Brats in the Oven: Cooking brats in the oven is so easy and a great option and easy way to get dinner on the table quick! Cooking them in the oven is similar to the way we cook Italian sausages in the oven and hot dogs in the oven, too!
We’ve also cooked bratwursts on the stove with onions, and that’s also a delicious option!
Why You’ll Love Baking Bratwursts
We absolutely love having brats for lunch or as a fast dinner idea. They’ve even become a staple in our house when we have guests visiting or staying with us.
They’re just one of those things that require very little thought and usually, everyone loves them, so they’re a “no-brainer” when it comes to feeding a large group.
Now, don’t get me wrong… a brat on the grill is superb. But when it’s raining or there’s 10 ft. of snow on the ground, this gal’s not going outside to use the grill, and I prefer oven baked recipes.
Plus, sometimes I just don’t feel like using the grill and the oven sounds like a better idea. Or sometimes, even cooking brats in the air fryer in only 10 minutes is my favorite!
How to Cook Brats in the Oven
Scroll down to the bottom of this post to see the full printable recipe card with ingredients and instructions!
First, you can cook whatever flavor of brats that you prefer! I usually grab a generic brand but I DO love Johnsonville brats! (I tend to use the regular kind if I’m adding it to something like this easy sausage casserole recipe.)
We also love mixing things up and grabbing new flavors from the butcher shop from time to time.
However, I tend to keep brats in the freezer, like these beer brats, below, from Walmart for those unexpected group dinners or when we need something quick and easy.
Grease a Baking Dish
In a baking dish (or even casserole dish) big enough to fit all of the brats you’re planning to bake, grease with non-stick cooking spray. (You can even line your dish with aluminum foil to help keep the mess down, if you prefer.)
Place the brats in the dish, making sure they’re not on top of one another, or preferably, not even touching. (To allow all sides of the brats to cook.)
How Long to Cook Brats in the Oven
When your oven has preheated, place the baking dish/raw brats in the oven and bake at 400 for 10 minutes.
After the 10 minutes, turn the brats over and bake for another 6 minutes.
After the 6 minutes, feel free to turn the oven to broil and allow the brats to sit under the hot heat for about another minute to gain that “grill-like” brat.
Cooking times can vary:
I’ve made these in two different ovens, and I’ve found it to vary for cooking time. In my really old oven, it only took 16 minutes to reach the 160 internal temperature.
In my brand-new oven, it took 20-25 minutes to reach the 160degree internal temperature. So cook times can vary!
Internal Temperature Needs to Reach 160°
When the brats have cooked for 16-17 minutes, check the internal temperature of the brats to make sure they have reached a temperature of 160°.
How to Serve
Our favorite: Place oven baked brats on hot dog buns or a hoagie roll!
Other Option: You can definitely eat bratwursts without bread, especially if you’re doing a low-carb diet!
Or, you can cut up the bratwursts in to small slices and add in to your favorite pasta recipe or in a cabbage and sausage dish!
Brat Toppings
There are many different types of toppings you can put on bratwursts but I wanted to share some of our favorites!
I’m going to have a hard time passing up plain ole mustard on a brat. (As you can see below.)
BUT… I do love to adventure out at times and try something new. Here are my top favorites and make sure to check out my hot dog topping ideas to get even more ideas for your own brats!
- Saurkraut
- BBQ Sauce
- Relish
- Queso
- Grilled Peppers
- Grilled Onions
- Bell Peppers
- Red Onions
- Sour Cream
TIP: Having a party? Have a “Brat Bar” so everyone can add their own favorite toppings! If needed, you can see our favorite food bar ideas!
How to Store
If you have leftover brats, store in an airtight container once they’ve cooled and enjoy within 3-4 days!
Simply reheat by re-warming in the oven, in a microwave or in an air fryer.
What to Serve as a Side Dish with Brats
Keeping it simple? Grab some of these easy side dishes:
- potato chips
- German potato salad or Amish potato salad
- pickles
- pasta salad recipes
- side salad
- cornbread salad
- cucumber salad
- baked beans
- seasoned ranch potato wedges
- or any of these side dish recipes
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Brats in the Oven
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 5 bratwursts
- bbq sauce optional, or favorite toppings! See ideas in post!
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°.
- Place brats in a greased baking pan, making sure the brats are not overlapping.
- Bake for 10 minutes and then turn the brats.
- Bake for 6 more minutes. (Optional… broil for 1 more minute to really give a little crisp/char texture.)
- When brats are finished, make sure the internal temperature is 160°.
- Top with your favorite toppings. See ideas below!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Lin says
So so easy, and so good. Thank You
Jessica says
I’m so glad, Lin! Thank you so much for letting me know. 🙂
Anna says
My family loved these brats! It’s such a convenience to cook them in the oven. Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Melissa says
Great recipe – fun way to cook them without having to go outside and BBQ!
Kristyn says
Using the oven to cook these is the easiest!! They turn out so perfectly & tasty!! It’s a go-to weekend night dinner of ours!!
merry says
I had never heard of cooking Brats in the oven but it works great and we enjoyed them.
Jessica says
I’m so glad that you liked them! Thank you so much for letting us know!
Sascha says
Great and easy way to make bratwurst.
Suggestion for topping: cut cooked bratwurst in half lengthwise, squirter in tomato ketchup and sprinkle with curry powder.
Favourite streetfood in some parts of Germany. Dry curry powder sounds odd but try it on at least one brat in your next batch. Enjoy!
Jessica says
Mmmm! I love this idea for topping it, thank you so much!
April says
This is such a great way to cook a lot of brats at once!
Jessica says
Absolutely!! One of my favorite recipes to cook ahead of time, so we can just reheat and eat on them for most of the week!
Betsy says
My husband, who is a much bigger brats fan than I, loved this recipe! Perfect browning and such amazing flavor! We’ll have to make this again for sure!
Jessica says
That’s excellent that he loved this brats recipe! I’m so glad that it was a hit! 🙂 Thank you!
Beth says
This is another great way to cook brats! My family loves these cooked in the oven! Perfect for easy dinner nights!
Jessica says
Yes! I completely agree! They are perfect for an easy dinner night for sure!