Air-Fryer Bratwurst: Quick, Crispy, And Delicious

Cooking raw bratwurst in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make juicy and delicious German sausages. It's a convenient and efficient method that results in a crispy exterior and a juicy interior without using too much oil. The air fryer also eliminates the need to go outside to heat up a grill or deal with any mess in the kitchen from oil splatters.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the cooking process. It ensures that your bratwurst cooks evenly and efficiently. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer is between 350°F and 380°F (180°C). However, some recipes suggest a lower temperature of 320°F. If your air fryer doesn't have temperature settings, simply preheat it for a few minutes until it's hot.

To preheat your air fryer, first, remove the air fryer basket from the unit. Then, brush or spray the tray with cooking oil to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking. Return the basket to the air fryer and set the temperature to your desired level within the recommended range. Allow the air fryer to heat up for a few minutes until it reaches the set temperature.

The preheating time will vary depending on the model and brand of your air fryer, so it's important to refer to your user manual for specific instructions. As a general rule of thumb, most air fryers will take around 2-3 minutes to preheat. However, newer models with more advanced heating elements may take less time.

Once your air fryer has preheated, you can proceed to the next step of placing the bratwurst in the basket and cooking them. It's important to note that you should always preheat your air fryer before adding food to ensure even cooking and the best possible results.

Place bratwurst in the air fryer

When you are ready to cook your raw bratwurst in the air fryer, the first step is to preheat the appliance. Set your air fryer to 350°F, 360°F, 370°F, or 375°F/190°C, depending on the model and your preference. Some recipes recommend preheating to 380°F, but this is on the higher side.

Next, you will need to prepare the air fryer basket. Remove the basket from the air fryer and brush or spray the tray with cooking oil. Return the basket to the air fryer.

Now, you are ready to place the bratwurst in the air fryer. Arrange 5 uncooked bratwurst in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. This arrangement will allow the hot air to circulate around the sausages and cook them evenly. If you are cooking frozen bratwurst, you can add them directly to the basket without defrosting, but you will need to increase the cooking time by about 3 minutes.

If you want to add extra flavour to your bratwurst, you can place a layer of sliced raw onions at the bottom of the basket before adding the sausages. Toss the onions in a little oil first, and lower the temperature slightly if they do not cover the entire bottom of the air fryer. This method will also increase the cooking time, so keep that in mind.

Cook bratwurst

Cooking bratwurst in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to make a delicious meal. It's perfect for any time of year and can be served at parties, BBQs, and Game Days.

To cook raw bratwurst in an air fryer, first, remove the air fryer basket and brush or spray the tray with cooking oil. Return the basket to the air fryer and preheat the air fryer to 350°F-380°F (190°C if your air fryer is more powerful). Place the bratwurst in the basket in a single layer, with space between them for the air to circulate.

Cooking time varies depending on the air fryer model and your desired level of doneness, but generally, bratwurst should cook for 8-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through. The bratwurst is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Once the bratwurst is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Bratwurst can be served in buns or crusty rolls with toppings such as sauerkraut, onions, peppers, mustard, and ketchup. They can also be served with side dishes like cauliflower salad, coleslaw, or cucumber salad.

Remove bratwurst from the air fryer

Once the bratwursts are done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool. You can serve them on their own, or place them in hot dog rolls, then put them back in the air fryer for 1-2 minutes to crisp up the rolls.

If you have leftovers, place them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to five days. You can also freeze the cooked and cooled bratwursts in a ziplock bag and keep them in the freezer for up to two months.

To reheat, you can use a microwave, non-stick pan, or air fryer. To reheat in the air fryer, preheat it to 320 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 3-4 minutes until warmed through. If you're reheating frozen bratwurst, preheat the air fryer to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and cook for 13-15 minutes.

Serve bratwurst

Once your bratwurst is cooked, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool down. You can serve the bratwurst on its own, or with a side of loaded cauliflower mock potato salad. If you're not watching your carb intake, you can serve the bratwurst in a bun or crusty roll, with toppings such as sauerkraut, mustard, or onions and peppers. You can also serve it with a simple side dish such as onion rings, coleslaw, or cucumber salad. If you're cooking for kids, they might like to top their bratwurst with ketchup and potato chips.

If you're making the bratwurst for a party, BBQ, or game day, you can serve it with potluck salads on the side. You can also serve it with bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers, or with bacon on the side.

If you're reheating your bratwurst, you can do so in the microwave, a non-stick pan, or an air fryer.

Frequently asked questions