Making air fryer frozen brats is one of the easiest and fastest ways to cook bratwurst. They’ll be ready in less than 15 minutes and perfect for serving in countless ways.
Air fryer frozen brats are probably the quickest way to enjoy juicy, flavorful sausages anytime; they're always delicious and a hit with my family.
We live in Germany, where bratwurst is almost a way of life. They're usually great quality, sold everywhere, and we cook them all kinds of ways - grilled, brats on the stove, or brats in the oven. We often freeze leftovers from parties and cook the sausages from frozen.
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Recipe ingredients
Frozen brats and a little bit of oil.
Bratwurst is a classic German sausage, usually made with pork. They can be mild or richly spiced, never hot but always flavorful.
Sizes and textures vary across regions - from tiny Nürnberger to extra-long ones. In North Hessen, we choose between finely or coarsely ground brats. I prefer the meatier kind, while kids often go for the smoother ones. Either way, they all taste great.
How to air fry frozen brats?
Step #1: If they stick together, cook for 7 minutes at 320°F/ 160°C first. Separate and arrange them in the basket, leaving some space between them so the hot air can circulate.
Step #2: Brush them with oil and cook them for a further 7 minutes at 350°F/ 180°C or until the internal temperature is achieved.
How to cook fresh or thawed brats?
Step #1: Preheat the air fryer. Arrange the sausages in the basket.
Step #2: Cook between 8 and 12 minutes at 350°F/180°C, flipping halfway through or until they are brown and cooked through.
Good to know!
The safe internal temperature for brats is 160°F/ 71°C. The best way to check doneness is with an instant-read thermometer - no more guessing, cutting, or dry meat (the Amazon affiliate link opens in a new tab).
You can also cut one brat open; it shouldn't be pink. Or insert a metal skewer for 10 seconds - if it feels hot on your lip, they’re done. Cooked brats should also feel firm to the touch.
Store and reheat
Refrigerate the leftovers in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
I don’t recommend freezing leftover bratwurst that was air fried from frozen.
Reheat: Preheat the air fryer and reheat the brats for 3 to 5 minutes.
Use the leftovers for other dishes: You can slice the leftovers and use them to make soups or stews. You can make this Sausage Goulasch using brats instead of wieners or add them to this Kid-Friendly Soup.
What to serve with brats?
The traditional way here is to split a crispy German bun, stuff it with bratwurst, and add mustard - regular, not hot or sweet. Kids may prefer ketchup.
Another popular option is Currywurst, where sliced bratwurst is topped with curry sauce, which can be delicious when made from scratch or disappointing when from a bottle.
When cooking brats at home, we often serve them with Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes with gravy or roasted onions; they are a kind of German banger and mash.
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Air Fryer Frozen Brats
Ingredients
- 6 frozen brats Notes 1,2
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer if necessary.
- Place the brats in the basket. If they stick together, cook for 7 minutes at 320°F/ 160°C first.6 frozen brats
- Separate the brats, flip them, and arrange them in the basket with some space in between. Brush them lightly with oil.1 tablespoon oil
- Cook for a further 7 minutes at 350°F/ 180°C or until the internal temperature is 160°F/71°C.
Notes
- Sausages: You can cook different kinds of sausages, such as Italian or pork sausages. Check the internal temperature to ensure they are cooked through without being overdone. The cooking time varies based on the type of sausage and its size.
- Air-fried thawed or fresh brats: If necessary, preheat the air fryer. Arrange the brats in the basket and rub them with oil. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes at 350°F/ 180°C, flipping halfway through or until they are brown and cooked through.
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