Air-Fryer Grilled Brats: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Cooking brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them juicy and tender. You can have them ready in less than 15 minutes, without sacrificing any flavour.

The air fryer gets the bratwursts perfectly juicy on the inside with a crisp casing on the outside. They are considered done when they reach an internal temperature of at least 160 degrees.

To make them, simply place the uncooked brats in the air fryer, in a single layer, and air fry at 350-380 degrees for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.

Air fryer bratwurst temperature and cook time

The ideal temperature to cook bratwurst in an air fryer is between 350°F and 380°F. The cooking time will vary depending on the number of brats being cooked, whether they are cooked from frozen, and the desired level of doneness.

For a single layer of bratwurst cooked from room temperature, the air fryer should be preheated to 350°F to 375°F and the bratwurst cooked for 12 to 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. It is recommended to flip the bratwurst halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.

For frozen bratwurst, preheat the air fryer to 350°F and cook for 13 to 15 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 160°F.

For fully cooked bratwurst, reduce the cooking time by a few minutes and go by the appearance of the brats rather than relying on internal temperature.

How to cook frozen brats in the fryer

How to Cook Frozen Brats in the Air Fryer

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Set your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 370°F.

Step 2: Place the Brats in the Air Fryer

Arrange the frozen brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space around them. You may need to cook them in batches if your air fryer basket is on the smaller side.

Step 3: Cook the Brats

Air fry the brats for 12 to 15 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Flip the brats halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning.

Step 4: Rest and Serve

Remove the brats from the air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy, golden brats in a bun with your favourite toppings and condiments!

Tips

• For best results, pierce the casing of the bratwurst with a fork or thin knife before freezing. This will help prevent the sausages from bursting during cooking.
• If you have the time, let the brats thaw slightly before cooking, as they will cook faster and more evenly.
• You can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper to absorb excess grease and make clean-up easier.
• To catch any grease that drips during cooking, place a piece of bread under the air fryer basket.

How to store and freeze air-fried brats

Now that you've cooked your brats in the air fryer, you might be wondering how to store and freeze them. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with that:

Storing Air-Fried Brats:

If you have leftover brats, you can easily store them for future meals. Here are the steps to properly store your air-fried brats:

• Cooling: Allow the brats to cool down to room temperature after cooking. Placing hot brats directly in the refrigerator can affect the temperature and quality of other foods.
• Storing: Once the brats are cooled, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminium foil or plastic wrap. Make sure they are stored separately from other foods to prevent odour transfer.
• Refrigeration: Put the wrapped or containerised brats in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for about 3-4 days.

Freezing Air-Fried Brats:

If you want to freeze your air-fried brats for longer-term storage, follow these steps:

• Cooling: As with storing, allow the brats to cool down to room temperature before freezing.
• Wrapping: Individually wrap each brat tightly in plastic wrap or aluminium foil. You can also place them in freezer bags. Make sure they are well protected from air exposure.
• Freezing: Place the wrapped brats in the freezer. They will stay fresh for about 2-3 months.
• Thawing: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen brats again, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or use the defrost setting on your microwave.
• Reheating: To reheat your brats, you can use your air fryer! Preheat it to 320°F (160°C) and cook for about 3-5 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat them in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Toppings and serving suggestions

Classic German toppings

The most classic toppings for brats are mustard and sauerkraut. If you want to stick to the roots of this German sausage, you could top your brat with German mustard, such as stone ground mustard, and sauerkraut. You could also serve it on a pretzel bun or a German brötchen for a more authentic experience.

Other topping ideas

• Swiss cheese
• Roasted bell peppers and onions
• Relish and diced or sliced onions
• Pineapple and BBQ sauce
• Jalapenos and bacon bits
• Buffalo sauce and blue cheese
• Potato chips and ketchup
• Cheese sauce and onions
• Coleslaw
• Shredded cheese and crumbled bacon
• Cheese sauce with fried pickles
• Herbs, such as chopped fresh parsley, dill, or cilantro
• Hot sauce, jalapenos, or hot peppers
• Pickles or cornichons

Sides

If you're looking for side dishes to serve with your brats, you could try:

• Onion rings
• Coleslaw
• Cucumber salad
• Pierogies
• Green beans with bacon
• Baked beans and potato chips
• Air fryer zucchini chips
• Air fryer mushrooms
• Honey Chipotle Baked Beans
• Smoked Mac and Cheese
• Creamed Corn
• Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
• Air Fryer Tater Tots

Using uncooked brats vs cooked brats

When it comes to using an air fryer to cook bratwurst, you can use either uncooked or fully cooked brats. The type of brat you use will determine the cooking time and temperature.

For uncooked brats, you should air fry at a temperature of around 350-375°F for about 12-15 minutes. The brats are done when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. If your air fryer has a basket, it is recommended to flip the brats halfway through cooking to ensure even browning. If you are using an oven-style air fryer with trays, flipping is not necessary.

If you are using fully cooked brats, the cooking time will be slightly shorter, as you are essentially just warming them up in the air fryer. In this case, you can reduce the cooking time by a few minutes and don't need to worry about checking the internal temperature. Just cook them until they are browned to your liking.

It's worth noting that bringing the brats to room temperature before air frying will help them cook more quickly and evenly. Additionally, if you are cooking frozen brats, you may need to preheat the air fryer for a few minutes before adding the brats and increase the total cooking time by a few minutes.

Frequently asked questions