Name: Air Fryer Brats Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: German
Ingredients: 4 bratwurst links (cooked, uncooked, or frozen); 4 rolls; sauerkraut; Swiss cheese; onion; relish; condiments

Jump to Recipe

Ready for a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal in minutes? This Air Fryer Brats Recipe delivers perfectly juicy, delicious sausages with crispy skin, nestled in soft rolls and piled high with tangy sauerkraut, melty cheese, and whatever toppings you love. Air-frying brats is a game-changer — the cook time is unbelievably short, the cleanup is minimal, and the results are so shockingly tasty you’ll never boil or pan-fry again. Whether you’re racing the clock on game night or just craving that classic bratwurst flavor without firing up the grill, this recipe is about to become your new go-to.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this dish is in its simplicity: just a handful of ingredients, each playing a key role in either boosting flavor, creating texture, or adding a pop of color. No fillers or fuss, just pure bratwurst joy made easy.

Bratwurst Links: Choose your favorites, fresh or frozen — both work wonders in the air fryer.
Rolls: Toasted, sturdy buns hold all those delicious toppings without falling apart.
Sauerkraut: Adds zesty brightness that cuts through the richness of the bratwurst.
Swiss Cheese: Melts beautifully for a creamy, nutty layer on each brat.
Onion: Sautéed, raw, or pickled, onions add sweet crunch and flavor complexity.
Relish: A bit of tangy sweetness from relish balances the savory brats.
Condiments: Mustard, ketchup, or whatever your heart desires — this is your brat, your rules!

How to Make Air Fryer Brats Recipe

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. Preheating really does make a difference for even cooking and that sizzling snap when you take your first bite. Just set it for three minutes — it’s all the head start you need for those brats to cook up juicy inside and browned on the outside.

Step 2: Prep to Prevent Smoking

Bratwurst is wonderfully juicy but that means plenty of drippy fat, which can cause your air fryer to smoke up. Slip a slice of bread under the basket to soak up extra grease, or add a few tablespoons of water to the bottom. Either trick works like a charm, keeping smoke away and cleanup simple.

Step 3: Arrange and Cook the Brats

Lay your brats out in a single layer on the basket so the heat gets all around them. Resist the urge to overcrowd — better air circulation equals better browning and no soggy spots. Set your timer according to whether your brats are raw, precooked, or frozen, referring to the packaging or air fryer manual for exact timings. Trust your eyes: you’re looking for golden brown with some crispy blisters.

Step 4: Flip Halfway Through

About halfway through your cooking time, pull out the basket and flip the sausages over. This ensures they brown evenly on each side and makes for that irresistible, all-over crispiness that keeps everyone coming back for seconds.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Your brats are done with an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer and check a few different spots, just to be certain. No one likes undercooked sausage, and you’ll find the perfect doneness with this simple check every single time.

Step 6: Buns and Toppings In the Air Fryer

Place each brat in a bun, adding sauerkraut, cheese, or any toppings you want warmed. Set the loaded buns back in the air fryer basket. This clever step means the bread gets toasty and the cheese turns melty — just two more minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit is all it takes.

Step 7: Let the Brats Rest

Remove the brats and let them sit for five minutes before serving. This little pause lets the juices settle back inside the sausage, so every bite is as succulent as the last (and you won’t scorch your mouth on molten cheese or hot bratwurst).

How to Serve Air Fryer Brats Recipe

Garnishes

Go wild with toppings! Classic sauerkraut and Swiss cheese are unbeatable, but don’t stop there. Add sliced onions (raw for crunch or sautéed for sweetness), spicy mustard, relish, or even a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Side Dishes

This Air Fryer Brats Recipe is a superstar at the center of your table, but it plays well with others, too. Think crispy potato wedges, a refreshing cucumber salad, tangy German potato salad, or even a big plate of pickles on the side for that extra bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your brats the extra mile by serving them “bar-style” with a DIY toppings station — perfect for family nights or game day. Or slice the cooked brats into coins and serve over a platter of sauerkraut with toothpicks for a fun party appetizer twist on the Air Fryer Brats Recipe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover brats can be cooled, then stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. If you’ve already added toppings and tucked them into buns, wrap each one in foil before refrigerating to keep them from drying out.

Freezing

Freeze cooked, cooled brats on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for longer storage (they’ll keep their best texture for up to two months). If you plan to freeze with the buns, pack toppings separately so the bread doesn’t get soggy.

Reheating

To reheat, pop brats back in your air fryer at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes until hot all the way through. If they’re in buns, wrap in foil and air fry until just warmed to avoid dried out bread (and don’t forget a little extra cheese on top if you love it gooey!).

FAQs

Can I cook frozen brats in the air fryer?

Absolutely! One of the joys of this Air Fryer Brats Recipe is its flexibility — frozen brats just need a few extra minutes and may benefit from being flipped twice to ensure even cooking. Always check for 160 degrees Fahrenheit at the center to be sure they’re safely done.

What’s the best way to prevent my air fryer from smoking?

Place either a slice of bread or a few tablespoons of water beneath the basket. Both methods do wonders for soaking up excess fat and avoiding annoying smoke, so you can air fry brats any day without worry.

Can I use any type of bratwurst?

Yes! Whether you love classic pork brats, extra-spicy jalapeño, or even chicken or turkey brats, any variety will work beautifully in this recipe. Just keep an eye on the cook time, as leaner brats may take less time to cook through.

How do I know when the brats are done?

The safest and most reliable method is using a meat thermometer: press it into the center of the brat, and when it hits 160 degrees Fahrenheit, you’re good to go. Visual cues help, but don’t skip this step for perfect results every time with your Air Fryer Brats Recipe!

Can I cook the buns and toppings in the air fryer too?

Absolutely! After your brats are cooked, placing them in rolls with toppings like sauerkraut or cheese and returning them to the air fryer for a couple minutes is a game-winning move. The rolls turn beautifully toasty and the cheese melts to perfection.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a meal that’s fun, fuss-free, and full of big flavors, this Air Fryer Brats Recipe checks all the boxes. Once you try these quick, juicy brats with all your favorite toppings, you’ll want them on repeat all year long. Happy air frying, and enjoy every bite!

Air Fryer Brats Recipe

★★★★★

5.2 from 29 reviews

Author: Jack
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Meat

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Description

This Air Fryer Brats recipe is a quick and easy way to enjoy delicious bratwursts with crispy skins and juicy insides. Perfect for a casual weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Ingredients:

4 bratwurst links (cooked, uncooked, or frozen)
4 rolls
sauerkraut
Swiss cheese
onion
relish
condiments

Instructions

Preheat: Preheat at 360 degrees F for 3 minutes before cooking.
Prepare Air Fryer: To prevent smoking, place a piece of bread under the basket to catch excess fat or add a few tablespoons of water to the bottom of the air fryer.
Cook Brats: Arrange brats in a single layer in the basket. Cook according to the time and temperature guidelines provided.
Flip Brats: Halfway through cooking, flip the sausages over for even browning.
Check Temperature: Ensure brats reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F using a meat thermometer.
Add Toppings: Place brats in buns with desired toppings like sauerkraut or cheese.
Final Cook: Return brats in buns to the air fryer and cook for an additional 2 minutes at 360 degrees F.
Rest: Allow the brats to sit for 5 minutes before serving to reabsorb juices.