Cook fresh bratwurst at 360°F for 12–15 minutes in an air fryer, turning once, until the center hits 160°F.
Air-frying bratwurst is one of those weeknight wins that feels almost too easy. You get a browned casing, a juicy bite, and dinner on the table fast, with less mess than a skillet.
The only catch: “bratwurst” covers a lot of sausages. Raw brats cook longer than fully cooked brats. Thick brats take longer than skinny ones. Frozen adds more time. Once you know which brat you’ve got, the timing gets simple.
Air Fryer Bratwurst Time And Temp Chart
This table is built for a single layer in a basket-style air fryer, with a short preheat and at least a finger’s width of space between brats. If your air fryer runs hot, start at the low end of each time range and check early.
| Bratwurst Type | Air Fryer Setting | Cook Time And Doneness Cue |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh pork bratwurst (raw), standard size | 360°F | 12–15 min; turn at midpoint; 160°F in the center |
| Fresh pork bratwurst (raw), thick/jumbo | 360°F | 15–18 min; turn once; 160°F in the center |
| Fully cooked bratwurst (reheat and brown) | 370°F | 8–10 min; turn once; hot all the way through |
| Frozen raw bratwurst | 360°F | 18–22 min; turn twice; 160°F in the center |
| Frozen fully cooked bratwurst | 370°F | 12–14 min; turn once; steaming hot inside |
| Chicken or turkey bratwurst (raw) | 360°F | 13–16 min; turn once; 165°F in the center |
| Mini brats or brat bites | 370°F | 7–9 min; shake once; browned edges |
| Plant-based brats | 370°F | 8–12 min; turn once; hot and firm |
How Long Should I Cook Bratwurst In An Air Fryer? Time And Temp Basics
Most home cooks want one dependable starting point. For a standard raw pork brat, set the air fryer to 360°F and cook 12–15 minutes, flipping once. That lands you in the sweet spot: the casing browns before the inside dries out.
If you’re asking “how long should i cook bratwurst in an air fryer?” because you keep getting split casings, drop the heat a touch and give the sausage room. Crowding traps steam and makes the skin more likely to burst.
Start With A Quick Preheat
Many air fryers cook more evenly with a short preheat. Run the basket empty for 3 minutes at your cooking temperature. Then add brats in a single layer.
Flip Once, Then Check Temperature
Turn the brats when they’re halfway done so both sides get direct heat. Then check the center of the thickest brat with an instant-read thermometer. A quick check beats guessing.
Use A Light Oil Spray Only If Needed
Most brats have enough fat to brown on their own. If your sausages look pale near the end, a short spritz helps, but keep it light so the basket stays clean.
Cooking Bratwurst In An Air Fryer By Type And Size
Package labels can be confusing. One brand calls a sausage “bratwurst” even when it’s already cooked. Another sells a thicker “stadium” brat that needs more time. Use the sections below to match your brat to the right approach.
Fresh Raw Bratwurst
Fresh brats are uncooked, usually made with pork. They start soft and turn firm as the meat sets. Cook them at 360°F so the inside cooks through without scorching the casing.
Arrange brats with space between them. Flip at the midpoint. If the casing is browning faster than the inside, lower the temp to 350°F and add 2–3 minutes.
Fully Cooked Bratwurst
Fully cooked brats are already safe to eat, yet they still taste better with a little browning. Run them hotter for a shorter time, since you’re reheating and crisping the outside.
Set 370°F and cook 8–10 minutes, flipping once. If you like deeper color, finish with 1–2 minutes at 390°F, keeping an eye on them so they don’t split.
Frozen Bratwurst
Frozen brats can go straight into the air fryer. Give them extra time, and flip twice so the outside doesn’t over-brown before the center warms.
Frozen raw brats need the most time. Cook at 360°F, flip at 8 minutes, flip again near the end, then temp-check. Frozen fully cooked brats finish faster since the center only needs to heat up.
Chicken And Turkey Bratwurst
Poultry brats are often leaner, so they dry out sooner. Keep the temperature moderate, and don’t push past doneness. A bun with mustard and onions saves the day if you cook a batch a minute too long.
Plant-Based Brats
Plant-based brats vary a lot by brand. Some brown fast, others stay pale until the last few minutes. Use the package directions as your guardrail, then use the air fryer for even heating and a better snap.
Internal Temperature Targets For Bratwurst
Time gets you close. Temperature tells you the truth. For pork brats, aim for 160°F in the center. For chicken or turkey brats, aim for 165°F.
The USDA safe temperature chart is the simplest reference when you’re cooking meat at home.
Where To Place The Thermometer
Slide the thermometer tip into the center from the end of the brat, not through the side. You want the thick middle, not the casing. If the reading climbs fast, you hit a hot spot. Pull out, reposition, and check again.
Rest Time Still Matters
Let brats rest on a plate for 2 minutes after cooking. Juices settle, and the casing tightens up. If you cut right away, you’ll lose moisture onto the plate.
Label Checks That Prevent A Bad Batch
Before you cook, scan the package for “fully cooked” or “uncooked.” That one line changes your plan. If the label mentions poultry, stick to 165°F.
The FSIS guide on sausages and food safety also explains how sausages differ and why temperature checks matter.
Temperature Settings That Give Better Browning
Most air fryers brown brats best between 350°F and 380°F. Lower temps cook more gently. Higher temps deepen color faster.
When To Use 350°F
Pick 350°F for thicker raw brats, extra-stuffed brats, or when your air fryer tends to run hot. You’ll need a couple more minutes, yet the casing stays smoother and splits less.
When To Use 380°F
Pick 380°F for fully cooked brats, smaller brats, or when you want a stronger snap. Keep your flip on time, and check early during the last few minutes.
Skip The 400°F Habit For Raw Brats
At 400°F, raw brats can brown before the center is ready. That’s when people keep cooking, the outside dries out, and the casing bursts. If you want the darker look, cook through at 360°F, then add a 1–2 minute high-heat finish.
Adjusting For Basket Size And Air Flow
Smaller baskets brown faster because the food sits closer to the heating element. If you cook in a 2–3 quart air fryer, check raw brats 2 minutes early. Larger 6–8 quart baskets often cook more evenly, yet they can take an extra minute when the basket is half empty. Dual-basket models vary by drawer; use the thermometer the first time. If you stack brats, expect pale spots and longer cooking.
Prep Choices That Change Cook Time
Two brats from the same pack can cook differently based on how you set them up. These small moves shift the clock more than most people expect.
Thawing Versus Cooking From Frozen
Thawed brats cook faster and brown more evenly. If you have time, thaw in the fridge overnight. If you’re starting from frozen, plan for extra minutes and flip twice.
Spacing And Basket Loading
Air fryers work by moving hot air. If brats touch, the contact points steam. Space them out, cook in batches, and you’ll get better browning with less splitting.
Piercing The Casing
Skip poking holes. Holes leak juices, and the brat dries out. If you’re dealing with repeated bursting, lower the temperature and cook a little longer instead.
Beer-Soaked Or Parboiled Brats
Some cooks simmer brats in beer and onions before finishing them. If you do that, treat them like fully cooked brats in the air fryer. The goal becomes browning and reheating, not cooking raw meat from the start.
Fixing Common Air Fryer Bratwurst Problems
When a batch goes sideways, it’s usually one of three things: too much heat, too little space, or the wrong assumption about whether the brat was raw. Use this table to course-correct fast.
| What You See | Likely Cause | Quick Fix Next Time |
|---|---|---|
| Casing splits wide | Heat too high for raw brats | Cook at 350–360°F; add minutes; flip once |
| Outside browned, center pink and cool | Thick brats or crowded basket | Lower to 350°F; cook longer; leave space |
| Wrinkled casing | Overcooked or held too long on warm | Pull at temp; rest 2 minutes; serve right away |
| Dry bite | Lean brats cooked past doneness | Check temp early; stop at 160°F or 165°F |
| Pale brats | Low heat or moist surface | Pat dry; bump to 370–380°F for final minutes |
| Smoke from the basket | Grease hitting a hot surface | Use a liner made for air fryers; clean basket |
| Onions burn in the basket | Loose pieces too close to heater | Cook onions separately or wrap in foil packet |
Serving Bratwurst Without Soggy Buns
A perfect brat can get ruined by a cold bun. Warm your buns for 1–2 minutes in the air fryer after the brats come out. Keep them side by side, not stacked, so the inside stays fluffy.
Classic toppings are mustard, sauerkraut, grilled onions, and pickles. If you like heat, add sliced jalapeños or a spicy brown mustard.
Fast Air Fryer Sides That Pair Well
- Air fryer potato wedges or fries
- Peppers and onions cooked at 380°F until tender
- Brussels sprouts halved and cooked until browned
- Corn on the cob cut into short rounds
Make Ahead, Store, And Reheat
If you’re cooking brats for meal prep, pull them as soon as they hit temperature. Cool on a rack, then refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
To reheat, set the air fryer to 350°F and cook 4–6 minutes, flipping once. A light mist of water on the basket helps keep the casing from drying out.
For frozen leftovers, wrap brats in foil, warm at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, then unwrap for 1–2 minutes to re-brown the outside.
Quick Checklist Before You Hit Start
- Preheat 3 minutes for more even cooking
- Cook in a single layer with space between brats
- Use 360°F for raw brats, 370°F for fully cooked brats
- Flip once at the midpoint, twice if frozen
- Temp-check the thickest brat: 160°F pork, 165°F poultry
- Rest 2 minutes, then serve
If you stick to the temperature targets and match the timing to your brat type, you’ll get consistent results. Next time you wonder how long should i cook bratwurst in an air fryer?, you’ll have a plan that works with the sausage you actually bought.