Cooking brats in the air fryer couldn't be simpler! They're bursting with flavor and done in just 15 minutes. It doesn't get any better than this!
The short answer: cook brats in the air fryer at 350F for 5 minutes, flip them, then give them another 5 to 8 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving so the juices stay inside. No boiling first, no grill, and no split skins.
Air Fryer Brats
These Air Fryer Brats are a game changer when you’re craving a quick, flavorful meal without the hassle.
As a professional recipe creator who loves to keep things simple yet tasty, I’m all about making classic dishes with a modern twist.
The air fryer gives the brats a perfectly crispy outside while keeping the inside juicy and flavorful. It’s a dish that’s easy enough for any night of the week, yet satisfying enough to serve at a family gathering.
🛒Ingredients
- Brats. All you need for this recipe is a pack of brats. They're pre-seasoned, so there's no need for extra spices. Choose a good quality sausage, without any artificial flavors or colors (we like Johnsonville).
- Buns - the soft white buns for hot dogs work well here. Alternatively, you can use sliced baguette, crusty rolls, or hoagie rolls based on your taste.
- Mustard - top your brats with a good-quality deli-style mustard for excellent flavor.
They go great with cooked peppers and onions, pickled onions, sauerkraut or a side of potato salad.
👩🍳 You'll find the complete list of ingredients below the recipe card.
You'll also find this recipe in our 19 Best Air Fryer Recipes.
🥘 How To Cook Brats In Air Fryer
STEP 1: Place the brats in the air fryer in a single layer.
STEP 2: Cook at 350° F for 5 minutes.
STEP 3: Flip the brats over and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes or until the brats are cooked through. You want an internal temperature of 165° F.
Remove and allow them to rest for 5 minutes to retain all the juices.
📋Tips
- Juicy brats. Set your air fryer to 350°F for juicy brats; going higher may cause them to dry out and shrink a bit.
- Use room temperature brats, it makes them cook faster and evenly. It's not a must-do, but it's nice if you've got the time.
- You can also use pre-cooked brats. They will be cooked for the same amount of time. If you are using frozen brats you will need to cook them an additional 3-5 minutes.
- Clean your air fryer. Before you start, make sure your air fryer and drip pan are clean. Since brats have a lot of fat, there will be drippings, and a dirty air fryer could smoke. You can also line your air fryer basket with aluminum foil or parchment paper with some holes poked in it.
- Foil tip. You can use aluminum foil in the air fryer, but be mindful of its impact on acidic foods, as it may affect the taste.
Storage Instructions
- 🍱To Store. I like to keep the leftover brats in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Like any cooked meat, you can freeze these brats for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap to prevent sticking if desired.
- 🔥To Reheat. Reheat them in the air fryer for less time to warm and crisp them up again.
👪Serving Suggestions
- You can serve the brats with mustard, horseradish, ketchup, relish, sauerkraut, grilled peppers, onions, pepperoncini, and giardiniera.
- Some great sides with the brats are french fries, honey glazed carrots, chips, coleslaw, sauerkraut and potato salad.
📖Recipe
Cooking Brats In Air Fryer
Video
Ingredients
- 5 uncooked bratwurst
- 5 buns
- Mustard or ketchup for serving
Instructions
- Place the brats in the air fryer in a single layer.5 uncooked bratwurst
- Cook at 350° F for 5 minutes.
- Flip the brats over and cook for an additional 5-8 minutes or until the brats are cooked through. You want an internal temperature of 165° F.
- Remove and allow them to rest for 5 minutes to retain all the juices. Serve with buns!5 buns
Notes
- 🍱To Store. You can keep the leftover brats in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- 🥶Freezing. Like any cooked meat, you can freeze these brats for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap to prevent sticking if desired.
- 🔥To Reheat. Reheat them in the air fryer for less time to warm and crisp them up again.
Nutrition
Before You Go
If this recipe made its way to your dinner table, I'd love to hear what you thought! Leaving a ★★★★★ rating and review below helps other readers and supports the work I do here at Cookrita. Thank you so much for being here. ❤️
FAQ
Yes, just add an extra 3 to 5 minutes of cook time since they're starting from frozen instead of thawed.
No, pre-seasoned brats don't need to be pierced, poking holes can actually let the juices escape and dry them out.
350°F gives the juiciest results, going higher can cause the casings to shrink and dry the brats out.
Fun Variations to Try
- Beer Braised Finish. Simmer the cooked brats briefly in beer and onions for extra flavor before serving.
- Cheese Brats. Use a cheese-filled bratwurst for a gooey, melty center.
- Loaded Toppings. Top with sauerkraut, grilled onions, and spicy mustard for a classic loaded brat.
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Rita
easy and quick, these air fryer brats cook fast - just in 10 minutes!