Air Fryer Brats
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Air Fryer Brats are a super easy dinner! Enjoy juicy bratwurst any time by making brats in the air fryer. Serve with your favorite condiments, onions, relish, sauerkraut or sauteed peppers. Get a meal on the table in under 20 minutes with these simple instructions. You won’t believe just how easy it is to make bratwurst in an air fryer!
We can’t get enough of our air fryer, which is why I own two. I love cooking everything from crispy potato wedges to wings in the air fryer and each time I discover or create a new air fryer recipe, I’m a happy camper. It is hard to resist the crispiness and overall great flavor you can achieve with an air fryer using minimal effort and little to no oil! Hard not to love brats in air fryer. Serve these brats with a frozen Coke and dill pickle chip dip with potato chips for a simple summer meal!
Bratwurst in the air fryer is no exception. Who doesn’t love easy, no fuss dinner options like air fryer chicken patty with bun or cube steak in the slow cooker? We’ve been making these for months now and it is time to share how easy the process is with you!
Cooking Brats in the Air Fryer
If you have wondered if you can cook brats in the air fryer, the answer is yes! (I assume you wouldn’t be on the post if you didn’t.) For years I’ve cooked brats by simmering them in water on the stove before transferring them to the grill or frying them up in a pan to brown the outside. This method of cooking does a good job keeping them juicy while not over browning them. Now I have an even easier method by putting my uncooked brats in the air fryer! The results are amazing and it takes almost no time at all.
This recipe was tested using traditional Johnsonville Brats because they are our favorite. (This post is not brought to you by the brand, we just like them best!) Cooking times with other brands may vary slightly.
How to Cook Raw Bratwurst in an Air Fryer
To make these air fryer brats, you want to start by preheating your air fryer. Place your raw bratwurst in the basket or tray in a single layer. Do not overlap! I was able to get a full package of five Johnsonville Brats in the air fryer in my small basket style air fryer. How many will depend upon the size of your air fryer.
Cook for approximately 14 to 15 minutes or until fully cooked, 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn over your brats halfway through cooking for even browning. That is all there is to it!
Serve immediately with your favorite bratwurst toppings such as mustard, ketchup fried onions, raw onions, relish, sauerkraut and/or sauteed peppers. You can even get more creative and try something like this bratwurst with spicy peach salsa! I served mine in a bun with chopped raw onions and mustard to keep it simple. So good and so juicy! This is my new favorite easy weeknight meal option.
How Long to Cook Brats in the Air Fryer
I recommend checking the internal temperature on your brats a bit early. We’ve cooked brats in the air fryer many times and 14 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit resulted in a perfectly cooked brat. If you overcook them by even a minute or two they will shrink quite a bit. They still taste delicious but aren’t as juicy. Since different styles and brands of air fryers can affect the cooking times, you’ll want to find the perfect amount of time for your air fryer and brand of bratwurst. I check the internal temperature by inserting a thermometer in the opening at the end of the brat and push far enough to check the center. You’ll want at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you are using a fully cooked bratwurst, you’ll want to reduce the cook time considerably. You are really just browning the outside and heating it up. That will only take a few minutes of cook time, but I recommend still flipping over halfway through cooking.
Using an air fryer really does result in very juicy and flavorful meats! I love cooking raw chicken tenders in an air fryer and air fried thin pork chops. So delicious, quick and easy!
Air Fryer Brats
Ingredients
- 1 package Johnsonville Bratwurst (uncooked) (5 count)
- 5 hot dog or bratwurst buns
- favorite condiments mustard, ketchup, onions, sauerkraut, relish and/or peppers
Instructions
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Preheat air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place lace your raw bratwurst in the basket or tray in a single layer. Do not overlap!
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Cook for 7 minutes. Turn bratwurst over. Cook additional 7 to 8 minutes or until fully cooked to internal temperature of 160 degree Fahrenheit.
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Serve immediately with buns and your favorite toppings (if desired).
Recipe Notes
This recipe was tested with uncooked Johnsonville bratwurst. If using fully cooked bratwurst, cook for just a few minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit until hot and golden brown. Turn over halfway through cooking.
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Brats in the air fryer is a dinner option you need in your recipe box! Quick and easy, Air Fryer Brats are golden brown and juicy. If you try them let me know how they turn out for you. Be sure to check out all my air fryer recipes like these bacon wrapped shrimp that are downright irresistible!
