When my husband and I lived in Germany, my favorite German street food was always a crispy grilled bratwurst that you can buy in booths or stalls at street markets. The sausages were so juicy and savory with wonderful mustard on top and the bratwurst casing would pop when you bit into it. If you are ever visiting Germany, you should also try their currywurst, which is a spicy twist on the classic bratwurst with a special curry ketchup served on top. These days, when I don’t feel like firing up the grill, the easiest way to cook bratwurst is in the air fryer! It does an amazing job of cooking bratwurst so it’s perfectly juicy inside with the crisp casing on the outside. You know what I’m talking about!
What are brats?
Brats is a shortened term for bratwurst, which is a type of German sausage. These German sausages are usually made with pork but also sometimes with beef and veal. You can get loads of different types of brats here in the USA (or you can even make them yourself, although I haven’t ever tried), but the most common are Johnsonville Brats, which come in different flavors and meat types too. Cooking brats in the air fryer is a quick and easy way to make them any time of year. Honestly, we use it more than the grill, even in the summer, because it can get so hot here during the summer months that I don’t want to stand outside in the sun grilling when I can just plug in our air fryer and have dinner ready in 15 minutes! Brats are great for serving at parties, BBQs, and Game Days. They’re an all-around crowd-pleaser as you can top them with your favorite toppings (sauerkraut and onions for me!) and mustard or sauces with potluck salads on the side. This air fryer bratwurst recipe makes cooking brats even easier, making it a great option for a quick meal on busy weeknights! Check out these recipes for Bangers and Mash, Sauerkraut and Sausages with Apples, and my Easy Homemade Jambalaya for some more delicious dishes with sausages.
Why We Love Air Fyer Brats
Add your favorite toppings and sauces to make these brats your own! Use any kind of bratwurst sausages you can find at the grocery store or ask your local butcher. This delicious meal takes less than 30 minutes to make!
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Brats – Use any kind of brand of brats or make your own. I’ve used a whole package of brats here. Buns – The soft white buns you use for hot dogs are great here. You could also use a sliced baguette, crusty rolls, or hoagie rolls, depending on your personal preference. Mustard – Use a good quality deli-style mustard to top your brats for a great flavor. Sauerkraut – Any kind of sauerkraut will taste good here, so choose your favorite kind (or make your own!)
How to Make Air Fryer Brats
Tips for Success
Use air fryer parchment paper to line your air fryer basket for quick and easy cleanup. Make sure to set your air fryer to 350F to get juicy brats, any higher and they can dry out and shrivel a bit. You may have to cook your brats in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer, and how many you’re going to cook.
Substitutions and Variations
Use different types of brats for your meal. Choose from smoked brats, brats flavored with jalapenos and cheddar cheese, or bacon! Make your own hot dog buns by using my Homemade Brioche Buns recipe! Make a Brat version of a Cincinnati Chili Coney Dog, or top them with Bacon-Baked Beans for extra flavor.
More German Recipes You’ll Love
I try to share lots of German recipes since we loved our time living in Germany so much. These are some of our favorites! This recipe uses a little bit of sauerkraut and mustard for deliciously tangy, sharp flavors, but you can mix it up if you prefer! Next time, you could go for classic American hot dog toppings like Caramelized Onions or Crispy Fried Onion Strings, Ketchup, and Mayonnaise. Or have them topped with some J Dawgs Sauce, Kansas City BBQ Sauce, Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce, or my Outback Blooming Onion Sauce! Serve these brats with some side dishes like German Potato Salad, Creamy Coleslaw, and Homemade French Fries for a delicious dinner!
Authentic German Sauerbraten Recipe German Plum Cake Traditional German Red Cabbage [Rotkohl] Black Forest Cake Easy Homemade German Spaetzle Apfelstrudel Recipe (German Apple Strudel) Pork Schnitzel & Mushroom Gravy (Jägerschnitzel)
Apple Strudel
Easy Sauerbraten Recipe
Hot German Potato Salad
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