How Long to Cook Brats in Air Fryer?

Bratwursts are a classic comfort food—savory, juicy, and packed with flavor. But cooking them perfectly can be a bit of a hassle, especially if you’re short on time or not in the mood to fire up the grill. That’s where the air fryer comes in. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how long to cook brats in an air fryer, what temperature works best, and share expert tips to make sure your sausages come out juicy on the inside and beautifully browned on the outside.

Ideal Cook Time and Temperature

Recommended Temperature: 360°F (182°C)

Cooking bratwursts in an air fryer requires the right temperature to ensure they are evenly cooked with a nicely browned exterior. The sweet spot for most standard-sized brats is 360°F (182°C). This temperature allows the brats to cook through without burning the outside or drying them out. It also helps to render just enough fat to keep the inside juicy while achieving a slightly crisp casing.

Most air fryers can be set manually to this temperature. If your model doesn’t have a specific number input, aim for a “medium-high” setting or the nearest option to 360°F. Preheating is optional, but doing so can help achieve more even results, especially if you’re aiming for a quick turnaround.

Recommended Cook Time: 12–15 Minutes

The average cook time for fresh (unfrozen) brats in an air fryer is between 12 to 15 minutes. The exact time depends on the thickness of the sausages and your specific air fryer model. Most brats will be perfectly done at around the 14-minute mark, but it’s essential to check halfway through to see how they’re progressing.

At the 6- to 7-minute point, use tongs to flip each bratwurst. This promotes even browning and prevents one side from becoming too crispy. It’s also a good time to rotate the brats slightly if your air fryer has any hot spots.

Check the Internal Temperature

To guarantee the brats are fully cooked and safe to eat, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach at least 160°F (71°C), as recommended by the USDA for ground pork products. Insert the thermometer through the center of the sausage, being careful not to touch the air fryer basket or pierce all the way through.

If your brats aren’t quite at 160°F after 15 minutes, you can continue cooking in 2-minute increments, checking carefully so they don’t overcook.

Adjusting for Size and Air Fryer Type

Keep in mind that not all brats are created equal. Larger or thicker bratwursts—like beer brats or extra-stuffed varieties—may need closer to 16 minutes total. On the other hand, thinner or pre-cooked brats might be ready in 10–12 minutes.

Also, air fryer models vary in power and airflow. A compact model may cook slightly faster than a larger one with a bigger basket. It’s a good idea to test your first batch and take notes for future reference.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer (Optional but Recommended)

While some air fryer models claim preheating isn’t necessary, giving your appliance a quick 2–3 minute preheat at 360°F (182°C) can lead to more even cooking. This step helps the brats start cooking immediately when they hit the basket, which improves browning and reduces the total cook time. If your model doesn’t have a preheat button, simply run it empty for a few minutes at the cooking temperature.

If you’re in a hurry, you can skip this step—but for the best results, it’s worth the extra couple of minutes.

Step 2: Arrange the Brats in a Single Layer

Place the bratwursts directly into the air fryer basket, making sure they’re not touching or stacked. A single, evenly spaced layer allows the hot air to circulate around each sausage, ensuring they cook uniformly and brown on all sides.

If you’re cooking for a crowd and have more brats than your air fryer can hold in a single layer, it’s better to cook in batches than to overcrowd the basket.

Step 3: Set Temperature and Time

Set your air fryer to 360°F (182°C) and the timer for 12–15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your bratwursts. Thinner or pre-cooked brats will need less time, while thick, raw brats may take the full 15 minutes or slightly more.

Don’t forget that this is just a general range. Your specific air fryer might run hotter or cooler, so watch closely the first time you make them.

Step 4: Flip Brats at the Halfway Point

About 6–7 minutes into cooking, pause the air fryer and use tongs to flip each brat. This step is crucial—it helps both sides get evenly browned and prevents the underside from getting soggy or undercooked.

While flipping, check on their color and firmness. If the brats are browning too quickly, you can reduce the temperature slightly. If they look pale, let them go the full 15 minutes.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

At the end of the cook time, use a meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature has reached 160°F (71°C). Insert the probe into the thickest part of the brat without touching the basket. If they haven’t reached the safe temperature yet, return them to the air fryer for an additional 1–2 minutes.

Once done, remove the brats and let them rest for a couple of minutes. This allows the juices to settle, making each bite more flavorful and juicy.

Tips for Best Results

Don’t Overcrowd the Basket

One of the most common mistakes when using an air fryer is trying to cook too much at once. Give each brat some breathing room. If the sausages are touching or overlapping, the hot air can’t circulate properly, which leads to uneven cooking and a lack of browning.

If you’re cooking more than 4–5 brats at a time (depending on the size of your air fryer), it’s best to cook them in batches. Yes, it might take a bit longer, but the results are worth it—crispy, evenly browned sausages instead of steamed or rubbery ones.

Flip or Rotate for Even Browning

Even though air fryers circulate air around the food, flipping the brats halfway through cooking helps them brown evenly and prevents one side from getting too dry or too pale. Use tongs to carefully turn each sausage, and while you’re at it, shake the basket slightly if there’s any excess fat or juice pooling.

This step also gives you a chance to assess doneness and adjust cook time or temperature as needed for your specific machine.

Prick the Casing (Optional)

Some people like to prick the bratwurst casing with a fork or toothpick before cooking to allow fat to escape and reduce splattering inside the air fryer. This can result in a slightly less juicy brat, but it may also prevent minor mess and smoke buildup from dripping fat.

If you prefer maximum juiciness, skip this step—but keep a paper towel handy for post-cooking cleanup.

Let Them Rest After Cooking

When the bratwursts finish cooking, remove them from the air fryer and let them rest for 2–3 minutes before serving or slicing. This short pause allows the juices inside the meat to redistribute, which keeps the brats from drying out when you bite into them.

Resting is especially important if you plan to slice the sausages for salads, pasta, or other dishes. It makes the texture firmer and easier to cut cleanly.

Use a Meat Thermometer for Accuracy

Not all brats are created equal—some are thicker, some contain cheese or fillings, and air fryer models vary widely. For best results, always use a digital meat thermometer to confirm the internal temperature reaches 160°F (71°C). This ensures your bratwursts are both safe to eat and perfectly cooked.

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