Even if you’re a die-hard brats-on-the-grill person, you won’t believe how good these brats in the air fryer are! Air fryer brats are juicy, have amazing flavor, and can be made in just 17 minutes from start to finish!
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. 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.
They come out so close to ones straight from the grill that I was floored! Juicy on the inside with that little bit of crispiness at the ends, and the flavor is amazing. 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. When I pair it with air fryer bratwurst I can’t tell the difference.
Air Fryer Brats: Ingredients
- Brats
Pretty long ingredient list in this air fryer recipe, amiright? That’s just one of the reasons I love making brats in my air fryer: you only need one ingredient! It’s especially great if you’re low-carb or keto since you can top brats with almost anything, just skip the bun.
Brats have a high fat content so there’s no oil needed. And since they’re already seasoned, you don’t need to mess with that either! The same goes for all air fryer sausage, such as Italian sausage, Cheddarwurst, or smoked sausage.
How to make Brats in the Air Fryer
- Bring the brats to room temperature for 30 minutes (optional).
- Preheat air fryer to 350F. 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 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time. Bratwurst sausage should be cooked to an internal temperature of 152-160F. 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.
Can you cook frozen brats in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen brats in the air fryer! Preheat the air fryer to 350F. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer and set the timer to 17 minutes. Flip them halfway through the cooking time. Check them at 15 minutes as smaller brats cook more quickly.
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.
Toppings for brats
- Mustard and sauerkraut – this is a classic combination and my absolute favorite. You just can’t go wrong!
- Sauteed peppers and onions – another great classic. Definitely add a good mustard, too.
- Coleslaw – always a solid choice.
- Ketchup, diced onion, and relish – this Wisconsin girl would never enjoy my brats this way. I have a few friends who go this route and I’m sure it’s delicious!
- Shredded cheese and crumbled bacon
- Cheese sauce with fried pickles – yes, it’s a thing.
- Buffalo sauce & blue cheese
- Fried egg – this works best if you squeeze the meat from the casings and form patties before cooking.
Side dish ideas to serve with air fryer brats
- Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Honey Chipotle Baked Beans
- Smoked Mac and Cheese
- Creamed Corn (two recipes; one is made with only fresh summer corn!)
- Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
- Garlic Snap Peas
- Zucchini Ribbons
Air Fryer Brats
Ingredients
- 1 package fresh brats (such as Johnsonville)
Toppings and serving suggestions
- Hot dog buns
- Mustard and sauerkraut
- Coleslaw
- Sauteed peppers and onions
- Ketchup, diced onions, and relish
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350F.
- 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.
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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