Cooking brats in the air fryer is an easy method that always leads to crispy and juicy brats that are done in no time. There’s no need to fire up the grill to get crispy browned brats when you have an air fryer!
» Looking for more? Try air fryer bang bang shrimp and pork belly bites. See all our air fryer recipes.
Cooking brats on the grill can be a hassle. You have to heat up and maintain this huge machine just to make brats! And when you can make them just as juicy and flavorful in the air fryer, why do it on the barbecue?
These tasty brats come out succulent and are perfect for a cookout with some sides and drinks. Brats are also super versatile and can be eaten however you like them.
Ingredients and Toppings
As ingredients go this recipe is pretty simple.
- Brats – Any kind of sausage will work
- Buns
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.
How to Make Brats in the Air Fryer
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.
First, add your brats 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.
Set the air fryer to 400 F and cook the brats for 4 minutes. Once that’s up, turn the brats over and continue cooking them at 400 F for an additional 4 minutes. Let the brats rest at least 5 minutes so that the juices reabsorb and stay juicy.
Voila, you’re done! Fast and easy. Serve on buns, by themselves, with a bit of sauerkraut, or any other fixing you enjoy.
Tips for Making Air Fryer Brats
- 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 degrees 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know When The Brats Are Done?
Brats should have an internal temperature of 165 degrees 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.
Can I Cook Frozen Brats?
Yes. That is one of the great things about the air fryer. Forgot to take them out of the freezer to thaw, no problem. Just adjust the cooking time with frozen brats. Add 2-3 minutes to your cooking time. The internal temperature of the brats should read 165 degrees.
» If you don’t have an Air Fryer yet (go directly to Amazon and order one!), you really should consider it. We have a free Air Fryer starter guide that you can download or check out our Air Fryer page for more.
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How to Cook Brats in the Air Fryer
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 degrees F for 8 minutes, turning them over half way through. They should be a golden brown and 165 degrees.
Equipment Needed
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 degrees 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.
Nutrition
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Jillian Morris is the resident baker for A Food Lover’s Kitchen. She started baking when she was very little and found she had a great passion for it. She is a high-schooler in a small town in Oregon, where she enjoys music, writing, and baking in her spare time.
My husband loves brats, but I have never tried cooking them in the air fryer! This was so easy and turned out delicious!
Easy, delicious, foolproof
Easy, delicious, foolpoof!