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    Home » Course » Meat and Fish

    Brats in an Air Fryer

    Published: Jun 7, 2021 · Modified: Sep 18, 2022 by Erin Carter · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Cooking brats in an air fryer is the easiest and best way to cook bratwurst sausages. They turn out perfectly crisp on the outside yet juicy and tender on the inside. They are ready in under 15 minutes and the clean up is so simple. You'll never want to cook bratwursts any other way again.

    A plate with cooked bratwurst sausages with a side of ketchup.

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • It is so easy to air fry brats!
    • It takes less than 15 minutes to cook brats in an air fryer and it's totally hands off. You just put the sausages in your air fryer and can walk away.
    • The sausages turn out perfectly cooked with a nice crisp skin and juicy, tender inside and you also don’t have to worry about turning or flipping them as you cook - they taste just as good as sausages from the grill, without having to worry about grilling in the heat or watching your bbq!
    • When you air fry bratwurst sausages it doesn’t leave your kitchen smelling like sausage grease like frying them or cooking them in an Instant pot does and you also don’t have to worry about grease spraying everywhere.
    • Sausages are one of the easiest protein options and they are great for those on keto, low carb, paleo and gluten free diets!
    • If you love cooking with your air fryer you will love to learn about the health benefits of air frying.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    • Bratwurst sausages - Any brand of bratwursts will do. You can use sausage links or sausage patties. One of the most popular brands of bratwurst sausages are Johnsonville brats which come in a convenient package of 5. I personally use locally made, sausages that are made with pasture raised meet and free from any sugar or fillers. 

    How to cook:

    Step one:

    Simply place the bratwurst sausages in a single layer on the air fryer tray or in the air fryer basket and cook them for 11-13 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Six bratwurst sausages on an air fryer tray.

    How to cook frozen brats in an air fryer:

    If you forgot to take your sausages out of the freezer you don’t have to worry, you can just cook them from frozen using this simple method: place the frozen bratwurst sausages in your air fryer and cook them at 360 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-18 minutes – note that if you are using a basket style air fryer you will want to flip the sausages half way through.

    Chef's tips:

    • Bratwurst sausages have a high-fat content and like bacon, could cause your air fryer to fill with smoke. To help prevent this make sure your drip tray is clean before cooking them. It may also depend on the brand of Bratwurst you use, as some will have higher fat contents than others. Personally, I have not had any problems with smoke when I've cooked them in my air fryer.
    • Every model of air fryer is different, so you may have to adjust the cooking time slightly.
    • Depending on the brand and size of the brats you are using you may have to adjust the cooking time slightly.
    • Don't overlap the sausages when cooking them or they won't cook properly. You want them to be in a single layer. 
    • If you have a basket style air fryer: Cook the brats for 11-14 minutes at 360F, flipping the sausages half way through.

    How to serve:

    • Serve with roasted peppers and onions for a complete, healthy meal.
    • Serve with roasted potatoes and broccoli.
    • Slice them up and add them to pasta dishes.
    • Eat the sausages in buns like hot dogs.
    • Eat them on their own or with a side of French fries.
    • Be more traditional and serve it with potato salad or sauerkraut.

    How to store:

    Store any leftover cooked bratwurst sausages in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

    A plate with cooked brats with a dish full of ketchup beside them.

    Frequently asked questions:

    What temperature should sausages be cooked to?

    The internal temperature of sausages and bratwurst sausages should be 160 degrees Fahrenheit or 71 degrees Celsius. This ensures the meat is fully cooked and safe to eat. 

    How is bratwurst different than sausage?

    Bratwurst is just a type of German sausage most often made from pork, and less commonly from beef or veal. Brats are typically seasoned with ginger, nutmeg, coriander, or caraway spices, but there are many different types of bratwurst, with some more commonly eaten in certain regions of Germany. Traditionally bratwurst is often served with sauerkraut, potato salad, or on a bread roll.

    Do I have to preheat my air fryer?

    For this air fryer recipe you do not need to preheat your air fryer. If you choose to preheat it, subtract a few minutes of cooking time.

    Other air fryer recipes you will love:

    • Italian Sausages in air fryer
    • Air Fryer Popcorn
    • Hash Browns in air fryer
    • Air Fryer Potato Wedges
    • Turkey Burgers in air fryer
    • Air Fryer French Fries 

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Air Fryer Brats Recipe

    Brats in an Air Fryer

    Cooking brats in an air fryer is the best way to cook them! Ready in under 15 minutes it's totally hands off and they turn out nice and crisp on the outside, and juicy tender on the inside.
    4.72 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast, Dinner, Meat
    Cuisine: American, German
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free
    Prep Time: 1 minute
    Cook Time: 11 minutes
    Total Time: 12 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 220kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 6 Bratwurst sausages

    Optional

    • Spray oil

    Instructions

    • Place the brats on the tray of your air fryer and cook for 11-13 minutes at 360F.

    Optional

    • If food tends to stick to your air fryer give it a spray with some spray oil first.

    Notes

    1. Every model of air fryer is different, so you may have to adjust the cooking times slightly.
    2. Depending on the brand and size of the brats you are using you may have to adjust the cooking times slightly.
    3. Don't overlap the sausages when cooking them or they won't cook properly.
    4. If you have a basket style air fryer: Cook the brats for 11-14 minutes at 360F, flipping the sausages half way through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 220kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 49mg | Sodium: 558mg | Potassium: 230mg | Vitamin A: 4IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

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    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

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    Hi everyone! My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialities in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

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