Want juicy and crispy bratwursts in 15 minutes without splatters or mess? Try my go-to air fryer brats recipe with step-by-step instructions, tips, and tricks for perfect results every time.
My husband and I spent over 2 years in Germany, so we love some good bratwurst dinners. We love having them with red braised cabbage or sauerkraut, roasted potatoes, and rye bread. It is one of our favorite comforting meals. I used to make them on a skillet, but since I got an air fryer I have learned to make perfect brats the easier and faster way.
I used to just cook them without extra steps in my air fryer, but a few times, the brats burst and made a huge mess in my air fryer. So I’ve learned some tricks to prevent that. They might not burst every time, but it’s better to avoid the hassle.
Ingredients notes
See the recipe card below for the complete list of ingredients and amounts.
You will need quality uncooked brats. I like buying our local bratwurst made with pork, natural casings, and traditional spices, such as nutmeg, black pepper, caraway, or marjoram.
I recommend getting the brats made of pork shoulder (the most traditional German bratwurst), as they are very flavorful and will remain juicy.
You can also find bratwurst made with beef, veal, or a mix of two types of meats.
I also like brushing them lightly with cooking oil so they do not stick to the air fryer basket and the skin gets nicely browned and crispy.
Step-by-step instructions
Note: Before cooking, check the package to see if the brats contain poultry or if they are fully cooked. If they contain poultry, cook to an internal temperature of 165°F; for pork or beef brats, 160°F is enough. If the brats are fully cooked, air fry them at 390°F for about 10 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Step 1. Pat dry brats with paper towels. Using a sharp knife, create a few shallow slits in the casing (one side is enough). Brush with a thin layer of oil.
Step 2. Place brats in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry for 7 minutes at 350°F.
Step 3. Using tongs, flip them over for even cooking and browning.
Step 4. Air fry brats for another 5-7 minutes at 390°F or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. I prefer cooking pork brats to 165°F.
Tip
Worried about a messy air fryer and keeping the brats juicy? You will be very lucky if brats do not burst inside the air frying, causing a lot of mess and potentially drying them out.
For this reason, I recommend doing very shallow slits in the casing. This way the air can still escape but most of the juices will stay inside the sausage.
But if you want maximum juiciness, you can skip the slits and just prick them once or twice with a toothpick or a fork gently to vent steam.
Cooking bratwurst with vegetables in the air fryer
You can make it a one-pan meal by cooking bratwursts with vegetables in the air fryer. Just like I do with air chicken sausage and peppers, you can do the same with brats. Slice onions, bell peppers, zucchini, or other vegetables, and toss them with little oil, salt, and black pepper. Add vegetables to the air fryer basket, then slice uncooked bratwurst into thick rounds and place them on top. Cook everything for 13-15 minutes at 390°F, or until the brats reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Air fryer bratwurst meal prep and storage
Cooked bratwursts last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, if properly stored in an airtight container. They do not dry out when reheated and taste great even cold, making them a great protein pick for meal prep. Pair them with different vegetables, potatoes, pasta, rice, and grains to keep things more interesting.
Frequently asked questions
It’s best to start cooking them at 350°F, then increase the temperature to 390°F halfway through. This helps them cook through without burning the outside.
If you're air frying uncooked pork brats, it’s a good idea to poke a few holes or make shallow slits to prevent them from splitting.
If you prefer not to do that, cook them at a lower temperature (300–330°F) for a longer time to avoid bursting.
Yes, you surely can! Place frozen uncooked brats in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F for 10 minutes. Then flip and continue cooking at 390°F for another 12–14 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Brats (Juicy, Easy, No Mess)
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
Ingredients
- 1 package uncooked brats you can cook as many as you need
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F. Pat dry each bratwurst with a paper towel. Make shallow slits on each sausage using a sharp knife. This helps prevent bursting during cooking time. You can also pierce them with a tooth pick as an alternative. Lightly coat brats with vegetable or avocado oil for browning and crispier skin.
- Place the brats in the preheated air fryer basket. Air fry at 350°F for 7 minutes. Flip the brats, then increase the temperature to 390°F and cook for another 5-7 minutes or until fully cooked. Brats are ready when they reach an internal temperature of 160°F. Note: if you choose not to make slits, air fry them at lower temperatures ( 300-330°F) for about 17-19 minute or until fully cooked. This helps prevent splitting.
- Serve them on a hotdog bun with classic ketchup and mustard, or go with the traditional sauerkraut, boiled or roasted potatoes, and bread.
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