Air-Fryer Brats: Quick, Crispy, And Juicy

Cooking bratwurst in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make juicy, plump, and crispy sausages with minimal prep and cleanup. The air fryer can cook brats from fresh or frozen, with a variety of toppings and sauces, making it a versatile and convenient option for a hearty meal. Whether you're feeding a family or a crowd, the air fryer is a great alternative to grilling or baking bratwurst, especially during hot summers or cold winters.

How to prepare your air fryer

Preparing your air fryer for use is a simple process, but it's important to follow the steps to ensure your food cooks evenly and your appliance remains in good condition. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your air fryer:

Step 1: Preheat Your Air Fryer

Just like a conventional oven, your air fryer needs to be preheated before cooking. Set the temperature to your desired cooking temperature, usually between 350°F and 380°F for brats. Most air fryers will preheat in just a few minutes, and you can set the temperature using a digital display or dial. Preheating ensures your food cooks evenly and efficiently.

Step 2: Prepare the Basket

Lightly coat the air fryer basket with oil or a non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking. You can use a spray made with healthier oils, such as avocado oil, or brush a light coat of oil onto the basket. This step can be skipped if you're reheating food.

Step 3: Arrange Food in the Basket

Place your food in the basket in a single layer, ensuring there's space for hot air to circulate. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this will affect the crispiness of your food. If you have a large quantity of food, cook in batches to ensure even cooking.

Step 4: Set the Timer

Refer to your recipe for the recommended cooking time and set your air fryer accordingly. Most recipes will instruct you to stir or shake the basket halfway through cooking to ensure even cooking. For brats, the cooking time is typically around 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of your air fryer and the number of brats.

Step 5: Check Doneness

To ensure your food is cooked properly, check its internal temperature with a meat thermometer. For bratwurst sausages, the internal temperature should reach 160°F to 165°F.

Step 6: Clean Your Air Fryer

After cooking, unplug your air fryer and allow it to cool down. Remove any stuck-on food by soaking the basket and tray in warm, soapy water. Use a soft-bristled brush to clean the mesh of the basket. Wipe the interior and exterior of the air fryer with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly before storing.

Cooking times and temperatures

When cooking brats in an air fryer, it is important to preheat the air fryer and place the brats in a single layer to ensure even cooking. The ideal temperature for cooking brats in an air fryer is between 350°F and 380°F. At this temperature, the brats will cook for around 12 to 15 minutes, or until they are browned and have an internal temperature of 160°F.

However, some sources suggest cooking brats at a lower temperature of 300°F for a longer duration of 30 minutes to keep the juices inside without breaking the casing. Others recommend cooking at 370°F for 8 to 10 minutes or 360°F for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

It is worth noting that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the brand, wattage, and size of your air fryer, as well as the number of brats being cooked. If you are cooking frozen brats, increase the cooking time by a few minutes.

To melt cheese on top of the brats, place them back in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes after cooking. Reheating brats in the air fryer can be done at 320°F for about 3 to 5 minutes.

How to cook frozen brats

Air-frying is a great way to cook frozen brats, producing juicy, smoky hot dogs with a delicious outer layer. This method is quick, easy, and healthy, as it requires no oil or grease, and can be done in less than 30 minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen brats in an air fryer:

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. The ideal temperature seems to be around 370-380°F, although some sources suggest 350°F or even 400°F. Preheat for 2-3 minutes, or use the preheat setting if your air fryer has one. You may also want to grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray or oil to prevent the brats from sticking.

Next, place the frozen brats into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. You can use any brand of raw bratwurst, such as Johnsonville Brats, Trader Joe's Bratwurst, or homemade beer brats.

Now, it's time to cook the brats. The cooking time will depend on the temperature of your air fryer and the number of brats you are cooking. For a batch of brats at 350°F, cook for 13-15 minutes. For a higher temperature of 370-380°F, 8-15 minutes should be sufficient. If your brats are room temperature, cooking time will be faster and more even, and you should keep an eye on them after 5-6 minutes. Flip the brats halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.

To check if the brats are done, use a meat thermometer to ensure they have reached an internal temperature of 160°F. Then, remove the brats from the air fryer and let them cool before serving.

Finally, serve the brats in a roll or bun with your desired toppings. You can also add cheese and let it melt by leaving the brats in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes after turning it off. Enjoy!

How to reheat leftover brats

If you have leftover brats, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-days or 5 days. You can also freeze them once cooked for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap to prevent them from sticking together.

When you're ready to reheat your leftover brats, you can use a microwave, non-stick pan, or air fryer. If using an air fryer, it is recommended to reheat the brats at 320°F for about 3 to 5 minutes. You can also reheat them at 350°F, but be aware that this higher temperature may cause them to dry out and shrivel.

To ensure your brats are reheated thoroughly, use a meat thermometer to check that they reach an internal temperature of 160-165°F.

If you're reheating multiple brats, you may need to cook them in batches to ensure even heating. It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the brand and wattage of your air fryer, so keep an eye on your brats to ensure they don't overcook.

Once your brats are reheated, you can serve them on soft white buns or crusty rolls with your choice of toppings, such as sauerkraut, mustard, onions, or relish. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Air fryer brats are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

Buns and Rolls

A popular way to serve air fryer brats is on a soft white bun, a crusty roll, a brioche bun, or a hoagie roll. You can also go for a more classic bratwurst bun like a German brötchen or a pretzel bun. If you're feeling adventurous, try a soft pretzel or a baguette. For those watching their carb intake, you can skip the bun altogether and serve the bratwurst with a knife and fork, or even cut it into bite-sized pieces and serve it as an appetizer on toothpicks.

Toppings and Sides

The beauty of bratwurst is that it pairs well with a variety of toppings and sides. The most common topping is sauerkraut, which adds a tangy, sharp flavor. You can also top your brat with mustard, caramelized onions, crispy fried onion strings, ketchup, mayonnaise, or relish. If you're feeling creative, try some J Dawgs Sauce, Kansas City BBQ Sauce, or Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce. As for sides, consider German potato salad, creamy coleslaw, homemade French fries, or a potluck salad. For breakfast, you can serve them with sauteed onions and peppers.

Platters and Get-Togethers

If you're hosting a get-together, consider setting up a "brat buffet" with an assortment of condiments, toppings, and sides. This way, your guests can customize their bratwurst experience. You can cook a large batch of brats in the air fryer, and they'll be ready in no time! This is a great way to feed a crowd and keep everyone happy.

Freezing and Reheating

If you have any leftover bratwurst, you can easily freeze and reheat them. Simply place the cooked and cooled brats in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months. When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in the microwave, a non-stick pan, or even the air fryer itself for that extra crispness.

Frequently asked questions