To cook brats in an air fryer, cook at 370°F (190°C) for about 10–12 minutes until the sausages reach 160°F (71°C) in the center.
Air fryer brats give you grill-style sausage with crisp skin and a tender middle, without babysitting a pan or firing up an outdoor grill. You still need the right temperature, timing, and a quick check with a thermometer to keep the links juicy instead of dry.
This guide walks you through how to cook brats in air fryer baskets and trays, how long to cook different styles, and how to check doneness safely. You will also see common mistakes home cooks make with air fryer brats and how to fix them.
How To Cook Brats In Air Fryer Step By Step
If you just want a simple method for fresh pork brats, start here. This works for most standard raw bratwurst links, whether plain, beer, or cheese filled.
Basic Step By Step Method
- Preheat the air fryer. Set the temperature to 370°F (190°C) and let it warm for 3–5 minutes so the basket and air are hot.
- Prep the brats. Pat the sausages dry with a paper towel. Lightly coat them with oil if your air fryer tends to dry food out.
- Arrange in a single layer. Place brats in the basket or on the tray with a little space between each link so hot air can reach all sides.
- Cook the first side. Air fry for 6 minutes.
- Turn the brats. Flip each sausage with tongs so the other side browns evenly.
- Cook to temperature. Air fry 4–6 more minutes, then check the thickest brat with a food thermometer. You are aiming for 160°F (71°C) in the center.
- Rest briefly. Let the sausages rest on a plate for 3–5 minutes so the juices settle before slicing or biting into them.
This simple sequence covers most fresh pork brats. Thicker links, extra cheese, or partially frozen sausages need a little more time, which is where the first table helps.
Air Fryer Time And Temperature For Different Brats
Use these times as a starting point, then adjust based on your model and how browned you like the skin. Always rely on a thermometer to confirm that the center reaches at least 160°F (71°C) for pork or mixed pork and beef brats.
| Brat Type | Air Fryer Temp | Approx. Time* |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Pork Brats (Standard Size) | 370°F / 190°C | 10–12 minutes |
| Thick Beer Brats | 370°F / 190°C | 12–14 minutes |
| Fresh Chicken Or Turkey Brats | 375°F / 190–190°C | 11–13 minutes |
| Cheese-Stuffed Brats | 360°F / 182°C | 10–13 minutes |
| Precooked Bratwurst | 360°F / 182°C | 6–8 minutes |
| Frozen Raw Brats (No Thaw) | 360°F / 182°C | 14–17 minutes |
| Mini Or Cocktail Brats | 370°F / 190°C | 7–9 minutes |
*Times assume a preheated air fryer and a single layer of sausages.
Cooking Brats In An Air Fryer For Different Situations
Once you know the basic method, small tweaks help with weeknight dinners, game day platters, or meal prep. The air fryer makes it simple to cook only what you need without heating the whole kitchen.
Weeknight Brats With Minimal Cleanup
Line the basket or tray with perforated parchment that is safe for air fryers. This keeps stuck-on bits from welding to the metal while still letting air move. Add sliced peppers and onions in the last 5–6 minutes so they soften and pick up sausage drippings.
Feeding A Crowd
For a party, cook brats in batches. Keep finished sausages warm in a low oven (around 200°F / 93°C) or in a covered pan with a splash of warm broth. Avoid stacking brats in the air fryer basket, since crowding leads to pale spots and uneven cooking.
Meal Prep Brats
Air fryer brats store well for a few days. Cook them to 160°F (71°C), cool quickly, and refrigerate within two hours. Reheat links in the air fryer at 350°F (177°C) for 3–5 minutes until hot in the center, or slice and sear in a skillet to crisp the edges.
Choosing Brats And Prepping Them For The Air Fryer
The sausage you start with has a big effect on texture and cooking time. Fresh pork brats take longer than fully cooked ones, and poultry brats dry out faster than higher-fat pork links.
Fresh Vs. Precooked Brats
Fresh brats look pink and raw, usually packed in trays. They need full cooking to 160°F (71°C) in the center. Precooked brats often look firm and uniformly pale or browned already; those only need heating until hot and steaming, since they are cooked through at the factory.
The method for precooked sausage is the same, but you can shorten the time and lower the risk of split skins.
Pork, Beef, Or Poultry Brats
Pork brats remain the most common style and pair well with air fryer heat. Mixed pork and beef brats behave in a similar way. Chicken and turkey brats sit on the leaner side, so a touch of oil on the casing and a slightly lower temperature prevent a dry bite.
Simple Prep Steps That Help
- Dry the casing. Surface moisture turns to steam and slows browning. A quick pat with a towel helps the casing crisp faster.
- Light oil, not a heavy coat. A teaspoon of oil for several links is usually enough. Too much oil can trigger smoke in some machines.
- Do not poke holes. Piercing the casing lets fat drip out, which can lead to dry sausage. Air fryers already let extra fat render without deep frying, so there is no need to vent the links.
Timing, Internal Temperature, And Food Safety
Time guides help, but safe sausage depends on hitting the right internal temperature. Ground meat and sausage need more care than whole cuts because bacteria can move from the surface into the middle during grinding.
Safe Internal Temperature For Brats
Food safety agencies recommend cooking ground meat and sausage, including pork brats, to at least 160°F (71°C) in the center. Resources such as the FoodSafety.gov safe minimum internal temperature chart list this number as the target for ground meat and sausages.
The USDA’s meat safety guidance for sausages echoes that same temperature for raw pork or mixed-meat brats, so a quick thermometer check is part of every batch you cook.
How To Check Temperature In An Air Fryer
- Slide the basket or tray out of the machine rather than removing it fully so heat loss stays low.
- Insert the tip of the thermometer through the side of the thickest brat into the center, avoiding the surface and any pockets of cheese.
- Wait for the reading to stop rising. If it is below 160°F (71°C), return the basket and cook in 2–3 minute bursts until the number holds at or above the target.
Why Brats Look Done Before They Are Safe
Air fryers brown the outside quickly, especially with pork brats that contain a fair amount of fat. The casing can look deeply browned while the interior still sits below 160°F (71°C). That is why color alone is not a reliable sign of doneness.
A thermometer removes guesswork. You get the browned exterior you want, while still matching the food safety guidance you see in resources from agencies such as the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service, which stresses fully cooking sausages made from ground meat.
Flavor Variations And Simple Meal Ideas
Once you have a reliable base method for how to cook brats in air fryer baskets and trays, you can mix up flavors and sides without adding much effort.
Easy Seasoning Twists
- Mustard And Onion Brats: Toss sliced onions with a spoonful of grainy mustard and a dash of oil, then air fry under the brats for the last 6–7 minutes.
- Beer-Style Brats Without A Pot: Brush the brats with a thin layer of beer and oil before cooking, then drizzle a little more over them during the rest period.
- Smoky Paprika Finish: Dust hot brats with smoked paprika and a pinch of garlic powder right after cooking.
- Cheesy Brats In Buns: Sprinkle shredded cheese into the bun, place the brat on top, and run the assembled bun through the air fryer for 1–2 minutes.
Side Dishes That Work Well
Many favorite brat sides cook in an air fryer too. Potato wedges, seasoned fries, or frozen tater tots can go in first. Keep them warm while you run a batch of brats. Fresh cabbage wedges, Brussels sprouts, or green beans also roast nicely in the same basket.
When you need a lighter plate, pair brats with a crisp slaw, grain salad, or a tray of mixed bell peppers and onions roasted underneath the sausages.
Common Air Fryer Brat Mistakes And Fixes
Even with a simple method, small missteps can lead to dry, greasy, or unevenly cooked bratwurst. This section lists frequent problems along with fixes so your next batch turns out better.
| Problem | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brats Split And Leak | Temperature set too high or cooked too long | Drop to 360–370°F, shorten time, watch for 160°F center |
| Pale Spots On The Casing | Basket crowded or links touching | Cook in a single layer with space between each brat |
| Dry, Tough Texture | Overcooked past 165°F or poked casing | Stop at 160°F and avoid piercing the skin |
| Grease Smoke In The Kitchen | Excess fat dripping near the heating element | Use a small piece of bread or foil under the basket to catch drips |
| Uneven Browning | No flip during cooking or cold spots in basket | Turn brats halfway and rotate the basket if your model has hot spots |
| Raw Center | Time too short or stacked sausages | Add 2–3 minute bursts and check temperature again |
| Rubbery Skin | Temperature too low or high moisture surface | Dry brats before cooking and use higher heat for the last few minutes |
Quick Reference For Air Fryer Brats
At this point you have the details for how to cook brats in air fryer baskets confidently. This short checklist keeps the main points in one place for busy nights.
Core Steps To Remember
- Preheat the air fryer to around 370°F (190°C).
- Dry the brats, add a light coat of oil only if needed, and avoid piercing the casing.
- Arrange sausages in a single layer with space around each link.
- Cook 6 minutes, flip, then cook another 4–6 minutes.
- Check that the center of each brat reaches 160°F (71°C) before serving.
- Rest the sausages briefly so juices stay inside when you cut or bite into them.
When To Adjust Time And Temperature
- Use a slightly lower temperature and more time for cheese-stuffed or very thick brats.
- Shorten time by a few minutes for precooked sausage; you only need to reheat it.
- Add a few minutes when starting from frozen, and check temperature more than once.
- Lean poultry brats benefit from a light oil coating and careful timing to avoid dryness.
With these habits, you can turn out consistent, flavorful air fryer brats with crisp casings and juicy centers, whether you are cooking a single link for lunch or several packs for a house full of hungry guests.