Juicy Air Fryer bratwurst are ready in just 11 minutes and are easy to make in the air fryer. No matter what Mother Nature throws at you, you can still have your grilling style food at your fingertips!
Ahhhh, brats.
Here in the midwest, we have a thing for German food. While I love a good German style potato salad and a sauerbraten pot roast and of course a nice German beer brats are probably the food we the most.
And while I love making grilled brats for our family, this easy way to make them in the air fryer is my new favorite thing.
Oh yes, air fryer….I’ve got a crush on you!!!
Whether you’re cooking fresh or frozen bratwurst, the air fryer makes it quick, easy, and mess-free.
Why you’ll love making brats in your air fryer
If you're looking for the best way to avoid, ahem, minimize cleanup, this is it! Everything is contained in your air fryer.
And, it's right in your kitchen.
For those of us who are spinning 18 plates in the air, we can keep an eye on the family while making dinner without stepping foot outdoors.
Oh, and those Illinois seasons where it's hot in the summer and freezing in the winter, you can stay cozy in your kitchen.
Last, but certainly not least, this is an amazing meal for people on the go!
If you’re cooking more pork in the air fryer, try my air fryer pork loin recipe for a simple weeknight dinner.
What are brats?
But wait, I guess I'm getting ahead of myself. I assume everyone knows what a bratwurst sausage is. Let me clarify for those of you who are new to the party.
Willkommen! That's welcome in German. I had to use Google translate for that, so don't give me too much credit.
At the grocery store, you'll see a variety of bratwurst sausages right along the smoked sausages, kielbasa and your standard American hot dogs.
Smoked sausages, or kielbasa, like in these kielbasa sandwiches and kielbasa bites, are generally already cooked. To make them, you're basically just reheating them.
Bratwurst is a German style sausage made with pork, veal or beef. Around here I think more are made with pork. And then I'd say a generous amount of spices are added.
They're maybe more sophisticated than your average hot dogs.
You may have seen these called by the name brand, Johnsonville brats, or labeled as beer brats, which are perfectly fine for minors to eat. It's used more as a flavoring in this case and really, how much beer can a sausage hold?
I'll let you ponder that for a minute.
What Temperature Should Brats Be Cooked To?
Bratwurst should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F.
The easiest way to check is with a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the sausage. This ensures they’re fully cooked, juicy, and safe to eat without any guess work.
Air Fryer Brats
Now, maybe you're thinking, "hey, my Dad/Uncle, Grandpa, neighbor always grills brats". And that is probably true. But I'm guessing they haven't been introduced to the air fryer method of cooking which makes delicious food fast.
And life moves pretty darn fast.
So of course, you can 100% grill the brats next time, but give this air fryer recipe a chance before you fire up the barbie, won't you???
How the air fryer works
Air Fryers are basically stand alone convection ovens. They don't fry the food, but instead they use a small about of oil to get the same type of crisp results that you might expect with fried food.
If you have a convection oven, you basically already have an air fryer that's just not taking up counter space. And you are my hero.
I, however, have a conventional oven, which doesn't have the fan to circulate the air to make the food cook faster and crisp.
Convection vs convention. They look similar, but they're different.
Still with me?
Okay, let's talk about how to make these air fryer bratwurst!
Tip: For another easy option, check out my air fryer pork tenderloin recipe. It’s juicy and basically foolproof.
How to make brats in the air fryer
Tips - I like to set out my package of brats before cooking to take the chill off. This making the cooking process that much faster!
With any kind of air fryer recipe, you want to keep things in a single layer. Depending on the model of your air fryer, you may have to cook in 1-2 batches.
No biggie.
Give the brats a flip halfway through the cooking time. They'll start to lightly brown and should be a temp of 160-165°F when done.
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Sidenote: The final cooking temperature for ground pork is to 165°F. We're allowing a few degrees of carryover cook time.
How to Cook Frozen Brats in the Air Fryer (No Thawing Needed)
Yes, you can cook bratwurst straight from frozen and there's no need to thaw ahead of time.
To cook frozen brats in the air fryer:
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F
- Place frozen bratwurst in the basket in a single layer
- Cook for 13–15 minutes, flipping halfway through
- Check that the internal temperature reaches 160°F before serving
Tip: If your brats are extra thick, add an extra 2–3 minutes.
This is one of my favorite shortcuts for busy nights, especially during planting or harvest when you didn’t plan ahead but still need a real meal on the table. Or, you know, when you forgot to thaw the meat. 😉
If you like sausage in the air fryer, you might also enjoy my air fryer Italian sausage and peppers for a full meal.
How to Keep Brats from Splitting in the Air Fryer
If your bratwurst split open while cooking, don’t worry—we've all had it happen! But here are a few tips to help prevent it:
- Don’t overcook them. Pull them right when they get to a temp of 160°F
- Avoid cooking at too high of a temperature (stick with 350°F and you're good)
- Flip halfway through cooking for even heat
- Don’t pierce the casing before cooking(no matter what your uncle told you 😉 — this lets juices escape) Keeping that casing intact means juicier, better-tasting brats.
How to store leftovers
Leftover brats can be stored in an covered and airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
How to heat leftovers
You can heat leftovers in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes, or pop them into the microwave.
Best Buns and Toppings for Bratwurst
Wondering what to serve with brats? These are all easy, family-friendly options that turn this into a full meal.
Classic Midwest-style:
- Soft brat buns or hoagie rolls
- Top them with sauerkraut (duh!), and any kind of mustard (though whole grain mustard is my personal fav).
Simple and family-friendly:
- Ketchup + mustard
- Sautéed onions
Level it up:
- Caramelized onions + peppers (you can make these in the air fryer, too!)
- Shredded cheese
- A spoonful of your favorite BBQ sauce
Or keep it simple with chips or a quick pasta salad.
Sides to serve with air fryer brats
You can make an easy lunch or delicious dinner with just a few additions! May I suggest some baked beans, tomato cucumber salad and coleslaw??
Need another fast dinner idea? My air fryer thin pork chops are another easy family meal.
Other brat and sausage recipes
Sheet Pan Kielbasa and Veggies
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage and Peppers
More easy air fryer recipes
Air Fryer Italian Sausage and Peppers
Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
If you make this air fryer bratwurst recipe, leave a star rating or comment below. I'd love to hear from you!
Recipe
Air Fryer Bratwurst
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I'll email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Ingredients
- 5 bratwurst
- Buns of choice for serving
- Condiments
Instructions
- In a single layer, place the brats in the air fryer basket. You may have to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Air fry brats at 370 degrees for 11-13 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brats are done when they are light golden brown reach an internal temperature of 160°F when measured with a meat thermometer.
Be careful when probing the brats, they'll be juicy!
Notes
- In a single layer, place the brats in the air fryer basket. You may have to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer basket.
- Air fry brats at 370 degrees for 11-13 minutes, flipping halfway through. Brats are done when they are light golden brown reach an internal temperature of 160°F when measured with a meat thermometer. Be careful when probing the brats, they'll be juicy!
- Nutrition info will vary depending on the brand and type of brats you pick. It does not include buns or toppings. Have fun!
Nutrition
This Farm Girl Cooks is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. Calories and other nutritional values vary depending on which brands were used.
