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Skip the grill and the mess! These Air Fryer Brats come out golden, juicy, and full of flavor in about 12 minutes, with the peppers cooking right alongside them. It’s a simple, one-basket meal that works just as well piled into a bun as it does served over rice, making it an easy go-to for busy weeknights or casual dinners.
Quick Look At This Recipe
- ✨ Flavor: Juicy, savory brats with caramelized peppers that soak up all the rich, smoky flavor.
- ⏱️ Prep time: 10-15 minutes
- 🔥 Cook time: 10-15 minutes
- ⏲️ Total time: 20-30 minutes
- 👥 Servings: 5
- 🥄 Tools: Air fryer
- ❄️ Freezer-friendly: Freeze cooked brats and peppers in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the air fryer for the best texture.
- 👩🏻🍳 Tip: Don’t pierce the brats. Keeping the casing intact locks in juices and keeps them from drying out.
SUMMARIZE AND SAVE THIS CONTENT ON
Air fryer bratwurst and peppers is one of my go-to dinners when I need something fast but still satisfying. This is one of those recipes I lean on during busy weeknights when I don’t feel like standing over the stove or cleaning up a bunch of dishes afterward.
The first time I made this, I almost reached for extra seasonings… and then realized I didn’t need them at all. The brats add so much flavor on their own, and as they cook, the peppers soak up all those savory juices and turn perfectly tender and slightly caramelized.
Now it’s a regular in our rotation, whether we’re piling everything into buns for a casual dinner or using the leftovers the next day for quick lunches. For more easy air fryer recipes, try this flavorful lemon pepper shrimp and family favorite, air fryer chicken fajitas.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Two Ingredients Needed: Brats and peppers. That’s it. Minimal prep and ingredients, meaning you can get dinner on the table fast. Try these air fryer sausage and peppers too!
- True Set-It-and-Go Cooking: No marinating or complicated steps. Just place everything in the basket and let the air fryer do the work.
- One-Basket Meal: The peppers cook right alongside the brats, soaking up all those savory drippings and caramelizing perfectly.
- Works with Any Brats: Use your favorite brand or flavor—everything from classic pork to cheddar or jalapeño cooks the same way.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Bratwurst: Use raw bratwurst for this recipe, which is the most common option (like Johnsonville). Raw brats cook up juicy with a crisp casing in the air fryer. If using precooked brats, they’ll need slightly less time since they’re already fully cooked. You can also use turkey or chicken brats, but be sure to cook those to an internal temperature of 165°F instead of 160°F.
- Bell Peppers: Any color works here. Red and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers have a more savory, slightly bitter flavor. Slice them into even strips so they cook at the same rate as the brats and soften perfectly in the air fryer.
See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients with quantities you need.
Variations
- Beer Brats: Soak raw brats in beer (like Guinness, a lager, or your favorite) for 30–60 minutes before air frying, then cook at the same time and temperature.
- Brats on a Bun: After cooking, toast the buns in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes for the best texture. These air-fried breaded shrimp are also great on an air fryer toasted bun!
- Just Brats (No Peppers): Skip the peppers and cook the brats on their own using the same method. This is perfect for game day or letting everyone add their own toppings. Enjoy with other fun dishes like air fryer fish tacos and air fryer tortilla pizza.
- Flavored Brats: Cheddar, jalapeño, garlic, and other flavored brats all cook the same way, so feel free to use your favorite variety.
- Seasoned Peppers: For extra flavor, toss the peppers with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of garlic powder or Italian seasoning before air frying.
For more quick and simple dinners, try this taco ring in the air fryer and air fryer taco casserole, next.
How to Make Brats in the Air Fryer
- Prep: Remove the brats from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Cold brats cook unevenly, and the casing is more likely to split. While they sit, slice the bell peppers and set them aside. Spray the basket of the air fryer with a nonstick spray or olive oil. You can also use parchment paper to make clean up easier and to reduce smoke.
- Add to air fryer: Place the brats in the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer and add the sliced bell peppers around the sides or underneath the brats.
- Cook: Air fry bratwurst and peppers at 360° F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the brats and bell peppers halfway through. Cook until the brats have reached an internal temperature of 160° F. Let the brats rest 3–5 minutes before cutting into them.
Expert Tips
- Don’t Pierce the Brats: Keep the casing intact so the juices stay inside. Piercing leads to dry, less flavorful brats.
- Expect Some Smoke: Brats release fat as they cook, which can cause a little smoke. Use a clean air fryer, add parchment if needed, or place a slice of bread under the basket (for oven-style models) to help absorb any grease.
- Cook in a Single Layer: Don’t stack the brats. Give them space so the hot air can circulate and cook them evenly.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Cook until the internal temperature reaches 160°F (165°F for chicken or turkey brats). Overcooking will dry them out quickly.
- Let Them Rest: Rest the brats for 3–5 minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute and stay inside when you cut or bite into them.
- Watch the Cook Time: Most air fryer brats cook in about 10–12 minutes at 360°F, but timing can vary slightly by model.
- Stick with 360°F: Cooking at a higher temperature can cause the casings to split and the outside to cook too fast before the inside is done.
Air Fryer Brats Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook them without thawing first. Cook them at 350°F for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Let them rest for five minutes before serving.
Cook them at 360°F for fresh or thawed brats (10–12 minutes), or 350°F for frozen brats (13–15 minutes). They’re ready when they reach an internal temperature of 160° F.
Preheating helps, but isn’t necessary. Let the air fryer run for about 3 minutes at 360°F before adding the brats for more even browning.
Yes! The air fryer gives them a golden, slightly crispy casing with juicy insides, very similar to grilling.
Store leftover brats and peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. To freeze, let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 2–3 minutes, or until heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these air fryer brats and peppers over a bed of rice for an easy, well-rounded dinner, or pile them into a toasted bun for a classic, satisfying sandwich.
For a heartier meal, pair them with crowd-favorite sides like loaded tater tots, air-fried seasoned fries, or air fryer potato wedges. Any of these options turns this simple recipe into a full, comfort-food style dinner that’s perfect for weeknights or casual get-togethers.
More Air Fryer Sausage Recipes
Breakfast
Air Fryer Sausage Links
Breakfast
Air Fryer Chicken Sausage
Appetizers
Air Fryer BBQ Little Smokies
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Air Fryer Brats and Peppers
Equipment
- Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 1 package Bratwurst sausage
- 3 bell peppers
Instructions
- Remove the brats from the refrigerator and allow them to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes.
- Slice the bell peppers, (optional: mix with oil and seasonings) and set aside.
- Prepare the basket of the air fryer with a nonstick spray such as olive oil or use parchment paper for easier clean up.
- Place the brats in the prepared air fryer basket in a single layer. Place the sliced bell peppers around the sides.
- Cook on 360° F for 10-12 minutes, flipping the bell peppers halfway through, until the brats have reached an internal temperature of 160° F.
Notes
- Don’t pierce the brats so the juices stay sealed inside and the meat stays flavorful.
- Expect a little smoke as the fat renders. Use a clean air fryer, add parchment if needed, or place a slice of bread under the basket (for oven-style models) to catch grease.
- Cook the brats in a single layer with space between them so the air can circulate and cook them evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer and cook until they reach 160°F (165°F for chicken or turkey brats) to avoid overcooking.
- Let the brats rest for 3–5 minutes after cooking so the juices can redistribute before serving.
- Cook time is typically 10–12 minutes at 360°F, but may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.
- Stick with 360°F, as higher temperatures can cause the casings to split and the outside to cook too quickly.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
You never state the selection of air fry, bake, etc on the air fryer.
I always use the air fry function because not every air fryer has multiple options to use. 🙂 Hope that helps!