Tillie Doyle
Cooking brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a tasty meal. Requiring minimal preparation, brats cooked in an air fryer are full of flavour and can be ready in as little as 10 minutes. This method is also healthier than traditional frying as it requires less oil to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior. This guide will take you through the simple steps to cook delicious brats in an air fryer.
How to cook brats in an air fryer oven
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preheat Air Fryer | 375F/190C or 150C/300F or 320°F/ 160°C or 370F or 400F |
| Arrange brats | Not touching each other, in a single layer |
| Cook time | 5 minutes on one side, 3-5 minutes on the other side, 8-12 minutes in total or 10 minutes in total or 7 minutes on each side |
| Internal temperature | 160F or 165F |
| Rest time | 5 minutes |
| Sides | Mustard, Loaded Cauliflower Mock Potato Salad, Avocado Tomato Salad, Spicy Lime Coleslaw, Roasted Cabbage with Lemon, Easy Cheesy Baked Keto Cauliflower, Peppers and Onions, Air Fryer Bacon, Onion Rings, Coleslaw, Cucumber Salad, Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes with gravy or roasted onions |
| Toppings | Cheese, Sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, Jalapenos, Bacon bits, Potato chips, Ketchup |
| Reheating | Preheat air fryer to 320F for 3-5 minutes |
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What You'll Learn
Preheat the air fryer
Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. Depending on your air fryer model, some may not require preheating. However, preheating can help your brats cook more evenly. If your air fryer model requires preheating, set the temperature to 375°F/190°C or 370°F as suggested by some sources. Alternatively, you can preheat to a lower temperature of 150°C/300°F.
Once your air fryer is preheated, you can proceed to the next step of arranging the brats in the air fryer basket. It is important to ensure that the brats are not touching each other and are placed in a single layer to allow for even cooking. At this stage, you may also choose to rub or brush the brats with oil. However, it is worth noting that some air fryer manuals advise against using cooking spray on the baskets as it can damage the coating.
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Arrange brats in the air fryer
When arranging brats in the air fryer, it's important to ensure they are not touching each other. This allows for even cooking and browning. It is recommended to cook brats in a single layer in the air fryer basket. If your air fryer has a smaller basket, you may need to cook the brats in batches.
Before placing the brats in the air fryer, you can choose to rub or brush them lightly with oil. However, this step is not mandatory, as some people don't experience sticking issues. Additionally, some air fryer manuals advise against using cooking spray on the baskets as it can damage the coating.
If you are cooking frozen brats, you can place them directly into the air fryer without defrosting. Just increase the cooking time by about 3 minutes.
For optimal cooking, it is suggested to preheat the air fryer to temperatures ranging from 300°F to 375°F. However, some people choose to skip the preheating step and cook their brats at higher temperatures for a similar amount of time.
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Cook for 8-12 minutes
Cooking brats in an air fryer is a quick and easy process. After preheating your air fryer to the desired temperature, you can cook the brats for 8-12 minutes. This duration may vary depending on the number of brats you are cooking, the power of your air fryer, and your preferred doneness. For example, cooking two brats will likely take closer to 10-12 minutes, while a single brat may be done in 7-8 minutes.
During this 8-12 minute cooking period, it is recommended to flip the brats halfway through to ensure even browning on both sides. This step is optional but will enhance the appearance and texture of your brats.
Additionally, while cooking, you can add some oil or cooking spray to the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and enhance the cooking process. However, it is important to note that some air fryer manuals advise against using cooking spray as it may damage the coating. In such cases, you can use parchment paper or aluminium foil to line the basket.
The ideal internal temperature for cooked brats is 160 degrees Fahrenheit or 71 degrees Celsius. To check if your brats have reached this temperature, you can use an instant-read thermometer or a metal skewer. If the skewer feels hot when touched to your lip after being inserted into the brat for 10 seconds, the brat is cooked. You can also cut into one of the brats to ensure there is no pinkness remaining.
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Flip halfway through
Flipping your brats halfway through the cooking process is a good idea for several reasons. Firstly, it ensures even browning on both sides of the sausages. While turning the brats is not mandatory, it is recommended for more consistent results. Secondly, flipping your brats helps you to check that they are cooking evenly and not burning. You can also use a knife to check the middle of the sausage to ensure it is cooked to your liking.
The ideal internal temperature for bratwurst is 160°F/71°C, and you can use a meat thermometer to check this. If you don't have a thermometer, you can cut into one of the sausages to ensure it is cooked through—there should be no pink meat remaining. You can also insert a metal skewer into the middle of the sausage for 10 seconds and then touch it to your lip—if it feels hot, the bratwurst is cooked.
If you are cooking your brats from frozen, you may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time. For example, you could cook them for 7 minutes at 320°F/160°C, flip them, and then cook for another 7 minutes at 350°F/180°C.
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Serve with toppings/sides
There are many toppings and sides that can accompany air fryer brats. If you're looking for a low-carb option, you can serve the brats with mustard, or melt cheese on the bratwurst by placing cheese on the brats and letting it sit in the hot air fryer for 1-2 minutes. You can also serve them with bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, or with a side of avocado tomato salad, spicy lime coleslaw, roasted cabbage with lemon, or easy cheesy baked keto cauliflower.
If you're not concerned about carbs, you can serve the brats in buns with grilled onions and peppers, or with a loaded cauliflower mock potato salad. You can also serve them with a side of onion rings, cucumber salad, or potato chips and ketchup.
For a heartier meal, brats can be served with veggies, potatoes, salads, and pastas. Some specific side dish ideas include Frito corn salad, balsamic green bean salad, and potato salad.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can try topping your brat with peanut butter, bleu cheese, or horseradish.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking brats in an air fryer oven takes 8 to 12 minutes at 350°F/180°C. Some recipes suggest cooking brats at 375°F/190°C for 5 minutes on one side, then 3-5 minutes on the other.
The best way to check if your brats are cooked is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the brats should be 160°F/71°C. You can also cut one open—it shouldn't be pink.
If your brats are frozen, you can cook them from frozen in the air fryer. If they are thawed, arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other. You can rub them with oil and season them before cooking.
Brats are a type of German sausage. You can serve them with mustard, potatoes, onions, peppers, coleslaw, or cucumber salad.
