Cooking guide
Air Fryer Brats
Bratwurst size, casing, meat type, starting temperature, and air fryer design all affect cooking time. Use this as a first checkpoint and let a food thermometer—not surface color—decide when the sausage is done.
Reviewed and updated July 30, 2026
- Start at
- 360°F / 182°C
- Yield
- 4 bratwurst
- Prep time
- 3 minutes
- Cook time
- 14 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 uncooked bratwurst, pork or beef, similar in size
- Optional: a very light coating of neutral oil for the basket, if the manual permits
Method
- Check the bratwurst package and air fryer manual for model-specific directions. Preheat to 360°F if your manual recommends preheating.
- Arrange the bratwurst in one layer with space between them. Do not pierce the casings.
- Cook for 6 minutes, then turn each bratwurst with silicone-tipped tongs.
- Cook for another 4 to 8 minutes. Begin checking the thickest sausage with an instant-read thermometer after 10 minutes total.
- For pork or beef sausage, cook to 160°F / 71°C. For chicken or turkey sausage, cook to 165°F / 74°C. Rest briefly before serving.
Useful adjustments
- Very thick brats or brats cooked from refrigerator-cold may need the longer end of the range.
- If the casing browns before the center is safe, reduce the temperature to 340°F and continue in short intervals.
- Cook onions separately or add only when your basket has enough open space for airflow.
- Do not rely on clear juices or casing color; check the center from the end of the sausage.
Sources and further reading
We prioritize manufacturer instructions and government guidance. Product claims remain attributable to the source named below.