Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

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Roasting brussels sprouts in the oven has always been my go-to way to get that crispy exterior, but ever since I made these roasted brussels sprouts in the air fryer, it became my new favorite way to make them! It’s much faster than the oven (same prep time but way quicker cook time), which means less planning. Love it already. But what sealed the deal for my air fryer brussels sprouts recipe is how perfectly crispy and golden brown they turned out. And did I mention faster than ever? I think I did.

Why You’ll Love My Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts Recipe

• Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – A.k.a. the only way I eat brussels sprouts. 😉 But I have to say, no method does this as well as my air fryer!
• Flavor, flavor, flavor – Sweet and savory. Nutty. Caramelized. The combination hits just right.
• Simple ingredients – Nothing fancy here. Just simple staples I always have in my kitchen, and you probably do, too. Just pick up a bag (or stalks) of brussels sprouts and you’re good to go.
• Ultra fast – You know those hectic days when you get home and it’s already dinner time, but you don’t have anything prepared? (Please tell me it’s not just me!) These air fryer brussels sprouts have saved me on days like this. Enough said.
• Makes you feel good – It’s a healthy side dish you can feel good about eating and serving for your family. Even my 8-year-old daughter proclaimed that this is her favorite way to eat vegetables!

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for this brussels sprouts air fryer recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

• Brussels Sprouts – Look for sprouts that are similar in size for even cooking. Cut them in half lengthwise, and remove any outer leaves that are wilted or browned.
• Olive Oil – This helps with browning and caramelization. I like extra virgin olive oil here, but any cooking oil, such as avocado oil, works great.
• Balsamic Vinegar – Adds sweetness and a tangy flavor. If you’re not a fan, you can skip this to just make plain air fryer brussels sprouts.
• Garlic Powder – This coats the sprouts more evenly than minced garlic would. Plus, unlike fresh garlic, it won’t burn.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I have a good starting point on the recipe card below, but you can adjust both to taste after roasting. Don’t wait to add all the salt and pepper until the end, though, or the inside will taste very bland.

How To Cook Brussels Sprouts In Air Fryer

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.

1. Season. In a large bowl, drizzle the brussels sprouts with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle with garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper. Toss together to coat the veggies well.
2. Air fry. Place brussels sprouts in the air fryer basket (I love this air fryer because it has a large basket!) and cook for 5 minutes.

3. Toss and air fry again. Remove and shake the basket to toss brussels sprouts, then cook until golden brown and crispy.

My Top Recipe Tips

• Cook time can vary depending on the size of the sprouts. The cook time in this air fryer brussels sprouts recipe is for small to medium ones, so you may need to increase it if yours are larger, or just cut them into quarters instead.
• Overcooking will ruin the flavor. Be careful not to overcook, or you’ll get that bitter, sulfur flavor that gives brussels sprouts a bad rap. When cooked the right amount, they are sweet and crispy. I love them so much!
• Air fry in a single layer. Avoid crowding the basket, which will cause them to steam, instead of roast. Cook in batches if needed to ensure that there is adequate space.

Common Questions

• How long to cook brussels sprouts in the air fryer? Crispy air fryer brussels sprouts take about 10 minutes to cook, or a few minutes longer for larger sprouts.
• Should you cut brussels sprouts in half before cooking? Yes, I always cut brussels sprouts in half before cooking, as it creates more surface area for them to caramelize and get crispy. It also makes them easier to eat. (You can even cut larger ones into quarters!)
• Can you cook frozen brussels sprouts in the air fryer? Yes, you can air fry frozen sprouts, but they won’t get quite as caramelized or crispy. Fresh tastes better, but I have had success cooking frozen ones when my husband placed my sprouts in the freezer by mistake one day (oops!). The method is similar to roasted frozen brussels sprouts. Air fry them for 5-10 minutes at 350 degrees F to soft, then cut in half, toss with seasonings, and air fry at 400 degrees F until crispy.

Recipe Variations

• Parmesan cheese – Toss the sprouts in grated parmesan before cooking. It creates this crispy crust on them that I totally can’t resist, a little bit like my smashed brussels sprouts. Sometimes I just sprinkle on some shredded parmesan at the end, though.
• Lemon – Swap the balsamic vinegar with a tablespoon of lemon juice (or lime juice) instead. You could add a teaspoon of lemon zest, too.
• Bacon – You can toss leftover chopped air fryer bacon with the cooked brussels, or just add chopped raw bacon to the basket and it will be crispy by the time the sprouts are done. I discovered that this works the same way as my roasted brussels sprouts and bacon.
• Seasonings – Try adding Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or simply crushed red pepper flakes together with the garlic powder. You’d want to omit the salt and pepper if using Cajun, since it already has salt and is spicy.
• Sweetness – Add a couple tablespoons of honey or maple syrup (or try my natural sugar-free honey or sugar-free maple syrup) before roasting for a sweet caramelized finish. Or sometimes I amp up the balsamic flavor in this dish by topping with balsamic glaze at the end. So good!
• More Veggies – When I just need to clean out my fridge or pantry, I mix the sprouts with other veggies. The key is to choose ones that have a cook time on the longer side. Root vegetables (like carrots, beets, rutabaga, or parsnips), and winter squash (like butternut squash, acorn squash, and pumpkin) all work well to cook together with the brussels sprouts in the air fryer.

Storage Instructions

• Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days. I love them with fried eggs or cloud eggs for breakfast the next day!
• Reheat: You might not be too surprised that I prefer to reheat my brussels sprouts in the air fryer, the same way I cooked them. The microwave heats them fine, but leaves them mushy, so I don’t recommend it.
• Freeze: Store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. It’s best to spread them on a parchment paper lined baking sheet first and freeze until solid, then transfer to a bag or airtight container. This will prevent them from sticking together. You can thaw the sprouts before reheating, or just air fry from frozen at a lower temperature (300 degrees F).

What To Serve With Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts

I’m a protein-and-veggies kind of girl for dinner. I guess that explains why I make these air fryer brussels sprouts so often? Here are some of my favorite main dishes to serve with them:

• Chicken – I love to serve my crispy brussels sprouts with equally crispy baked chicken legs (or crispy baked chicken thighs), air fryer chicken wings, or chicken leg quarters. If you prefer chicken breast, it doesn’t have to be boring! Take it up a notch with lemon and garlic chicken or garlic butter chicken.
• Steak – Make air fryer steak for a casual dinner cooked in the same appliance, or make your meal extra special with a filet mignon or ribeye.
• Pork – Pork chops are a solid choice I’ve learned to love! Try pan seared pork chops or air fryer pork chops for the simplest prep, or stuffed pork chops if you want to get fancy.
• Fish – Make a quick and simple dinner with air fryer cod or air fryer shrimp. If you want to cook your main course on the stovetop while you have the brussels sprouts in the air fryer, my personal favorite is pan seared salmon, but pan fried tilapia and parmesan crusted tilapia are close seconds.

My Favorite Air Fryer

The larger basket in my air fryer reduces the necessity to cook foods in batches. I can fit an entire pound of brussels sprouts in one go!

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Recipe Card

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Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts (Fast & Crispy!)

These easy air fryer brussels sprouts are perfection! They come out perfectly crispy, tender, and caramelized, all in just 15 minutes.

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 10 minutes

Total: 15 minutes

Author: Maya Krampf from Wholesome Yum

Servings: 4 (adjust to scale recipe)

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Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

• 1 lb Brussels sprouts (sliced in half lengthwise) ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar ▢
• 1/2 tsp Garlic powder ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/2 tsp Black pepper ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

2. In a large bowl, toss the brussels sprouts with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.

3. Add the brussels sprouts to the air fryer basket. (Don't crowd the basket; each sprout should be touching the bottom, so cook in batches if they don't fit.) Cook for about 5 minutes.

4. Remove and shake the air fryer basket to toss the sprouts, then cook for another 5 minutes (or a few minutes longer for larger sprouts), until crispy and golden brown.

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Try More Of My Recipes

• 
  Air Fryer Eggplant
• 
  Air Fryer Zucchini Chips
• 
  Air Fryer Chicken Legs
• 
  Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 cup

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Nutrition Facts

Amounts per serving. Serving size in recipe notes above.

Calories 105

Fat 7.3g

Protein 3.1g

Total Carbs 9g

Net Carbs 5.6g

Fiber 3.4g

Sugar 2.6g

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keywords: air fryer brussels sprout recipe, air fryer brussels sprouts, brussels sprouts in the air fryer

Calories: 105 kcal

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