Yes, you can cook Johnsonville brats in an air fryer by heating thawed links at 390°F for about 9–11 minutes until they reach 160°F inside.
If you have a pack of Johnsonville brats in the fridge and an air fryer on the counter, it is natural to wonder if this combo works. The good news is that the answer to “Can You Cook Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer?” is a clear yes, and it works far better than many people expect. You get browned casings, juicy centers, and very little mess on the stovetop.
In this guide, you will see how to cook Johnsonville brats in an air fryer from start to finish, how long to cook them, which temperature to use, and how to avoid dry or undercooked sausage. You will also see what to change for frozen brats, plus simple serving ideas so dinner comes together without stress.
Can You Cook Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer? Step-By-Step Method
Johnsonville itself lists an air fryer method for its original bratwurst, so you are not guessing here. Their directions call for thawed links, a hot air fryer, and a short cook time until the sausages hit a safe internal temperature of 160°F. This section walks through that method in plain steps you can follow any busy weeknight.
What You Need
- Johnsonville raw bratwurst links (fresh, not fully cooked)
- Air fryer (basket or oven-style)
- Cooking spray or a small amount of oil (optional, for the basket)
- Meat thermometer that reads at least up to 200°F
- Tongs or a heat-safe spatula
- Paper towels or a plate lined with paper towels (for brief draining)
Step-By-Step Air Fryer Method
- Thaw the brats. If your Johnsonville brats are frozen, move them to the fridge overnight. Air fryer timing is far more predictable with thawed sausage.
- Preheat the air fryer. Set the air fryer to 390°F. Many models have a preheat button; if not, let it run empty for 3–5 minutes.
- Prep the basket. Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray or brush on a thin layer of oil. This helps reduce sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Arrange the brats. Place the Johnsonville brats in a single layer with a bit of space between each link. Do not crowd the basket; air needs to move freely.
- Start cooking. Air fry at 390°F for 5 minutes.
- Turn the brats. Open the basket, turn each link with tongs, and return the basket to the air fryer.
- Finish the cook. Air fry for another 4–6 minutes. Most standard Johnsonville brats reach 160°F after about 9–11 minutes in total.
- Check the temperature. Insert the thermometer into the center of the thickest brat. The thermometer should read at least 160°F.
- Rest briefly. Move the brats to a plate and let them rest for 3–5 minutes so the juices settle.
Follow these steps once, and you will see why air fryer Johnsonville brats can replace pan-frying or grilling on many nights.
Air Fryer Settings For Johnsonville Brats
This table gives a quick reference for common air fryer sizes and situations when cooking Johnsonville brats. Use it as a starting point, then adjust a minute or two as needed based on your specific model.
| Air Fryer Situation | Temperature | Approximate Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Small basket (2–3 qt), 2–3 thawed brats | 390°F | 9–11 minutes |
| Medium basket (4–5 qt), 4–5 thawed brats | 390°F | 10–12 minutes |
| Large basket (5–6 qt), 5–6 thawed brats | 380–390°F | 11–13 minutes |
| Oven-style air fryer, two rack levels in use | 390°F | 12–14 minutes, swap racks halfway |
| Thawed brats, lightly oiled basket | 390°F | 9–10 minutes |
| Thawed brats, no added oil in basket | 390°F | 10–12 minutes |
| Thick specialty Johnsonville brats | 380°F | 12–14 minutes |
| Reheating fully cooked brats | 350°F | 4–6 minutes |
*Always confirm doneness with a thermometer rather than time alone.
Johnsonville Brats In The Air Fryer: Timing And Temperature
Time and temperature make or break sausage. If the brats do not reach a safe internal temperature, you risk foodborne illness; if they go far past that point, you get dry links with tough casings. The sweet spot for Johnsonville brats in the air fryer lines up with food safety guidance for ground pork sausage.
The safe minimum internal temperature for ground meat and sausage is 160°F according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, which shares this through the safe minimum internal temperature chart. At that point, harmful bacteria are reduced to safe levels while the meat still holds moisture.
Johnsonville’s own air fryer instructions for its original bratwurst match this advice. On the product page, the company directs home cooks to preheat the air fryer to 390°F, cook thawed sausage in a single layer, and heat for 9–11 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F, turning the links once. You can read their guidance on the Johnsonville original bratwurst air fryer instructions.
Because every air fryer runs a little differently, use the manufacturer timing as a guide, not a promise. A compact basket model with very strong airflow may finish closer to nine minutes, while a roomy oven-style unit may land closer to the top of the range. That is why the thermometer is so helpful here.
Using A Thermometer For Accurate Results
Color alone does not tell you whether sausage is safe. Brats can stay slightly pink near the center and still be fully cooked, or they can look brown but sit under 160°F inside.
To check Johnsonville brats in the air fryer:
- Insert the thermometer through the side of the brat, not straight down.
- Place the tip right in the center of the thickest part of the link.
- Wait a few seconds for the number to settle.
- Look for a reading of at least 160°F; if you want a bit more firmness, you can go up to 165°F.
If the reading comes in low, return the basket to the air fryer for 2–3 more minutes, then test again. Once you do this a few times with your specific model, you will know your own favorite time range.
Frozen Or Fresh Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer
Fresh, thawed links are the easiest option for air fryer timing, but life does not always go that smoothly. Many home cooks forget to move the package from the freezer to the fridge in advance. The good news is that you can still air fry frozen Johnsonville brats; you just need a few timing tweaks.
Air Fryer Method For Fresh Johnsonville Brats
For fresh, thawed sausage, use the method from earlier with a preheated air fryer at 390°F. Arrange the brats in one layer, cook for 5 minutes, turn, then cook for 4–6 minutes more until they reach 160°F inside. This method gives even browning and keeps the casing in good shape.
Air Fryer Method For Frozen Johnsonville Brats
Cooking frozen sausage straight in the air fryer works, as long as you separate the links and build in extra time:
- Set the air fryer to 360°F and preheat.
- Place frozen brats in the basket in one layer. If the links are stuck together, run the package under cold water for a minute to loosen them first.
- Cook for 7–8 minutes to thaw and start browning.
- Increase temperature to 380–390°F.
- Turn the brats and cook for another 7–9 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature; add 2–3 minute bursts if needed until the center reaches 160°F.
The casing may split slightly more when you cook from frozen due to moisture expanding inside the sausage. Flavor stays the same, but the links may look a bit more rustic. If you care about appearance for guests, thaw the sausage first.
When To Keep The Brats Wrapped
Johnsonville brats often come packed tightly. If the links are heavily frosted or stuck by thick ice, thawing in the fridge is safer. That avoids uneven cooking where the outside of the sausage browns long before the center is ready.
How To Keep Johnsonville Brats Juicy In The Air Fryer
One of the biggest worries with air fryer sausage is dryness. The circulating hot air can strip moisture quickly if you use the wrong settings or cook too long. The next tips help you keep all that flavor inside the casing where it belongs.
Do Not Prick The Brats
Some old grilling habits carry over, like poking holes in brats so fat drips out. In the air fryer, that habit causes two problems: the brats dry out faster and extra fat collects in the basket, which can smoke more.
Leave the casings intact. They are designed to hold moisture and flavor while the interior cooks through. If a brat splits naturally from heat, that is normal; just avoid adding extra holes yourself.
Mind The Heat And Time
High heat for too long turns bratwurst leathery. Stick close to the 380–390°F range for Johnsonville brats in the air fryer. Higher settings can scorch the casing before the inside reaches 160°F, while lower settings may leave the meat in a lukewarm zone for too long.
Use the timing ranges in the earlier table as a guide. Once your brats start to show deep golden color with a few darker spots, start checking the temperature every couple of minutes. That extra bit of attention pays off in taste.
A Short Rest Helps
Once the brats reach 160°F, do not cut into them on the spot. Move them to a plate, tent lightly with foil if you like, and let them rest for a few minutes. This short pause lets the juices settle back through the meat so they do not run all over the cutting board or bun.
Serving Ideas For Air Fryer Johnsonville Brats
Once you have a plate of air fryer Johnsonville brats ready, the rest of the meal comes together quickly. You can go classic with buns and mustard or build a full dinner with vegetables and sides.
Classic Buns And Toppings
- Buns: Toasted hoagie rolls, pretzel buns, or simple hot dog buns all work well.
- Mustard: Yellow, spicy brown, Dijon, or grainy mustard pair nicely with the rich sausage.
- Onions: Cook onions in a skillet while the brats air fry, or roast sliced onions in the air fryer first.
- Sauerkraut: Warm it in a small pot or microwave-safe bowl and pile on top for a tangy bite.
- Cheese: A slice of cheddar or provolone melts on top of a hot brat in a minute or two.
Simple Side Dishes
To keep everything in the air fryer theme, you can cook sides in batches around your sausage:
- Seasoned potato wedges or fries
- Broccoli florets tossed with oil, garlic powder, and salt
- Roasted bell pepper strips and onions
- Brussels sprouts halves with a little oil and seasoning
If you prefer a lighter plate, pair the brats with a crunchy slaw, cucumber salad, or a simple green salad dressed with oil and vinegar.
Troubleshooting Air Fryer Johnsonville Brats
Even with a clear method, small glitches can show up: casings may burst more than you like, the center might be paler than expected, or the air fryer basket might smoke more than usual. This section gives quick fixes for the most common issues.
Common Problems And Easy Fixes
| Problem | Likely Cause | Simple Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Casing splits wide open | Heat too high or cooked too long | Drop temp to 380–390°F and shorten time by 1–2 minutes |
| Outside dark, inside underdone | Very hot air fryer, crowded basket | Cook at 360°F for the first half, then finish at 380–390°F in one layer |
| Dry, tough sausage | Overcooking past 165°F | Start checking temp earlier and rest the brats before slicing |
| Lots of smoke from the air fryer | Grease pooled in the basket or drawer | Add a thin slice of bread under the basket or drain fat halfway through |
| Brats stick to the basket | Dry basket surface or no preheat | Use a light spray of oil and preheat before adding sausage |
| Uneven browning | No turning during cooking | Turn the brats at least once, or twice for larger baskets |
| Strong sausage smell in the kitchen | Grease heating for too long in the drawer | Clean the tray and basket once cooled, and avoid overcooking |
Final Tips For Cooking Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer
So yes, Can You Cook Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer? You can, and once you get the hang of it, this method becomes one of the easiest ways to handle bratwurst on a busy night. The steps are short, cleanup stays light, and you do not need to watch a skillet on the stove.
Keep these final points in mind for reliable results:
- Use thawed brats when possible for even cooking.
- Preheat the air fryer so the casings start to brown right away.
- Cook near 390°F for about 9–11 minutes, turning once.
- Check for an internal temperature of at least 160°F before serving.
- Let the brats rest for a few minutes to keep them juicy.
- Pair them with simple sides and toppings so the sausage stays the star.
If you ever search for “Can You Cook Johnsonville Brats In An Air Fryer?” again, you will already know the full answer: yes, and it is one of the most convenient ways to get well-browned, juicy sausage on the table with very little effort.