Quick and Easy Air Fried Bratwurst, Peppers, and Onions

I've always loved to grill brats, peppers, and onions during the summer, but I find that I often want the meal but don't want the hassle of getting out the grill. I got a Cuisinart TOA-60 toaster oven/Air fryer in January and found that it creates an acceptable alternative to grilling.

As a result, this has become my go-to meal. It's simple, fast, flexible, and mighty tasty. I like hot peppers, so I usually toss in several jalapenos, pablano chilis, and jalapeno bratwurst or sausages. I usually use no seasonings but have used everything from Montreal steak seasoning to crushed red pepper. (Only use the crushed red pepper if you spray everything with olive oil so it's not blown away during air frying.)

This recipe is very flexible and you can adapt this to your favorite veggies. I've made versions with potatoes, mostly onions, or whatever I happen to have on hand. Most root or thick veggies air fry quite well and will have a nice roasted outside with a thoroughly-cooked, moist inside. Feel free to experiment to may your own signature dish!

One note on air fryers. There are two main types - the barrel-shaped small units and the larger square units like mine. If you have the smaller one, you'll probably need to fry longer and shake the basket more often to ensure everything is cooked - I can spread out everything in thin or single layers for really quick cooking. Of course, to do that, I've given up a large segment of my limited counter space for my monster unit! ;-)

• Air fryer or convection oven (you'll need to experiment on times for the convection oven.)

• Chef's and paring knives

• cutting board

• 1 package bratwurst or grilling sausages (fresh or smoked)

• 2 Bell peppers

• 2 Pablano chilis

• 2-4 Jalapeno peppers

• 1 red or yellow onion

• Olive oil spray (optional)

• Your favori

You have a few choices here. I general just slice them length-wise, which works well for a tortilla wrap, but you can also coarse chop or dice them. It's really your preference.

At any rate, core and slice the peppers, removing the white ribs and seeds from the flesh.

• I lay out the bratwurst, with enough space to allow the air to circulate on all sides, then place the peppers and onions in a pile on the other side. For smaller air fryers you'll probably need to cook a couple of batches or scale down the recipe.
• Preheat your air fryer for 350 degrees F.
• Air fry for 5-7 minutes, turn brats and turn the veggies so the bottom items get a good blast of heat.
• Air fry for 4-5 minutes, check for doneness.
• If needed, remove items that are cooked and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, repeat if needed.

This really is a lazy, simple, quick meal that is mighty tasty. I've given you some ideas for alternatives with my photos. One is only air-fried on top but allows the peppers and onions on the bottom to soak in the juices. The peppers in that shot aren't quite done yet, but you get the idea. I've chopped, diced, and sliced veggies with good results, but you might need to adjust cooking time for smaller slices.

I generally eat the brats wrapped in a tortilla (sometimes warmed in the air fryer!) with the peppers and onions, but I've also sliced up the brats for a nice change. I also serve them on buns, too.

I often make extra onions and peppers. The roasted peppers have such a great flavor and texture that they are a fantastic addition to other meals.