Air frying Johnsonville brats cooks the pork sausages quickly while browning their casings, with no need to heat up a grill or large oven. Serve them hot in buns with classic toppings, or alongside potatoes and vegetables for an easy meal.
Ingredients
- 5 Johnsonville fresh bratwurst links, about 1 package (approximately 19 oz / 539 g)
- 5 brat buns, about 5 (approximately 250 g total)
- Yellow mustard, 5 teaspoons (25 ml), or to taste
- Optional toppings: ½ cup (75 g) thinly sliced yellow onion, ½ cup (75 g) sauerkraut, or ½ cup (75 g) drained pickle relish
Instructions
- Check the package. This method is for fresh, raw Johnsonville bratwurst links, not precooked brats. If your package gives different air-fryer directions, follow those, since models and product sizes vary.
- Preheat the air fryer. Preheat to 360°F (182°C) for 3 minutes if your model calls for preheating. If it does not, you can put the sausages into a cold basket and start the cooking time when the machine turns on; they may need an extra minute or two.
- Arrange the sausages. Place the brats in a single layer in the basket, leaving space around each link for air to circulate. Do not pierce or split them; keeping the casings intact helps retain their juices. Cook in batches if needed.
- Air fry. Cook at 360°F (182°C) for 10 minutes, then turn the brats with tongs. Cook for another 2–5 minutes, checking the temperature at the 12-minute mark. They are done when the center of the thickest link reaches 160°F (71°C); the USDA FSIS safe minimum for ground pork is 160°F (71°C). Check each link with an instant-read thermometer inserted from the end into the center, without touching the basket. Continue cooking in short increments if needed. Color alone is not a reliable doneness check.
- Toast the buns, if desired. Transfer the cooked brats to a clean plate. Put the buns cut-side up in the air fryer for 1–2 minutes at 360°F (182°C), watching closely so they do not over-toast. This is optional and may require a separate batch.
- Serve. Put each brat in a bun and add mustard, onion, sauerkraut, or your chosen toppings. Use clean serving utensils and plates rather than anything that held raw sausage.
Tips
- Leave room in the basket. Crowding blocks airflow and can lead to uneven browning and cooking. A second batch is better than stacking the links.
- Use a thermometer. Bratwurst thickness, starting temperature, and air-fryer performance affect cooking time. Begin checking at 12 minutes, but rely on the 160°F (71°C) reading—not a timer or browned casing—to confirm doneness.
- Skip extra oil. Bratwurst releases fat as it cooks, so coating it with oil is usually unnecessary. If your air-fryer manual advises against cooking fatty foods in the appliance, follow its instructions and clean the basket as directed.
- Choose toppings to suit the meal. Sauerkraut brings a tangy contrast; sliced onion adds crunch, while relish gives a sweeter, sharper bite. Drain wet toppings so they do not make the bun soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the brats in toasted buns with mustard and one or two toppings. For a fuller meal, pair them with potato salad, coleslaw, green salad, roasted vegetables, or air-fried potato wedges. Keep sauces and toppings in separate bowls if everyone wants to assemble their own. If serving a group, cook in batches and keep finished links warm briefly in a covered dish; do not leave cooked food at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Variations
- Without buns: Serve the cooked links whole or sliced with sautéed peppers and onions, potatoes, or a simple salad. Use a clean cutting board and knife after cooking.
- Different Johnsonville varieties: The range includes fresh bratwurst options with different seasonings and ingredients. Check the package because sizes and whether a sausage is raw or precooked can change the method. For raw pork bratwurst, confirm 160°F (71°C) at the center.
- Extra toasted buns: Toast cut-side-up buns for a little longer, checking every 30 seconds. Air fryers brown bread quickly, and the exact time depends on the bun and appliance.
- More servings: Double the ingredients and cook the sausages in separate batches rather than filling the basket tightly. Keep the first batch covered while the next cooks, then serve promptly.
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate leftover cooked brats within 2 hours of cooking, in a covered container. They keep for 3–4 days in the refrigerator. For longer storage, freeze them in a sealed freezer-safe container; for best quality, use within 2–3 months. Thaw frozen leftovers in the refrigerator, not on the counter.
Reheat only the amount you plan to eat. Warm brats in the air fryer at 325°F (163°C), turning once, until the center reaches 165°F (74°C), the safe temperature for reheated leftovers. The time varies with thickness and whether the sausage is chilled or thawed, so check with a thermometer rather than relying on a fixed time. You can also reheat them covered in a skillet with a splash of water. Discard leftovers that have been at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour in temperatures above 90°F (32°C).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do Johnsonville brats take in an air fryer?
Fresh raw links typically take about 12–15 minutes at 360°F (182°C), turned once. Thickness and appliance performance affect the timing, so check that the thickest part reaches 160°F (71°C).
Do I need to preheat the air fryer?
Preheating for 3 minutes can help the sausages start cooking evenly, but it is not essential for every model. If you start with a cold air fryer, allow for a little extra cooking time and confirm doneness with a thermometer.
Should I poke holes in bratwurst before air frying?
No. Leave the casings intact so juices and rendered fat stay inside the links. Turning them with tongs is enough to brown the sides.
Can I cook frozen Johnsonville brats in the air fryer?
Fresh raw brats are easiest to cook evenly after thawing in the refrigerator. If cooking from frozen, follow the package instructions where available, expect a longer cooking time, and check the center of every link for 160°F (71°C). Do not use the outside color to judge doneness.
Can I cook precooked Johnsonville brats this way?
Yes, but precooked sausages only need reheating, not the raw-sausage cooking time. Follow the package directions and heat leftovers to 165°F (74°C). A thermometer helps prevent overcooking while confirming they are hot throughout.
Why did my brats split or burst?
They may have cooked too long or at too high a temperature, or the casing may have been damaged. Use the moderate 360°F (182°C) setting, avoid piercing the links, and start checking their internal temperature at 12 minutes.
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Safety notes: safe minimum internal temperatures from USDA FSIS; raw and undercooked fish guidance from the U.S. FDA. Food safety notes
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