Air Fryer Brats

Why this recipe works

• Quick and easy. In just 10 minutes, your brats will be ready to enjoy.
• Healthier. Air frying brats are a convenient and efficient way to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior without using as much oil as traditional frying methods. Bratwurst are naturally fattier, so really, it’s a win-win!
• Easy clean-up. I like to make air fryer bacon and air fryer turkey bacon for this very reason. I sometimes even line them with paper liners to prevent ANY mess.
• Diet friendly. These sausages are great if you are following a low carb or keto diet, or want something protein packed.

Ingredients needed 

This recipe needs just the brats and some cooking spray to whip up, and of course some fix-ins to complete. Here are some specifics:

• Bratwurst sausages. You can find these sausages at any grocery store. If this is your first time cooking bratwurst, stick with the original flavor and brand (Johnsonville brats or Boars Head), but if you have access to a butcher, try their homemade beer brats or ones that have fillings and/or extras (like cheese or jalapenos!).
• Spray oil. To grease the air fryer basket. 
• To assemble. For a quick meal, my family loves these with some onions, peppers, mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, relish and some buns.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to cook brats in the air fryer

What I love about this recipe is how I can cook them for breakfast or as the protein source for my family dinners.

Step 1- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 150C/300F. Spray some oil in the air fryer basket.

Step 2- Cook brats in the air fryer. Add the uncooked brats in a single layer to the air fryer basket.

Cook the brats for 8-10 minutes while flipping halfway through until they cooked nicely without burning the edges.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Use air fryer liners. I couldn’t live without my disposable air fryer liners. Essentially, these are purposely shaped parchment paper that you place in the air fryer basket. It works SO well for brats and sausages, because they don’t need the heat circulation to cook completely. Also, you CAN line them with aluminum foil.
• Bring the brats to room temperature. Like with steaks or other proteins, cooking the brats at room temperature will not only be quicker but will also cook them more evenly.
• Flip the brats halfway through. Although not mandatory, I flip them halfway through just so both sides get ample browning.
• Cook in batches. As with any air fryer recipe, always cook the brats in a single layer. If your air fryer can’t accommodate all your sausages, cook them one batch at a time.

Storage instructions 

To store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled brats in a ziplock bag and store them in the freezer for up to two months.

Reheating: Reheat the bratwurst in the microwave, non-stick pan, or air fryer.

Ingredients

• ▢6 bratwurst uncooked
• ▢1 serving cooking spray

Instructions

• Preheat the air fryer to 150C/300F. Spray oil in an air fryer basket.
• Add the bratwurst in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Notes

TO STORE: Place leftovers in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days.

TO FREEZE: Place the cooked and cooled brats in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to two months.

TO REHEAT: Reheat the bratwurst in the microwave, non-stick pan, or air fryer.