I hate to admit it, but it’s my first time trying out Air Fryer Brats or bratwurst in general. It tastes similar to breakfast sausages, with milder aromatics.
✦ Fun Fact: Bratwurst is a type of German sausage made from pork and sometimes beef or veal. “Brat” is derived from the word “braten,” which means to fry, while “wurst” translates to sausage.
This European dish has a fantastic versatility that makes it one of the best things to have in your mealtime rotation. It’s perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and can even be transformed into a delicious sausage sandwich.
The best part, however, is how easy it is to make bratwurst in the air fryer. Sausages of this size can be fully cooked in less than 10 minutes.
However, I also have to warn you that sausages are prone to creating smoke due to oil splatters inside the air fryer. Before starting out with this recipe, make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
Table of Contents
Level Up Your Air Fryer Brats!
✦ You can find the exact measurements of the recipe ingredients and customize the serving size in the recipe card after the detailed step-by-step instructions section.
If you want to make a sausage sandwich using your air-fried brats, you will need the following additional ingredients.
- Bratwurst sausages
- Hot dog buns
- Caramelized Onion
- Cheese
You can get the bratwurst fresh, pre-cooked, or frozen. While there may be a slight difference in cooking times, the key is to ensure that it reaches the recommended internal temperature.
Recipe Video
How to Cook Brats in an Air Fryer?
The best way to cook brats in the air fryer is by roasting them at the maximum temperature for a faster cooking time. Follow these four simple steps.
Step 1: Preheat your air fryer to 400ºF (204ºC).
If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, you can set the temperature to 400ºF (204ºC) and then let it cook for 5 minutes without food.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Step 2: Get your raw bratwurst sausages ready.
Remove them from the packaging or cut off the plastic wrap. If the sausages are frozen, it is best to thaw them overnight before air frying.
Step 3: Air fry brats for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Start by carefully transferring your fresh bratwurst sausages in the preheated air fryer, evenly spaced out. Cook until the sausages are golden brown.
To make sure the sausages are fully cooked, the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) or higher.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t poke your sausages, to retain all the juicy goodness and for a more appetizing finish.
Step 4: Serve and enjoy your air fried brats!
Now, that’s how easy it is to make brats in the air fryer!
Allow it to rest for a few minutes, and then you can serve it as a protein option for breakfast or use it to make a delicious cheddar sandwich.
Next time, we’re going to try Beer-Braised Bratwurst & Onions (“Beer Brats”). 😉
Oh, here’s another fun idea: How about wrapping them in bacon?
What to Serve with Air Fryer Bratwurst Sausages?
Potato wedges: Crispy and seasoned to perfection, these wedges are the ultimate sidekick for your sausages.
Coleslaw: The refreshing crunch of coleslaw adds a delightful contrast to the juicy sausages.
Grilled vegetables: Amp up the health factor by serving your sausages alongside a colorful medley of grilled vegetables. The smoky flavors will complement the savory sausages beautifully.
Mustard sauce: Add a tangy kick to your sausages with a dollop of tangy mustard sauce. It’s the perfect condiment to take your meal to the next level.
If you’re a fan of spicy flavors, try adding some sliced jalapeños or a drizzle of hot sauce to your sausage sandwich. It’ll give your taste buds a fiery wake-up call!
Recommended Air Frying Time & Temperature
Follow this air frying cheat sheet for cooking bratwurst in the air fryer.
| Type | Cooking Time | Temperature | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh/Raw Brats | 8-10 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
| Frozen Brats | 10-12 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
| Precooked Brats | 6-8 minutes | 400°F (204°C) | flip halfway |
While cooking brats from frozen will also work, it would be best to thaw them overnight for best results.
🚨 Important: Reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C) if you’re using a 4-quart air fryer or smaller. They are hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
Always check the internal temperature of your bratwurst sausages. It should be 160°F (71°C) or higher
Reheating Brats
If you want to reheat leftover bratwurst sausages, just set your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and cook them for 5-6 minutes. That’s all it takes! Now, you can turn them into a tasty sausage sandwich.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Air frying bratwurst sausages is a fantastic way to cook them. The hot circulating air in the air fryer ensures that the sausages cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior while maintaining their juicy interior. It’s a game-changer for bratwurst lovers!
The cooking time for brats in the air fryer is typically 8-10 minutes at 400ºF (204ºC). However, please note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the sausages. According to USDA guidelines, the internal temperature of any sausages should reach 160°F (71°C) or higher.
To cook brats in an air fryer, the best method is to roast them at the maximum temperature setting for a quicker cooking time. This is typically around 380ºF to 400ºF for approximately 8-10 minutes, although the exact timing may vary depending on your specific type of air fryer. It’s worth noting that compact air fryers often run hotter due to the heating element being closer to the food.
No, there’s no need to poke holes in bratwurst sausages before air frying. Unlike grilling, where poking holes prevents them from bursting, the air fryer’s controlled cooking environment eliminates the need for it. In addition, poking them will allow the juices to escape, resulting in a dryer texture.
To make brats in the air fryer, simply preheat your cooking appliance to high heat (380ºF to 400ºF). Then, air fry your fresh brats for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process. Cook until the outer layer turns golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C) or higher.
To air fry raw bratwurst sausages, preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). This high temperature helps achieve a desirable golden-brown exterior while ensuring that the sausages cook through in a shorter time.
This ingredients checklist is interactive; you can use it as your grocery list.
Ingredients
- 500 g Original Bratwurst Sausages 5 links
Optional
- 5 hot dog buns
- 1 cup caramelized onion
- 1 cup cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (204°C). If your air fryer has a capacity of 4 quarts or smaller, please see the note for more info.
- Get your raw bratwurst sausages ready. Remove them from the packaging or cut off the plastic wrap. If the sausages are frozen, it is best to thaw them overnight before air frying for more even cooking results.
- Air fry brats for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Start by carefully transferring your fresh bratwurst sausages in the preheated air fryer, evenly spaced out. Cook until the sausages are golden brown. To make sure the sausages are fully cooked, the internal temperature should reach 160°F (71°C) or higher.
- Serve and enjoy your air fryer brats! They are perfect for making a sausage sandwich and also a great option for breakfast. Yum!
Recipe Video
Notes
- For smaller air fryers (4-quart and below), reduce the cooking temperature to 380°F (193°C). They generate more heat because of the heating element’s proximity to the food.
- If your air fryer doesn’t have a preheating option, set your desired temperature and let it cook for 4-5 minutes without food.
- Air frying sausages tends to generate the most smoke compared to all the other foods we tested. Make sure you are in a well-ventilated area.
- I used a 6-quart Instant Pot Vortex Plus, 4-Quart Ninja Foodi, and a 6-Quart Cosori Air Fryer to test this recipe. Cooking time and temperature may vary depending on your air fryer and the number of servings you are making. For optimal results, begin with the lower end of the suggested cooking time.
- The internal temperature of bratwurst or any other sausages should reach 160°F (71°C) or higher as per USDA.
Nutrition
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