Brats in an Air Fryer

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.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions:

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 

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