Learn how to cook brats in the oven and try our tips to prepare the most delicious bratwursts you’ve ever tasted!
We’re going to cover how to cook brats, but before your mind races to images of Hansel and Gretel sliding into the witch’s oven, let’s be super clear — brats is a nickname for bratwurst, a German sausage that is made from pork, beef, or veal. I will explain how to cook brats in the oven, other ways to prepare them, and how you might best enjoy them!
What is the Difference Between Brats and Sausage?
It may be confusing to differentiate between brats and sausage.
Sausages are meat products containing ground meats and spices packed into a casing. The casing can be synthetically made or crafted from animal intestines or skin.
Sausage can be fresh, cured (like salami), smoked, or dried.
Bratwursts are a type of sausage that originated in Germany. The name literally translates to “ground meat sausage.” You can add brats to your Christmas menu if you’re looking to try some different foods from around the world when celebrating this season!
Brats are specifically made with certain types of meats and seasonings, namely pork, veal, and marjoram.
Bratwursts are raw, fresh sausages that can be served in many different ways. They require cooking because of their raw status, unlike some smoked, dried, or cured sausages.
So, what’s the difference between bratwurst and sausage? Bratwursts are a type of sausage, but not all sausage is bratwurst.
Can You Put Brats in the Oven?
Yes!
Brats must be cooked before eating, and cooking your bratwurst in the oven is a great way to prepare your meal. Your sausage will be safe to eat once the core temperature reaches at least 160°F.
Simple instructions for cooking your bratwurst in the oven:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place parchment paper on a rimmed sheet pan.
If you don’t have parchment paper on hand, you can spray the sheet pan with non-stick spray.
Sausage often releases juices and grease as it cooks, so you don’t want to skip the rimmed sheet pan. If you don’t have a rimmed sheet pan, you can use a shallow baking dish — just make sure it is oven-safe for 400°F.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Turn the sausage over and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F. Check the brats regularly to prevent overcooking.
Can You Cook Frozen Brats in the Oven?
Yes! And the best news is that you don’t have to thaw them out first if you don’t want to.
While thawing them will make them cook much faster, it’s okay to plan a last-minute dinner with brats that are still frosty.
Add an additional 15-20 minutes of cook time and flip every 10 minutes.
Pre-Cooked Brats in an Air Fryer
Looking to prepare your pre-cooked brats in your air fryer? No problem!
Place your brats on the cooking tray or in the air fryer basket. Preheat your air fryer to 360°F.
Cook the brats for 7 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 7 minutes.
Always arrange your air fryer foods in a single layer with space between each item to allow for proper air flow and circulation — this is what cooks the food evenly and thoroughly. (Explore more of our air fryer recipes, too!)
Your brats are done in the air fryer when they reach an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
Air fryer brats are nice and hot, with a crispy exterior that adds so much dimension to your sausage. I strongly suggest trying air fryer brats!
How Long to Boil Brats Before Grilling
Parboiling is a step you can add to your bratwurst preparation that will greatly improve your results.
While not essential, we highly recommend it for several reasons: it greatly reduces cooking time, it helps prevent undercooking of the insides when the outsides may be done, and it helps retain moisture.
I love it for grilling brats because it jumpstarts the cooking process and makes perfectly grilled bratwurst a snap (literally — you’re going to love the crispy finish!)
We suggest boiling brats for between 6-8 minutes or until they are fully gray in color. You can store parboiled brats in the fridge for 2-3 days before finishing, or you can freeze them in an airtight freezer bag for 3-6 months to save you time after they thaw out!
Here are all our tips for how to parboil brats.
Can You Pan-Fry Brats?
Yes! Not only can you cook bratwurst in a frying pan on the stovetop, but it’s easy and delicious.
- Preheat your pan over medium heat and add a small amount of cooking oil to the pan.
- Dry your bratwurst with a paper towel and place the sausage in the heated pan.
- Add a small amount of water and cover to steam the bratwurst.
- Turn the bratwurst regularly for even cooking.
- Once the center temperature reaches 160°F, drain the water from the pan, but do not remove the brats.
- Brown the sausages for a few minutes, turning regularly until caramelized.
Enjoy!
What to Serve With Brats
Brats are often served with traditional sausage sides such as peppers, mushrooms, and onions, like our Beer Brats with Mushrooms and Onions Recipe. (You could also try currywurst, another German classic!)
Another popular side is sauerkraut, a finely cut raw cabbage that has been fermented by lactic acid bacteria. If you are new to sauerkraut with brats, or looking to try something new with a classic favorite, try our Sauerkraut Topped Brat Burgers.
A hearty potato dish, such as German Fried Potatoes or Potato Salad makes for an excellent side for filling, rich brats.
If you’re looking for something culturally significant but lighter, try German Cucumber Salad.
German Lentil Soup is a warm, rich soup. Replace the ham with bratwurst or serve on the side.
Dijon mustard is a condiment often utilized when serving brat. If you ran out, don’t worry — we have substitution recommendations you’ll love!
Beer and brats — what more could you ask for? Whether you’re trying to finish up some beer, baking some delicious beer bread as a side dish, or replacing your beer with non-alcoholic alternatives, don’t go without trying this heavenly combo!
What good is dinner without dessert? Try a German Chocolate Cheesecake for a traditionally inspired dish to impress guests or your family!
