Brats, or bratwurst, are a type of German sausage typically made with pork or beef mixed with spices for extra juicy flavors.
The name says it all; "brat" means finely chopped and "wurst" means sausages, made in a pan or just by roasting them on the grill for a couple of minutes.
Air-fried brats and peppers are a delicious and easy dish idea that can be paired with anything from rice to hot buns. You can have them as a simple lunch or a classy dinner, or even include them in the menu when throwing a party. It’s an anywhere-fitting dish that you can count on.
It’s an easy dish that requires no long-listed ingredients, but making it in the air fryer makes it a breeze for it to cook with no mess, less effort, and little time. Bratwurst or brats cooked in the air fryer come out juicy and crusty while the peppers are perfectly caramelized and tender on the go.
This is an ideal dish for all-year-long meals at the summer pool party or even in the winter when you are craving grilled brats, which can easily be minced by the great air fryer while cooking thoroughly.
Everyone needs a simple yet filling dish, and this one is made just for that, so without any further ado, let’s dig into it.
Can you cook raw brats in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook raw brats in the air fryer. It almost takes 12-15 minutes and comes out scrumptiously good. All you have to do is preheat the air fryer to 360 F and spread them in a single layer.
Cook for 8 minutes, flip them and let them cook for another 6 minutes until they are dark brown or until the internal temperature reaches 165 Fahrenheit. Flip them often to avoid overcooking. Serve them with dips or in the buns.
Should I season brats?
Yes, but only if you prefer to.
Brat is a German sausage made with pork, veal, and beef; season with a combination of spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, pepper flakes, caraway, nutmeg, and garlic; and also lemon zest.
You can either add the spices while making the sausage fillings or you can simply rub them on the ready-to-cook sausages for more extra flavors. Cooking the sausages with peppers and onions makes them more juicy and moist, with the perfect crumbly outer layer.
Do you need to boil brats before air frying?
No, you don’t need to boil brats before air-frying them.
The rule is to never boil the brats in beer or any other liquid before or after the cooking. You can skip the boiling part and still have the juicy, meaty brats.
As a fact, boiling them leaches the flavor out of the brats and makes the flavor only watery. Who needs that?
Just air fry the seasoned sausages and flip them again and again halfway through cooking. They will be browned-crunchy and you will have a delectable bratwurst on your plate every single time.
Are Johnsonville brats precooked?
Yes, the Johnsonville brats are pre-cooked.
But on the other hand, it holds the myth that you can eat them straight out of the package as they are pre-cooked. However, you should burst this myth and always cook the meat until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit.
The best way is to air fry them. It requires little to no oil, no cleaning after the cooking, and cooks them fully and thoroughly.
How do I cook precooked brats in an air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 360 Fahrenheit and place the links in an air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them so they can cook evenly.
Air fry them for 7 to 10 minutes, flipping them once halfway. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, let them stand for 2 additional minutes. Be careful here, you don’t want your sausages to be overcooked or burst with a rubbery texture.
How to make perfect brats and peppers?
Ingredients you need:
- Uncooked brats
- Bell peppers strips (red, green, or yellow)
- Diced onions (optional)
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Directions:
- Preheat an air fryer to 360 Fahrenheit degrees.
- Toss peppers and onion (optional) in a large bowl with a tablespoon of olive oil and salt pepper to taste.
- Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer leaving some space for the peppers.
- Arrange the peppers and onions (if using any) around the brat’s spaces.
- Let them cook for 8 minutes while flipping them once or twice midway through cooking. Cook the other side for 5-6 minutes until the veggies are charred and the brats are brown, giving the reading of 165 degrees on the internal temperature on the thermometer.
Do you have to preheat an air fryer?
Yes, it is a must-step in most cases and depends upon the type of food you are about to make.
Preheating the fryer gives food a signature crisp every single time, which is loved by all. It mostly benefits the thick meat cuts of chicken, beef, or even pork.
The air fryer takes hardly 3-5 minutes to preheat itself. If you don’t preheat the fryer, the food will take longer to cook without the center cooking evenly, and the outer layer will most likely be less crispy.
How do I know if my bratwurst is cooked?
When the bratwurst is cooked thoroughly, check the internal temperature with the meat thermometer; it will appear at 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The brats would also appear firm and whitish-brown with no hint of pink color.
However, if the middle part appears pink and not pale brown when cut through, then check the internal temperature again. If it reaches the temperature and still has a slight pink in the center, then it’s safe to consume.
What is the best way to cook peppers?
Air-frying or roasting your bell peppers is the best method because frying them makes them charred, tendered, and crispier as compared to boiling or steaming. The first step is to cut the pepper into vertical slices or strips, followed by the removal of the core and seeds.
Season them and lightly spray oil over them and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Here are other methods you can try to roast your bell peppers :
| Different methods | Time taken |
| Air frying | 10-12 minutes |
| In oven | 15 minutes |
| On the stovetop | 6-7 minutes |
| Steaming | 12-15 minutes |
| Grill | 10-15 minutes |
What temperature should a pepper be cooked in an air fryer?
Preheat the air fryer to 350 Fahrenheit or 175 Celsius. Combine the slices of peppers, olive oil, and salt with other spices if you want, and mix them.
Transfer the peppers from the bowl to a fryer basket with or without parchment paper and let them cook for 9–10 minutes, flipping them once, until the peppers turn brown, shriveled, and charred with tendered insides.
What should I serve with bratwurst?
Bratwurst is best served when hot, typically with rice or topped with mustard and ketchup inside the hot dog buns.
But trying it out with other combinations is a must if you are an adventurous foodie, always looking for new tastes. Here are some delicious suggestions that you can opt for:
- Peppers and caramelized onions
- Corn on the cob
- Sauerkraut
- Coleslaw
- Potato salad
- Sweet and sour red cabbage
- Potato pancakes
Nutrition in air-fried bratwurst and peppers:
Brats and peppers (+onions) are the perfect combined meal for every meal, but munching on them without any control could lead to extra calories until you realize it late while hitting the gym.
Let’s look at the quantity of nutrition this delectable dish contains:
| Nutrition | 1 serving |
| Calories | 339 |
| Total fat | 27g |
| Cholesterol | 84mg |
| Sodium | 746mg |
| Potassium | 409mg |
| Total carbohydrates | 5.8g |
| Proteins | 17g |
Eating your favorite dish can give you energy and the satisfactory taste you need, but overeating could lead to weight gain. It is a fulfilling meal; regardless of how it tastes and gives off protein, you should always eat it carefully and cautiously.
Should I Allow The Brats To Rest Before Eating Them?
Just like with any juicy meat, you should let it rest to allow the fluids to saturate the entire piece. Envelop them with foil for 5 minutes before serving.
Allow the brats to rest for about 5 minutes after boiling before grilling. They will be full of flavor, crunchy, and very juicy after cooking.
For the best results, grill your brats slowly over medium-low heat (between 300 and 350°F). It should take about 20 minutes to reach your desired internal cooking temperature.
How Should You Serve Brats?
We serve the brats over rice with peppers on the side. When making beer brats, we normally substitute onions for peppers and serve the brats and onions on a bun.
You can also serve them with the followings.
- Hard Rolls
- Sauerkraut
- Mustard
- Kartoffelsalat.
SUMMARY:
- Brats and peppers together make a juicy, low-carb yet fulfilling meal and require no extra preparations.
- You can make your bratwurst or just buy the precooked brat packages.
- Brats are preseasoned with several spices like caraway, nutmeg, garlic, lemon zest, and salt peppers, so you don’t have to season it again (you can do it if you prefer).
- Air frying brats and peppers make it possible for a minimal cleaning while cooking in batches if you are running low on time.
- If you want to change this recipe a bit then add potatoes, mushrooms, jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or just the Italian seasonings.
- If you are doubting the magic of air fryers just try this recipe for burning out the myths.
- Brats and peppers (+caramalized onions) in an air fryer for lunch, dinner, or even a party is ready to be served hot in just 20 minutes.