How to Cook Brats in an Air Fryer: Easy Recipe & Tips
Air fryer brats are an easy way to cook bratwurst with a browned outside and a juicy center. For fresh raw pork or beef brats, a useful starting point is 390°F for about 9 to 11 minutes, turning once halfway through. The exact cooking time can vary with the size of the links and your air fryer, so use a food thermometer to confirm they reach 160°F in the center.
You don’t need to boil the brats first or coat them heavily with oil. Put them in a single layer, cook, turn once, check the temperature, and serve them in toasted buns with your favorite toppings.
If you’re completely new to air frying, our guide to What Is an Air Fryer? explains how the appliance works and why airflow matters when cooking.
Air Fryer Brats Recipe at a Glance
| Recipe Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | About 2 minutes |
| Cook Time | About 9–11 minutes for fresh brats |
| Total Time | About 11–13 minutes |
| Temperature | 390°F |
| Servings | 4 |
| Main Ingredient | Fresh bratwurst |
| Oil | Usually not needed |
| Doneness | 160°F for raw pork/beef brats |
| Best Method | Single layer + turn once |
Important: Treat the time as a starting point rather than a guarantee. Thicker links and different air fryer models can cook at different speeds.
Ingredients
This recipe keeps things simple because bratwurst already brings plenty of seasoning and fat.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh bratwurst | 4 links | Pork or beef |
| Cooking spray | Optional | Only if your basket tends to stick |
| Brat buns | 4 | For serving |
| Yellow or Dijon mustard | As needed | Optional |
| Sauerkraut | As needed | Optional |
| Cooked onions | As needed | Optional |
You don’t need to add oil directly to the bratwurst. If your air fryer basket is well maintained and the sausages contain their usual amount of fat, they should cook without an oil coating.
How to Cook Brats in an Air Fryer
1. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F if your model and recipe setup call for preheating.
The exact preheating procedure varies by appliance. If you’re unsure how your model should be preheated, see our guide on How to Preheat an Air Fryer.
2. Arrange the Brats
Place the fresh bratwurst in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
Leave a little space between the links.
They don’t need a huge amount of room, but avoid stacking or packing them tightly. Air needs to circulate around the exposed surfaces for more even browning.
3. Air Fry the Brats
Cook at 390°F for about 9 to 11 minutes.
Start checking toward the shorter end of the range, particularly if your brats are smaller or your air fryer tends to cook quickly.
Johnsonville’s instructions for several fresh sausage products use 390°F with a single-layer arrangement and a turn during cooking, although the exact time varies by product.
4. Turn Halfway Through
Turn the brats once, roughly halfway through cooking.
For a 10-minute cook, turn them after about 5 minutes.
You don’t need to repeatedly open the basket. One turn is enough for most standard bratwurst links.
5. Check the Internal Temperature
This is the step that matters most.
Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the brat, avoiding contact with the basket.
For raw pork or beef bratwurst, the center should reach 160°F (71°C). For bratwurst made from chicken or turkey, the safe minimum internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
Don’t rely on brown color alone. A brat can look beautifully browned while the center still needs more cooking.
6. Rest and Serve
Once the brats reach the appropriate internal temperature, remove them from the air fryer.
Let them rest briefly while you prepare the buns and toppings.
Serve them whole in toasted brat buns, or slice them and add them to another meal.
How Long Do You Cook Brats in an Air Fryer?
For fresh bratwurst, 390°F for about 9 to 11 minutes is a useful starting point for many standard links. Johnsonville provides this range for several of its fresh sausage products, but product instructions can differ.
Use this table as a practical guide:
| Type of Brat | Starting Point | Final Check |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh pork/beef brats | 390°F, about 9–11 minutes | 160°F |
| Thick fresh brats | 390°F, may need longer | 160°F |
| Poultry brats | Follow package guidance | 165°F |
| Frozen raw brats | Same general heat, longer cooking | 160°F or 165°F depending on meat |
| Fully cooked brats | Lower heat and shorter time | Heated through |
The thickness of the sausage matters more than simply counting minutes. If your links are unusually large, start checking later in the expected cooking window rather than assuming the standard time will always work.
Do You Need to Preheat the Air Fryer for Brats?
Preheating can give the sausages a hot cooking environment from the beginning and makes the timing easier to reproduce.
For this recipe, preheating to 390°F is a reasonable approach.
However, air fryers differ. Some models cook effectively without a separate preheating cycle. If your manufacturer’s instructions say not to preheat or provide a specific sausage program, follow those instructions.
The important thing is to stay consistent with the method you use, especially when you’re learning how quickly your particular air fryer cooks.
Do You Need Oil for Air Fryer Brats?
Usually, no.
Bratwurst contains fat, so there is generally no reason to coat the links with a large amount of oil before cooking.
If your basket tends to stick, a very light amount of cooking spray can help. Avoid soaking the sausages in oil because it doesn’t solve the main cooking problem and can create additional grease.
Should You Pierce Brats Before Air Frying?
No, you generally don’t need to pierce them.
Keeping the casing intact allows the sausage to retain more of its juices while cooking. Deliberately making several holes can allow fat and moisture to escape.
If the manufacturer of a particular brat product gives different preparation instructions, follow the package directions.
The better approach for this recipe is simple: leave the casing intact, cook in a single layer, turn once, and check the center temperature.
Fresh vs. Frozen Brats
Fresh and frozen bratwurst should not be treated as exactly the same recipe.
Fresh Brats
Fresh refrigerated brats are the easiest option.
Use the main recipe:
- Preheat to 390°F.
- Arrange the brats in one layer.
- Cook for about 9–11 minutes.
- Turn halfway.
- Check the internal temperature.
Frozen Brats
Frozen brats can also be cooked in an air fryer, but they need more time because the center starts frozen.
The exact additional time depends on the size of the links and the air fryer.
If the frozen brats are stuck together, allow them to loosen enough to separate safely, then arrange them with space between the links.
Don’t use a fixed “add 10 minutes” rule. Check the center with a thermometer near the end of cooking.
Fully Cooked Brats
Fully cooked bratwurst is different from raw bratwurst.
You’re reheating the sausage rather than cooking raw meat all the way through.
For fully cooked products, check the package instructions because the recommended temperature and time can vary by product.
How to Keep Air Fryer Brats Juicy
The trick isn’t complicated. Most dry brats come from simply cooking them longer than necessary.
Avoid Overcrowding
Keep the links in one layer.
If they’re packed tightly together, the air has less access to the sides, which can lead to uneven browning.
Don’t Keep Adding Time
If the brats reach the correct internal temperature, they’re done.
Don’t leave them cooking for another five or ten minutes just because you want a darker casing.
Don’t Turn the Temperature Up Just for Color
If the inside isn’t cooked but the outside is already dark, increasing the heat isn’t the solution.
Give the center more time at a moderate temperature.
Use a Thermometer
This is especially useful for thick brats.
The thermometer takes the guesswork out of deciding whether a sausage is actually finished.
What to Serve With Air Fryer Brats
Bratwurst doesn’t need an elaborate side dish. The classic toppings are often enough.
Classic Bratwurst
Serve the cooked brat in a toasted bun with:
- Yellow mustard
- Dijon mustard
- Sauerkraut
- Cooked onions
Brats With Peppers and Onions
Slice the cooked brats and serve them with sautéed or roasted bell peppers and onions.
Brats With Potatoes
Air-fried potatoes, potato wedges, or fries make an easy side.
Brats With a Fresh Salad
A simple green salad or crunchy slaw adds something fresh alongside the richer sausage.
Bratwurst Bowl
Slice the cooked links and combine them with potatoes, peppers, onions, or roasted vegetables.
Air Fryer Brats Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Brown outside, undercooked center | Thick brat or heat too aggressive | Continue cooking and check the center temperature |
| Brats are dry | Overcooking | Start checking earlier |
| Uneven browning | Basket overcrowded | Leave more space between links |
| Brats aren’t browning | Excess moisture or poor airflow | Keep them separated and allow more cooking time |
| Casing splits | Heat, pressure, or sausage characteristics | Avoid unnecessary piercing and excessive cooking |
| Brats stick | Basket surface | Use a very light amount of cooking spray if needed |
| Frozen brat is cold inside | Not enough cooking time | Continue cooking and check the center |
How to Store Leftover Brats
If you have leftover cooked bratwurst, refrigerate it promptly in a covered container.
For food safety, USDA guidance says refrigerated leftovers should generally be used within 3 to 4 days when properly stored.
If you won’t eat them within that period, freezing is another option.
Allow the sausages to cool appropriately, package them well, and label the container with the date so they’re easier to keep track of.
How to Reheat Brats in an Air Fryer
The air fryer is useful for reheating leftover bratwurst because it can warm the center while bringing some browning back to the outside.
For refrigerated brats:
- Place the brats in a single layer.
- Use a moderate temperature rather than very high heat.
- Heat until warmed through.
- Check early so the casing doesn’t become overly dry.
The exact reheating time depends on whether you’re warming whole links or sliced brats.
If you’re reheating poultry-based bratwurst, USDA recommends reheating leftovers to 165°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to boil brats before air frying?
No. Fresh bratwurst can be cooked directly in the air fryer. Boiling first isn’t necessary for this recipe. Cook the sausage until it reaches the appropriate internal temperature.
What temperature should I cook brats in an air fryer?
390°F is a useful starting temperature for fresh bratwurst. Product instructions can differ, so check the package when available. Several Johnsonville fresh sausage products use 390°F as their air-fryer temperature.
How long do brats take in an air fryer?
Fresh brats commonly take about 9–11 minutes at 390°F as a starting point, but the actual time depends on the sausage and air fryer. Check the internal temperature rather than relying only on the clock.
Do you put oil on brats before air frying?
Usually not. Bratwurst generally contains enough fat to brown without added oil. A small amount of cooking spray is optional if your basket tends to stick.
Should you flip brats in an air fryer?
Yes. Turning them once around the halfway point can help the links brown more evenly.
Can you cook frozen brats in an air fryer?
Yes. Frozen brats can be air fried, but they need additional cooking time compared with refrigerated brats. Separate the links when possible and check the center with a thermometer.
How do you know when brats are done?
For raw pork or beef bratwurst, the thickest part should reach 160°F. For poultry bratwurst, use 165°F. A browned casing is useful visually, but temperature is the more reliable doneness check.
Can you cook Johnsonville brats in an air fryer?
Yes. The exact instructions depend on the specific Johnsonville product. Several fresh Johnsonville sausage products list 390°F and approximately 9–11 minutes, with a turn during cooking and an internal temperature of 160°F. Always give the package instructions priority for a specific product.
Final Conclusion
Air fryer brats are a straightforward weeknight recipe: preheat to about 390°F, arrange the fresh bratwurst in a single layer, cook for roughly 9–11 minutes, and turn once halfway through.
The timer is only a starting point. Sausage thickness, starting temperature, quantity, and your air fryer can all change the cooking time. The final check should be the center temperature, with raw pork or beef bratwurst reaching 160°F and poultry bratwurst reaching 165°F.
Serve the brats in toasted buns with mustard, sauerkraut, and onions, or turn them into a fuller meal with potatoes, peppers, or a fresh salad. That’s the beauty of this recipe: very little preparation, very little added oil, and a properly cooked brat ready for the plate.
