5 Star Reader Comment
I love these cooked in the air fryer! Brilliant.
Sarah
The Air Fryer Makes Brussels Sprouts Better
I’ll admit it — Brussels sprouts were not always an easy sell at my house. But the air fryer changed that. The high heat gets all those cut edges browned and crisp while the centers stay tender, and even my husband will happily eat them this way.
I make these when I need a quick vegetable for supper, but they’re good enough to put on a holiday table, too. And because the air fryer handles them in about 15 minutes, they don’t take up valuable oven space when everything else is cooking. This is one of the simplest side dishes I make when I want something fast with plenty of flavor.
Donya’s Tips And Things To Know
- Dry them well. If you rinse the sprouts first, make sure they’re dry before adding the oil. Extra moisture works against those crisp edges.
- Keep the loose leaves. Don’t throw away every leaf that falls off while you’re cutting. A few of those little leaves turn wonderfully crisp in the air fryer.
- Cook in batches if needed. Air fryer baskets vary in size. If the sprouts are stacked on top of each other, split them into two batches.
- Serve them right away. Brussels sprouts are at their best straight from the basket while the edges are still crisp.
- Add finishing flavors after cooking. Parmesan, crumbled bacon, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze are especially good.
Ready to discover even more possibilities with your air fryer? Don’t miss my ultimate list of Air Frying At Home: Tools, Tips, and Recipes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Brussels sprouts – Choose fresh, firm sprouts with tightly packed leaves. Cut off the stem ends, remove any bruised outer leaves, then halve them. Quarter any especially large sprouts so they cook evenly.
- Olive oil – Just enough to lightly coat the sprouts and help the cut sides brown and crisp.
- Salt – Seasons the sprouts before cooking. Give them a taste when they come out of the air fryer and add another pinch if needed.
- Red pepper flakes – Adds a little warmth without overpowering the Brussels sprouts. Use more or less to suit your taste.
How To Make Crispy Brussels Sprouts In The Air Fryer
Air fry Brussels sprouts at 370°F for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Smaller sprouts may cook a little faster, while larger pieces may need another minute or two.
- Prep the sprouts. Trim the stem ends, remove any bruised outer leaves, and cut the sprouts in half. Quarter any especially large ones so they cook at about the same rate. Add the Brussels sprouts to a mixing bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt and red pepper flakes. Toss until lightly coated.
- Air fry. Arrange the sprouts in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Cook at 370°F for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Check for browned edges and a tender center, then taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve right away.
Want Softer Brussels Sprouts In The Middle?
Getting that just-right texture with Brussels sprouts can be a bit tricky—crisping up the outside without overdoing it before the center has a chance to cook through. Personally, I like mine with a little firmness all the way through, but if you’re someone who prefers a softer center, there’s an easy fix:
Soak your Brussels sprouts in water for about 10 minutes before air frying. It helps the middle soften up while still letting the outside get nice and crispy. And no, they won’t turn soggy.
Delicious Ways To Serve
I usually serve these as a quick side dish, but they can easily move into appetizer or snack territory with a good dipping sauce. Here are a few of my favorite ways to finish and serve them:
- Serve as an appetizer or snack with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.
- They are a quick side dish made extra delicious with a drizzle of Balsamic Syrup.
- Add fried bacon and onion for a main dish.
- These crispy sprouts are great on top of a salad with Blue Cheese Dressing.
Craving More? Try These Veggie Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound brussels sprouts
- 1 ½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts and remove any bruised leaves. Cut the sprouts in half and the large ones into quarters.
- Add the Brussels sprouts to a medium-sized bowl and drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle on salt and red pepper.
- Add the prepared sprouts to the air fryer basket. Set the temperature to 370 degrees and the timer to 15 minutes. Shake the basket of the air fryer at the halfway cooking time.
- Remove the brussels sprouts from the air fryer basket, taste, and adjust seasoning. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to shake the air fryer basket halfway through cooking for even cooking.
- Air fryer frozen Brussels sprouts may take a few more minutes to cook through, so plan for that.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket. Make sure there’s enough space between the sprouts for them to cook evenly.
- To get extra crispy Brussels sprouts, use avocado oil instead of olive oil.
- Add some extra flavor by making air fryer Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze.
Nutrition
Commonly Asked Questions
Frozen Brussels sprouts usually need about 15 to 18 minutes in the air fryer. Toss them with a little oil and seasoning, shake the basket halfway through, and add a few extra minutes if needed for the texture you like.
They are best served right after cooking, when the edges are crisp. If you need to prep ahead, trim and cut the Brussels sprouts, then refrigerate them until you are ready to season and air fry.
Reheat them at 350°F for a few minutes, just until hot and crisp again. Keep an eye on them so the outer leaves do not get too dark.
If you tried these Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts, please leave a star rating and let me know how they turned out in the comments below. Thanks!
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I love Balsamic Glaze ! When do you apply it to the Brussel Sprouts?
I drizzle it on after the sprouts are done. Here’s my recipe and it’s super easy – https://www.asouthernsoul.com/balsamic-reduction/
Enjoy!
~Donya
I’ve always loved brussels in the air fryer! I may be about the only weirdo who does this – but I cook halved shallots in the air fryer as well! I treat them as a side dish and could have them almost every night (but they are a bit pricey) :). Like the brussels, some of the shallot layers will break loose and fly around a bit while cooking, but they are just as good with a bit of a char on them! I love every recipe I’ve seen so far here, and have subscribed…thanks for sharing!
WOW! You’ve made my day, Kate. Thanks for sharing and for the terrific rating.
~Donya
Could the same prep be used to fix on the Grill? I do other veggies and they turn out very tasty.
Love your ideas
Hey there.
You most definitely use the same method for the grill. I think they will turn out great!
Have a wonderful day,
~Donya
I love these cooked in the air fryer! Brilliant.
Thanks.