My air fryer brats are the easiest way to cook bratwurst. Super fast and without all the mess, enjoy crisp and juicy brats in just 10 minutes!

I make air fryer brats all year long because they give me that same juicy, grilled flavor without the hassle of firing up the grill. I first started cooking them this way after getting tired of dealing with splattering oil or the prep work that goes into oven baked brats. Honestly? I’ve never looked back. After testing both plain and flavored bratwurst, I found the air fryer cooked them evenly every time: crisp and golden on the outside, tender and juicy in the middle.

This is my sneaky hack for quick weeknights or game days, and I love that they’re completely hands-off. I actually used this method during a cookout when our grill couldn’t accommodate all the brats and no one could tell the difference (even my dad who swears by the grill).

Table of Contents

1. Key Ingredients
2. How to cook brats in the air fryer
3. Arman’s recipe tips
4. Frequently asked questions
5. Air fryer Brats (Recipe Card)

Air fryer brats recipe highlights

• Quick and easy. We’re talking ten minutes.
• Healthier. Air frying brats is a convenient and efficient way to achieve a crispy exterior and juicy interior without using as much oil as traditional frying methods.
• Easy clean-up. Just a quick wash of the air fryer. 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 diet, or want a high-protein addition to a family dinner.

Key Ingredients

The full printable list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

• 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 Boar’s 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!). Of course, if you want classic sausage, try my air fryer sausage links or air fryer Italian sausage instead. 
• To assemble. For a quick meal, my family loves these with some onions, peppers, mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut, relish, and some buns.

How to cook brats in the air fryer

Arman’s recipe tips

• Use air fryer liners. I couldn’t live without my disposable air fryer liners. Essentially, these are purposely shaped parchment papers that you place in the air fryer basket. It works so well for brats and sausages because they don’t require heat circulation to cook through. Also, you CAN line them with aluminum foil.
• Check the internal temperature. Checking the internal temperature is the best indication of whether the brats are cooked or not. The internal temperature of fully cooked brats should be 165°F.
• 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.

Frequently asked questions

Originally published August 2023