Summer is finally coming, and we all know what that means–time for brats. While previously brats were a summer BBQ food perfect for even the most inexperienced backyard grillers, did you know that bratwurst can also be cooked to perfection right at home?
Brats are great in the air fryer! You may not even miss the grill. So how do we cook perfect brats in an air fryer?
For the best cooked brats, cook uncooked brats in an air fryer at 350℉ for 12-15 minutes. Read on for everything you need to know about how long to cook brats in an air fryer.
How long to cook raw brats in an air fryer?
Many cooks wonder if you can cook raw brats (or other raw meats) in an air fryer, and the answer is a definite yes.
You can cook meat from raw in a very short amount of time in your air fryer–without heating up your kitchen, contributing to cooking smells, or having to fry in a bunch of oil.
You can cook raw brats in as little as 12-15 minutes in an air fryer.
Read also >> How Long to Cook Burgers in an Air Fryer (Recipe + Tips)
Read also >> How Long To Cook Chicken Breast in Air Fryer? (Easy + Tender)
How to cook brats in an air fryer.
Here’s a quick way to cook brats in your air fryer:
- If you have time, bring your brats to room temperature first. This will reduce cooking time and they may cook more evenly.
- Preheat your air fryer to 350℉.
- Place your brats in your fryer in a single layer. If they are piled on top of each other they won’t cook evenly.
- Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over once halfway through for best results.
- Remove brats carefully with tongs and allow them to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
It really is that easy. If you are cooking precooked brats or parboiled brats, see below for tips and tricks.
How many brats can I cook in an air fryer?
It really depends on the size of your basket or tray. Most air fryers can accommodate at least one package of brats, or 4-5, depending on size.
If you have a larger fryer, you can fill it up, just make sure the brats are sitting in a single layer and aren’t piled on top of one another.
If you pile them up, they will not cook evenly and have mushy spots or even raw spots.
How long to cook frozen brats in an air fryer?
Can you cook brats from frozen in an air fryer? Yes! One of the best features of the air fryer is that you don’t have to defrost meats before cooking.
This saves you a ton of time and planning–you can take something out of the freezer and have it the same night without having to defrost it.
You cook frozen brats in an air fryer just as above, but increase the time to 16-17 minutes, flipping them over halfway through.
How long to cook Johnsonville brats in an air fryer?
Brat lovers know that Johnsonville brats are some of the best out there (some cooks won’t even consider eating another kind of brat).
If you are going to go with the best, it’s a good idea to know how to cook them perfectly each time.
You can cook raw Johnsonville brats just as you would other brats. Go with 12-15 minutes at 350℉ and be sure to flip them over once.
Johnsonville makes a meaty and thick brat, but it requires the same amount of cooking time as other brats to retain its juicy interior.
How long to cook pre cooked brats in an air fryer?
If you aren’t going with raw brats (like Johnsonville brats or other) but have purchased precooked brats, all you really need to do is to heat them in the air fryer rather than cook them all the way through.
You can still set your fryer to 350℉, but you will only need to cook them for 3-5 minutes or until they are heated to your desired temperature.
Should you boil brats before cooking them in an air fryer?
You do not need to boil brats at all before cooking them in an air fryer! You can just put a bunch of them in and they will cook up delicious and moist without any further work on your part.
However, you may be wondering how to make beer brats in an air fryer. If you like a good beer brat, you will need to boil the raw brats in beer for a short amount of time before air frying.
Here’s how to do it:
- Preheat air fryer to 350℉.
- Add one package of uncooked whole brats, one diced yellow onion, and one cup of beer to a large skillet and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer the brats for 10 minutes.
- Add brats to air fryer and cook for another 10 minutes; flip halfway through cooking time.
How do you know if a bratwurst is fully cooked?
Uncooked brats will need to be cooked all the way through for food safety reasons and also for the best taste. Many cooks have different methods for determining when a brat is fully cooked.
To be safe, brats need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160℉. Other ways to determine if they are cooked is to cut them in half and make sure no pink is showing.
Some cooks like to do the “wiggle test,” which means if you hold a brat with tongs and move it up and down it should only wiggle slightly (no limp brats!).
Cooked brats should be firm to the touch (like the pad of your thumb) and they should be hot inside (if you poke them with a metal skewer or cake tester, the metal should be hot).
On the outside, a well cooked brat will have taught skin that is crispy to the touch and slightly browned.
Is it OK if the brats are a little pink inside?
Uncooked brats need to be cooked all the way through to be considered food safe.
If you use a meat thermometer to determine if the internal temperature is 160℉, then your brats will be safe to eat even if the interior appears slightly pink.
If you are not testing the temperature, it’s a good idea to cook them until there is no pink inside.
If you are really worried about food safety, you can also purchase precooked brats that don’t need to be cooked all the way through to be safe.
You will need to heat them thoroughly, however, even if they are precooked.
Should I flip brats while cooking in an air fryer?
Yes, if you can! Flipping halfway through will allow them to cook evenly through and will crisp the skin on both sides, which is one of the delights of a brat.
Don’t worry if it isn’t exactly halfway through–just flip them once during the cooking time.
Make sure you spread them out on a single layer again and try to leave as much space as possible between them.
What do I serve with brats cooked in an air fryer?
The best part about air frying brats is how easy it is to cook them! This can either leave you some time to work on more complex side dishes, or it allows you to make a super quick meal all-around.
Brats go great with all types of summery foods, like baked beans, mashed potatoes, potato salad, corn on the cob, or coleslaw. Or pair them with a healthy green salad with a bunch of spring greens.
If you want to go German style, serve with hot mustard, spaetzle, potato salad, or a beer!
How do I serve brats?
You can serve brats in buns with ketchup, mustard, onion, or sauerkraut, or you can just serve them as sausages and skip the bun for a lower-carb option.
What buns to use for brats? You can get by with regular hot dog buns, but sometimes they just don’t hold up to meatier brats.
The best buns are probably hoagie rolls or brioche rolls, or sometimes you can find brat buns that may be the best option.
Air Fryer Bratwurst | Brats | Johnsonville Brats in the air Fryer | Air Fryer Recipes >> Check out the video below:
Conclusion
Brats aren’t just for summer anymore! How long does it take to cook brats in an air fryer? Half the time it takes to grill or fry them! Plus air frying saves you from having to add any extra fat when cooking brats.