the onions to the air fryer basket and layer the par-boiled brats on top.
Step 5: Air fry for 10–12 minutes, gently tossing the onions and turning the brats halfway through, until the onions are tender and the brats are golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
Step 6: Serve the brats in hot dog buns, topped with the onions and German mustard. Enjoy hot!
Chelsea's Recipe Pro-Tips
- Parboil (don't fully cook) the brats. Simmering the brats briefly in beer adds flavor and helps them cook evenly, but they should not be fully cooked during this step. Parboiling keeps the brats juicy and prevents the casings from bursting in the air fryer.
- Avoid puncturing the brats. When removing the brats from the beer, use tongs and handle them gently. Keeping the casings intact helps lock in moisture and flavor as they finish cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer. Unless your air fryer has a built-in preheating cycle, a short preheat caramelizes the onions from the jump and ensures the brats cook evenly with a golden, lightly crisped exterior.
- Air fry in a single layer. Spreading the onions out and layering the brats on top allows hot air to circulate properly, resulting in better browning and more consistent cooking. Gently turn or toss the onions and brats halfway through the cooking time for even cooking and crisping.
- Measure the final temperature. Brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Checking the temp ensures they’re safely cooked without drying out.
Serving Suggestions
These air fryer bratwurst are just as perfect for a quick weeknight dinner as they are for a laid-back barbecue or game-day spread. I love pairing them with classic, make-ahead sides like Broccoli Slaw, a tangy 5 Bean Salad, or Balsamic Pasta Salad—all easy options that balance the richness of the brats and make feeding a crowd feel effortless.
For something a little fresher or more fun, try serving brats with Blistered Green Beans for a quick veggie side with big flavor, or add pretzel bites to the table for a brat-stand–inspired touch that’s especially great for parties. If you’re leaning cozy, Dutch Oven Sweet Potatoes or a Roasted Broccoli round out the meal beautifully and keep everything family-friendly.
Storage Directions
- Refrigerating: Store leftover brats and onions in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Keep the buns stored separately at room temperature or in the freezer for best freshness.
- Freezing: Once cooled completely, separate the brats from the onions and buns and transfer to individual freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the brats and onions in the refrigerator overnight, and thaw the buns at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Reheat brats and onions in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes, or until heated through. This helps restore some of the crisp exterior without drying them out. Buns are best warmed separately or toasted lightly just before serving.
Air Fryer Beer Brats FAQs
Yes! You can simmer the brats in non-alcoholic beer for classic flavor without the alcohol, or use apple cider or chicken broth for a slightly different twist. If you want to keep things extra simple, you can also skip the simmering step altogether and cook the brats fully in the air fryer.
Parboiling isn’t required, but it does add flavor and helps the brats cook more evenly and stay juicy. If you skip this step, just plan to air fry the brats a few minutes longer and flip them halfway through until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Yes, but for the best results, thaw them first or parboil them in the beer for an extra 4-5 minutes. Frozen brats can cook unevenly in the air fryer, so allowing them to thaw helps ensure the centers are fully cooked without over-browning the outside.
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If you liked and made this Bratwurst in the Air Fryer, don't forget to rate it and let me know how you liked it in the comments. I always love hearing from you!
Recipe Card
Air Fryer Brats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 12 oz. cans beer lager or pilsner are best
- 1 16 oz. package bratwurst
- 1 medium yellow or white onion sliced
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 Pinch salt
- 5-6 hot dog buns depending on the number of hot dogs
- German mustard to garnish
Instructions
- In a deep skillet over medium-high heat (or on the sauté feature of an air fryer/multicooker unit), bring the beer and brats to a boil. Simmer for 4 minutes. Carefully remove the brats from the beer without puncturing them. Note: The brats will not be completely cooked through at this point; only parboiled.
- In a medium mixing bowl, toss the onion with olive oil and salt until evenly coated.
- If using a multicooker unit, carefully drain the beer from the cooking pot and install the air fryer basket.Preheat the air fryer to 390°F per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Add the onions to the air fryer basket and layer the par-boiled brats on top. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, gently tossing the onions and turning the brats halfway through, until the onions are tender and the brats are golden brown and cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
- Serve the brats in hot dog buns, topped with the onions and German mustard. Enjoy!
Notes
- Parboil (don't fully cook) the brats. Simmering the brats briefly in beer adds flavor and helps them cook evenly, but they should not be fully cooked during this step. Parboiling keeps the brats juicy and prevents the casings from bursting in the air fryer.
- Avoid puncturing the brats. When removing the brats from the beer, use tongs and handle them gently. Keeping the casings intact helps lock in moisture and flavor as they finish cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer. Unless your air fryer has a built-in preheating cycle, a short preheat caramelizes the onions from the jump and ensures the brats cook evenly with a golden, lightly crisped exterior.
- Air fry in a single layer. Spreading the onions out and layering the brats on top allows hot air to circulate properly, resulting in better browning and more consistent cooking. Gently turn or toss the onions and brats halfway through the cooking time for even cooking and crisping.
- Measure the final temperature. Brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Checking the temp ensures they’re safely cooked without drying out.
- Refrigerating: Store leftover brats and onions in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days. Keep the buns stored separately at room temperature or in the freezer for best freshness.
- Freezing: Once cooled completely, separate the brats from the onions and buns and transfer to individual freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw the brats and onions in the refrigerator overnight, and thaw the buns at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Reheat brats and onions in the air fryer at 375°F for 3–5 minutes, or until heated through. This helps restore some of the crisp exterior without drying them out. Buns are best warmed separately or toasted lightly just before serving.
Awesome recipe! Because the weather was too warm, I opted to try cooking the brats in the Air Fryer. We were so very happy with how the brats turned out! This is certainly the way I will prepare brats going forward! Thanks for the great recipe!
Hi Cindy,
The air fryer is my lifesaver on hot days! I'm so glad to hear you loved the recipe! Thanks for reviewing and sharing. <3
Best,
Chelsea
Was surprised at how wonderful these turned out! Now I don't have to start the grill every time we want brats. I used Johnsonville sweet Italian sausages, Pabst beer, and Koops spicy mustard..all from Wisconsin!🥰
Hi Sara,
Oh, yey! So glad to hear you liked them as much as we do! The air fryer for the win -- especially during the cool weather months!
Best,
Chelsea