- September 4, 2022
- 30 Minute Meals
Air Fryer Brats Recipe
This air fryer brats recipe is the perfect way to keep the bratwurst juicy and delicious on the inside while achieving the perfect golden brown outside. Pair with your favorite toppings of sauerkraut, onions, and mustard on a bun for the perfect meal or game day treat.
Why This Recipe Works
Quick and convenient: Air fryer brats cook in about 12–15 minutes, making them an easy option when you want juicy bratwurst without firing up the grill.
Juicy inside, browned outside: The circulating hot air cooks the brats evenly while creating a golden-brown, lightly crisp casing that gives them that satisfying snap.
Minimal prep and cleanup: There’s no need for added oil, boiling, or multiple pans. Simply place the brats in the air fryer basket, cook, and serve with your favorite buns and toppings.
Supplies Needed
- Meat Thermometer
- Tongs
- Air Fryer (I absolutely love this Ninja Foodi Air Fryer)
Ingredients
- Bratwurst: Choose high-quality brats for the best flavor. Whether you choose classic pork brats or other varieties like chicken brats, this air fryer brats recipe works for any type!
- Toppings: I like to top off my air fryer brats with sauerkraut, diced onion, spicy mustard, beer cheese sauce, and place them in a bun!
Do I Boil Brats Before Air Frying?
No, you can air fry uncooked brats straight from the package without boiling them beforehand.
You often see boiling brats as a method to pre-cook the inside ground meat, and then the outside casing is browned, often over a direct flame on the grill. While I can’t deny I love a brat infused with beer, I’d actually encourage you to use raw brats when utilizing this cooking method instead for a better outcome.
Why? Boiling is a moist heat method that rapidly cooks the inside of the brat and can sometimes damage the outside casing, causing it to retract. Messing with the sausage casing actually prevents the bratwurst from staying as juicy.
If you prefer a beer brat, boil the brats with your favorite beer for about 8-10 minutes prior to placing them in the air fryer.
How To Cook Bratwurst Sausages In The Air Fryer
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 365 degrees F.
- Place in Air Fryer: Place each brat into the air fryer basket in a single layer. Do not overcrowd them (you do not need any aluminum foil or parchment paper either).
- Cook: Simply cook the brats until their internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F, about 12-14 minutes. Flip the brats halfway through cooking for that perfect golden brown color.
- Remove & Serve: Remove them from the air fryer basket and let them rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Pierce the Brats: Avoid piercing the sausages before cooking to keep the juices locked in. Piercing the casing can cause the brats to dry out.
- Flip for Even Cooking: Be sure to flip the brats halfway through cooking to ensure they brown evenly on all sides.
- Watch the Fat: When opening the air fryer, be cautious of hot fat that might have accumulated in the bratwurst casing. It can sometimes pressurize and release quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but you will need to alter the cooking time and temperature to account for this. Reduce the air fryer’s temperature to 325 F. Air fry frozen brats for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Increase the heat to 365 F and cook for an additional 8-12 minutes or until the brats hit 165 F internally.
Set your air fryer to 365 degrees F for raw bratwurst. This temperature is hot enough to crisp the casing without cooking the outside faster than the inside. If you’re working with frozen brats, drop the temperature to 325 degrees F to start, then increase it to 365 degrees F to finish browning, as noted above.
Air fry raw brats for 12 to 14 minutes at 365 degrees F, flipping them halfway through. This gives the casing time to brown evenly while the inside cooks through. Always check that the internal temperature hits 165 degrees F with a meat thermometer before serving, since cook times can vary a little depending on the size of your brats and your air fryer model.
Place the cooked air fryer bratwurst into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. Cooked brats are best when eaten within 3 days of cooking.
Preheat your air fryer to 365 F and cook for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
What To Serve With Bratwurst
Classic brats are hard to beat with diced white onions, sauerkraut, and spicy mustard, all piled on a large roll or hot dog bun.
You can also switch things up with sautéed peppers and onions, or spoon this beer cheese sauce right over the top. A good brat comes down to your favorite condiments, so use what you love.
Round out the meal with a side dish like potato salad, KitchenAid mashed potatoes, crispy egg noodles, or a grinder salad for something fresh and crunchy.
More Recipes to Try
- Brats & Tots Bratwurst Nachos
- Maxwell Street Polish
- Smoked Pig Shots
- Kansas City BBQ Hot Dogs
- Mini Chicago Hot Dog Sliders
Air Fryer Brats Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Bratwurst Sausages
Condiments
- 12 oz. Sauerkraut
- 1/2 Onion diced small
- 1/2 cup Spicy Mustard
- 1 batch Beer Cheese Sauce
- 4 Brat Buns
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer oven to 365 degrees F. See instructions in the article above if you want to boil in beer first.
- Place each raw bratwurst into the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Cook for 12-14 minutes and flip each brat halfway through cooking for even browning. Each brat should be golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165 F.
- Remove and let rest 5 minutes and serve on a bun (or without) and add your favorite toppings like sauerkraut, onions, mustard or beer cheese sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
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