Air Frying Bratwurst: How Long Does It Take?

Cooking bratwurst in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that grilled taste without the need for a barbecue. It's also a great option for colder climates, allowing you to cook bratwurst inside without sacrificing flavour or texture. In this article, we'll cover the best methods for cooking juicy, tender bratwurst in an air fryer, including cooking times and temperatures, as well as some delicious topping suggestions.

How to cook frozen bratwurst in an air fryer

Ingredients:

Frozen bratwurst

Optional Ingredients:

• Bread roll
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. sauerkraut, cheese, ketchup, potato chips)
• A piece of bread to absorb grease

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F-375°F.
• Place the frozen bratwurst in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring there is space around each one so they cook evenly.
• Cook for 13-16 minutes, or until the bratwurst reaches an internal temperature of 160°F-165°F.
• If desired, place the bratwurst in a roll and add your chosen toppings.
• Enjoy!

Tips:

• You can add a piece of bread to the bottom of your air fryer to absorb any grease and make clean-up easier.
• If you want to cook your bread roll in the air fryer, add it for the final 1-2 minutes of cooking time.
• You can melt cheese on your bratwurst by placing the cheese on the sausage and roll, then leaving it to sit in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes after it has been turned off.
• If you want to add onions and peppers, slice one bell pepper and half an onion, toss them in olive oil, salt, and pepper, then add them to the air fryer with the bratwurst.
• For a crispier skin, pierce the bratwurst with a fork before cooking to let the steam escape.
• Always be cautious when checking the internal temperature of the bratwurst, as they can release hot juices.

How to serve bratwurst

There are many ways to serve bratwurst, a German-style sausage made with pork, and sometimes veal or beef.

Bratwurst can be served as a sandwich on a bun and topped with mustard, onions, and/or sauerkraut, or served as a main meal with German potato salad, sweet and sour cabbage, and sauerkraut on the side. Bratwursts are often accompanied by a good German mustard, such as a combination of both yellow German mustard and grainy mustard.

Bratwurst can also be served on a plate with sauerkraut as a bed and a side of either mashed potatoes or potato salad. It can also be served with slaw, beans, or fried potatoes.

If you're serving bratwurst at a BBQ, it's typical to put the sausage on a plate and eat it with a knife and fork, with bread (often slices of baguette) and/or potato salad, pasta salad, as well as lettuce- and/or vegetable-based salads, various condiments/sauces, and homemade or store-bought compound butter on the side.

When serving bratwurst in a bun, it's important to note that the bun should be a crusty roll, not a soft hotdog bun.

How to cook bratwurst in an oven-style air fryer

Ingredients:

• Bratwurst (unfrozen)
• Peppers and onions (optional)
• Beer (optional)
• Parchment paper (optional)

Method:

First, preheat your oven-style air fryer to 360–375°F for 5 minutes. If you want to add some extra flavour to your bratwurst, you can marinate them in beer for 30 minutes before cooking.

Next, place your bratwurst in the air fryer basket or on the tray, ensuring they are laid out in a single layer with a little space around each one. If you're adding peppers and onions, spread these around the sausages in the basket.

Cook your bratwurst for 11–15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160–165°F. If you're using an oven-style air fryer, there's no need to flip the bratwurst halfway through cooking, but you can if you prefer.

Once cooked, remove the bratwurst from the air fryer and let them rest for 3–10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and moist.

Tips:

• You can cook bratwurst from frozen, but you'll need to add an extra 3–6 minutes to the cooking time.
• To test if your bratwurst are cooked, use a digital meat thermometer to check that they've reached an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
• Bratwurst are considered done when they reach 160°F, but if you want them browner, you can continue cooking until they reach your desired level of crispness.
• If you're using a basket-style air fryer, it's recommended to flip the bratwurst halfway through cooking.
• To prevent your air fryer from smoking, you can line the drip pan with parchment paper to catch any excess grease.

How to cook bratwurst in a basket-style air fryer

Preparation:

First, gather your ingredients. For this recipe, you will only need a package of uncooked bratwurst. You can use any brand you prefer, such as Johnsonville or Costco. If you want to add some extra flavour, you can also get some peppers and onions, olive oil, salt, and ground black pepper.

Cooking Instructions:

Start by preheating your air fryer. Set the temperature to between 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit and preheat for about 5 minutes.

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare your bratwurst. If you want to add some peppers and onions, slice up 1 bell pepper and half an onion. Toss them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper in a medium-sized bowl.

Now it's time to cook the bratwurst. Place the uncooked bratwurst in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer with a little space around each one for even cooking. If you are adding the peppers and onions, spread them around the sausages in the basket.

Cook the bratwurst for about 11-15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees Fahrenheit. For an extra crispy bite, you can cook them longer, up to an internal temperature of 190 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using an oven-style air fryer, there is no need to flip the bratwurst halfway through cooking. However, if you are using a basket-style air fryer, it is recommended to flip them over halfway through.

Once the bratwurst are cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for at least 3-5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite is juicy and moist.

Serving Suggestions:

You can serve the bratwurst German-style with potatoes, sauerkraut, mustard, and beer. Or, go American-style and serve them on a bun with hot dog toppings, sauerkraut, bell peppers, and onions. You can also pair them with sides like coleslaw, baked beans, potato chips, or air fryer zucchini chips.

Tips:

• If you are using frozen bratwurst, preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes and then add the bratwurst, cooking for a total of about 17 minutes.
• To catch any excess grease, you can line the drip pan of your air fryer with parchment paper or aluminium foil.
• For food safety, the USDA recommends cooking bratwurst to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and juicy bratwurst!

How to cook Johnsonville bratwurst

Johnsonville bratwursts are a great option to cook in an air fryer as they are low carb and keto-friendly. They are also usually pre-seasoned, so there is no need to add any extra seasoning.

Firstly, you will want to preheat your air fryer to between 350-375°F. While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your bratwurst. It is recommended to pierce the bratwurst with a fork to let the steam escape while cooking. However, one source suggests that you do not pierce the bratwurst before cooking, as this will allow the juices to escape.

Once your air fryer is preheated, place the bratwurst in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not touching. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you can cook up to 12 bratwurst at a time.

Cook the bratwurst for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they are browned evenly on both sides. The bratwurst is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Remove the bratwurst from the air fryer and let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips:

• You can cook frozen bratwurst in the air fryer, but you will need to add 3-5 minutes to the cooking time.
• You can cook the buns in the air fryer for a couple of minutes for a crisp texture.
• You can line your air fryer with parchment paper to absorb excess grease.
• You can serve bratwurst with a variety of toppings and sides, such as jalapeno ranch sauce, sauteed onions and peppers, or sauerkraut.

Frequently asked questions