Air-Fryer Brats with Beer Gravy

Total Time

Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Makes

5 servings

Updated: Jun. 27, 2023
These air-fryer brats are a nod to my German heritage. I serve them with a green vegetable and some french fries or mashed potatoes on the side. For a deeper sauce flavor, try using a lager or stout beer. —Allison Ochoa, Hays, Kansas
Air-Fryer Brats with Beer Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 1 package uncooked bratwurst links (20 ounces)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) beer or nonalcoholic beer
  • 5 slices thick bread

Directions

  1. Preheat air fryer to 400°. Place bratwurst in a single layer in a greased air fryer. Cook until no longer pink, 8-10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat butter over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until onions start to brown and soften. Add flour, dill weed and pepper; stir until smooth. Stir in beer. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, stirring constantly until thickened, 3-5 minutes. To serve, place 1 brat on each slice of bread; top evenly with onion mixture.

Air-Fryer Brats Tips

Should you flip the brats halfway through the cook time?

Flipping can help with even cooking, as does placing the brats in a single layer with room for air flow in the fryer basket. Consider giving them a quick spritz of cooking spray for a nice color on the exterior. These brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F and are no longer pink in the center, with brown crisp edges. Read our Test Kitchen's guide to air fryers to get confident using your appliance.

Can you put frozen brats in the air fryer?

In a rush? You can place frozen brats into the air-fryer basket, adding a few minutes to make sure that their internal temperature reaches 160°F. (There are plenty more frozen foods you may not know you can air fry, too.)

How else can you serve air-fryer brats?

If you want to keep it classic, the traditional toppings are brown mustard, grilled and chopped onions and good old sauerkraut. Of course, you can also use relish, yellow mustard, ketchup, and even cheese! Serve in a nice, hearty Italian bun (or a pretzel bun for a fun twist on the classic bratwurst sandwich).

—Ellie Crowley, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant
Air Fryer Cook Times
In our testing, we find cook times vary dramatically between brands of air fryers. As a result, we give wider than normal ranges on suggested cook times. Begin checking at the first time listed and adjust as needed.

Nutrition Facts

1 bratwurst sandwich with 1/4 cup gravy: 526 calories, 39g fat (14g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 1140mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 19g protein.