Bratwurst in the Air Fryer
Bratwurst are thick German pork sausages that often split on a barbecue or dry out in a pan. Bratwurst in air fryer baskets cook gently and evenly in 12 to 14 minutes, with a golden skin that has some snap and a juicy centre. This page covers raw, frozen and pre-cooked bratwurst, with a quick onion side that cooks in the same basket.
- Temperature
- 180°C
- Total time
- 19min
- Prep
- 3min
- Servings
- 4
- Core temp
- 75°C
- Per serving
- 380kcal
Why the air fryer works for bratwurst
Cooking bratwurst in air fryer baskets gives you a barbecue-style result with none of the flare-ups. The hot air browns the casing evenly, the fat drains away instead of burning, and the meat cooks in its own juices. Bratwurst are thicker than standard British sausages, so a steady 180 °C works better than a very hot setting, which splits the casing.
Bratwurst in air fryer drawers also take care of the sides. Onions can cook alongside in the same basket, and sliced potatoes can go in first. For thinner sausages, see chipolatas and sausages, and for frozen ones, see frozen sausages.
How to make bratwurst in the air fryer
Tap a time to start a timer.
- Prepare Take the bratwurst out of the fridge before cooking. Do not prick the skins, as they keep the juices in. Toss the onion rings in the oil.
- Preheat Preheat the air fryer to 180 °C for .
- Cook the bratwurst Place the bratwurst in the basket in a single layer with a little space between them. Cook for .
- Add the onions Turn the bratwurst over and add the onion rings next to them. Cook for another , until the skin is golden brown and the onions are soft and starting to colour.
- Check and serve Check that the centre of a bratwurst has reached 75 °C, as the FSA advises for minced meat, with no pink and clear juices. Rest for , then serve in warm rolls with mustard, onions and sauerkraut.
Cooking times and temperatures
| Bratwurst | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Raw bratwurstTurn halfway | 180 °C | 12–14 min |
| Pre-cooked bratwurst | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
| Frozen bratwurst8 min at 160 °C, then 10 min at 180 °C | 160 °C | 18 min |
| Beer-simmered bratwurstJust to brown | 200 °C | 6–8 min |
| Mini bratwurst | 180 °C | 8–10 min |
Times are a guide and depend on the size of the food and the power of your air fryer. Cooked when the centre reaches 75 °C. See also cooking times and temperatures for all dishes.
Tips
- Cook the right size together. Bratwurst of different thickness finish at different times, so group similar ones and check the thick ones with a thermometer.
- Leave room around each sausage. Sausages that touch do not brown where they meet. Cook in two batches for more than four.
- Warm the rolls. Put the rolls in the basket for the last minute at 160 °C to warm them through and crisp the crust.
Serving
Serve in a roll with mustard, softened onions and sauerkraut, or on a plate with new potatoes and a green salad. Potato wedges or chips make it more filling. Roasted onions also go well with the smoky pork. For a lighter plate, add cabbage cooked in the same machine.
Storing and reheating
Cooked bratwurst keep for up to 3 days in the fridge in a covered container. Reheat them in the air fryer at 160 °C for 4–5 minutes until they are steaming hot all the way through (75 °C in the centre). They can also be sliced cold into a potato salad.
Variations
- Beer brats: Simmer the bratwurst for 10 minutes in beer with sliced onion, then brown them in the air fryer for 6–8 minutes at 200 °C.
- Bratwurst and potatoes: Cook halved new potatoes tossed in oil for 10 minutes at 180 °C before adding the sausages on top.
- Bratwurst bites: Slice into rounds 2 cm thick and cook for 6–7 minutes, then serve with a mustard dip.
Troubleshooting
- The skin splits
- The air fryer was too hot. Stay at 180 °C so the casing can expand slowly, and do not prick the sausages, as that lets the juices escape.
- The bratwurst are pale
- Cook for another 2 minutes, or brush lightly with oil. Pale casings are usually the result of overcrowding.
- The inside is still pink
- Bratwurst are thick and raw ones need a full 12–14 minutes. Check the centre with a thermometer and give them another 2 minutes if it is below 75 °C.
Frequently asked questions
How long do bratwurst take in an air fryer?
Raw bratwurst take 12–14 minutes at 180 °C, turned halfway. Pre-cooked ones need 8–10 minutes.
Can you cook brats from frozen in an air fryer?
Yes. Cook frozen bratwurst at 160 °C for 8 minutes, then at 180 °C for 10 minutes more, turning once, until the centre reaches 75 °C.
Should you boil bratwurst before air frying?
No need. If you simmer them in beer or stock first, the air fryer only needs to brown them, which takes 6–8 minutes at 200 °C.
What temperature should bratwurst be cooked to?
Bratwurst are minced pork, so the FSA says they should be cooked until steaming hot with no pink meat. 75 °C in the centre is a safe temperature.
Do you need to add oil to bratwurst in an air fryer?
No. They have enough fat of their own and it drains into the drawer.
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