Sure, brats on the grill or baked in the oven are classics, but cooking them in the air fryer is an absolute game changer. I love cooking these popular German sausages this way for myself and my family. Like air fryer sausage links, there is no oil or grease splattering, no mess in my kitchen, and they take barely any time. Honestly, besides the char marks, you won’t be able to differentiate between brats cooked in the air fryer and grilled ones!
Why this recipe works
Quick and easy. In under 10 minutes, your brats will be ready to enjoy. Healthier. Air frying brats are a convenient and efficient way to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior without using as much oil as traditional frying methods. Bratwurst is naturally fattier, so really, it’s a win-win (also try air fryer hot dogs). Easy clean-up. I like to make air fryer bacon and air fryer turkey bacon for this very reason. I sometimes even line them with paper liners to prevent ANY mess. Diet friendly. These sausages are great if you are following a low carb or keto diet, or want something protein packed.
Ingredients needed
This recipe needs just the brats and some cooking spray to whip up, and of course some fix-ins to complete. Here are some specifics:
Bratwurst sausages. You can find these sausages at any grocery store. If this is your first time cooking bratwurst, stick with the original flavor and brand (Johnsonville brats or Boars Head), but if you have access to a butcher, try their homemade beer brats or ones that have fillings and/or extras (like cheese or jalapenos!). Spray oil. To grease the air fryer basket. To assemble. For a quick meal, my family loves these with some onions, peppers, mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, relish and some buns.
How to cook brats in the air fryer
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Step 1- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 150C/300F. Spray some oil in the air fryer basket. Step 2- Cook brats in the air fryer. Add the uncooked brats in a single layer to the air fryer basket. Cook the brats for 8-10 minutes while flipping halfway through until they cooked nicely without burning the edges.
Recipe tips and variations
Use air fryer liners. I couldn’t live without my disposable air fryer liners. Essentially, these are purposely shaped parchment paper that you place in the air fryer basket. It works SO well for brats and sausages, because they don’t need the heat circulation to cook completely. Also, you CAN line them with aluminum foil. Check the internal temperature. Checking the internal temperature is the best indication of whether the brats are cooked or not. The internal temperature of fully cooked brats should be 165F. Bring the brats to room temperature. Like with steaks or other proteins, cooking the brats at room temperature will not only be quicker but will also cook them more evenly. Flip the brats halfway through. Although not mandatory, I flip them halfway through just so both sides get ample browning. Cook in batches. As with any air fryer recipe, always cook the brats in a single layer. If your air fryer can’t accommodate all your sausages, cook them one batch at a time. To cook frozen brats, add them directly into the air fryer (do not defrost) and increase the air frying time by 3 minutes.
How to store leftovers
To store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days. To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled brats in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. Reheating: Reheat the bratwurst in the microwave, non-stick pan, or air fryer.
More air fryer recipes to try
Air fryer meatloaf– I promise you, it will be the juiciest meatloaf ever. Air fryer hamburgers– A fun weeknight dinner when I don’t want to whip out the grill. Air fryer chicken wings– Truly crispy and perfectly seasoned. Air fryer pork tenderloin– I was surprised with just how perfectly cooked this meat turned out. Or check out more air fryer recipes that you’ll love.
