You don’t need a baseball game or a team to make plump and juicy brats in the air fryer!
Cook a few (or a few dozen!) and feed the family or the team. Air fryer bratwurst are so easy, they come out juicy with a nice crisp skin. Top it with your favorite condiments sandwiched in a soft bun.
Easy Air Fryer Brats
- The air fryer crisps the Bratwurst casing while circulating air all around, keeping in juices inside.
- Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook up to 12 brats at one time.
- The air fryer cooks faster thatn the oven with little effort (and no need to stand over watching and turning them like we do on the grill).
- Air fryer brats need almost no prep and clean up is easy!
- Cook them from fresh or frozen (just add extra minutes to the air fryer cook time if frozen).
- No get-together is complete without a hearty platter of DIY brats, buns, and toppings! Put together a ‘brat buffet’ with an assortment of condiments, toppings, and sides!
Ingredients
Brats – Brats are a German sausage and while they can contain veal, they’re most often made with raw pork. They have a natural casing that make them ‘pop’ when you bite into them.
Bratwurst has savory seasonings, oftentimes caraway, garlic, and/or marjoram although Johnsonville brats come in many different flavors, so choose your favorite!
Buns – A hearty bratwurst needs an nice sturdy roll! Use bakery rolls, brioche buns, hamburger buns, or hoagie rolls. They can be enjoyed on their own for a low carb or keto meal!
Toppings & Variations
We love to keep it simple with sauerkraut, chopped onion, and a grainy mustard. Here are some other favorites:
- Try caramelized onions or add sliced bell peppers to the air fryer for the last 8 minutes of cooking time.
- Sweet or dill pickles, pickled red onions, or relish.
- Add cheese, ketchup, or your favorite burger sauce.
How to Cook Brats in the Air Fryer
While we do love grilled beer brats, these are great done right in the air fryer for a quick meal next to a bowl of coleslaw!
- Place raw brats in a single layer in the basket or on the air fryer tray (depending on your air fryer).
- Air fry for 13-14 minutes flipping after 8 minutes (per the recipe below).
- Continue cooking until brats reach 165°F with a meat thermometer.
Let them sit a few minutes before eating as they can burst and release hot juices. Serve them with slaw, beans, or fried potatoes!
More Easy Air Fryer Recipes
Did you make these Air Fryer Bratwurst? Leave us a comment and a rating below!
Air Fryer Bratwurst
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound uncooked bratwurst
- 5 hoagie rolls optional
- toppings for serving dijon mustard, sauerkraut, pickles, etc
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
- Place the brats in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Cook them for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve in rolls and/or with desired toppings.
Notes
- Ensure brats reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Do not pierce the brats before cooking or they will lose their juices. Use caution when checking the temperature, they can squirt hot liquid when pierced.
- Allow brats to cool for a few minutes before serving or topping.
- Nutritional information is for brats only and does not include toppings or buns. Information is an estimate and will vary based on brands.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat leftovers in the air fryer for up to 5 minutes or until heated through.
- Leftovers are great added to pasta or pizza.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course air fryer, Appetizer, Party Food
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I didn’t see a temperature for the air fryer.
Hi Carol, the temperature can be found in step 1: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F. I hope this helps.
Doesn’t tell you how long to preheat or time to set for cook time
Hi David, my air fryer has a preheat setting which takes 5 minutes. I recommend preheating your air fryer for 3-5 minutes depending on size. The cook time can be found in step 3 of the recipe: Cook them for 8 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 5-6 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. I hope this helps!
I have a air fryer oven. So any good recipes for it would be great Brio14Q NuWave. Recipes that are for Air Fryers seem to be a bit different, as time cooking and mine seem to dry out. So if you have any tips would be welcome. But love some of your ideas.
Hi Jojo, I haven’t cooked with an Air Fryer Oven but maybe another reader can offer some insight into how to adapt air fryer recipes to an air fryer oven!