Air Fryer Brats
Brats are a cookout staple, but a grill needs fire and a pan needs babysitting. Air fryer brats cook in about 12 minutes at 400 °F, with a browned, snappy casing and a juicy center, in any weather. You get the timing for fresh, thawed and frozen bratwurst and the classic beer-simmered method.
- Temperature
- 400°F200 °C
- Total time
- 17min
- Prep time
- 2min
- Servings
- 5
- Internal temp
- 160°F71 °C
- Per serving
- 300kcal
Why the air fryer works for brats
A bratwurst is a pork sausage with a delicate casing that tastes best when it is browned and snappy, and the middle should be juicy rather than dry. On a grill, the flames can char the outside before the center is done, and on a stovetop the casing browns on one side only. The air fryer moves 400 °F air around the whole brat, so the casing browns evenly and the fat renders and drips away into the drawer.
Brats in the air fryer are done in about 12 minutes, which is faster than the grill and needs no preheated coals. The basket holds 4 to 6 brats in a single layer, depending on its size. If you like the beer-simmered Wisconsin method, simmer first and use the air fryer only for the final browning, as described in the variations.
How to make brats in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare Let the brats sit at room temperature for , then rub them with the oil. Do not prick the casings.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 400 °F for .
- Cook Place the brats in the basket in a single layer, with a little space between them. Cook for , turning them over after , until the casings are deep golden brown.
- Check Insert an instant-read thermometer into the center of the thickest brat. Raw pork bratwurst must reach 160 °F. If it reads lower, cook 2 more minutes and check again.
- Rest and serve Rest the brats for . Serve them in toasted buns with mustard and sauerkraut.
Times and temperatures
| Air Fryer Brats | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh bratsTurn after 6 min | 400 °F (200 °C) | 12 min |
| Fresh, gentlerLess risk of splitting | 370 °F (190 °C) | 14–15 min |
| After simmering in beerJust to brown | 400 °F (200 °C) | 5–6 min |
| FrozenTurn twice | 370 °F (190 °C) | 18–20 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size and wattage of your air fryer. Done at 160 °F (71 °C) in the center. See also air fryer cooking times for all foods.
Tips
- Never prick the casing. The juices should stay inside the brat. A reasonable temperature keeps the casing intact.
- Toast the buns. Open the buns, place them cut side up in the basket and heat them at 350 °F for 1–2 minutes after the brats come out.
- Use a thermometer. Fresh pork brats are safe at 160 °F. Chicken or turkey bratwurst need 165 °F.
What to serve with brats
Serve brats in a toasted bun with spicy brown mustard and sauerkraut, with grilled onions or with a spoonful of relish. For sides, think about a summer cookout: potato wedges, coleslaw, potato salad or corn on the cob. A cold beer fits game day.
Storing and reheating
Cooked brats keep for 3 to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, and about 2 months in the freezer. Reheat them in the air fryer at 350 °F for 4–6 minutes, until they reach 165 °F. Sliced leftover brats work well in potato hash, soup or on a pizza.
Variations
- Beer brats: Simmer the brats in a pan with 12 oz of lager and one sliced onion for 10–15 minutes, then transfer them to the basket at 400 °F for 5–6 minutes to brown the casings.
- Cheese-topped: Split the cooked brats lengthwise, add a slice of cheese and return them for 1 minute until melted.
- Peppers and onions: Toss sliced peppers and onions in oil and add them around the brats for the last 8 minutes of cooking, in a 5 qt or larger basket.
- Precooked brats: Fully cooked brats only need reheating to 165 °F, which takes 6–8 minutes at 370 °F.
- Hot Dogs: For a dedicated recipe, see air fryer hot dogs.
If it does not turn out right
- The casing burst
- High heat can split a bratwurst. Leave the casings unpricked, let cold brats sit for 10 minutes first, and drop the temperature to 370 °F with 15 minutes of cooking time.
- The brat is brown outside but pink inside
- It was thicker than 1 inch or still partly frozen. Lower the temperature to 370 °F and add 3–4 minutes, and check for 160 °F in the center.
- The brats are dry
- Overcooking dries bratwurst. Take them out at 160 °F. For extra moisture, simmer them in beer first and finish them in the basket for just 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
How long do brats take in the air fryer?
About 12 minutes at 400 °F for fresh brats, turned halfway. At 370 °F they take 14–15 minutes. Check that the center reaches 160 °F.
Do you have to boil brats before air frying them?
No. Raw brats cook through in the basket. Simmering them in beer and onions for 10–15 minutes first adds flavor, and then they need only 5–6 minutes at 400 °F to brown.
Can you cook frozen brats in the air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen brats at 370 °F for 18–20 minutes, turning twice. They are done when the center reaches 160 °F.
What is the difference between air fryer brats and Italian sausage?
Bratwurst is milder, with nutmeg, ginger and caraway, while Italian sausage uses fennel and garlic. The timing is similar, and you can find the other method on the sausage page.
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