These Air Fryer Brats are perfectly crisp on the outside, served in soft white buns or crusty rolls (your choice!) with flavorful sauerkraut and mustard. They're perfect for parties, BBQs, Game Days, or something different on a busy weeknight dinner!
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When my husband and I lived in Germany, my favorite German street food was always a crispy grilled bratwurst that you can buy in booths or stalls at street markets. The sausages were so juicy and savory with wonderful mustard on top and the bratwurst casing would pop when you bit into it.
If you are ever visiting Germany, you should also try their currywurst, which is a spicy twist on the classic bratwurst with a special curry ketchup served on top.
These days, when I don't feel like firing up the grill, the easiest way to cook bratwurst is in the air fryer! It does an amazing job of cooking bratwurst so it's perfectly juicy inside with the crisp casing on the outside. You know what I'm talking about!
What are brats?
Brats is a shortened term for bratwurst, which is a type of German sausage. These German sausages are usually made with pork but also sometimes with beef and veal.
You can get loads of different types of brats here in the USA (or you can even make them yourself, although I haven't ever tried), but the most common are Johnsonville Brats, which come in different flavors and meat types too.
Cooking brats in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them any time of year. Honestly, we use it more than the grill, even in the summer, because it can get so hot here during the summer months that I don't want to stand outside in the sun grilling when I can just plug in our air fryer and have dinner ready in 15 minutes!
Brats are great for serving at parties, BBQs, and Game Days. They're an all-around crowd-pleaser as you can top them with your favorite toppings (sauerkraut and onions for me!) and mustard or sauces with potluck salads on the side.
This air fryer bratwurst recipe makes cooking brats even easier, making it a great option for a quick meal on busy weeknights!
Check out these recipes for Bangers and Mash, Sauerkraut and Sausages with Apples, and my Easy Homemade Jambalaya for some more delicious dishes with sausages.
Why We Love Air Fyer Brats
- Add your favorite toppings and sauces to make these brats your own!
- Use any kind of bratwurst sausages you can find at the grocery store or ask your local butcher.
- This delicious meal takes less than 30 minutes to make!
What You'll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
- Brats - Use any kind of brand of brats or make your own. I've used a whole package of brats here.
- Buns - The soft white buns you use for hot dogs are great here. You could also use a sliced baguette, crusty rolls, or hoagie rolls, depending on your personal preference.
- Mustard - Use a good quality deli-style mustard to top your brats for a great flavor.
- Sauerkraut - Any kind of sauerkraut will taste good here, so choose your favorite kind (or make your own!)
How to Make Air Fryer Brats
- Prepare air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer so there is room for the hot air to circulate around them.
- Cook. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until done. You know they are done when they have an internal temperature of 160°F when tested with an instant digital meat thermometer (affiliate link).
- Serve. Remove the brats from the air fryer and serve them on your favorite brat buns or crusty rolls with sauerkraut and mustard! You wouldn't go amiss with some chopped onions as well and maybe a dill pickle on the side.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, aluminum foil can go in your air fryer to help with easy cleanup, but it will need to have holes in it to allow the hot air to circulate in the air fryer. The best way to ensure easy cleanup is to use Air Fryer parchment paper.
Yes! This recipe uses uncooked brats, and cooking them in the air fryer is super easy. Brats should reach an internal temperature of 165°F with a meat thermometer to be done. You can also cook them on the grill or in the oven.
Store your leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the air fryer with a reduced cooking time to heat and crispen up again.
Just like any cooked meat, you can freeze these brats once cooked for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap to keep them from sticking together if you want.
Tips for Success
- Use air fryer parchment paper to line your air fryer basket for quick and easy cleanup.
- Make sure to set your air fryer to 350F to get juicy brats, any higher and they can dry out and shrivel a bit.
- You may have to cook your brats in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, and how many you're going to cook.
How to Serve Brats
There are so many great topping ideas to choose from for these air fry brats!
This recipe uses a little bit of sauerkraut and mustard for deliciously tangy, sharp flavors, but you can mix it up if you prefer!
Next time, you could go for classic American hot dog toppings like Caramelized Onions or Crispy Fried Onion Strings, Ketchup, and Mayonnaise.
Or have them topped with some J Dawgs Sauce, Kansas City BBQ Sauce, Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, or my Outback Blooming Onion Sauce!
Serve these brats with some side dishes like German Potato Salad, Creamy Coleslaw, and Homemade French Fries for a delicious dinner!
Substitutions and Variations
- Use different types of brats for your meal. Choose from smoked brats, brats flavored with jalapenos and cheddar cheese, or bacon!
- Make your own hot dog buns by using my Homemade Brioche Buns recipe!
- Make a Brat version of a Cincinnati Chili Coney Dog, or top them with Bacon-Baked Beans for extra flavor.
More German Recipes You'll Love
I try to share lots of German recipes since we loved our time living in Germany so much. These are some of our favorites!
- Authentic German Sauerbraten Recipe
- German Plum Cake
- Traditional German Red Cabbage [Rotkohl]
- Black Forest Cake
- Easy Homemade German Spaetzle
- Apfelstrudel Recipe (German Apple Strudel)
- Pork Schnitzel & Mushroom Gravy (Jägerschnitzel)
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know what you thought with a comment and rating below. You can also take a picture and tag me on Instagram @houseofnasheats or share it on the Pinterest pin so I can see.
Air Fryer Brats
Ingredients
- 5 uncooked bratwurst (Johnsonville or another brand you like)
For serving
- 5 crusty rolls or soft buns
- 1 cup sauerkraut, warmed
- Mustard (we prefer German or stoneground mustard)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 350°F.
- Place the brats in the air fryer basket in a single layer so there is room for the air to circulate around them.
- Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them over halfway through, until done to an internal temperature of 160°F when tested with an instant digital meat thermometer (affiliate link).
- Remove the brats from the air fryer and serve them on your favorite buns or crusty rolls with sauerkraut and mustard!
What is an easy main course including hot german potato salad, with other sides?