Air fryer brats are the ultimate combination of convenience and flavor – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in under 20 minutes. If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, this foolproof method delivers perfectly cooked bratwurst with minimal cleanup. From classic beer brats to pre-cooked or even frozen, we’ll will show you exactly how to make bratwursts in the air fryer that rival any backyard cookout.
I’m a brat snob. I grew up in Wisconsin and have been eating beer brats topped with mustard and sauerkraut since I was two years old. The summer our house was under renovation, I made a quick brat for lunch every day because our grill was the only working appliance. It wasn’t easy to get me to try making brats in the air fryer versus the grill, but once I did, I was hooked.
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Brats Recipe
- Quick and Easy: From fridge to table in under 20 minutes, with no preheating the grill or dealing with charcoal required!
- Juicy and Crispy: Brats cooked in the air fryer are juicy while still giving them that crisp, golden-brown outside that’s so crucial to their amazing flavor.
- It’s Perfect Year-Round: Even when it’s storming outside (I’m looking at you, Wisconsin summers), you can enjoy a good bratwurst and kraut without stepping outside. And maybe even a beer.
- Minimal Cleanup: You do still have to clean the basket (yes, you should do this every time). But I’d personally rather give my air fryer basket a quick clean than scrub those grill grates. And some baskets are dishwasher safe, so just pop the basket in the dishwasher and you’re done!
- Versatile: Works for fresh, frozen, or pre-cooked brats! I recommend simmering your uncooked brats in a little beer and sliced onions before air frying (say, for roughly 30 minutes), but I won’t get into that debate. All I can say is that’s how my mom’s always done it, and her mom before her, and even if I’m in my 50’s now, it’s the way I’ll always do it, too!
- It’s Great for Meal Prep: You can make a batch and enjoy brats all week, sliced into salads, served with kraut, or pop one on a toasted bun for a quick lunch.
Air Fryer Brats Ingredients
- Brats
- Optional: Buns, sauerkraut, and a good mustard
That’s right, you only need one ingredient for air fryer brats! It’s especially great if you’re low-carb or keto since you can top brats with almost anything, just skip the bun. You can even cut the brats into bite-sized pieces and serve on toothpicks as an appetizer. Serving them on a bed of sauerkraut with a good mustard for dipping is optional but highly recommended.
As to which brat brands are the best, Johnsonville, Boar’s Head, or a local butcher are the best. If you happen to live near a German deli I highly recommend checking out what they have to offer (I’m loyal to Johnsonville but you can’t beat freshly made at a deli).
How to Cook Air Fryer Brats
Instructions for Fresh, Uncooked Brats
This oven air fryer brats recipe is for uncooked, fresh brats. See below for air fryer instructions for making air fryer frozen and pre-cooked brats.
- Bring the brats to room temperature for 30 minutes (optional).
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F. This should only take a few minutes.
- Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Ideally, you want the brats to have a bit of space around each one. You can cook as many brats at one time as you want as long as they fit in one layer.
- Set the timer on your air fryer for 12-15 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time. Air Fryer bratwurst sausage should be cooked to an internal temperature of 152°F-160°F. If your brats aren’t quite there yet, add another minute or two to the cooking time.
- Carefully remove the brats from the air fryer. Place each brat on a bun and add your desired toppings.
Instructions for Frozen Brats
You can! You’ll just need a few extra minutes of cooking time. Frozen brats should be cooked at 350 degrees for 9 minutes, then flipped and cooked for an additional 8-9 minutes. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and check them towards the end of time as smaller brats cook more quickly and air fryer cooking times vary.
Instructions for Pre-Cooked Brats
Pre-cooked brats in an air fryer should be cooked at 360 degrees for 7 minutes, then flipped and cooked for an additional 6-7 minutes. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and check them towards the end of time.
Air Fryer Brat Tips
- Make sure your air fryer is clean as well as your drip pan. Brats have a high fat content and there will be a lot of drippings. Your air fryer could smoke if you don’t start from a clean slate…er…drip pan. You can also poke some holes in some aluminum foil or parchment paper and line your air fryer basket.
- Make sure the brats are in one layer so they cook evenly. If possible, leave a little space between each one.
- Flip the brats halfway through the cooking time so they cook and brown evenly.
- Room temperature brats will cook faster and more evenly. It’s not a required step but something to consider if you have the time.
- For less mess, use air fryer disposable liners that have holes so air can circulate. Another option is to place aluminum foil in the air fryer, ensuring the edges are folded upward to trap any drips or juices. Just remember that while it’s less mess, it’s also less air circulating around the brats which is important so they get extra browned and juicy. It’s a trade-off, I know!
Best Buns & Toppings
I love my brats on a hoagie roll or brioche bun. For a more classic bratwurst bun try German brötchen or a pretzel bun. Some purists might may say never on a hot dog bun but they probably wouldn’t agree with cooking brats in an air fryer either, so do what you prefer! Many stores also label buns as sausage and brat buns which are usually artisan or high-quality buns worth trying.
Here are some tasty toppings, condiments and sides to consider for your air fryer brats:
- Mustard – I love stone ground German mustard like Inglehoffer or a horseradish mustard. Homemade mustard brat sauce is delicious as are some store bought brands. Dijon or yellow mustard will work in a pinch.
- Sauerkraut – I still make my sauerkraut the same way that my mom has for years: simmer it on the stove with a little beer and dark brown sugar.
- Horseradish
- Sauteed peppers and caramelized onions – Another great classic. Definitely add good mustard, too.
- Bacon – I mean…bacon…amiright?
- Coleslaw – Always a solid choice. Especially if it’s homemade, and it’s also terrific on the side.
- Ketchup, diced onion, and relish – This Wisconsin girl would never enjoy my brats this way, but I have a few friends who go this route and swear that it’s delicious!
- Shredded cheese and crumbled bacon
- Cheese sauce and fried pickles – Yes, it’s a thing. I haven’t tried it myself (yet), but it looks delicious!
- Buffalo sauce & blue cheese – Always a terrific combo.
- Herbs – Chopped fresh parsley, dill, or cilantro
- Mayonnaise
- Giardiniera
- Hot sauce, jalapenos or hot peppers
- Pickles or cornichons
What to Serve with Brats
- Potato chips – I’m mentioning this one first because we always eat our brats with chips. And another side or two, but always potato chips!
- Fried egg – This works best if you squeeze the meat from the casings and form patties before cooking. Makes a great breakfast!
- Baked beans – especially homemade, but even from a can will do.
- German Potato Salad: Warm, tangy, and loaded with bacon, it’s incredible on its own but even better with a juicy brat.
- Coleslaw: Something cool with a crunchy texture is a great pairing to hot, rich-tasting bratwurst.
- Crispy Tater Tots in the Air Fryer: A quick, crispy side that you can cook at the same time if your air fryer has the room!
- Grilled Corn on the Cob: Always a terrific choice.
- Macaroni and Cheese: Creamy, cheesy, and kid-friendly!
- Cucumber Salad: Light, tangy, and refreshing, it’s especially great for cutting through the richness of the sausage.
- Pigs in a Blanket: These are especially great if you’re throwing a party! Try this air fryer pigs in a blanket recipe if you’ve got a decent-sized air fryer.
Brats are clearly near and dear to my heart, and discovering that they turn out so beautifully in the air fryer has been a game changer for me! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment or shoot me a message. I can talk brats all day!
By the way, if you’re loving your air fryer and looking for more recipes ideas, try making an air-fried grilled cheese sandwich! And did you know you can also cook frozen potstickers in air fryer? Try it out and let me know what you think!
Air Fryer Brats
These easy Air Fryer Brats are juicy on the inside with that little bit of crispiness at the ends, and the flavor is amazing.
Ingredients
- 5 uncooked bratwurst (such as Johnsonville or a local butcher)
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air-fry the brats for 12-15 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time.
- Carefully remove the brats from the air fryer. Place each brat on a bun and add your desired toppings.
Notes
Cook time may need to be adjusted up or down depending on the brand, wattage and power of the air fryer.
Bratwurst sausage should be cooked to an internal temperature of 152°F-160°F.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 57Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 144mgCarbohydrates: 0gFiber: 0gSugar: 0gProtein: 2g
This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix using only the bratwurst.
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