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This post was first published on A Food Lover’s Kitchen.
Air Fryer Brats are one of the easiest meals you can make in the air fryer. It always leads to crispy and juicy brats.
If you’re a fan of brats but don’t love how long they take, or don’t like cooking them outside on the barbecue, this recipe is perfect. We love this method of making brats in the air fryer because it is super fast and consistent.
Why You’ll Love It
- This is no hassle dinner idea. When you make brats in the air fryer they come out just as juicy and flavorful as they would on the grill without all of the work. You might also try Italian sausage in the air fryer.
- You can cook the whole package or just one brat at a time making them perfect for those busy evenings when you want a delicious dinner or a lazy Saturday afternoon when you want something easy.
- Cooking brats in the air fryer ensures consistent results, allowing you to achieve the perfect balance of flavors and textures with each batch.
Erin Gierhart says: 
My husband loves brats, but I have never tried cooking them in the air fryer! This was so easy and turned out delicious!
» Try these brats topped with Air Fryer Onions.
Ingredients and Toppings
As ingredients go, this recipe is pretty simple.
- Brats – There are many kinds of brats or bratwurst to choose from. These are Johnsonville cheddar brats but they also make regular brats and beer brats. The cheddar ones are a family favorite because you get a burst of cheese in every bite.
- Buns – You can choose a regular hot dog bun or go for something more substantial like a hoagie roll or Pretzel bun.
The real magic is in the toppings for me. While these brats are tasty all on their own you really can’t go wrong with a great topping. They really are a blank slate for great flavor. Here are some ideas to spruce up your brat.
- Sauerkraut
- Cole Slaw
- Ketchup & mustard
- Sautéed onions & peppers
- Chili
- BBQ Sauce
Equipment Information
- Air fryer: I use the 5.5-quart Ninja MaxXL basket-style air fryer. Angie uses this 5-quart Cosori Pro LE air fryer. We also both occasionally use the Ninja Woodfire Outdoor Grill that has an air fryer setting.
- Kitchen tongs: It’s very easy to remove food from your air fryer with kitchen tongs. I use these kitchen tongs that are silicon coated so they don’t scratch the interior.
- Meat thermometer: The only way to tell if meat is fully cooked to the right temperature is to use a meat thermometer. I use this Instant Read thermometer. It’s so quick to open the basket and check the temp.
Expert Tips to Follow
- All air fryers are a bit different. Cooking times may vary slightly, if you know your air fryer tends to run a little cold or a bit hot try to factor that into the recipe. It may take a time or two to find the perfect time.
- Air fryer brats should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F(74°C) to be safe to eat. It is okay for there to be a slight pink inside as long as they are up to the correct temperature. They should be a light golden brown when done. If they are leathery and wrinkled then they are overcooked.
- No pre-heating is necessary in this recipe, which is great because there’s no extra time waiting for it to get hot!
- I wouldn’t recommend making these in advance. Brats are best when they’re still hot and juicy, so try to make these as close to when you’ll eat them as possible.
Why Use an Air Fryer
An air fryer is an incredibly easy way to cook just about anything. You place the food in a fryer-style basket and hot air rapidly circulates all around the food, making the food crisp – much like deep-frying, but without the oil. You can cook anything you’d make in the oven.
- I use a Ninja MaxXL air fryer (pictured left). If you don’t have an air fryer yet, check out these options to find one that fits your needs.
- See reviews and prices for air fryers on Amazon.
- Here’s a printable Air Fryer Cooking Times Cheat Sheet to get you started.
- Click to find more recipes to make in your Air Fryer.
- Learn how to make fun things in the air fryer, like potato wedges, pork belly bites, and chicken wings.
How to Make Air Fryer Brats
There are many kinds of brats to choose from. These are Johnsonville cheddar brats but they also make regular brats and beer brats. The cheddar ones are a family favorite because you get a burst of cheese in every bite without worrying about the cheese spilling out while air frying.
Step 1: Add to the basket
First, add your bratwurst into the air fryer. It’s super important to leave some space in between each one so that the air can circulate and cook the brats evenly. Most of the time you can cook a whole package of bratwurst at a time.
Step 2: Cook
Set the air fryer to 400° F(204°C) and cook the brats for 4 minutes. Once that’s up, turn the bratwurst over and continue cooking them at 400° F(204°C) for an additional 4 minutes.
Voila, you’re done! Fast and easy. Serve on buns, by themselves, with a bit of sauerkraut, mustard, or any other fixing you enjoy.
Super Useful Air Fryer Accessories
Once you’ve started using your air fryer more regularly, you’ll find there are so many other ways you *could* be using it, if you had a few extra useful accessories. Here are a few favorites that we use almost every day.
- 12-piece accessories kit for 3.7-5.8 quart air fryers – includes silicone cake pan, cake barrel, pizza pan, toasting/warming rack, skewer rack, silicone mat, bread rack and more
- Thermopen instant read thermometer for checking the internal temp of your meats
- Evo Oil Sprayer Bottle – BPA, latex, and dehp-free plastic, won’t clog or shatter, reusable, refillable, recyclable
What Side Dishes to Serve With Air Fryer Bratwurst
You can serve some really easy side dishes with your air fryer brats. Sometimes, you can cook them together in the air fryer to make it even faster.
Some of our favorite side dishes to serve include:
- Air fryer cauliflower
- Air fryer baked potatoes
- Brussels sprouts
- Corn on the cob
- Crispy smashed potatoes
- Cottage fries
Here are 28 more air fryer side dishes to try
Questions About the Recipe
Do you need to boil brats before air frying?
No. Simply add the brats to the air fryer basket and cook at 400° F(204°C) for 8 minutes turning them half way through cooking.
Should you poke holes in brats before cooking?
No, never poke holes in a brat. The bratwurst skin helps hold in the juices. If you poke holes in the skin the juices will drain out leaving your brats dry and tough.
Should I preheat the air fryer before cooking brats?
No pre-heating is necessary to cook these brats, which is great because there’s no extra time waiting for it to get hot!
Can I cook frozen brats in the air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen brats in the air fryer, but it may take a bit longer than fresh ones. It’s advisable to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time and check for doneness using a meat thermometer. Keep in mind that allowing frozen brats to thaw before cooking can lead to more consistent results.
Before You Go
Since you made it to the end of this brat article, you might be interested in some more easy air fryer recipes. Here are a few more articles we think you might enjoy.
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Air Fryer Brats
Equipment
- Kitchen Tongs
Ingredients
- 5 brats 1 package
- 5 hot dog buns
- sauerkraut – optional
Instructions
- Add brats to the air fryer making sure to leave room between each brat for the air to circulate.
- Cook at 400° F(204°C) for 8 minutes, turning them over half way through. They should be a golden brown and 165 degrees F(74°C).
Notes
- All air fryers are a bit different. Cooking times may vary slightly, if you know your air fryer tends to run a little cold or a bit hot try to factor that into the recipe. It may take a time or two to find the perfect time.
- Brats should have an internal temperature of 165°F(74°C) to be safe to eat. It is okay for there to be a slight pink inside as long as they are up to the correct temperature. They should be a light golden brown when done. If they are leathery and wrinkled then they are overcooked.
- No pre-heating is necessary in this recipe, which is great because there’s no extra time waiting for it to get hot!
- I wouldn’t recommend making these in advance. Brats are best when they’re still hot and juicy, so try to make these as close to when you’ll eat them as possible.
All air fryers have different wattage and may cook at different rates. You may need to adjust the time or temp for the best results.
Nutrition
Laura is a passionate foodie and owner of Air Fry Anytime She is dedicated to sharing delicious recipes and helpful tips for using air fryers at home. With years of experience in the kitchen and a love for healthy, flavorful cooking, Laura has become an expert at using air fryers to create amazing meals that are both nutritious and delicious.
My husband loves brats, but I have never tried cooking them in the air fryer! This was so easy and turned out delicious!
I took my air fryer to work and made these for my department meeting. SO easy and everyone loved them.
What a great idea!!
I make these for myself when I don’t want to cook. I usually keep a package of brats in my freezer. I used to take the time to defrost them before cooking but now I just it straight from the freezer.
We love how easy it is too! Enjoy!
I needed to cook a few brats but the grill was full of burgers. I threw them into the air fryer. What a time saver!
Another reason we love the air fryer!